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)

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 18 down as illustrated here: Note: To have your blocks line up correctly the pixel count on your block needs to be precise. You can use Add A View to make your zooming easier to view. You can find a tutorial on that HERE.

Click out of Mode. Duplicate and Flip Horizontally and line up on the left side making the top point 3 pixels across. Don't Merge, just Group together.

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.

We are going to make two block because of a 1 pixel gap that we get using the main block. For the main block that we will use Paint a straight line in Mode 50 pixels down. (Must be a 50 pixel line) The best way to do this is paint a small horizontal line, click out of paint as object and click the Transform Tool [Q]. In the height and width box on the top toolbar type in 50 to resize your line.

Duplicate this line 2 times and Group your lines and block together as shown below.

For the extra block we will need to repeat the above steps and make the 3 horizontal lines 51 pixels in height. Move this block over to the side. We will use it in a bit

To color the block we're going to use the Magic Wand to create an object to fill with the color, make sure you use the same colors for the extra block we pushed to the side. Click on the Standard Selection Tool and chose Magic Wand then Click on the option button and uncheck the Anti-aliasing button.

Click on the Magic Wand and click inside the box where the arrow is pointing: Right click: Convert to object.

Click the Fill Tool and fill with a color. 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. 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. Now we will bring our extra block over and line it up under the one we just did. Continue to duplicate the main block not the extra one, as you bring each block down under the top one. There will be a total of 7 blocks 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 3 across like this:

Then start with the first one on the left and click each one and Send to Back. Your block should now look like below. Realign any of the blocks if needed to make even across and up and down.

Select all, right click and Ungroup. This should ungroup the colors from the block. Now delete the colors. And move your lines together to clean it up so it will look like this. It is OK if some of the lines are thick. We're going to clean that up.

With all Ungroup click on your inside lines and delete. Starting at the top left delete all the inside back bottom lines. Including the straight lines at the top between the box.

You should end up with it looking like this: Select All and Group.

Now to add a merged object color. Using your Magic Wand with the Mode + sign selected.

Click on all the block on the left outside top and inside right. Fill with color, right click Convert to Object. This will make the color merged into one.

Do the same with the outside using another color and leaving the top and inside blocks.

Repeat this with the top converted to object and then again with the bottom inside using different colors. Your finished block now should look like below. If you would like to flip your block this would be a good time. 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 open the picture you want to use, Make sure it's a Pixel Art type picture. Feel Free to use the picture below if you wish. Save to your hard drive and open. Right Click and Copy. The picture below will not fit the side of your Illusion block upright as above so if you would like it to fill upright, fill the left side of your block with green #63C501 color, and the right side with blue #94BDEF color.

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. Crop your picture to fit size and save as a GIF.

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