How to Add Glitter to Images in DesignScape

Let’s have some fun as we show you how to add glitter to images in DesignScape. Glitter adds that extra pizazz and glitz to create unique memories. In DesignScape, an awesome browser based editing program, it only takes a few easy steps. We do have a free 30-day trial for the Gold Plus Membership just for you that also gives you access to DesignScape.

During this tutorial, we will be using this photo of friends celebrating and a glitter texture background.

First, you need to unzip your downloaded files to your PC or Mac.

Step 1 - Upload Images to DesignScape

Start by opening the image you want to add the glitter background to in DesignScape. Then, drag and drop the glitter background over the image.

We need to resize the glitter background by clicking on the Move Tool on the left side panel. Make sure the box for Transform controls is ticked. Now click + drag out the corner nodes to resize.

Before we make a selection, we need to hide the glitter background layer. In the Layers Panel click on the eye icon next to the layer.

Step 2 - Create a Selection

We want to create a selection and then mask out the glitter background over the group of friends. So, go to the left side toolbar and click + hold your cursor over the selection options. Now, click on the Magic Wand.

At the top toolbar are the selection options. Click on the icon Unite, this is essentially the Add option for a selection.

We set our Tolerance to 24, but this will depend on the type of photo you are using. To select a larger area or more pixels at once, use a higher Tolerance value. Use a lower value to select smaller, more controlled areas.

Make sure that the boxes for Anti-alias and Contiguous are checked, then click anywhere on the background. A selection will now be applied. Keep clicking on areas to add to the selection. The selection was done pretty well but there is an area that we don’t want included.

We now want to Subtract from the selection. So, click on the Subtract icon at the top toolbar. Click over the area you want to remove from the selection. In this case, the area over the man’s hand.

Step 3 - Create a Mask of the Selection

Go back to the glitter background layer and click on the eye icon to make the layer visible. Click on the layer to select it. Next, at the bottom of the Layers Panel click on the icon to Add Raster Mask. A mask has now been created from the selection.

We want to change the Blending Mode so the glitter background blends better with the background of the image. Just above the Layers Panel, click on the drop down menu for the Blending Mode option. You may need to experiment to see what works for you. We chose to use Hard Light.

Some areas are a little too dark, so we are going to use a non-destructive way of fixing this in the next step.

Step 4 - Fix the Highlights and Shadows

We will be adding a gray layer then use a black and white brush to add highlights and shadows. At the bottom of the Layers Panel, click on New Layer.

Now fill this layer with gray by going to Edit > Fill. In the Fill window, click on the Fill drop down menu and select Gray then click OK. The layer will be filled with gray.

Change the Blending Mode to Overlay. Now, with the gray layer still selected, Ctrl + click on the Mask thumbnail to activate the selection. This will help us to constrain the adjustment to just the selection.

On the left side panel, click on the Brush Tool. Near the bottom of the left tool you have white and black color boxes. White will lighten an area while black will darken. Change the settings on the top toolbar to fit your needs. We used a Flow of 11% and set Smooth to 40%.

White will lighten dark areas and black will do the opposite. You can quickly toggle between white and black by using the keyboard shortcut "X".

Our glitter image is now done. To remove the selection, go to Select > Deselect. We want to save our image so go to File > Export as > JPG.

Here is the final result of our image.

You can now share your image with family and friends to celebrate your memories or even add to scrapbook pages. We hope that you enjoyed following this tutorial on how to add glitter to images in DesignScape.