If you like those "free sample" labels from Dover and need some ideas on what to use them for, try some of these examples.

The first one is very simple. You can download the apple crate I made here. Unzip and open in PI.

Open a label image you like, R/C, All, Convert to object and drag it to the window with the crate. Use the Transform tool, Distort and simply pull the nodes to make it fit the front of the crate:

The next two example are a little harder to do and require paying close attention to making the selections. You might want to turn on the Grid function to help keep the selections even.

Using the path tools, first make a box in the shape you want to use.

Open a label image, making sure that Preserve Base Image is not checked. This will just make it easier to see what you have already selected.

R/C on the label and select All. Click the Select on Object button in the toolbar:

Make a rectangular selection on the top half of the label, convert to object.

Make another selection on the bottom half, convert to object. Shift click the two selections and Group.

Drag the grouped selections to your box image and resize to fit.

Move the selections to this position and Ungroup.

Once again using the Distort tool, pull the top piece into this position.

Let's do one more. Draw a box to this shape:

Use the same steps as above, except make a selection down the left 1/4 of the label.

Again, drag the two selections to your box:

and distort to fit:

Below are samples of boxes I did. Notice you can also use any picture for this method.

Now for something different to use those labels on.

First, let me say that I have seen many graphics on the web that are of bottles, etc. and the labels have been applied straight to the front. If you want your labels to fit a bottle or jug, it looks so much better (in MNSHO) to bend the labels to fit the contour of the bottle.

Here's how to do it:

First, have a graphic or picture of a bottle and a label you want use open in PI.

Make the label image active: go to Adjust, Expand canvas and use a setting somewhat like this:

Now go to Effect, Distort, Shear.

When the dialog window opens, first R/C on the window as below and delete one of the middle points.

Use the settings below, Vertical and Repeat Edge Pixels, and then pull the center node downward just a little.

Watch the preview window to see the bend.

Your label image should look so:

Use the Magic Wand with a low setting to select the white area around the label. R/C, invert, convert to object.

Drag this image to your bottle image and resize to fit.

You might want to adjust the transparency of the label to let some of the reflection show through.

The finished bottle with a realistic-looking label:

Any questions or problems, e-mail me here.

Paradigm PI Graphics

Tutorials