Very Computer

> Can someone perhaps advise me on what technique to apply to get a
> pixelized/dotty/grainy/texturized background somewhat similar to the
> "glow" shadow in either PhotoPaint or Draw. Close to the object it
> should be almost solid, but further away the dots should become
> smaller and spread further apart. Any technique to achieve something
> similar would be appreciated.
> Regards
> Johann Swart

> Ok. This is PP9, your mileage may vary, and there might be a way to
> avoid Saving/Loading the mask that I haven't found, but this will work:

> (1) Make a copy of your image. I say make a copy because you're going to
> mangle it.
> (2) Make your selection/mask around which you want your drop-shadow.
> (3) Convert the image, via Image/Mode, to 8-bit grayscale. This will
> convert the entire image, not just your selection.
> (4) Edit/Fill your selection/mask with solid white.
> (5) Invert the selection/mask, and Edit/Fill the background with solid
> white, too. That's a lot of white you've got there.
> (6) Invert the selection/mask back to your original selection, and
> create an object from it.
> (7) Create the dropshadow in the direction and shape you want using the
> Object Dropshadow tool. Use the 'Glow' shadows if that's the style you
> want. Use the transparency/feathering adjustments to get the drop-off
> the way you want. The shadow will be in contone grayscale; i.e., it's
> not what you want just yet.
> (8) Object/Combine/Combine all objects with background.
> (9) Convert the image, via Image/Mode, to Black and White (1-bit). This
> will give you several choices for how to perform the grayscale->speckles
> conversion. You want one of the randomized error diffusion modes, or it
> will have an unnatural pattern to it. In PP9, the 'Jarvis' error
> diffusion algorithm seems to produce the best conversion.
> (10) Image/Transform/Invert will make the background black and your
> dropshadow white.
> (11) Save this thing you've created as whatever filename you like. Don't
> use .JPG, since dots are maximum high frequency and will guarantee
> maximum distortion and you don't want any distortion at all. I'd use
> .CPT. Let's call it DSHADOW.CPT.
> (12) Go back to your original image, the one you didn't mangle.
> (13) Mask/Load/Load From Disk and load in DSHADOW.CPT. PP9 makes me go
> through the additional step of clicking on the image to actually put the
> mask there.
> (14) Your new selection should be exactly what you want. Fill it with
> black (or whatever you like) and I think you're done.

> Hope this helps,
> Bill

> > Can someone perhaps advise me on what technique to apply to get a
> > pixelized/dotty/grainy/texturized background somewhat similar to the
> > "glow" shadow in either PhotoPaint or Draw. Close to the object it
> > should be almost solid, but further away the dots should become
> > smaller and spread further apart. Any technique to achieve something
> > similar would be appreciated.
> > Regards
> > Johann Swart