Learn: Merging Two Images

Learn how to merge two or more images together to produce a tile background

To learn this fun and exciting way to create one-of-a-kind tiled backgrounds, you can use several different types of programs but the easiest to learn is from sTile.

In this column, you will be taken through step by step directions in learning how to do this.

For those who DO NOT have sTile, please go to this following link of which I will show you how to download and then unzip the necessary file(s). The link is: http://www.harmware.net/


Directions to download sTile:
1. Go to following link(provided up above)
2. Click on sTile
3. Read those requirements to make sure you have the proper system
4. Save file sTile.zip

Unzipping the file:
1. Go to MY DOCUMENTS
2. Find sTile (folder will have a paper clip attached)
3. RIGHT CLICK on file. Wait until a small list appears
4. Go to EXTRACT ALL
5. Click NEXT/OKAY/YES to everything. Then finish
6. Return back to MY DOCUMENTS. Search for the same sTile folder(WITHOUT the paperclip attachment). Double-click using the LEFT button on the mouse.


Now, have made it into opening the program...congradulations!


To merge two images:
1. Go to file looking for an image from the file MY PICTURES by clicking on OPEN.

*In the big box on the right, your choosen image
would be something like this:





2. Look on your toolbar for the abbreviation BC (buffer copy).

*On the left your copied image will appear in
smaller box. Like this:




3. On your toolbar, go to: Buffer>>>Load Buffer (secondary image) from MY PICTURES file

*Example secondary image:



4. Buffer>>>Merge Buffer (image) to buffer.
*End result:



5. Because or just in case, TEST the tile by clicking on the window of the toolbar. If tile background DOES NOT look SEAMLESS, use this order: IMAGE>>> SEAMLESS>> 1/16

6. Retest tile once more

Keep in mind that you images must be compatible to each other otherwise the tile background will look 'sloppy'. This can be achieved by using a moderate solid colored texture against an image with more pronounced objectivity --or more movement.