Shaped Images in Photoshop

Body: Take an image and crop it into a shape using Photoshop.
Difficulty: Medium - User should have previous knowledge in Photoshop.
Guide Written By: Lisa
(c) Neo Luv

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1. Open a larger image that you plan to use in this tutorial. I'll be using a (c) neopets.com image from Faellie day.

2. We're going to make the image look better first. This multi-part step is better explained in full detail on this page.
-2A: Duplicate your image.
-2B: Go to Filter >> Blur >> Gaussian Blur. Set your Radius to 4.0.
-2C: Set your blending mode to overlay.
-2D: Merge your two layers into one layer. (Select one, hold down the SHIFT key, click on the other. Right click and select merge layers.)

3. Create a new layer.

4. Select your shape tool. I used my circle tool.

This is my circle shape tool.

5. Take your circle shape tool and create circles all over the new layer you created. Make your circles overlap each other just a bit. Do NOT create the circles on the image layer.

6. Click on your 'Select' tool. Select your circles like shown:
Notice the dotted line around the circles.

7. With the layer still selected (still with the dotted line) delete the layer.

8. Now go to Edit >> Copy.

9. Go to File >> New and say OK.

10. Go to Edit >> Paste. I added a drop shadow and stroke to my layer, and also added some text to create the finished product. Save and you have yourself a shaped image!

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I hope this helped you! You can do this with any shape!

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