How to make a 3D popout picture with Paint.NET

You have a great picture, and you want it to popout and come to life! This tutorial will show you a very basic example that will give you an idea on how to do this with future pictures.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paint.NET
• A digital photograph

1. 

   Pop Out Tut in Paint.net with pictures Ok open your picture in paint.net. Now add a new layer. See images for steps.

2. 

   Select the top layer (it should be blank) and select the rectangle tool. Now draw your box around where you don't want your picture to pop out. I have my rectangle box set to a high number so the line is thick. I think it's like 83.

3. 

   Now select the bottom layer and then the eraser tool. At first I have it set to a high number, somewhere in the 200's and then erase around where you want it to pop out. We will zoom in and pick a smaller eraser brush later so you can leave some background (like in the picture).

4. 

   Ok now staying on the same layer, zoom in (the tool that looks like a magnifying glass). Select the magnifying glass tool and then click on your picture till it is close enough for you. Now pick the eraser tool again and make the brush size smaller. I picked size 10 but you can go smaller if you like.

5. 

   Staying zoomed in, now you are going to want to pick the other layer (the layer with your box in it). Now pick the eraser tool again and erase the box where it is drawn over the part that is suppose to pop out (like in the picture).

6. 

   OK now for the last steps. I hate erasing this box because I always do it so badly, but it is the easier way. So I usually make the box layer invisible (unclick the box by the layer) and then while the invisible box layer is still selected, I use the eraser brush around the picture's outline (so that when the box is back it will be as close as can be). Then make your box layer visible again and finish erasing. You don't have to do this step if it's too confusing. Now zoom out. Select the magnifying glass and right click your image till you can see the whole picture. Now for the last step before saving. You need to merge the layers. Select the top layer and merge down.

Tips & Warnings

• This tutorial effect can be applied to other image editing programs, but if you download Paint.NET you will save money.
• Working with a simple scene with one object and one person is usually simplest.
• Try to take outdoor photos for the best look!
• When making multiple layers don't save over your original image by mistake. Work with a copy of the image.
• Also keep a copy of the image at the lowest layer and hidden in case you make a mistake.

[krazigirl79]

on 10/16/2008 Great idea- thanks for the easy steps!