Web Design and Graphics Room. Thread, Help needed with Christmas card!!

I took some photos of fireworks at our Regatta last month and I was particularly pleased with one particular one which looked like the Star of Bethlehem, complete with some "stars" round it!

I want to use small versions of this photo on some Christmas cards. I'll paint the background, using dark blue grading down to pale blue, but then I want to put a cut-out of the Three Kings as a silhouette against the paler blue.

If I print the graphic out on white paper, it'll look horrible, as I really can't cut round the outlines of the camels and kings.

I've managed to print the graphic on a sheet of acetate,
but two days later, the ink still smudges, so I still don't know what to do. Is there anything that will "set" the graphic so that it doesn't smudge? I'm even toying with the idea of hairspray, clear nail varnish etc etc, but it seems daft!!

Any ideas? Help would be very much appreciated.

__________________
Like a parachute, a mind works best when it's open!

Skyrunner is the person who may have the answer for you.
Not my subject field, but cant you use, say the magic wand tool or similar.
Cut around the outline of the subject and make the background transparent.
I did this some time ago called Riding High,
dont ask how cant remember.

Attached Images

riding_high1_139.jpg (47.8 KB, 55 views)

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Here are three links that contain info that may be of help to you.

From Skyrunner transparent Giffs
http://www.idf50.co.uk/webhost/membe...transgiffs.htm

From Brydavis on selections
http://www.idf50.co.uk/webhost/membe...selections.htm

From Grog on changing backgrounds
You will have to go down the page to find it
http://www.idf50.co.uk/webhost/membe...hy/vartuts.htm

__________________
Knowledge is not knowing all the answers,
but knowing where to find the answers.
www.smitheram.co.uk

Moderator of, Web Design/Graphics Room.
P4-XP pro-IE7-B/B-ZA-AVG

Clever thinking Funbundle, to consider acetate, because of course, that's the way animated films used to be put together, the characters on acetate against a painted background.

I used to do that, work on acetate doing animation film artwork, and we used to have to use acrylic based paints and inks or waxy pencils/crayons, as ordinary water based stuff won't stick to it... as you've discovered!!! I suppose it must be possible to get special printer inks for acetate because it does get printed on, but I have no idea how easy special inks are to obtain.

There are several ways to do what you are trying to achieve, but I need a bit more info...


1.) You have your photo of the fireworks, I assume that's on your computer?

2.) You're painted background, are you painting this on your computer in a graphics program, or painting it on paper?

3.) And your three kings graphic, is that on your computer or on paper?

4.) Are you using a computer graphics program, if so, which one?

Then we can see what options we have :wink:

Hope that's enough info and I do appreciate your help. If you like, I could send you copies of photo and graphic via email if it would of any use.

__________________
Like a parachute, a mind works best when it's open!

Right. Thanks Funbundle.

Are you going to then scan your pencilled sky in to the computer?

Assuming you are, we have all the components together, and the next thing to sort is cutting out the wise men. Do you have any graphics program at all? (Photoshop? Paint Shop Pro? Photopaint?)

Yes, it'd help to see the photo and graphic. I'll send you a PM with my e-mail address.

How are you getting on Funbundle? Did you get the cut out I sent you?