Gauze effect & AREXX script for OpalPaint v1.1

This example picture and AREXX script show how OpalPaint can accomplish
subtle yet effective image processing operations by combining multiple
drawing modes.

The idea behind this effect is to simulate a photographic gauze lens; the 
AREXX script will work on anything, but it looks best on scanned photos.

Here's the process behind the script:
The idea is to create a blurry version of the original image with the
highlights widened, then paste it over the original at 50% transparency.
To accomplish this, the script cuts out a specific portion of the image,
then scales the brush by 25% to make the blurring operation more
dramatic.  Remember, we're not interested in any of the detail, just a
general representation of the image.  The scaled-down brush is then pasted
onto a spare page, blurred at 100% 4 times (you could also substitute the
"Smooth" drawing mode here), and the contrast is increased.  Try not to use
too much contrast here, values between 5%-15% work best, although a picture
of less than pristine quality may require some experimentation.  After the
contrast is applied, the brush is then picked up, scaled back up to the
original size (400%) and pasted down over the original image at 50%
transparency, in the same location.  The result?  A picture that looks like
it was shot through gauze.  Take a look at the example picture to see the
result.

We'd love to see some of the results of this script.  If you have any
interesting pictures or AREXX scripts for OpalPaint, be sure to upload 
them to our OpalVision BBS - (310) 793-7142.

Greg Niles, Centaur Development