HOWTO |ADD THE BACKGROUND AND EXPORT IMAGES
1 Create a table
We can be clever when it comes to creating the table. Create a new layer and make sure that it is beneath the other layers. Use the Rectangle Tool to draw a box that is quite a bit bigger then the canvas area. You can move it later, but try to keep the top of the box in line with the bottom of the canvas.
2 Add texture to the table
We’re going to use brushes as a stroke outline for the table, rather than use a gradient. We used the water brush (but feel free to experiment with others to find one you’re happy with). Next, increase the stroke size so that it reaches just below the top of the gravel.
3 Colour the table top
When you first add a stroke to any object or shape, it takes on the colour and noise properties that you’ve already got set (though not the opacity). At the moment, our table should have the texture but not the colour of wood. Colour it by clicking the colour box to the left of the stroke size box.
4 Duplicate a layer
To build up the texture of the table we can either repeat the first three steps, or we can cheat a little. If we’re going to using exactly the same settings as before then there’s really no need repeat the steps, so instead we’ll duplicate the layer. Select it and then press ç+J.
5 Use blend modes
A smart little trick that we can use to make the wood look more wood-like is to change the top layer’s colour (and the brush’s, if you like). Now we can start to play with the blend modes at the top of the Layers palette. Click ‘Normal’ there and move the pointer down the list to preview them.
6 Paint the background walls
Painting the walls is easily done with a gradient. Create a new layer and make sure it’s at the bottom of the pile. Next, draw a rectangle over the whole canvas. It doesn’t matter if it’s bigger. You can give it whatever colour or style you want, but we opted for a green-to-taupe gradient.
7 Export our watery world
Switch to the Export persona (top-left). The buttons in the middle of the toolbar switch between viewing your work in three ways: regular, retina and as an outline. To export your work, just click one of the resolution buttons at the top-left: Export 1x (standard), Export 2x (Retina) or Export 3x (5K).
8 Export slices
Designer enables you to export slices of your image. Select the Slice Tool and draw a box over an area to export. You can mark out more than one slice. Then, when it comes to exporting one, click a slice to select it, click the resolution you want to export. Repeat for the other slices as needed.