3D spheres with PSP

(PSP Version 5 and above)

Paint Shop Pro is not a 3D program. However, with a little imagination we can create circles that give a semblance of spheres.

Step 1
Start with a 150 X 150 pixel image. Choose black as the background color and red as the foreground.

Step 2
Using the Selection tool , make a circular selection of 130 pixels in radius in the middle of the image. Be sure to check the antialias checkbox in the Control Palette. (The settings in the Control Palette are shown in the image below). Tip: To place the selection right in the middle of the image start at co-ordinates x = 74 and y = 74. Your image would now look like:

Step 3
We'll now fill the selection with a sunburst fill.
Activate the fill tool and select Sunburst from the Fill Style drop down menu in the Control Palette. Click inside the selection. Your image should now rememble:

Step 4
Deselect the image. Now make another circular selection of radius 84 starting at co-ordinates x = 90, y = 90. Be sure to check the Antialias check box in the control palette.

Step 5
Copy the selection (Edit - Copy). Start another new 150 X 150 image and make its background black. Paste the selection as a new layer (Edit - Paste - As New Layer) in this image.
Here is the final image:

The next tip explains how to beautify this image.