[SeemsSoSurreal]

A couple of days ago I had no idea how to use PS, in fact I couldn't even open a new file. PortraitOfPink came to my rescue and because she's such a sweetheart took the time to write out these simple step by step instructions for me, and now we're going to share it with you!

1) Open a new document.
http://i3.photobucke...ough/blend1.jpg

2) Make it 500x175 pixels. (just a sample sig size)
http://i3.photobucke...ough/blend2.jpg

3) Open all of the images you'll want to use in the sig.
http://i3.photobucke...ough/blend3.jpg
In this I'm using 3 images:
http://i3.photobucke...ough/blend4.jpg

4) Select the first image you'll want to use with ctrl+a, and copy it with ctrl+c.
http://i3.photobucke...ough/blend5.jpg

5) Paste the image in the blank document with ctrl+v
http://i3.photobucke...ough/blend6.jpg

6) Move the image to the location that you'll want it at on the sig document.
http://i3.photobucke...ough/blend7.jpg

7) Select the next image you'll want to use with ctrl+a, and copy it with ctrl+c.
http://i3.photobucke...ough/blend8.jpg

8) Paste the image on the sig document with ctrl+v.
http://i3.photobucke...ough/blend9.jpg

9) Move the image to the location that you'll want it.
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend10.jpg

10) If you need to resize any of the images you're using, Select Layer Transparency with a right-click on that layer.
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend11.jpg
Edit > Transform > Scale
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend12.jpg
Scale it to the size you'd like it to be.
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend13.jpg
Click off of it into any of the tools, and select Apply the transformation.
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend14.jpg

11) Select the next image to use with ctrl+a, and copy with ctrl+c.
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend16.jpg

12) In this one, I changed my mind and wanted the second image in the middle, so I clicked on Layer 2 and moved it to the middle of the sig.
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend18.jpg

13) Layer 2 is the one I am going to be using to blend, so I brought it forward and changed the order of the layers by dragging the layer on the palette to the position I wanted it in. Note the order of the layers now: Layer 2, Layer 3, Layer 1.
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend19.jpg

14) Select the Eraser Tool.
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend20.jpg

15) Click on the drop-down menu for the brushes. (Your Brush palette won't look the same as mine, but it'll be in the same location.)
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend21.jpg

16) Select a brush between 30-50 pixels in size, with a soft edge.
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend22.jpg

17) Make sure the layer you're wanting to delete is the one that's selected. (Layer 2 is selected here.)
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend23.jpg

18) Start erasing the overlapping parts of the images.
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend24.jpg
and
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend25.jpg

19) Now that it's blended, let's make it look better:
To work on the full sig at once, flatten the layers so you'll only be working with 1. Layer > Flatten Image.
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend26.jpg
Note: Look at the Layer palette and notice that the separate layers are gone now, and it's all been merged into one layer: "Background"
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend27.jpg

20) From here on, you can use any filters or textures you'd wish to make it look however you'd like, but this is what I usually use: Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend28.jpg

21) The Radius pixels I use is usually 3.8
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend29.jpg[/url]
Then it should look something like this:
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend30.jpg

22) Obviously this is way too blurred, so we need to fade. Edit > Fade Gaussian Blur, or shift+ctrl+f
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend31.jpg

23) I changed mine to Hard Light, at 65% opacity.
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend33.jpg

24) Filter > Sharpen > Sharpen, helps to lessen the blur of the pictures.
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend34.jpg

25) To further change the way the images look, you can do another Gaussian Blur. Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur, 3.8 pixels again. Edit > Fade Gaussian Blur, this time I chose Screen, at 36% opacity.
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend37.jpg

26) To alter the colors: Images > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend38.jpg

27) I changed mine to Hue +7, Saturation -27.
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend39.jpg

28) I like "stoking" my art, which is putting a border around it. So select the whole image by ctrl+a.
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend40.jpg
Edit > Stroke
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend41.jpg

29) I made mine with a width of 2, and as a black border.
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend42.jpg
And that makes it look like this:
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend43.jpg

30) To add text, select the Type Tool. I made my text white.
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend44.jpg
Select your text by dragging your mouse over it.
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend45.jpg

31) You can stroke your text (like you stroked your image), and that makes your text much easier to read. Right click on your text layer on the Layer palette and select Blending Options.
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend46.jpg

32) Click on the word "Stroke" on the left hand side.
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend47.jpg
Click on the Color box (that should be red at first).
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend48.jpg
I chose to outline my text in black, and I changed the pixel size to 2.
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend49.jpg

33) And voila! A finished product.
http://i3.photobucke...ugh/blend51.jpg

[Jelly]

If I may add, I'd also recommend a few sites to help you;

www.good-tutorials.com
www.pixel2life.com

[Miller]

I'm following every thing you've said, but i can't get the pics i've chosen into the box.

Please someone help me.

[SeemsSoSurreal]

Open the picture you want



press ctrl and a to select it and then ctrl and c to copy it



then go to the blank canvas that you opened



press ctrl and v to paste it

[...stefi...]

ive made my sig but how do u put it on?

[SeemsSoSurreal]

Load it on something like photobucket and then use the url to paste it in edit signature settings under 'My Controls'

[PBobsessed7]

I have made my sig, but now I cannot load it on to photobucket. I don't know if it's the type of file or what?

[SeemsSoSurreal]

Change it to JPEG and see if that works.

[Violet]

JPEG file ruins the quality of the picture. PNG is the best. Best quality and the file isn't as big as Bitmap.

[lukataylo]

gif is good too but its all up to thje prog that saves it for example paint.net save it alll in the highest quality ( with a little configuration)

[mrak]

I just tried to make my first one in GIMP but it's ugly, and I hope the next one will be good.

[Daniel_]

i like this Tut, its really good

[xX*BabyGAlll*Xx]

LOOl I Still Cant Make Sigs..!!

[BurrowsxBabe05]

is the limit on sigs 1? just curious

[Fish22]

Hmmm... I think that's not against the rules, you can set more than one...

[Luffy]

thank you very much, I'll try to make a signature!!!