I've received several e-mails asking for instructions on how to create the puzzle show I created for the holidays. The show can be seen
here.
I'll try to explain it as best I can. If I need to explain anything further please let me know.
First, open the photo you want to use, and run it through a PhotoShop action called Puzzle Effects, which can be downloaded for free
here. The photo will be cut up into 20, 30 or 56 pieces depending on how many you choose. The photo will also be placed onto a background image. To remove this background click on EDIT/STEP BACKWARD seven times until the background is gone and you only have the original photo cut up into puzzle pieces. If you can find an easier way to eliminate the background, great!
Now you should only have the photo cut up into pieces. If you look at your LAYERS palette you will notice that each puzzle piece is labeled a1, a2, a3 etc. as it's own layer. If you unclick the little eyeball in the palette next to each layer you will be turning off the layer so it is not visible. Do this until you have all the individual pieces/layers turned off. You will also want to turn off the canvas layer so you have a blank image. Now, go back and turn on each piece/layer one at a time so it's the only piece showing.
Example:
Each time you do this save the layer as a PNG file. For example, turn on only the B4 layer so it's the only piece/layer showing and save it as B4.png. Do this for each piece.
Example:
Once you have saved each piece as an individual file you need to turn off all the layers again so nothing is showing. Now you can start assembling the puzzle.
Whatever order you choose to put the pieces together is up to you, but choose the first piece/layer you want to start with and turn on that layer. Save the file as puzzle01.png. Now, keep that layer turned on and select the second piece/layer and turn it on. Save it as puzzle02.png. Be sure to write down the order of the pieces you are choosing because you'll have to create your show in this same order. Repeat this process until you have turned on all the pieces/layers and saved each step as a new PNG file.
Example:
Now you can create the show.
Create a new show and choose a solid background color. You cannot use an image file for the background. You'll also want to make sure that every slide is set to have the image and background set to FIT TO SAFE ZONE. This is very important!
Start by dropping in the first image file for the first puzzle piece you selected to rebuild the puzzle with. This is why you needed to write down the files in the order you saved them. Copy and paste this slide so you have three consecutive slides with the same file. In the first slide you'll want to move the image around to a different location. Make sure that the starting and ending position of the image is the same. Now, in the second image, make sure the beginning position matches the previous slide, and the ending position is set to 0,0 at 100%. This is important! The third slide should be set to match the ending position of the second slide. Make sure the beginning and ending positions are set to 0,0 100%.
Example of second slide:
Now, immediately after the third slide, insert a blank slide using the file puzzle01.png as a background image. Make sure you have this set to FILL TO SAFE ZONE. This completes the first puzzle piece being placed.
Now you're ready for the next puzzle piece. Repeat the above two steps following the same procedure. 3 consecutive slides for each piece separated by a background slide in sequence. Do this until you have all your pieces added. If you do this in the right order you will have a show with a puzzle being put together. Make sure you follow the order you wrote down.
Example:
As for timing of the slides, I chose 3 seconds for the second slide with the motion and 0 seconds for the first and third slides. Make sure you have 0 set for the transition time, too. For the background image I chose a duration of .5 seconds with a .5 transition afterward only. Change to suit your taste.
That should do it. It's a very simple, but tedious process. Once you get the hang of it you'll see that it's much simpler than I made it sound. If I've totally lost you please let me know where you're hung up and I'll try to explain.
Good luck, and happy holidays!
Mike
Last edited by
MG - Admin on Tue Dec 20, 2005 10:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.