Photo Explosion Decoration Effects

The Nova Development Photo Explosion decoration effects provide you with decorative enhancements for your images that will make them stand out! Effects such as frames, props and shadows are only a few of the available decorations that you can use with your images. Applying Decoration Effects is easy and you can fine-tune most of the effects. To learn more about what these effects can offer, click an item below.

 Edges	 Frame

 Fill	 Props

 Signature	 Shadow

 Background (Project mode only)


Decorate: Props dialog box
Props dialog box

Category: Displays the props categories. Click to select a category from the list.

Prop thumbnails: Displays thumbnails of available props within the selected category. Double-click or drag a thumbnail to apply to the image.

Apply: Pastes the selected prop into your image or project. It is pasted as an object.

Close: Closes this dialog box and returns to the panel.

Related info

  Props

  Adding Props

  Decoration Effects


Color Fill dialog box

Single color: Fills the selected area with a solid color. Click the color preview to select another color.

Gradient: Fills the selected area with a gradient, blending two colors together. Click the gradient preview to select new gradient colors or a new gradient style.

Texture: Fills the selected area with a texture pattern. Click the texture preview to select a new texture.

Transparency: Select the level of transparency for the fill. The sphere represents the transparency level of the fill.

Apply: Applies the fill to the image or selection area.

Close: Closes this dialog box and returns to the panel.

Related info

  Color Fill

  Using Gradient Fills

  Decoration Effects


Fill: Nature Fill dialog box
Nature Fill dialog box

Preview image: Displays a preview of how the final image will appear.

Pattern: Displays the available image patterns as thumbnails. Select a thumbnail to apply an image pattern.

Variation: Adjust the slider to change the style for the selected pattern.

Transparency: Adjust the transparency level of the image pattern in relation to its background. Left is more opaque and right is more transparent.

Pattern color: Click to select the color of the pattern.

Background color: Click to select the color of the background.

Apply: Applies the effect to the image or selection area.

Close: Closes this dialog box and returns to the panel.

Related info

  Nature Fill

  Using Nature and Pattern fills

  Decoration Effects


Fill: Pattern dialog box
Pattern Fill dialog box

Preview image: Displays a preview of how the final image will appear with the selected fill pattern applied.

Pattern: Displays the available image patterns as thumbnails. Select a thumbnail to apply an image pattern.

Variation: Adjust the slider to change the style for the selected pattern.

Transparency: Adjust the transparency level of the image pattern in relation to its background. Left is more opaque and right is more transparent.

Pattern color: Displays the current color of the pattern. Click to select the color.

Background color: Click to select the color of the background.

Apply: Applies the effect to the image or selection area.

Close: Closes this dialog box and returns to the panel.

Related info

  Pattern Fill

  Using Nature and Pattern fills

  Decoration Effects


Frame dialog box

Frame type: Displays the available frames as thumbnails. Double-click a thumbnail to apply the frame to the object  or image.

Apply: Applies the selected frame to the current object.

Close: Closes this dialog box and returns to the panel.

Note

You cannot apply a frame to the base image.

Related info

  Frame

  Adding Frames

  Decoration Effects


Edges: 2D/Mask and Magic dialog box - Preset mode
2D/Mask and Magic dialog box

Preset mode

Preset effects: Displays the available preset edge effects for the selected edge type as thumbnails. Double-click a thumbnail to apply the edge to the image or object.

Keep original shape: If you have created an object using a selection tool and you wish to conform the edge effect to it, select this box. If cleared, the squared edge will replace the previous selection area.

Advanced mode: Goes to the Advanced mode dialog box where you can customize this effect.

Apply: Applies the selected effect to the image or selection area.

Close: Closes this dialog box and returns to the panel.

Related info

  2D/Mask

  Magic

  2D/Mask and Magic Advanced mode dialog box

  Using Edges Effects

  Decoration Effects


Edges: 2D/Mask and Magic dialog boxes - Advanced mode
2D/Mask and Magic dialog box

Advanced mode

Preview: Displays a preview of how the final image will appear with the selected edge effect applied.

Edge color: Select to adjust the color of the edge of the image and frame. If cleared, the edges are transparent.

Single color: Adds a solid color frame. Click the color preview to select another color.

Gradient: Adds a color gradient frame. Click the gradient preview to select new gradient colors or a new gradient style.

Texture: Uses an image as a texture background. Click the texture preview to select a new texture.

Preset mode: Click to switch back to Preset mode.

Apply: Applies the selected effect to the image or selection area.

Close: Closes this dialog box and returns to the panel.

Related info

  2D/Mask

  Magic

  Using Edges Effects

  Decoration Effects


Edges: Text dialog box - Preset mode
Text dialog box

Preset Mode

Preset edges: Displays the available preset text edge effects as thumbnails. Double-click a thumbnail to apply the edge to the image or object.

Edge color: Select to be able to determine the color of the text edge. If cleared, the edges are transparent.

Single color: Adds a solid color frame. Click the color preview to select another color.

Gradient: Adds a color gradient frame. Click the gradient preview to select new gradient colors or a new gradient style.

Texture: Uses an image as a texture background. Click the texture preview to select a new texture.

Keep original shape: If you have created an object using a selection tool and you wish to conform the text edge effect to it, select this box. If cleared, the squared edge will replace the previous selection area.

Advanced mode: Goes to the Advanced mode dialog box where you can customize this effect.

Apply: Applies the selected effect to an image or area.

Close: Closes this dialog box and returns to the panel.

Related info

  Edges: Text

  Edges: Text Advanced mode dialog box

  Decoration Effects


Edges: Text dialog box - Advanced mode
Text dialog box

Advanced mode

Preview: Displays a preview of how the final image will appear with the selected edge effect applied.

Stretch text to edges: Stretches the text to span the length of the side(s).

Text boxes: Type the text to appear on each edge: left, top, right, and bottom.

Text Font: Displays the currently selected font style. Click to change to a different font.

Font style: Choose a style of font—bold, italic or underline.

Preset mode: Click to switch back to Preset mode.

Apply: Applies the selected effect to the image or selection area.

Close: Closes this dialog box and returns to the panel.

Related info

  Edges: Text

  Using Edges Effects

  Decoration Effects


Background: Tile dialog box
Tile dialog box

Texture type: Displays the thumbnails of the available tile backgrounds. Double-click to apply the effect to the background.

Texture size: Select the size of the individual tiles in the background .

Apply: Replaces the background image of the template with the selected background.

Close: Closes this dialog box and returns to the panel.

Related info

  Background: Tile

  Background: Center dialog box

  Background: Color dialog box

  Using Backgrounds

  Decoration Effects


Background: Center dialog box
Center dialog box

Texture type: Displays the thumbnails of the available center backgrounds. Double-click to apply the effect to the background.

Apply: Replaces the background image of the template with the selected background.

Close: Closes this dialog box and returns to the panel.

Related info

  Background: Center

  Background: Tile dialog box

  Background: Color dialog box

  Using Backgrounds

  Decoration Effects


Background: Color dialog box
Color dialog box

Background color: Sets a solid color as the background. Click the color preview  to select a new color.

Apply: Replaces the background image of the template with the selected background.

Close: Closes this dialog box and returns to the panel.

Related info

  Background: Color

  Background: Center dialog box

  Background: Tile dialog box

  Using Backgrounds

  Decoration Effects


Decorate: Shadow dialog box
Shadow dialog box

Add/Remove Shadow: Click to apply or remove the shadow of the selected object.

Color: Set the color of the shadow. Click the color preview to select a new shadow color.

Transparency: Select the level of transparency for the shadow. The sphere represents the transparent level of the shadow.

Soft edge: Applies a soft edge to the shadow. The different spheres represent different degrees of soft edge for the shadow.

Close: Closes this dialog box and returns to the panel.

Note

You cannot apply a shadow to the base image. If you want to apply a shadow to a text object, go to Edit: Text - Shadow.

Related info

  Decorate: Shadow

  Adding Shadows to Image Objects

  Decoration Effects


Texture Library dialog box

With this dialog box you select a texture to use as a fill.

Textures: Click a texture to use it. The currently selected texture is outlined in blue.


Decorate: Edges
Edges

Creates different types of borders around an image object.

 2D/Mask

 Magic

 Text

Related info

  Using Edges Effects

  Decoration Effects


Edges: 2D/Mask
2D/Mask

Creates a cut or ripped border around an image object. You can also use this to mask part of the image.

Related info

  2D/Mask and Magic Preset dialog box

  2D/Mask and Magic Advanced mode dialog box

  Using Edges Effects

  Decoration Effects


Edges: Magic
Magic

Creates a colorful and fanciful border of various textures around an image object.

Related info

  2D/Mask and Magic Preset dialog box

  2D/Mask and Magic Advanced mode dialog box

  Other Edges Effects

  Using Edges Effects

  Decoration Effects


Edges: Text
Text

Creates a border around an image with a text message repeated on the frame.

Related info

  Edges: Text Preset dialog box

  Edges: Text Advanced mode dialog box

  Using Edges Effects

  Decoration Effects


Decorate: Frame
Frame

Puts a frame around an image object.

Related info

  Frame dialog box

  Adding Frames

  Decoration Effects


Decorate: Fill
Fill

Fills an image or selection area with a Color fill, a Nature fill or a Pattern fill.

Pattern Fill

Nature Fill

Color Fill

Related info

  Using Nature and Pattern Fills

  Using Gradient Fills

  Decoration Effects


Fill: Color Fill
Color Fill

Fills an image or selection area with a solid color, a gradient from one color to another, or a Photo Explosion texture image.

Related info

  Color Fill dialog box

  Decoration Effects


Fill: Nature Fill
Nature Fill

Fills an image or selection area with various natural patterns including flowers, leaves and seashells.

Related info

  Nature Fill dialog box

  Using Nature and Pattern Fill

  Decoration Effects


Fill: Pattern Fill
Pattern Fill

Fills an image or selection area with different types of patterns.

Related info

  Pattern Fill dialog box

  Using Nature and Pattern Fills

  Decoration Effects


Decorate: Background
Background

Adds a background or texture to a project. This command is only available when working on a project.

Related info

  Background: Center dialog box

  Background: Color dialog box

  Background: Tile dialog box

  Using Backgrounds

  Decoration Effects


Decorate: Props
Props

Places a clip art object into an image or project.

Related info

  Adding Props

  Decoration Effects


Decorate: Shadow
Shadow

Adds a drop shadow to an image object.

Note

To add a shadow to a text object, click Edit on the Command Panel. Then open the Text menu and click Shadow.

Related info

  Decorate: Shadow dialog box

  Adding Shadows to Image Objects

  Decoration Effects


Adding props

1.	Open an image or template in the workspace.

2.	If necessary, click Edit on the Command panel.

3.	Open Decorate and click Props.

4.	Select a prop.
Props are arranged by categories that you can select from the list.

5.	Click Apply.
or
Double-click the thumbnail.
or
Drag the prop to the image.

6.	Click Close.

Related info

  Decoration Effects


Using gradient fills

Control the extent of a fill by creating selection areas.

1.	Open an image.

2.	If necessary, click Edit on the Command panel.

3.	Open the Selection menu and click how to limit the gradient fill to a specific area.

4.	Open the Decorate menu and click Fill>Color Fill.

5.	On the Options panel, select Gradient then click the Gradient fill box.

6.	Define the gradient direction and colors of the fill.

7.	Adjust the Color Shift to specify the brightness of your color fill.

8.	Click OK.

9.	Click Apply.

10.	Click Close.

Related info

  Decoration Effects


By carefully making an exact selection area around the subject, the gradient fill used in the

background looks interesting, blends nicely, and emphasizes the subject.


Adding frames to image objects
Adding frames to objects

1.	In Browse mode, locate and double-click.
or
In the Project mode, click Get Project and open a project.

2.	Select the object to which you want to add a frame.
Text objects cannot be framed.

3.	Open the Decorate menu and click Frame.

4.	From the Frame type thumbnails, select a frame.

5.	Click Apply to add the frame.

6.	To adjust the position of the frame on a template, drag a handle.

7.	Click Close.

Related info

  Decoration Effects


Using backgrounds

You can change the background of any Photo Explosion project.

1.	Open a template in the workspace.

2.	If necessary, click Edit on the Command panel.

3.	Open the Decorate menu and click Background>a background type.

4.	Select a preset background from the available presets.

5.	If Background Tile is selected, adjust the size of each tile in Texture size.

6.	Double-click on a thumbnail.
or
Click Apply.

7.	Click Close.

Related info

  Decoration Effects


Textures can provide interesting backgrounds and, when effectively

used, can dramatically enhance an image’s composition.


Using Nature and Pattern fills

Nature and Pattern fills are interesting ways to fill a selection area.

1.	Open an image and select the area you want to fill.

2.	If necessary, click Edit on the Command Panel.

3.	Open the Decorate menu and click Fill> Nature Fill or Fill>Pattern Fill.

4.	Select a pattern from the thumbnails.

5.	Modify it with the settings on the Options panel.

6.	Click Apply.

7.	Click Close.

Note

Use the Transparency slider to control the subtlety of the effect and to make the pattern blend more naturally with your image.

Related info

  Decoration Effects


Using edge effects
Using Edges effects

For Templates

1.	Open a template in the workspace.

2.	If necessary, click Edit on the Command panel.

3.	Open the Decorate menu and click Edges>an edge style

4.	Select an image on the template.

5.	Select an edge style from the Presets mode.

6.	Click the Advanced mode to adjust other attributes such as color.
For more advanced effects, you can select a gradient or texture to decorate the edges.

7.	If you are working on a text frame, type the text you want repeated around the edges and modify the font properties.

8.	Click Apply.

9.	Click Close.

For Images

1.	Open an image in the workspace.

2.	If necessary, click Edit on the Command panel.

3.	Open the Decorate menu and click Edges>an edge style.

4.	Select an edge style from the Presets mode.

5.	Click the Advanced mode to adjust other attributes such as color.
For more advanced effects, you can select a gradient or texture to decorate the edges.

6.	If you are working on a text frame, enter the text you want repeated around the edges and modify the font properties.

7.	Click Apply.

8.	Click Close.

Related info

  Decoration Effects


Even the simplest edges effect can make an image on a web page (or in any document) really stand out.


Adding shadows to image objects

For Templates

1.	Open a template in the workspace.

2.	Select an image object in the template.

3.	If necessary, click Edit on the Command panel.

4.	Open the Decorate menu and click Shadow.

5.	Click the Add Shadow button to apply a shadow to the selected image object.

6.	Adjust the position of the shadow by dragging the shadow’s handle on the right.

7.	Set the color, opacity and soft edge of the shadow.

8.	Click Close.

For Photos

When you open an image in the workspace, there is usually no image object. To add a shadow to your photo, you have to create an image object first by making a selection.

To make a selection:

1.	If necessary, click Edit on the Command panel.

2.	Open the Selection menu and click a selection type.

3.	Make the selection on the image.

4.	After making a selection, drag the selection from the original position to anywhere in the workspace.

5.	Open the Decorate menu and click Shadow.

6.	Click the Add Shadow button to apply a shadow to the selected image object.

7.	Adjust the position of the shadow by dragging the shadow’s handle on the right.

8.	Set the color, opacity and soft edge of the shadow.

9.	Click Close.

Tip

You quickly remove the shadow by selecting the image object, right-click and then click Remove Shadow.

Related info

  Decoration Effects


Background: Tile
Tile

Replaces the background of your template with a selected tiled texture background.

Related info

  Background: Tile dialog box

  Using Backgrounds

  Decoration Effects


Background: Center
Center

Replaces the background of your template with a selected centered image.

Related info

  Background: Center dialog box

  Using Backgrounds

  Decoration Effects


Background: Color
Color

Replaces the background of your template with a selected solid color.

Related info

  Background: Color dialog box

  Using Backgrounds

  Decoration Effects


Decorate: Signature
Signature

Allows you to add a preset or custom hand-written signature to an image or template.

Related info

  Signature dialog box

  Create a new signature dialog box

  Using Signature Effect

  Decoration Effects


Using a Signature effect

This effect is only available in Photo mode.

1.	Open an image in the workspace.

2.	If necessary, click Edit on the Command panel.

3.	Open the Decorate menu and click Signature.

4.	Select a preset signature from the preset window.
or
Click Add new signature to create your own.
Use your mouse or pen tablet to write your signature and then adjust the settings.

5.	Click Save to make the signature available in the Preset window.

6.	Click Apply to apply the signature on the image.

7.	Click Close.

Related info

  Decoration Effects


Decorate: Signature dialog box
Signature dialog box

This dialog box allows you to add a preset signature or graffiti to your image. There is also an option here where you can create your own customized hand-written signature.

Category: Select a signature type from the list. You can either select Handwriting or Graffiti.

Preset signatures: Displays the available preset signatures in the selected category. Double-click or drag the thumbnail to apply the signature to the image.

Delete selected signature: Removes the selected signature from the Preset box.

Create a new signature: Opens the New Signature dialog box where you can create your own customized signature.

Apply: Applies the selected signature to the image.

Close: Closes this dialog box and returns to the panel.

Related Info

  Signature

  Create a new signature dialog box

  Using Signature Effect

  Decoration Effects


Create a new signature dialog box

This dialog box allows you to create your own customized hand-written signature.

Signature window: Drag the mouse or use a pen tablet to create your custom signature.

Erase all: Clears the Signature window of all its content.

Undo: Undos the previous stroke.

Redo: Re-applies the previously erased stroke.

Stroke attributes: Determines the properties of the signature stroke.

Smoothness: Adjusts smoothness of the hard corners of the signature.

Thickness: Adjusts the thickness of the stroke.

Color: Displays the color of the stroke. Click to change the color.

Save: Saves the custom signature in the presets signature window of the selected category.

Close: Closes this dialog box and returns to the Signature dialog box

Help: Opens Photo Explosion Help.

Related Info

  Signature

  Signature dialog box

  Using Signature Effect

  Decoration Effects


Adding stamps

1.	Open an image or template in the workspace.

2.	If necessary, click Edit on the Command panel.

3.	Open Decorate and click Stamps.

4.	Select a category.

5.	Select a stamp from the selected category.

6.	If necessary, select Add new stamps.

7.	To add multiple copies at once, select Multiple stamps.
Then, if you wish, select Stamp in Straight lines to restrain the multiple images to a straight line.

8.	To adjust the stamp, click Advanced mode.
— Drag the Transparency slider to make the stamps more transparent.
— Drag the Stamp Resize slider to increase or decrease the stamp’s size.
— Click Preset mode to return to the stamp selection panel.

9.	Click in the photo or project to place the stamp.
or
If you selected multiple stamps, drag to place the stamps.

10.	When you’ve finishing placing stamps, click Close.

To move a stamp applied to a photo or project:

1.	Open an image or template in the workspace.

2.	If necessary, click Edit on the Command panel.

3.	Open Decorate and click Stamps.

4.	Select Move stamps.

5.	Drag the stamps already in the photo or project.

6.	Click Close.

Related info

  Decoration Effects


Decorate: Stamp
Stamp

Use this command to add multiple, small decorative elements to an image.

Related info

  Adding stamps

  Decoration Effects