(http://images59.fotki.com/v255/photos/5/1294515/8684281/CROSezyHelionSparkleSTM12-vi.gif)
I've created this in PSP9 and I would assume it can be created in all versions.
You'll also need some knowledge of applying masks and Animation Shop.
Supplies needed:
A tube of choice. I'm using one by Cuddly Rigor Mortis (http://www.cuddlyrigormortis.com), available to purchase from CDO (http://www.cdoestore.com/).
Do not use the same tube without the appropriate license.
Mask of choice. I'm using one created by the wonderful Spawn (http://spawnsfsmasks.blogspot.co.uk) - I've used Spawn's Forum Set Mask 11.
Font of choice. I'm using Miss Lankfort.
Plugins:
Filter Factory S - Pathways to Helion
DSB flux - Bright Noise
Alien Skin Xenofex 2 - Constellation
Eye Candy Impact – Gradient Glow (optional)
1. Open a new transparent image 600 x 250 pixels. Select a medium-light colour from your tube for your foreground and a darker version of the same colour for your background.
2. Change your foreground to gradient, with the following settings:
(http://images108.fotki.com/v613/photos/5/1294515/8684281/HelionSparkleGradient-vi.jpg)
3. Flood fill your canvas with your gradient. Duplicate this layer.
4. On your duplicate, apply Filter Factory S - Pathways to Helion with the following settings:
(http://images61.fotki.com/v777/photos/5/1294515/8684281/HelionSparkleHelion-vi.jpg)
5. On the same layer, apply DSB flux - Bright Noise with the following settings:
(http://images42.fotki.com/v664/photos/5/1294515/8684281/HelionSparkleBrightNoise-vi.jpg)
6. Change the blend mode to Soft Light, or one that suits your tag. Merge visible.
7. Add a new raster layer. Flood fill it white or a light colour of your choice.
8. Apply your mask to this new layer. Merge group.
9. Duplicate your mask layer twice, giving you a total of three mask layers.
On your first mask layer, apply Alien Skin Xenofex 2 - Constellation with the following settings:
(http://images55.fotki.com/v585/photos/5/1294515/8684281/HelionSparkleConstellation-vi.jpg)
Apply this to your other two mask layers, making sure to press 'Random Seed' each time.
Hide your top two mask layers for now.
10. Paste your tube as a new layer, making sure it's the top layer in your layers palette. Add a drop shadow of choice.
11. Add a new raster layer. Flood fill it with the same colour you used for your mask layer.
Selections - Selection All. Selections - Modify - Contract by 2. Press delete. Selections - Select None.
12. Add your name, applying Gradient Glow (my settings are below) if necessary. Add a drop shadow of choice.
(http://images55.fotki.com/v585/photos/5/1294515/8684281/HelionSparkleGlow-vi.jpg)
13. Add copyright and license number (if necessary).
Now onto the animation
14. Make sure you only have one mask layer open. Edit - Copy Merged.
Paste this as a new animation in Animation Shop.
15. Return to Paint Shop. Hide that mask layer and open the next mask layer. Edit - Copy Merged.
Paste this after your first frame in Animation Shop.
16. Return to Paint Shop. Hide that mask layer and open your final mask layer. Edit - Copy Merged.
Paste this after your first frame in Animation Shop.
17. In Animation Shop, Edit - Select All. Then go to Animation - Frame Properties and change the number to 33.
View your animation and, if you're happy, save as a .gif.
And you're done :)
Here's another example I created using the amazing art of Michael Landfeld (http://www.mlteedesigns.com), also available at CDO (http://www.cdoestore.com).
I used Spawn's Forum Set Mask 1 for this one.
(http://images59.fotki.com/v222/photos/5/1294515/8684281/MLKellyHelionSparkleSTM12-vi.gif)