PUZZLE by PANOS v.1.5
(c) Panos Efstathiadis, 2004, 2005. All rights reserved.
Version 1.5 is PSCS2 compatible

You can contact the author at: contactpanos@yahoo.com
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INSTRUCTIONS
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1. USE IT ON LANDSCAPE IMAGES

The actions are optimised for LANDSCAPE layout images. On portrait layout 
images use the image> rotate canvas> 90CW (or 90CCW) command before running the actions.



2. RUN THE CORE ACTIONS

Load the actions set, into your actions palette. To do so, make sure the actions palette
is visible. To view the actions palette select WINDOW > ACTIONS. Then click on the top
right arrow on the palette and on the fly out menu select LOAD ACTIONS.
Click on one of the 20, 30 or 56 pieces actions and press the play button (the little
triangle at the bottom of the actions palette).



3. ADJUST THE LOOK OF THE PIECES EDGES

The actions were recorded on a 1024x768 image; in larger/smaller images you may 
need to re-adjust the pieces' bevels/shadows, to optimise the effect. 
The "CHANGE BEVEL&EMBOSS" action helps you to do this quickly.



4. PRINT n CUT!

Apart from creating on-screen effects, these actions can be used to print "puzzled" 
versions of your images, cut out the pieces and let kids have fun. First create 
a 20-pieces puzzle and then play the "PRINT n CUT" action. Print the final picture, 
get your scissors and start cutting! It needs a lot of patience but the kids' smiles 
will pay you off!



5. GET AN INCOMPLETE PUZZLE EFFECT

Each puzzle piece is actually a PS layer. This is very useful because it allows you 
to create stunning effects. Pieces (or groups of pieces) can be rotated, moved, 
re-ordered, etc. Load an image, play the "JIGSAW 56 PIECES" action and then play 
the "EFFECT EXAMPLE FOR 56 PIECES" action, to see what I mean.



6. CREATE YOUR OWN EFFECTS

You can record your own actions-effects. To record you own effect:
  i.   Make sure you've run one of the 3 core jigsaw actions.
  ii.  Start recording a new action
  iii. Unlink all layers
  iv.  Select layers (puzzle pieces). You can select a sole layer or groups 
       of layers (linked layers). To facilitate your selection, layers are 
       named in a spreadsheet manner (eg A1, D5, etc).
       In the case of linked layers, you may need to merge them first, 
       and move the new, merged layer on the top of the layers list.
  v.   Use the MOVE (v) and TRANSFORM (Ctrl+T) tools to move and rotate pieces 
       (or groups of pieces).



7. REMOVE CANVAS

Use this action if you want to get rid of the blue canvas and keep only the 
puzzle pieces. 




I hope you have fun by playing this set of actions.



Panos Efstathiadis
contactPanos@yahoo.com


www.PANOSFX.com
A gateway to the wonderful world of Photoshop
