How To: Using the Coin Reflection Template

Thanks to PCGS forum member Space Monkey for creating the templates used in this How To Guide

To discuss this "How To" or share your results please visit the following forum: PCGS Forum Link

Software Used: Adobe Photoshop Elements 6.0

OS: OS X for the Macintosh

Notes:

- You should always work with a copy of your original image

- Link to thread containing all of Space Monkey's templates

- Link to template used for this demonstration

Step: 1

Open the template for this demonstration

Link to template used for this demonstration

Step: 2

Re-size the template to what you want the final product to be. Knowing that most people have a 1024x768 monitor I usually resize to a width of 1000 pixels.

Step: 3

Open the Obverse and Reverse images you want to use with the template.

- If they are already cropped to the edges of the coin then go to step 4

- If you need to crop them see methodology for using the elliptical marquee to crop an image here.

Step: 4

We will need to figure out what size the circles are in the template that will hold the coin photo's

- Use the elliptical marquee. First guess should be a little less than half of your template width. MAybe 475 pixels in this case. Click on the template and see if the marquee fits over the circle

- Use your mouse or the arrow keys to move the marquee around. The arrow keys are easier once you get close

- If it is too big or too small use process of elimination and increase/decrease the size by 5/10/25 pixels until you get close. It does not have to be exact

- In this case the circle is about 465 pixels if you rsized the template to 1000 pixels wide

Step: 5

Now that you know the size of the circle, resize your cropped coin images to match. In this case ~465 pixels x 465 pixels

Step: 6

Use the elliptical marquee on your coin photo; it should be 465x465 pexels fixed

Step: 7

Copy the obverse image

Step: 6

Pasting your images in the template

- Use the elliptical marquee on the left top circle in the template, should be 465x465 pixels. Use your mouse and arrow keys to align the marquee

- Paste your image into it

- If still not aligned select the move tool and then select your image and move it using the mouse or arrow keys

- Follow steps 6, 7 and 8 for the reverse also

Right click the upper of the two layers and choose Merge Down

At this point you can either right click and delete or ignor the coin template layer

Step: 9

Merge the Obverse and Reverse Coin Layers

- See captions to the left for details

Step: 10

Duplicate the Coin Layer and name it Coin Reflection

- Right click the Coin Layer Template and select duplicate layer

- Edit the new layer properties by naming it Coin Reflection

Step: 11

Flip coin reflection layer vertical

- Move the layer to the top so it is visible

- Flip the layer vertically

- Coin layer should now be upside down

Step: 12

Move the coin reflection layer over the reflection template or the semicircles and overlay for the reflection effect

- Use the Move tool, select the reflection layer and drag it into place. you can use the arrow keys to fine tune the position

- Once the reflection layer is selected, choose overlay

- Both the coin template and the coin reflection template are no longer needed, you can either delete or ignore them at this point

Step: 13

Add Text

- Select the text tool, click in the text area and give it a title

Step: 15

Save your image as a jpeg, upload to your favorite photo host and share it with the world.

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