by
Rusty » Thu Nov 29, 2007 12:52 am
I am far from being an "expert" on posters, I have made a grand total of one! I had a lot of help and advice from Diana. Here's my finished product - the size is 2' x 3'
The file size is going to be absolutely HUGE. Plan ahead! I started with 4 files, each (
about - see below) 12" x 18", forming the four quadrants of the finished product. Fill each one up with individual images but don't place images all the way to the two edges where that file will be joined by one of the other three files. After you put the 4 pieces together, then place images that overlap the edges where they join.
If you want the images to "blend" into each other, this is a very fast and easy way to do it...
Duplicate your background layer, insert a blank layer between the two layers. With that blank layer active, use the rectangular marquee tool to outline what part of that image you want on your poster. Fill that selection with black and then apply a gaussian blur. The strength of the blur will determine how much the edges fade; the example I posted is about "30". Now, put your cursor on the line between the top layer (image layer) and the blank layer with the black box and "Alt-click" -- that groups the layers and, Shazam, gives you the desired faded cut-out. With the eyeball only showing for those two layers, drag that file onto your poster file. Now, close that file without saving. On your "poster file" use the move tool to place (and resize) that image where you want it. I placed mine so that the blurred edges of each image overlapped the blurred edge of the adjacent image.
When you have filled up (except for the two edges) one of the quadrants, save the file as a PSD (you will have 20 or 30 layers in that file - one for each image) and then, flatten the file and save it again as a Jpeg. When the 4 quadrants are completed, make a new file sized for the finished product. Drag each of the 4 quadrants (the Jpegs) onto that file. Now, drag additional images onto that file to fill in the blank spots and give you a seamless transition between the pieces.
Plan Ahead - buy your frame before you start this. You are going to lose whatever space the frame takes up. Measure the frame and figure out how much space it covers. For example, if you want a 2" border on the sides and 2-1/2 inches on the top and bottom, and if the frame covers 1/2 inch, then you really need 2-1/2 inches on each side and 3 inches on each of the top and bottom. I didn't do this and ended up with crowded text. With this example, your image size becomes not 24 x 36 but 19 x 30 and the 4 "working files" are smaller than 12 x 18.
When all done, save your file. Once as a PSD and then again as a Jpeg. Medium quality is going to be just fine for the Jpeg you use to get this printed.
Ask Qs as you go along with this. Many people here will be happy to help.
Rusty