How to use Psgrafx's Tubes

After downloading the zipped file, extract the .tub file to your Paint Shop Pro "picture tubes" or "tubes" directory. 

Open Paint Shop Pro, open an existing or create a new image.   Click on the picture tube tool on the tool bar. 

Choose the picture tube you would like to use. 

Click where you would like the tube placed. 

That's it.

Tweaks and Troubleshooting

You really shouldn't have issues using these tubes, but some "tweaks" may be necessary if you are using a different version of Paint Shop Pro than the tube was made.

Part of the tube is cut off?

Open the tube file from the tubes directory.   From the file menu, choose "export" and choose picture tube.   Adjust the step size so that it is larger than the tube size.

Tube is too large?

You can adjust the tube size by percentage on the tool options menu.   Try not to use tubes larger than 100% though.  They will be fuzzy.

Don't see the tube listed?

Close Paint Shop Pro and restart it.   If that doesn't work, go to your program preferences, then file locations and doublecheck that you have the proper paths specified.

Create your own Tubes

Quick and Painless ...

Ok, you have the images you want for your tube ready, right?   Let's get started:

1.)  Open a new image, transparent background, 16 million colors.  The size will depend on the number of images you are going to use.  For example, if your images are all around 350 x 350 and you have 4 of them, you could make the image 800 x 800 and comfortably fit them all.

2.) After you've created your blank image and using the largest image as a guide, to go "view" and click on "grid".  You should see the grid on your images.  

3.) Go back to view, and choose "change grid and snap properties".  Adjust the horizontal and vertical grids so that they are just slightly larger than the largest image you are going to create.   Using the 350 x 350 as an example, to give yourself room between images, make them 400 x 400.  

4.)  Copy and paste each image on it's own layer.    Then place each image within the borders of its own grid. 

5. ) Clean up any debri or unwanted elements or add effects, as desired.   

6.)  Once everything is as you'd like it, go to the layer menu and merge visible.  

7. ) Once you've merged your layers, each image still within its grid boundries and still maintaining a transparent background, go to the file menu and choose export picture tube.   Fill out the properies, as necessary and name your tube.   You should see that the export wizard and your grid boundries match.  

Voila!  Your picture tube is complete!