Pixel Art Optical Illusion Block

Software:	PhotoImpact X3
Author:	Sheryl Redden
Home Page:	The Baye Window
Tutorials:	PI Tutorials
Title:	Pixel Art Optical Illusion Block
Skill Level:	Beginner to Intermediate
Additional Files:	None
Description:	Create an optical illusion using a basic pixel block. (This tutorial can be done in any version with a good working knowledge of the tools)

As you work, use your mouse to drag this stickpin along with you to mark your place.

Instructions

Open a new image: 500 w x 500 h pixels or larger if you wish. Click on the Paintbrush, use the settings below:

Make sure the Mode button is pressed. Zoom to around 800% or more, whatever you like best and paint pixels across and 20 down as illustrated here: Note: To have your blocks line up correctly the pixel count on your block needs to be precise. Add A View is very handy to use to make your zooming easier to view. You can find a tutorial on that view HERE.

Click out of Mode. Duplicate and Flip Horizontally and line up on the left side making the top point 3 pixels across.

Duplicate and Flip this piece Vertically and put together making the top of the block. Duplicate the piece you just made and bring down to bottom.

For the side lines you will paint a small vertical line using Paint as Object mode, you can only paint 1 pixel if you want, this is a neat trick to create the lines. Click out of Paint as Object and click the Transform Tool [Q]. In the height and width box on the top toolbar type in 37 to resize your line. Now was that easy or what.

Duplicate this line 2 times creating your outline block, Select All Objects and Merge As a Single Object.

Build the Illusion

To color the block we're going to use the Magic Wand to create an object layer to fill with the color. Click on the Standard Selection Tool and chose Magic Wand Tool. Put a checkmark in Connected pixel if one is not there (this is very important so remember the add the checkmark) then click on the option button and uncheck the Anti-aliasing button.

With the Magic Wand click inside the box where the arrow is pointing: Right click your mouse and select Convert to object.

Click the Fill Tool and fill with a color, any colors will work. Do this with the two other sides using a different color fill. Select all 3 colors and Merge as a Single Object. Just remember to merge the colors only and not with the block outline, be sure and leave the outline grouped. After this is done select ALL and Group.

Duplicate (hold down Ctrl key and drag) or (right click: Duplicate) and put the blocks in place 4 across lining them up with each line.

Duplicate your box again and send it to the back behind to 1st block on the left. Continue to duplicate and line each one up under the one before, sending each one to the back. Keep the lines on top of each other so you have a 1 pixel line for each. There will be a total of 8 blocks stacked down.

Do the same with the last block on the top bringing each one down under the top one. A total of 5 down this time

Take the last block on the bottom right and line 2 across like this:

Start with the first duplicated block on the left, click each one and Send to Back, this will be a total of 3 blocks to send to the back. Your block should now look like below. Realign any of the blocks if needed to make even across and up and down.

Now comes the fun part. We will use the magic wand again to make it easy to add a pixel image to the block. This time when using the Magic Wand click the "+" sign and Un-Check the Connected Pixel box.

There are several ways to Select all the object on the page. You could use the Select All Object's button you can add to your toolbar, Right Click the mouse and select all, or press Ctr+Shift+A. Another way is to select the Pick Tool [K,W]. Holding down the left mouse button drag a rectangle around your image, this will select all. Don't panic sometimes it doesn't always work if you have layers but it's worth a try at times.

Now Select All Objects and click on any one of the (1, 2 or 3)colors of your image, it doesn't matter with one, then Right Click and Convert to Object. Select all again click on the next color, Right Click and Convert to Object. Again Select all click on the last color, Right click and Convert to Object.

After you have completed the colors Convert To Object, open the layer Manager and hide these new layers.

Select all again and Ungroup all layers. click on the original merged colors and delete all of them leaving the outline only.

Go back into your layer Manager and click to Un-hide the layers you created. If you haven't moved your image the layers will appear where they should be.

If you would like to flip your block this would be a good time, but it's not a requirement preference choice only. Select All / Group and use the Transform Tool Rotate Left or Right 90 degrees or Flip Vertically or Horizontally. Do Not use any other Method.

If you wish to add a picture image to your block Illusion you can use any picture you like but to make this image 100% pixel art you will have to use a pixel art image. You are welcome to use the picture below if you wish. Save to your hard drive and open. Right Click and Copy.

Go back to your block click on any set of merged colors and Click Edit / Paste / Into Selection and place where you wish it to be in the picture. Save the completed image in the GIF format.

Your Optical Illusion block is finished. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.