~~~~~~~~TRI LEVEL TUTORIAL~~~~~~~~ This tutorial is for tri-level images. I have tried to make this tutorial as detailed as possible, but you should be familar with Image Magick, in order for you to follow these instructions. I have provided a few images that you can use for practice, or you can use one of your own. I have left these images large so you can annotate them if you want to. Lady With Pink Frame http://www.wtv-zone.com/aurora/frameworks/TriLevel/Lady-pink-hands.jpg Lady With Orchid Frame http://www.wtv-zone.com/aurora/frameworks/TriLevel/Lady-orchid-frame.jpg If you choose to use one of the images above, take it to Image Magick and annotate it to your liking. Before you output it, go to resize and erase what is there and put in 160 and made sure it is set for "Zoom" or "Resize" (depending on which Image Magick you use), now click on "resize". This will be your center image, now output it and transload to your server. If you choose to use one of your own images, just take it to Image Magick and resize it to 160 in width. Don't be concerned about the height right now, I will explain that later in the tutorial. Your image should look something like this. http://www.wtv-zone.com/aurora/frameworks/TriLevel/Lady-pink-hands01.jpg Next, take your original image back to Image Magick and resize one image to 135 in width and another at 105 in width and transload each of these images to your server. This will give you the 3 images you need to work with. Note, if you use one of the images about, resize the second and third image from the original image and not the one you annotated. I like to put all my images in the same directory and use the same name for the image and add 01, 02 & 03. This will make it easier for you when it comes to compositing all your images to your background. Your images should look something like this. http://www.wtv-zone.com/aurora/frameworks/TriLevel/Lady-pink-hands02.jpg http://www.wtv-zone.com/aurora/frameworks/TriLevel/aclear.gif http://www.wtv-zone.com/aurora/frameworks/TriLevel/Lady-pink-hands03.jpg Now you need a background to composite your images to. It can either be a color of your choice or a transparent background. If you want to use your image on different backgrounds then you will have to use a transparent gif. I must warn you in advance, that if you choose to make it on a transparent background, it will be large in byte size and may take a while to load on your email or page. I usually make mine on a plain colored background and output it as a JPEG. Here are a few backgrounds for you to use. You can take the black background to Image Magick and paint it any color you want. http://www.wtv-zone.com/aurora/frameworks/TriLevel/B150x150base.gif http://www.wtv-zone.com/aurora/frameworks/TriLevel/Transparent150x150.gif Now you have all the parts for completing your tri-level image, but there are 2 things you need to do before taking them to Image Magick. 1) you need to write down all the height and width of each of your images. 2) you need to decide which half of your image you want to show, for your second and third images. This is what I do and it may help you. I take my center image, the one that is 160 in width and take it Image Magick and go into "transform". If you want to see the right side of your image, just put in +80+0 in the parameter box and choose "crop", now hit "transform". If you want to see the left side of your image, just put in -80-0 into the parameter box and choose "crop", now hit "transform". Now we are ready to complete our image! Cut and copy the URL of your third image (the one that is 105 in width) and paste it into your find box. Next, take you background to Image Magick and resize it to 400 in width and the height of your center image (your tallest one). You will find this on the notes I mentioned, when I said to write down all the height and width of your images :-). Make sure you put the ! after your width and height before you hit "resize". Now you are ready to composite your outside images. Go to "Composite" and enter the URL of your third image (C/C&P it from your find box). If you want the left side of you image to show, you will use Gravity "Northwest". If you want the right side of your image to show, you will use Gravity "Northeast". Next, we have to figure out location. Subtract the height of your third image (smallest one) from your center image (tallest one) and divide that number in half. Your "Location" will be +0+the number above. (Example: For the image at the top of my page, the center image is 209 in height, my third image (smallest one) is 137 in height. I subtracted 137 from 209, which is 72 and half of that is 36. My "Location" would be +0+36). Now click on composite. Go to "transform" and flop your image. Go back to composite and leave everything like it is and click on composite. This is what your image should look like. http://www.wtv-zone.com/aurora/frameworks/TriLevel/ThirdImageEX.jpg Go back into composite and enter the URL of your second image (Note: If you did like I suggested and numbered your images 01, 02 & 03, then all you have to do is erase the last number of the URL and replace it with the number of your second image). Leave everything the way it is except "Location". Subtract the height of your second image (135 in width) from your center image (tallest one) and divide that number in half. Your "Location" will be +52+the number above. (Example: My center image is 209 in height, my second image is 177 in height. I subtracted 177 from 209, which is 32 and half of that is 16. My "Location" would be +52+16). Now click on composite. Go to "transform" and flop your image. Go back to composite and leave everything like it is and click on composite. This is what your image should look like. http://www.wtv-zone.com/aurora/frameworks/TriLevel/SecondImageEX.jpg Last step :-). Go back into composite and enter the URL of your center image. (the one that is 160 in width). Change "Gravity" to "Center" and "Location" to +0+0. Now click on composite. Your image should look like this. http://www.wtv-zone.com/aurora/frameworks/TriLevel/FinishedEX.jpg Congratulations, you did it!!! Here is another example Lady in Red Frame http://www.wtv-zone.com/aurora/frameworks/TriLevel/LadyInRed-5frames.jpg Another option you have is to fade your second and third image. Here are a few examples: Pink Hat Lady http://www.wtv-zone.com/aurora/frameworks/TriLevel/Pink-hat-lady-5frame.jpg Lady in Red http://www.wtv-zone.com/aurora/frameworks/TriLevel/lady-in-red-5frames.jpg Pink Clouds Lady http://www.wtv-zone.com/aurora/frameworks/TriLevel/paleclouds-5frames.jpg For the faded look I went into "Enhance" and used Gamma. For the third image I used "Gamma" at 2.4 on the original image. For the second image I used "Gamma" at 1.8 on the original image. For a variation of this tutorial visit DJ's http://homes.paulding.net/arts/coolbreeze/PANO/panorama.html Aurora Designs ­ Copyright © 2003 ­ All Rights Reserved