PhotoImpact 12 has several preset work modes. For this tutorial, we will be using the Full Edit mode so all of the tools in PhotoImpact will be available to you.

As you work, use your mouse to drag this along with you to mark your place.

LET'S GET STARTED

	1. Start with a new window, 200x200, white background. 2. Click on the Path Drawing Tool to select. 3. Set the attributes to: Shape = Round Color = any color Mode = Selection
	To draw a circle, hold down left mouse button and drag cursor from upper left corner of the new workspace to lower right corner. The circle will be colorless with only a selection line showing.
(figure 1) (figure 2)	1. Click on the Bucket Fill Tool and select Linear Gradient Fill Tool. (figure 1) 2. In the attribute box, (figure 2) select: Fill Method: Two-color Fill colors: Right-click on each color box to select your colors. Set the left box to a very dark color. set the right box to a very light color (use colors of your choice). Color Ramp: RGB Transparency: 0 Merge: Always
	With the Bucket Fill Tool still selected, hold down the left mouse button and drag the cursor across the circular selection from upper left to lower right (see red arrows). When you release the mouse button, the selection will be filled with a nice gradient color.
	1. While your circle is still selected, right-click to display a menu. 2. Select Expand/Shrink from the menu. This will bring up an options box. 3. Set the options to: Shrink 20 pixels Shape: Circle Keep original soft edge checked 4. Click Ok This will shrink the selection to form an inner selection on your circle.
	The Bucket Fill Tool should still be selected. Hold down the left mouse button and drag the cursor across the circular selection from upper right to lower left (see red arrows) When you release the mouse button, the fill colors will be reversed giving a 3D effect.
	1. While your circle is still selected, right-click to display the Selection menu. 2. Select Expand/Shrink from the menu. This will bring up an options box. 3. Set the options to: Expand 20 pixels Shape: Circle Keep original soft edge checked 4. Click Ok This will expand the selection back to its original place around the edge of the circle.
	Right-click once more to bring up the Selection menu, select Convert to Object. That's it! You can drag your new button to the Easy Palette and store in your image library if you wish. Try this again using various shapes. For square shapes, on the Expand/shrink menu, you might want to select "square" instead of "round".

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