Open a new file in Paint.net – set the dimensions to 100×100 pixels.
Zoom in to 300%.
First Square
First Triangle
Insert a new layer.
Select the Line/Curve tool (the middle option) and set the thickness to 1 pixel.
Set the rendering option to Aliased.
Then choose any dark/medium color to start.
Drag out a line from the top-left corner to the bottom-right corner, holding SHIFT the whole time.
Then tap the Left Arrow key so it’s 1 pixel off the center.
Use the Paint Bucket to fill the bottom-left area.
Save your file as “Tess – Cubes”.
Canvas Size
Change the Canvas Size to 200×200 pixels – anchoring the bottom-left.
Zoom out a bit to 200%.
More Triangles
- Duplicate the triangle layer.
- Select the Move Select tool, then hover just above the selection until you see the rotation cursor.
- Then click and drag it over, while holding SHIFT until it’s in the top-left corner.
- Duplicate the top layer and rotate it while holding SHIFT until it’s in the top-right corner.
- Duplicate the top layer and rotate it into the bottom-right corner.
- CTRL+D to deselect.
Colors
Now set the triangles to a dark and medium color. Select the layer and use the Paint Bucket and select each layer change the color to a lighter or darker shade.
Merge
Now merge the triangle layers together.
First Column
Canvas Size
Change the Canvas Size to 600×600 pixels, anchor should be in the center.
Square Above
- Duplicate the square layer.
- Move it up above the center square.
- Use the arrow keys to check it’s lined up properly.
- CTRL+D to deselect when done.
Square Below
- Duplicate the square layer again.
- Move it down, below the center square.
- Use the arrow keys to check it’s lined up properly.
- CTRL+D to deselect when done.
Merge
Select the top layer, then Merge the squares together.
Side Columns
Duplicate the column layer 2x and move them over and down beside the middle column so the colors line up like this…
Then zoom in to 500% so you can really see that they’re lined up.
Use the Move tool and arrow keys to tap and check that they are lined up properly.
Crop
Change canvas size down to 400×400 pixels and center anchor.
Background Color
Set your color to a light shade of your colors, then click in the middle on the Background layer.
Set as Desktop Background
Save your PDN File
First, SAVE your file (PDN). When it’s not saved, there is an asterisk * beside the file name and on the thumbnail.
When it’s saved, it’s gone.
Save a JPG copy
Go to File >Save As…
Change the File Type to JPG
Click on Save and then click on OK.
In another window that opens, choose Flatten…
OneDrive Folder
Go into your OneDrive > COMP 7 folder, you want to right-click on the JPG file, not the PDN file.
Right-click and Set as Desktop Background.
WINDOWS+D will minimize all open apps so you can see your desktop.
Personalize
Right-click on the desktop and choose Personalize.
Then go to the bottom drop-down menu and change to Tile.
Now you should see lots of cubes like this…
