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Folded Paper Corners PDF Print
Written by Paula Yagisawa   
Friday, 20 July 2007
Gotta Do It!
Folded Corners
Tutorial

By now, most of you know. I like to find ways to make realistic elements that can be done in just about ANY software program. There are two parts to that - Realistic and Any Software. This means, I like to make sure things look like they might exist and be used in real paper scrapbooks - and that they don't require lots of special software features.

Thankfully, folded paper corners meet these two requirements EASILY!

I like folded corners - not curled corners. First, they look more realistic to me. Second, they are easy to do in any program and get a "real" look! You will need to be able to work in layers to follow my tutorial. Also, I'm going to teach you to make the template and then use it - if you just work on your "paper", then it is only good for that one use. By making a template, you can use it over and over again.

1) open a new transparent image. Size can be anywhere from 6x6 up to 12x12.

2) Using your shape tool, create a large square that doesn't completely fill the image. This will represent the paper.



3) Now, we need to cut off the corner we will be using. I like to use the lasso selection tool - just never draw it over the paper! Start at one end of the cut, then go around the paper to the other end of the cut. This will give you a straight cut! After all, the fold of your paper needs to be straight.

4) Cut this away from the paper layer (ctrl X) and paste it as a new layer (ctrl V). I like to alter the color so I can see it easier.



5) The next few steps will get the cut corner into position to look more like a fold (while keeping it real). Start by mirroring the corner layer. Next, rotate it until you get it to match up as closely as possible with the edge of the paper layer. If it isn't exact, don't worry - we won't be using this base paper!



6) Now, if you fold over a piece of paper, it would never stay crisp and clean. The edges would get slightly "messed" with the fold. Plus, if you look at real folded paper, it will lift slightly at some points and have a curve from this. So, we need to make our fold have some imperfections to help it look real. In PSE, I use Filter: Distort: Liquify and then use the push tool set to 300 or so in order to get the look I like. But, I've also gotten great results by just using a basic paintbrush tool and eraser to get the same effect! Erase in (or push in) just a tiny bit along the edge you want to be lifted. On the other edge, draw it out a tiny bit. Make VERY small changes and don't worry about making them perfect!



7) Your template should already be looking like a folded over piece of paper - but, we want to add highlights and dark edges to make it look more dementional. I've done this a couple different ways, but I'll explain the way that should work for any program. First, use your magic wand selection tool to select the photo corner only. Next, create a new layer above the corner. Finally, use a soft brush (your choice) to draw a thin black edge right along the fold and a slightly wider white line over from that. This can be very dark - since it's on its own layer, we can make it almost invisible in a minute. Finally, you can add white and or black closer to the point of the fold to give it a little more depth there. Because you had the corner shape selected, your marks should stay inside of those lines.

Tip: In PSE (and maybe others?) if you use the paintbrush tool and click at one end - then move to the other end, hold the shift key, and click again.... it will give you a straight line!



8) Fade this layer down to 10-25% opacity (your choice - and you might want to adjust again later).



9) Your template is ready to be saved. I added a texture to show how this could even be used as is for a corner!




Using a folded corner template

If you can work in layers you should!

1) Start by removing or making the "paper" layer invisible.

2) Make the corner layer active.

3) Copy the paper you want to "fold" and paste it into the layer above the corner.
if you have PSE or Photoshop, click ctrl-G to group the paper to the corner
if you are using some other program, you can make the corner layer active and select the transparent layer - then, make the copied paper layer active and erase the selection - there are other methods, so play around to see what works best for you!

4) Adjust the top layer's opacity to get the proper amount of light and shadow on the paper. Each paper is different, so you need to adjust it the way you want it!

5) Merge all visible layers and save the corner using a new file name.

6) To use the corner in a LO, start by layering two papers into one file. The bottom paper will be revealed when the top one is folded back. Next, take the corner you made and copy it then paste it onto your paper. Move it into the position you want. Finally, erase the top of the paper where the corner would have been! Don't forget to add a shadow to show that it is above the original paper. Oh, and add stitching, a staple, a button, or something to fasten down that corner.
 
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