Paper Lanterns Part Three.

Now everyone should have just created the "Front" Layer.  We like it so much, we're going to make two copies of it.  Rename one of the copies to "Left" and one to "Right".  Move the "Left" copy left, and the right copy... you get the picture.

Now, starting on the "Left" Layer, Choose your Deformation Tool.  Place your cursor on the middle box on the left side, and then hold down the control key.  You should see a little white triangle appear.  Now, while holding down the left mouse button, and the control key, move the mouse up, until the top of your "left side" is at the same angle as the top of your lantern. Apply the Deformation, you should have something like this:

Click on the deformation tool again, and thin the left side by placing your cursor the same place as before, click and move the mouse to the right, Here's how mine looks:

Now, do the same with the layer we named "Right".

Here's how mine looks resized:

Reduce the Opacity on the "Right", "Front", and "Left" layers to about 70%.

Make Copies of the "Right" and "Left" layers, and drag them under the layer we named "Bottom".  Bring the Opacity on these Back to 100%, and arrange them with the mover tool so that the lantern appears to have all it's sides.  Use the Deformation tool to get the correct Perspective on the Pleats.  After you get them the way you want them, make all the other layers in invisible but these two, and then Merge Visible Layers.  Rename this Merged layer to "Back".  Here's Mine:

It's a bit difficult to see, but we're about to fix that.

Now, Merge the "Right", "Front", and "Left" layers together,  and rename to "Front".  Your Layer Palette should now look Like this:

Make the "Bottom" layer active, and add a new layer,  name it Light.

Choose your Selection tool, with these Settings:

Selection Type: Rectangle, Feather:20, Antialias Checked

Draw your selection from one side of the Hexagon to the other, from top to bottom, like this:

Now, you should see that the "marching ants" have expanded in a rounded rectangle shape, and are for the most part, all around your lamp.  Next flood fill this selection with a very light color. Usually a very light yellow works best.  Since yellow is the color of the "Paper" of my Lamp, I'm going to use a very light blue, almost white.  Lower the Opacity of this layer to 50%.  Now it appears that the inside of the lantern is glowing.

Nearly finished!  It still doesn't look like much until you add the tassels. 

Jo, of Paint Shop ProPourri, has very kindly allowed me to post a link to her Tassel Tutorial.  And she's also got her tassels tubed for download on her site, if you don't want to make your own.  Thanks Again Jo!

Add another new layer, drag this one under the layer named "Bottom".  Put your tassel on this layer so it appears that the tassel is hanging from the center of the bottom of your lantern.

Add another new layer, and drag it just below the layer named "Top", so the tassels will look like they're hanging from just under the edge of the top of your lantern.  Mine look like this:

Now, last but not least, so your lantern doesn't look like it's floating on air, Choose the Rope Tube, and set the Scale to about 25.  Draw a "hanger" for your lantern, on the layer we named "Top".  Where the ends meet, I drew in circles, so it looks like a knot. 

Merge Visible Layers, and now you have a lantern on a transparent background, to tube, or add to any other Image.

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