Next, we're going to duplicate our background layer for later use (Layers:Duplicate).After the layer is duplicated, return to the background layer by selectingit in the Layers pallette or menu. To avoid confusion, choose Layers: ViewCurrent Only, so that we can see what we're doing in the next few steps.Now apply a gaussian blur (Image, Blur: Gaussian Blur) Set the radius toabout 3.00.
 
 
 

After the blur, apply the Embossing filter (Image, Other:Emboss.) Yourimage should look something like the shot below. Depending on your graphic,you may need to smooth out the grays at this point. If necessary, you canadd 6% uniform noise to remove any gradient patterns that appear (Image,Noise: Add . Check the Uniform box and set the slider to 6.)
 
 
 
 

Now we return to our second layer by selecting it in the Layers palletteor menu. In the layers menu, select Properties. Change the blend mode fromNormal to Difference. This gives the basic quilted effect shown.
 
 
 
 

If your shapes or text were antialiased, you may have noticed a jaggedblack edge around the incised areas. To remove this artifact and add asoft black outlline to your shape, go to Image, Blur: Soften.
 
 
 
 
 

If you want to add color to your design, simply add a new layer to yourgraphic (Layers: New). Set the Blend mode to Color. Then load the selectionyou saved earlier (Selections: Load from Alpha Channel) and fill with thecolor of your choice. Most colors work well, but Yellows tend to be a bitmurky.
 
 
 
 

To color the outside of your graphic, simply invert your selection (Selections:Invert)and again fill with color. Be sure not to miss any interior areas. I findthat using the Spray can set to a large size works well for this. Filterssuch as Poster Gradient (from Filter Factory Gallery V) can add additionalcolor interest.
 
 
 
 

With the blend mode of the second layer set to Difference, you get thequilted effect shown above. Setting the Blend Mode to Burn or Multiplygives an interesting raised effect.
 
 
 
 

As you can see, the effect works equally well with drawn shapes. Thegraphic shown started as a black circle with white lines drawn throughit.
 
 
 

The quilting effect is very much controlled by the radius of the GaussianBlur applied. For sharp edges, use low numbers. The left side of the graphicbelow was done with a blur of two. For a more subtle edge, use a higherblur radius, such as 6 (right half). I personally think that a value of3 gives the optimal effect.