Installing and Using Your Custom iWatermark

These instructions were written using iWatermark Version 3.1.3 for Windows.

For these instructions I have the photo I want to watermark and the watermark bundle on my desktop.

Open iWatermark.
You will see Input and Output boxes:

The Input box is the photo you want to watermark. Here you can either drag the the desired image or even a whole folder of images onto the box or you can click on the square to pull up the open dialog and then click to choose your location. The Output box is where you want the file to be saved when your finished.

You will see below I am watermarking one image that I dragged onto the Input box and I chose to Output the completed watermarked photo to the desktop:

Now to install your custom iWatermark bundle! Click on checkbox next to Watermark the images and click Edit as shown above.

Click on File>Install Watermark Bundle:

Now the watermark is installed, but wait, I found a minor bug in iWatermark so do this too.

Select the new watermark by clicking the checkbox and selecting the name. It must be highlighted AND checked:


Click File>Duplicate:

Now you need to select this one instead.

On to the next step! You may need to adjust some of the below circled settings depending on you image. Location, Offset, Transparency and Scale are probably what you will use most often. You will not need to use the other settings on the additional tabs at all. Once you have it where you want it click on the little gear button show below to save your watermarked photo:



You can also save from the previous screen but I'll talk about that later. Here I am saving the image to the desktop, you can give it any name you'd like.


And your finished! Here is the photo watermarked:


Now the next time you open iWatermark all your settings will be saved, simply drag your next photo or folder of photos on the Input box and click on Start Processing at the bottom!

You can also click Edit as we did before if you want to change the watermark placement. If you do you will see that the original installed watermark is gone. Yes that is the bug I found...so that's why we duplicated and worked with that copied dude instead!!!!!

Using your PNG Watermark in Photoshop Elements

These instructions were written using Photoshop Elements 4. It should be similar to other versions of Photoshop Elements.

First open your photo and your watermark in Photoshop Elements. I have both on my desktop.
• File>Open:
  
  
• Click Desktop (or the location where you can find your watermark and photo).
  
• Click to select the first file (my image is named Sample.jpg), push and hold the Ctrl key while clicking to select the second file (my image is named WatermarkBelow.png).
  Click on Open.
  
  You will see both images. Here the photo is in back and the watermark is on top. If you don't see both click the Cascade button in the upper right corner.
  
• Now simply drag the layer that has the watermark from the watermark file to the photo. To do this click on the layer, keep the mouse button pressed while dragging it onto your photo.
  
  
  
  • If you have trouble you can also right click on the layer, click on Duplicate Layer:
    
    
  • Select the appropriate file (again my photo is named Sample.jpg) and then click OK:
    
    
  
  
• Now you will see the watermark. Make sure you have the watermark layer selected as well as the Move Tool on the left toolbar.
  
  
  
• To resize the watermark you simply move the mouse over the corner, the cursor will change to a double diagonal arrow. Click and hold the mouse button ALSO while holding in the shift key. Move the mouse in and out. You will see the watermark resizing. Pressing the shift key as you do this ensures the proportions stay constrained (doesn't become elongated or squinched).
  
  Once you get the desired size hit enter on the keyboard to commit your changes.
  
  
• You can also move it by dragging it to where you want it. Again to do press and hold mouse button while moving the mouse.
  
  
  Now Save it, in order to keep your original UNMARKED photo you will need to click Save As.
• File>Save As>
  
  
• Choose the location, here I chose Desktop. The name will default to the original file name with the word "copy" after it, change this to whatever you want. Select JPEG under File Type and click Save.
  
  
  
• The default settings are fine so click OK again and you have your new watermarked photo!
  
  

Using your PNG Watermark in Photoshop 7

These instructions are similar but not exactly what you would do in Photoshop Elements. Send me email if you need help using Photoshop Elements! Click on images to "zoom" when applicable.

First you need to open Photoshop and open your photo AND your watermark in Photoshop. I have both on the desktop in my example.

Click on File> Open>


Click Desktop.
then click on both the photo and the watermark files. To select them both at the same time press and hold the Ctrl key on the keyboard wile clicking to select.
Click Open.


Now that the files are open make sure the Selection tool is selected.
The default location of the toolbar is the right. If it's not showing anywhere click on Window at the top of the program window and click on Tools.


Now you will see both files open in Photoshop...simply drag the watermark from the watermark file onto the photo file:

The watermark will move a bit it's ok. Just keep dragging...to drag click on the watermark and keep mouse button pressed whiule moving the mouse. If you don't see both files as shown above click on Window>Documents>Tile.

The watermark is there. Just click on it and drag to position it.
To resize click on Edit>Transform>Scale.


Press and hold the Shift key to constrain proportions while you drag the mouse to resize.


Hit enter on the keyboard when you have it the way you want it.


Now save your watermarked file. In order to keep your image in the original state as well you need to perform as Save As:


Give it a different name and save as jpeg:


The default settings are fine, click OK.


Here is the watermarked picture!


Let me know if my directions are unclear or if you need further help!

Adjusting Your Watermark Color with GIMP

There are currently newer versions of GIMP available. These instructions will not be the same for some of these newer versions. If you need more help with a more recent version please email me...be sure to include where you got stumped and the version you are using.

If you need help getting your PNG watermark on your picture first please refer to this article.

So you've got your photo open and your watermark layer in place. There are two ways you can do this. The VERY quick but not as precise or versatile way would be to change the blending mode.

Make sure your watermark layer is selected. Click on the Mode drop down arrow:

Select Subtract:

You can scroll through the modes to see what you like best as well. The results will vary depending on your image.

OR YOU CAN...Colorize

Again make sure your watermark layer is selected. Click on Color as shown below:

The Colorize dialog will appear. You will adjust the lightness lower and the saturation higher...no doubt. The Hue is where the color choices come in. Adjusting the lightness and saturation will differ depending on hue as well. So slide those babies around and play a bit. You'll see what I mean! I wanted to achieve a blue color below:

Click OK and you've got color!

You'll need to save after you've made changes. If you need help with that please refer to this article.

Feel free to email if you have a question!

Admin Rights for Sara

From YOUR BLOG click on Customize:


Go to Settings Permissions:


Then click Add Authors:


Next, type sarajwil@hotmail.com to invite me to your blog:

When you're ready to send the invitation, click Invite.

I'll receive an email with a confirmation link. Once I accept the invitation, I'll send you email. The option to make me a blog admin will appear. Return to the Settings>Permissions tab to view these settings, they will look something like this:

Click the grant admin privileges link next to my name. Please send me email when this is done so that I can get started updating your blog!

Changing the Color of your PNG Watermark with Photoshop Elements

These instructions were written using Photoshop Elements 4.0. Some things may or may not be different in other versions.

• Open the watermark in Photoshop Elements.
• Push and hold the Ctrl key as you click on the Layer Thumbnail. This will select the image leaving out the background (grey checked rectangular in the bottom right corner):
  
• When you mouse over the thumbnail the pointer will become a hand. Then when you press and hold Ctrl the pointer becomes a hand with a box on top. When you see this click on the thumbnail. This will select the watermark's elements leaving out the background.
  


• Click on Layer at the top and then select New Fill Layer and then Solid Color:
  


• You will see the New Layer dialog box, name it if you wish and then click OK.
• The color chooser will appear, so get to choosing!
• When you get the desired color click OK.
• Click on File and then Save.

You have 2 options here.

• Just flatten the layers and save the PNG - Change the file name accordingly. Select PNG from the drop down and then click Save, yes you want None...OK.

OR

• You can save in PSD format. This will allow you to go back and edit the new color layer you made if you want a different color later. - Change the file name accordingly. Then click on Save.

Here's how to modify the color layer later:

• Open the PSD you saved before.
• Double click on the thumbnail of the color layer you made previously (here it is the pink square):
  
• The color chooser will appear. Choose your color and click OK.
• Click File, Save As, Name file, choose PNG and click OK...
• Done!

Using Your Watermark in OpenOffice.org Draw

I have included a video to help SHOW you how to do this. But first the step by step instructions.

• Open OpenOffice Draw.
• Insert your photo onto the OpenOffice Draw document. I like to use the drag method for insertng images to the document.

--How to drag: As you can see I have the photo I want to watermark (DSC_1391...) and the Waterark file (Cindy.png) sitting on my desktop. All I do is click the mouse button on the file I want to drag, in this case the photo comes first. While keeping the mouse button pressed drag the file onto the OpenOffice Draw document. Release the mouse button to drop it on.

--If you don't like dragging: Click on Insert located at the top of your OpenOffice Draw document and then click on Picture and From File. Locate your photo and double click it.

• Insert the Watermark file. Again I like to use the drag method. When you drag it make sure you drag it under the photo and NOT on top of it. It seems to get "lost" when doing that. Once it's on the document THEN you can drag it on top of the photo. And if you don't like dragging you can use the Insert>Picture>From File method. You will still need to drag the watermark on top of the photo.
• Resize the Watermark. When you move the mouse over the watermark you will see the mouse change to a cross hair. When it does Click and hold the mouse button while moving the mouse to resize. To keep proportions press the Shift key while resizing!
• Now to save your watermarked Photo. You don't want the whole page just the picture so you need to select the watermark and the picture first. The Watermark should still be selected from the resize. If not just click on it. Press the Shift Key while clicking on the photo. This will select the watermark AND the photo.
• Click on File in the upper left corner of the document.
• Click on Export.
• Select the location where you want the file to be saved, I selected Desktop. Then click the Selection option at the bottom of the export dialog. Type in the desire name for your photo and then click on Export.
• Your freshly watermarked photo should appear on your desktop!

Hosted on Photobucket:

http://s43.photobucket.com/albums/e385/sarajwil/Tweaks%20and%20Designs/?action=view&current=OpenOfficeHelp.flv