PSP8 Survival Kit: Page 8

vii. The New Settings for the Effects Dialogue Boxes: Wow - Jasc have really jazzed up the effects options. Each of these tools now allows you to save your favourite effects presets, (for instance, if you always use the same drop-shadow settings for certain types of images, you can store as many as you like) and some other handy new toys which we'll take a look at (below). Another great feature is the 'randomize parameters' button. In plain old English, all that means is that you throw the dice and you takes what you gets ;-) You can even change the entire look of the dialogue box itself by turning the preview function on and off. Effects>3D Effects>Buttonize:

viii. Seamless Tiling: Well, all I can say is, if ever a tool needed improving, this one did! I found it so useless I never even bothered to use it in V7. However in V8 it's really improved out of sight (you can see for yourself, below)

If you want to see it in action, you can take a peek right here. Just make sure no pussycats are in the vicinity at the time or they'll get a heart attack ;-) The original image (of my 7 year old Siberian Husky, Laika) is shown below. Effects>Image Effects>Seamless Tiling:

For an even more in-depth look, I have a tutorial on this new tool right here.

ix. The Overview Window: This little fella has definitely come into its own in V8.....you can get all kinds of useful information via this tool now (see example, below). View>Palettes>Overview.

            

x. The Balls and Bubbles Tool. The best way to describe this tool is that it's very Blade-Pro-ish...but for round objects. It enables you to create circular objects and place surface textures and patterns on them to create a 3-D effect (see example, below). A very versatile tool, it comes with its own presets, and you can even make your own. Like to know more right now? Check out my tutorial. Effects>Artistic Effects>Balls and Bubbles.