Brads using Balls and Bubbles

What we'll do: We'll make a simple gold-colored brad like the one below using the Balls and Bubbles effect:

What you'll need: Paint Shop Pro 8's Balls and Bubbles effect and, optionally, the Warp effect.

Steps:

Open a new image with a transparent raster background. The image should be square, and for the dimensions 0.25" x 0.25" is good, with the Resolution set to 200 Pixels/inch.
Choose Effects > Artistic Effects > Balls and Bubbles. In the Presets drop-down list, select Gold Ball:

Click OK. Your brad image will look like this:

If you're happy with the brad as is, skip to step 4.
Optional: Balls and Bubbles creates a half-sphere, and this might appear too rounded for a brad. You can flatten the ball a bit, or if you're happy with the brad as is you can skip directly to step 4. In my example, I flattened the brad.

First, increase the canvas size a little using Image > Canvas Size. If the original image size is 50 pixels x 50 pixels (which is the size you'd get if you chose a 0.25" x 0.25" image at 200 Pixels/inch), choose 60 for both Width and Height. For Placement, click the center square. Then click OK.

To flatten the brad, choose Effects > Distortion Effects > Warp. Be sure that both offsets are set to 0. Then set Size to 50 and Strength to 50 (or use whatever Size and Strength settings give you the effect you want).
Save your image as a PNG using File > Export > PNG Optimizer. Use these settings:
- Colors tab: 16.7 Million Colors (24 bit).
- Transparency tab: Alpha channel transparency; Existing image or layer transparency.
- Gamma tab: the default setting (45455)
- Format tab: Non-interlaced.
Click OK and save the image to the folder where you store your scrapbook elements.

(And if you like, you can also save your brad as a Picture Tube using File > Export > Picture Tube.)

You can make all kinds of brads using this method. Experiment with the different settings for Balls and Bubbles to see what kinds of effects you can get. You might want to check out my Balls and Bubbles Basics tutorial to learn more about Balls and Bubbles.

Another option is to recolor your gold brad with Adjust > Hue and Saturation > Hue/Saturation/Lightness.