Cut out Corners

Cut out Corners

	Level: Beginner/Intermediate Version: 8 but can be done in 7 or higher Tools: Path shapes, Edit/Trace, Shrink/Expand, Edit/fill, Transform Additional Tools Needed: Fantastic Machine Paint Engine (optional) Get the freeware download here
	These corners are not only easy to make, but you can find alot of uses for them. I discovered this as I was working on a ecard tut by Wouter. It was purely by accident, but one I decide to run with. Since then, I've had a few people ask how I did it, so here it is! I use them mainly for ecards, but they can also be used in scrapbooking projects, picture frames, or any other project where decorative corners are useful.
	1. There are several sites where you can get 2D corners, but for the purpose of this tut, lets make our own. Start with a 300 x 300 white canvas. Using the Path Tool, Custom shape, go to Flower 1. Make your shape approximately 62 wide x 82 high. Position close to one corner of the canvas.
	2. Now using the Path tool, Customs shapes again, select the Plant 1 shape. Draw your shape 52 wide by 103 high. Using the Transform tool, flip your shape 90 degrees to the right and position along side of your flower shape (as shown). Still using Transform tool, stretch your shape so that it is now 103 wide and 45 wide. Right click and duplicate the shape, then flip the shape 90 degrees to the right again. Position below the flower shape as shown.
	3. Select all objects by clicking one of the shapes, right click, select all objects, right click and merge all as single object. Go to Edit/Trace/Image, click ok, then go to the Path Mode and change it from Horizontal deform to 2D mode.
	4. Get ready to transform your 2D shape into something beautiful! Leaving our shape on the canvas we created, open a new 300 x300 white canvas. Go to Edit/Fill and select the gradient tab. I have used 2 shades of blue for my canvas, but you can use other colors of your choosing. Make sure to mark the last type in the Fill Mode (circular linear fill) Now to go Effects/Filter/Fantastic Machines/Paint Engine. Using the down arrow near the save/delete buttons, scan down to "inline". The settings I used are default; however, you can play around and see if you get a better effect. When you have the effect you like, click Apply. Now, lets move our traced shape to the new canvas. Place it where you feel is the best of the pattern. Right click, Duplicate the shape. Open the path tool and in the mode, change it to Selection. This will put a light blue marquee around your shape. Right click and go to Expand/Shrink. Click the Shrink radio button and change the pixels to 1. Right click again and Convert to Object. Leaving the new object selected, right click, arrange, and bring to front. Now your object just made is on top AND has picked up the pattern of the canvas! Go to your layer manager and select the BOTTOM shape. Go to Edit/Fill and fill with a contrasting color (I chose a darker blue) You can fill this with a single color, a gradient color, or any other fill you wish. Just remember, however, that the top object is patterned and you do not want your border to clash or disappear. Right click, select all objects, right click, merge as a single object.
	6. Move your new object onto a new white canvas (same size as before). Go to Edit/Fill and fill with the 2 colors we started out with. Add a shadow to our object by selecting the 5th square (all around shadow) and change to the settings shown on the left. Your corner is ready to be duplicated (flip horizontally, placed in the right corner; right click align top, then merge as single object. Duplicate again, flip vertically and place at the bottom corners)
*card tutorial by Wouter's Designs*	I also use this method when making my cards for the message/text box. A nice border to use is the Multiple Colors in the gradient fill (Gold - 008). When using shrink on the box, use a 3 pixel shrink instead of 1. This gives you a bit more border. I reversed the process shown on the left by not using the Paint Engine on the corners/box, but using it on the final canvas instead. The possibilities are endless! There you have it!! Easy cut out corners to decorate your projects! Making your own corner shapes is easy and fun, and you did it yourself! *TIP: when choosing shapes for your corners, try not to use shapes that are very narrow (ie; lines) They do not shrink well and your pattern may not show up.*