Layers and Web Button Organization

Sometimes when creating a web page we need lots of buttons. Having a ton of button files can become confusing. If you have to create psp files and then the gif or jpg files to match it can become an unholy amount of files to sort through.

There is a way to solve this problem with Paint Shop Pro. You can create all your buttons in one file and then save the individual gif or jpg files from that.

For this tutorial we're going to create a simple button with one of Paint Shop Pro's default vector shapes.

Start a new image 100 x 50.

Choose the shapes tool.

Choose one of the built in buttons.

Draw the button on your image making sure that Retain style and Create as Vector are checked in the Tool Options palette.

A new vector layer is created automatically. This makes it easier to size the button without losing image quality as can sometimes happen with rastor layers and shapes.

Create a new layer and name it Text 1. This is where we're going to apply an effect for the first button text.

Choose the Text tool and create some text. Make sure in the Text tool palette that Floating is checked. I used a dark blue color for the normal state of the button text.

A new "temporary" layer is created called Floating Selection.

Click on the "Text 1" layer.

Go to Effect>3D Effects>Cutout. Set vertical and horizontal to about 2. Set transparency to about 75 and blur to about 6.5 and color to black.

Go to Effect>3D Effects>Drop Shadow. Set horizontal and vertical to 1. Set transparency to 100 and blur to about 6.5. Set color to white.

You now have a carved effect for the up and normal states of the first button.

Go to Selections>Promote Selection to Layer

Using the Text Tool again, create a contrasting color text. I used red for the text color.

Go ahead and go to Selections>Promote Selection to Layer

Drag the "Text 1" Layer to the top of the Layer Palette.

If you turn off both promoted layers you will see the effects layer.

You can see the button without any text color.

For each button text that you need create the buttons in the same image as you just worked on. Turn off the layers you are finished with and create new layers, text and effects as necessary.

When you are finished you will have nice rollover images just the way you want them all in one psp file ready for use any time you want. When you need to export the buttons, turn on only the layers necessary for the button you need to export, i.e., for the normal button for "Home" I would have the effect layer and the blue "Home" text layer on with the button shape layer on. If you mouse over the above image you will see the first button I created in this psp file. I can make as many buttons in this file as I want. I only have to have one button shape layer and then the text layers for each text button.

Copyright Vikki Olds, All Rights Reserved