Tutorial: AKVIS Decorator

How To Use The Program

AKVIS Decorator lets you change the surface of an object in a realistic manner. The program applies a texture keeping the volume of an object, following its folds and creases. The new pattern looks absolutely natural and makes you see things differently.

To resurface or recolor an object on a photo with AKVIS Decorator follow these instructions below:

• Step 1. Run the standalone edition of AKVIS Decorator or open your photo editor (if you work with the plugin version of AKVIS Decorator).
• Step 2. Open an image.

  - If you work with the plugin:

  Open an image in your photo editor by calling the command File -> Open or using the key combination Ctrl+O (+O on Macintosh).

  - If you work with the standalone edition:

  The dialog box Select File to Open appears if you double-click on the empty workspace of the program or if you click on the button on the Control Panel. You can also drag the required image into the workspace of the program. The Standalone edition of AKVIS Decorator supports JPEG, PNG, BMP, and TIFF file formats.

  
• Step 3. In the plug-in version only: call the plug-in with the command AKVIS -> Decorator from the menu Filter/Effects.

  For this purpose use the command Filter -> AKVIS -> Decorator in Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements; the menu item Effects -> Plugins -> AKVIS -> Decorator if you work with Corel Paint Shop Pro; or Effects -> AKVIS -> Decorator if you use Corel Photo-Paint.

  
• Step 4. Select an object to apply a texture on. Use any selection tool of your photo editor. The selection must be precise.

  A selection made in the graphics editor will be transferred to the plug-in.

  In AKVIS Decorator you can make/edit the selection using these tools: Selection Brush , Eraser , Selection Bucket , and Magic Wand .

  The tools' parameters are shown in the Settings Panel or in a pop-up box after right-clicking in the image window.

  Hint:

  To draw a straight line, select a starting point by clicking the left mouse button, then, while holding down Shift, drag the cursor with the mouse to a new location on the image, click the left mouse button again and release Shift. If Shift is not released, a new line will be drawn to each point where the left mouse button is clicked. To change the brush size of the Selection Brush and Eraser tools, use hot keys [ (to reduce the brush size) and ] (to increase the brush size).

  
• Step 5. You can apply a new texture to the selected object or recolor it. Adjust the parameters in the Settings Panel, in the Texture or Color tab.

   

  Texture Tab:

  You can choose a texture from the Texture Library or load your own image and use it as a texture. To open the Texture Library you should double-click with the left mouse button on the square with a texture.

  

  The built-in Texture Library has a great variety of textures. All textures are divided into groups: stone, fabric, flowers, etc. To select a pattern you should first select a group from the group tree and then double-click the required texture with the left mouse button.

  You can also use your own textures. To load your image as a texture into AKVIS Decorator, you should open the Texture Library, press the button and select your texture in the dialog box.

  To come back to the Settings Panel without selecting a texture, just press the button .

  

  The program lets you adjust the Angle, Scale and Color of the selected texture.

  • Angle (-180 to 180). This parameter sets the rotation angle of the texture. A negative value rotates the texture counterclockwise, a positive one - clockwise.

    Angle = 0	Angle = -45	Angle = -90

  • Scale (10-200%). This parameter sets the scale of the pattern. By default the scale is 100%. If you reduce the value of the parameter, the pattern size on the texture gets smaller, if you increase the value of the parameter, the pattern takes more space on the texture.

    Scale = 50	Scale = 100	Scale = 155

  • Color check-box. This allows you to change the color of the chosen texture. Only its color changes; its brightness and saturation stay the same.

    To change the color of a texture you should first activate the check-box near the color plate, then click on the plate and choose a color from the Select Color dialog box.

    

    Original color	Blue color applied	Rosy color applied

   

  Color Tab:

  If you do not want to apply a new texture to the object and your task is only to change its color, you should switch to the Color tab in the Settings panel and choose a color.

  

  You can select a color from the Color Palette or from the Select Color dialog box. To select a color from the Color Palette just left-click on any color of the palette. The selected color will be shown in the color rectangular on the right.

  The Select Color dialog box opens as you double-click the color rectangle on the right of the palette.

  

  Besides, it is possible to choose a color from the original image. For this purpose left-click on any point of the original image keeping the Ctrl key pressed ( on Macintosh).

  In the Color tab there is also a mini-palette (empty cells) where you can keep custom colors. To save a color in the mini-palette, just drag this color from the color rectangle on any cell of the palette (even if the cell is not free). To select a color from the mini-palette, just left-click it with the mouse. To remove a color, right-click it.

• Step 6. Adjust the parameters that influence the way the texture/color is applied to the object:
  • Brightness (10-200). This parameter lets you lighten or darken the selected area. The default value is 100. The higher the value, the brighter the image is.
    
    Brightness = 60
    
    Brightness = 100
    
    Brightness = 140
  • Deepness (0-100). This parameter influences the amount of light and shade on an image. At 0, shades, folds and gradients are ignored; as a result the object looks flat. The higher the parameter, the more pronounced highlights and shades become, and the image looks deeper. However, if the value of the parameter is too high, some parts can become overexposed or underexposed.
    
    Deepness = 5
    
    Deepness = 40

  Also, only for Texture:

  • Warping (0-100). This parameter sets the level of the texture warping. At 0, the texture is not warped at all, the higher the parameter, the more deformed the texture is.
    
    Warping = 5
    
    Warping = 80
  • Light Source. Use the dagger on the ball to set the probable light source when the photo was taken. The position of the light source influences the texture wrapping.
    
• Step 7. Press the button to apply a texture or a color to the selected object. The result will be shown in the After tab.
  
• Step 8. If you are not satisfied with the result, adjust the parameters further and press the button again. When ready, press the button to apply the result to the picture (in the plug-in version only).
  
• Step 9. Save the processed image.

  - If you work with the plugin:

  Call the Save As dialog box using the command File -> Save As, enter a name for the file, choose the format and indicate the target folder.

  - If you work with the standalone edition:

  Click on the button to open the Save as dialog box. Enter a name for the file, choose the format (TIFF, BMP, JPEG or PNG) and indicate the target folder.

• Step 10. The standalone edition of AKVIS Decorator lets you print the image. For this purpose press the button , adjust print settings in the Print dialog box and press the button Print.