A German translation by Susi from Tutorial Dreams
can be found here

The Vizros filter is fast becoming one of my favourite tools and using some creative manipulation you can make wonderful open gift boxes to put all sorts of goodies inside.

This is a long tutorial but there are various stages at which you may decide you have done enough for what you you want to achieve. While the tutorial is fairly easy to follow is it suggested you should have a reasonable understanding of how layers work.

I have tried to make these instructions detailed enough for beginner's to follow as well and
therefore more advanced users may not need to follow all steps for renaming layers etc.

Remember to save frequently.

Step 1
Open the desire image, Shift + D to copy the image and then close the original image.
Right click on the Layer Palette
and promote the background to a raster layer.
Right click again and rename this layer "original box".
If you are using a large image resize to around 500 on the longest side.

Step 2
Effects > Plugins > Vizros 4 > Box

I have used the following settings:

Note: for more information on the various settings
click on the thumbnail for a larger view.

Other Notes

Adjust the Dimension sliders to ensure the edges aren't touching the sides

To ensure a transparent background the following changes need to be made
 in the Page Properties area .
Click on the drop down arrow in the Settings box and select Background Page.
Next check Solid and change the Opaque slider to zero.

Anti Alias - I have used this unchecked but it may vary with a different image.

Step 3
To increase the canvas size go to Image > Canvas Size.
Add 100 to the Width and 200 to the Height.
Centre bottom placement.

Step 4
Zoom in on the box to about 200% to make the next step easier.
Click on the Freehand Selection (Lasso) Tool with the following settings.
Selection Type - Point to Point
Mode - Add (Shift)
Anti-alias - Checked
Place the cursor on the top left hand corner.
Hold down the left mouse button and draw the cursor down to the
bottom left hand corner position of the top of the box.
Click the left mouse button to set the line.

Note: if you make a mistake in the placement of the cursor click on the
 Delete button to undo back to the last position.

Step 5
Now move the cursor across to the bottom right corner position
on the top of the box and click the mouse button.

Continue up to the top right hand corner and then back to the starting position.

Right click in the centre of the outlined area to activate the "marching ants".

Step 6
CTRL + C to copy the selection.
CTRL + L to Paste as a  New Layer.
Right click in the Layer Palette and rename the layer "lid".
Click on the eye to turn off this layer for the time being.

Step 7
Click back on the cube layer.
Selections > Modify > Contract by 1 pixel.
Hit the Delete key to "open" the box.
Leave Selected.

Note: Contracting the selection by 1 pixel should leave a narrow outline of the box edge.
 

Step 8
Create a new layer and name it "inner back".
Select the Eye Dropper tool and sample a light colour from the image.
Floodfill the selection.
Deselect.

Step 9
Create a new layer and name it "inner side".
Use the Freehand Selection tool to outline the inside end of the box as show.
Flood fill with a darker shade of the fill colour.
Deselect.

Right click on the "inner side" layer.
Merge > Merge Down
Rename the layer "inside".

Step 10
This step is optional - you will only need to do it if you wish to
put something inside the box.

Create a copy of the box layer.
Turn off the box and inside layers.

Use the Freehand Selection Tool to outline the front of the box, leaving just the edges of the box.
Make sure you are on the copy of the box layer.

Invert the selection and hit the delete key.
This will leave just the two front edges of the box on the copy of the layer.
Rename the layer "front of box".

To put items inside the box you will need to create them on layers
between the original box layer and the front of box layer.
Make sure they do not extend past the front edges of the box.
The inside layer will need to be below the other layers.

Note: If you put contents inside the box you will need to
move the lid layer below the box contents layer.

Step 11
Turn on all layers and activate the lid layer.
Use the Deformation Tool with the Mode set to Scale to position the lid above the box.

Pull the top edge of the box up to maintain the perspective.
Push in on the edges of the lid to resize to the width of the box.
Use the centre rotation handle to line the lid up with the top edge of the box.

Set the Mode to Perspective.
Position the cursor on the top left hand corner.
You will notice the cursor changes to a wedge shape.
Hold down the left mouse button and drag the corner out slightly
to correct the visual aspect of the lid

Step 12
This step is optional - you will only need to do it if you wish to
change the colour and appearance of the lid.

Create a new raster layer and name it "inner lid".
Click on the lid layer and select the Magic Wand.
Click outside the lid and then Invert the selection.
(Selections > Invert)

Selections > Modify > Contract by 3 pixels.
Activate the 'inner lid" layer and flood fill inside the lid with the inner box colour.
Merge > Merge Down.

Step 13
When you have completed your open box to your satisifaction
Merge > Visible to link all the layers.
Apply a short perspective shadow to complete the image.
I have used the Eye Candy 4000 Shadowlab plugin for my shadow.

Making a Lift Off Lid

In Step 1 make a copy of the image layer. Turn off the copy for the time being.
Create the box using the above instructions.
You can ignore the instruction to copy and paste the lid layer.

When you have completed the box, turn off that layer and turn on the copy of the image.
Go back into the Vizros filter and use the same settings as before
but reduce the Z side to between 40 - 50.

Note: If you wish to only show a portion of the image on a given side
select the page, choose Image in the settings and click on Selection.

In the box that opens outline the portion of the image you wish to use
then click OK.

Selecting a portion of the image avoids the whole image being squashed
when the side of the box is reduced.

Use the Deformation Tool to position and rotate the lid
 into position against the side of the box.
You may find it is necessary to slightly enlarge the lid by
pulling out on one of the corners to make the lid look more
in proportion to the box.

VARIATIONS

Check out the fantastic results from the PSP Magic group

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial. If you have any queries or find any instructions that need clarification in the tutorial don't hesitate to contact me.

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