This page is meant as a tutorial on how to create a full page background, tiled, starting with a favorite image. I am doing all of this in PaintShop Pro (which is not the program I normally use to achieve the final effect, but it is a very good program and is relatively affordable). First, let me show you the image we are starting with:

Now, the image above is 283 pixels high by 300 pixels wide. I normally like to use images that are 200 pixels wide for "large" tiled backgrounds - this is because the majority of viewers use the 800 x 600 screen resolution, and the image (divisibly) fits perfectly in that resolution. There is really no way to come up with a divisible size that satisfies all resolutions, so just grin that and bear it!

In PaintShop Pro, choose "Image", "Resample". Make sure the box is checked that says "Maintain aspect ratio", then click the little radio button to the left of "Custom size". Type 200 in the box on the left, and the box on the right will automatically re-adjust to the appropriate height. NOTE: if you are unable to use the "Resample" function, your image is not in 16 million colors. Go to "Colors", "Increase color depth", "16 million colors". Then perform the resample function.

After resampling, our image looks like this:

Having achieved the proper size, we now need to do something to the image so that, when tiled, you cannot see the seams. Take the little eyedropper, and go to one of the dark blue places in the upper left of the picture, then click. The color you have selected appears as the "foreground color" in your palette (the particular spot I clicked resulted in Red 12, Green 40, Blue 105). Now, click on the little magnifying glass to zoom it a bit (I clicked twice). Then, click on the paintbrush, and set the parameters as follows: brush type: normal, size: 12, shape: round, paper texture: none. Then, carefully, take your cursor, which should look like a little paintbrush, and begin going around the perimeter of the picture. I now have an image that looks like this:

In the Paint Brushes Option Bar, change the setting for paper texture to "Mist". Now, slowly start fading some of the rough edges. You should end up with something similar to this:

As you can see, this is just a subtle alteration. It probably wasn't even necessary for this particular image, but, depending on the nature of the image you started with, it can come in quite handy! We are now ready to lighten the image for use as a background. I've already gone back to normal viewing size, and you will probably want to do the same. Then, select "Colors", "Adjust", "Brightness/Contrast". I set the "% Brightness" to 20, and the "% Contrast" to -10. This yielded the following image:

This is a little lighter, but far from what I would consider a "useable" background image! Now, select "Colors", "Adjust", "Gamma Correction", and set the parameter to 3.5. You should now have an image that looks like this:

Click here to see how that looks as a background. Yikes!!! It looks AWFUL!!! Now what do we do??? Well, let's see. What's wrong with it? Basically, it's washed out. I can't see any features... I don't like it. Let's try "Colors", "Adjust", "Hue/Saturation/Luminance". Leave the %Hue at 0, but change %Saturation to -30 and %Luminance to -5. It seems I can see a *little* more features on this setting... Now I have an image that looks like this:

Click here to see how that looks as a background. Well, quite frankly, I don't like that one either! BUT, it should be the perfect example to prove a point! In order to have definition on a full page background from an existing image, you can't start with drastic contrast in your beginning image and have adequate features holding out through the lightening process! Our beginning image is very "monotone-ish" - it is not a good image to lighten, because there is already so much lightness in it. Obviously, further lightening only serves to wash out the features completely!

This should be enough information to send you on your way trying to achieve perfect tiled backgrounds from existing images. If there is anything I have omitted here that will improve or add clarity to the message, please let me know. Also, if you have any questions, I will be more than happy to (at least try to) answer them. The logo below will link you to my e-mail - drop me a line!