Allan (and others),
The bevel function in PSP7 will do nicely. Just use the settings I sent to you a moment ago in a separate email (and which I've repeated below for the others).
I see you're having a problem with the color you use for Argent. Argent should be R240, G240, B240. Here's the link to the colors I use:
http://freepages.family.rootsweb.com/~heraldry/color_large.gif
Here's the smaller version that I place next to the shield before saving it as a .gif file:
http://freepages.family.rootsweb.com/~heraldry/color.gif
Now then.... Here are some step-by-step instructions for you to follow in creating large (356x412) beveled shields using PSP7 (and save for the beveling option you can use these instructions even if you're using PSP5):
1) Go to FILE and click on NEW.
2) Set the WIDTH for 450 pixels and the HEIGHT for 450 pixels and the RESOLUTION for 72.000 pixels/inch and the background WHITE and the IMAGE TYPE 16.7 Million Colors (24 Bit).
3) Go to FILE and click on OPEN and open whatever template shield .gif file you'll be working on.
4) Go to EDIT and COPY this template shield .gif file.
5) Place your cursor on the new 450x450 image and click.
6) Go to EDIT and PASTE your blank template shield AS NEW SELECTION onto the 450x450 image.
7) Go to your toolbar and select the Freehand icon that looks like a rope/lasso. Move your lasso somewhere outside the shield and click.
8) Now use your PAINT CAN icon to color the template shield you've pasted onto the 450x450 image.
9) Once you have your image colored ... go to your toolbar and click on the MAGIC WAND icon.
10) Place the MAGIC WAND somewhere on the outside of the template shield that you've colored and click.
11) Go to SELECTIONS and click on INVERT.
12) Go to EFFECTS and choose 3D Effects and choose Inner Bevel and click on OK.
NOTE: All beveled AAH shields should be set with the following Inner Bevel options if you're
using PSP7:
BEVEL -
Bevel: Use the second bevel in from the top left corner
Width: 10
IMAGE -
Smoothness: 40
Depth: 10
Ambience: -72
Shininess: 0
LIGHT -
Color: White (R255 G255 B255)
Intensity: 90
Elevation: 90
NOTE: If you're using Eye Candy 4000, then all beveled AAH shields should be set with the following options using the Bevel Boss:
BASIC -
Bevel Width: 10.00
Bevel Height Scale: 52
Smoothness: 52
Bevel Placement: Inside marquee
Darken Deep Areas: 0
Shade Interior: place a check mark in this box
LIGHTING -
Direction: 90
Inclination: 90
Highlight Brightness: 0
Highlight Size: 0
Highlight Color: White (R255, G255, B255)
Shadow Color: Black (R0, G0, B0)
BEVEL PROFILE -
(a) Use the bevel called BUTTON.
(b) Make sure the "Sharp corner" option box is not marked.
13) Go to EFFECTS and BLUR and GAUSSIAN BLUR and set the Radius for 0.65 and click on OK.
14) Go to EDIT and click on COPY.
15) Go to EDIT and PASTE and click on AS NEW IMAGE.
16) Using your PAINT CAN icon color the background on this new image white (R255, G255, B255).
17) Go to FILE and OPEN my image <color.gif>.
18) Go to EDIT and COPY color.gif.
19) Place your cursor on the new image and click.
20) Go to EDIT and PASTE and click on AS NEW SELECTION and drag the color.gif you just pasted down into the lower left hand corner of the new image and place it outside the shield.
21) Go to your toolbar and select the Freehand icon that looks like a rope/lasso. Move your lasso somewhere between the color.gif and the shield and click.
22) Making sure your background color is set as white (R255, G255, B255) on the Color Palette ... go to COLORS on the menu bar and click on SET PALETTE TRANSPERANCY.
23) The window entitled <Decrease Color Depth - 256 Color> should appear. Set the PALETTE for Optimized Octree; set the REDUCTION METHOD for Nearest Color; make sure nothing is marked in the OPTIONS section and click OK.
24) The window entitled <SET PALETTE TRANSPARENCY> should appear. Mark the circle entitled <Set the transparency color to the current background color> and make sure that the background color box at the end of that sentence is WHITE in color and then click OK.
25) Go to COLORS and click on EDIT PALETTE and locate the color argent (i.e., R247, G247, B247) and change it to R240, G240, B240).
26) Go to COLORS and click on VIEW TRANSPARENCY. If the white background outside your shield image disappears and is replaced by a white and gray checkerboard pattern, then your transparency is okay. If anything in the shield takes on this white and gray checkerboard pattern that means you've used white somewhere on the shiled and you should load your PAINT CAN icon with the color argent (R240, G240, B240) and fill in these spots.
26) Now save your iamge as a .gif file.
27) After the image is saved use your Freehand icon (lasso) and encirlce the color.gif image on your newly saved image and drag it off the image or use EDIT and CUT it thereby removing it from your newly saved image.
28) Save your image once more. Now you're finished! :)
Let me know how I can improve these instructions. Be well....
Peace,
Steven