|
QUESTION: This is the first time I've tried to use a faded template in PSP. I'm using Melissa Renfro's Faded 12x12 templates. I'm trying to clip the paper to the template by selecting the template with the Magic Wand Tool. The trouble is that it's not seeing the fading parts, only the fully opaque parts. I've tried various match modes, tolerances and other settings. Does anyone know if this is possible and what settings should I use for the wand? Should I just use the Paint Bucket Tool and fill the template instead?
ANSWER 1: I'll be watching this thread. This was one of the very first templates I got and I've never been able to get it to work. That was when I was just beginning digital scrapping, but I'd been using PSP for years. I thought I was just inexperienced and would try it again later.
ANSWER 2: I don't have this template, so I can't experiment. But, you might see if a floating selection will work. Activate the layer you are trying to select. Go to Selection> Select All and then Selection> Float. Activate the photo/paper layer to move the selection to that layer. If that doesn't work, try the Rectangular Selection Tool.
ANSWER 3: I would have said a floating selection too, but you must do one thing first. You must do a Selection> Select All> Float and then "Defloat" in order to be able to do what you want. If you put a paper above it and then do inverse and delete on the paper layer, then you should get what you want. I don't have that template, but one of these days I will get it and then maybe have better answers for you. I'm not sure what you mean about Rectangular Selection Tool? I find the Float/Defloat selects all of the parts, even the most opaque stuff, so it may work for you. You can then color it with Hue/Saturation or the Paint Bucket Tool. You can also do like I said above with another color paper on top. Have fun experimenting!
ANSWER 4: By Rectangular Selection Tool, I mean the selection tool that is in the same group with the Magic Wand. Choose selection, change the selection type to rectangle and then drag the selection over the object. It would be harder to be exact with that, but if the other ways don't work for some reason, it would be an option. I inverted my selection to delete when I was fiddling around this morning. It automatically defloats when you do that. I guess I didn't mention that. When I looked at the boutique thumbnails, I immediately thought layer mask. So, I tried duplicating the fadeout effect that the layout previews show in the boutique in Photoshop CS2. The only way I could get that to happen was by applying a gradient layer mask. I couldn't figure out how to save the mask layer in a template, but I guess it can be done somehow. Just a guess, but a layer mask from Photoshop may not transfer to PSP, just like styles won't. You could try cutting the gradient layer and pasting it as a new image. Then, bring it back onto the template as a layer mask after you add your photo. (Activate the photo layer, go to Layers> New Layer Mask> From Image. Pick out the new image you created in the drop-down menu.) I hope you find something helpful in all of this.
ANSWER 5: I have tried all three views of this template and here is what I come up with. To get this, I copy/paste the template onto my raster layer. I leave the original template open in the PSP tray. I arrange my photos beneath the template and then turn the template layer off. I paste the background paper I want on the top layer, hiding the photos. On the Layers Palette, right-click and select "New Mask Layer From Image." In the window, choose the template and make sure Opacity is checked. I found that a plain background works better than anything with a pattern as the pattern will sometimes fade into the picture and I don't care for that look.
ANSWER 6: Wow, thanks! First, thank you, but I am by no means experienced. I am still a beginner! Second, I'm sorry I missed the earlier thread on this subject. I have used mask layers before, but I am by no means an expert on this. I am really thrilled to see the results. I really need to master this floating selection thing! I really don't have a handle on it. You are all awesome. Where there's a will, there's a way. I'm going to try to get my head around both of those ways and see how it goes.
ANSWER 7: To do the float/defloat without having to do all the steps every time, enable the script view so that it's always on top of your workspace (locked in) and then click on the little "O" button to start a script. Go through the motions as if you are actually doing the float/defloat. It helps to have something like a photo or frame that you are working on while doing this. Click on the "Save" button and save the script. Name it "Float." From now on, when you want to use a float/defloat, go to your scripts and click on "Float." This makes it so much easier!
QUESTION: I recently obtained PSP X2 and have been playing with it. I've noticed one thing that is really different from PSP X1. I hope you have a fix for it! In PSP X1, when I select an embellishment from the Organizer (at the bottom) to use on my layout, I would just click and drag it onto the layout and that was it. Now, in PSP X2, when I select an embellishment from the Organizer, click and drag it upward, the embellishment opens up on its own new layer - not on the layout. I then have to copy and paste it onto my layout, which takes an extra step. Is there a preference setting that I don't know about? Please say you can fix this. It's so annoying or maybe I'm just so spoiled! Also, I would like to have the rulers on the layout display in inches not pixels, as is the default setting. Do you know how I can change this?
ANSWER 1: That was a big change from X1 to X2 and one reason I almost didn't get X2. There is no way you can drag something from the Organizer onto your workspace. You really do have to copy and paste as a new layer. I keep those icons on my toolbar so that it doesn't slow me down too much. I've gotten used to it by now. As far as your layouts displaying in inches rather than pixels, go to File> Preferences> General Program Preferences and, on the left side of the dialog box, select "Units."
ANSWER 2: I was hoping you'd have good news for me. That's not what I wanted to hear! I wonder why Corel decided to change this in PSP X2. This is not an improvement in my opinion! I guess I will have to make a shortcut toolbar like you did.
ANSWER 3: I also upgraded from X1 to X2 and, as a result, stopped using the Organizer altogether and found that it gives me more workspace! Also, I believe that the Organizer can't tag PNGs, so I stopped bothering with it. I had problems with Picasa, so I simply use Windows Explorer to open my pictures, drag them onto my workspace, copy and paste into new layers. Yes, it's a pain! If you are still working with the Organizer, then I hope those shortcuts work well for you.
ANSWER 4: I upgraded to X2 a while ago and I had this same question when I first started using it. The good news is, you do get used to copy/paste after a while and the extra step doesn't seem like too much trouble. I stopped using the Organizer too, as I found it was too different from the previous version. I couldn't even get my folders arranged in alphabetical order anymore and was spending way too much time searching for elements/papers. Now, I keep a Windows Explorer screen open outside of PSP for my scrapbooking supplies and just click and drag from it to PSP and it's much easier.
ANSWER 5: While it's true that you can't drag and drop from the Organizer, you can from the Photo Tray. When I am getting ready to do a layout, I will use the Organizer to find things I think I might want to use and right-click on them and "Add to Photo Tray." One of the things I love about the Photo Tray is that things stay in there until you remove them, even if the product closes. I don't know how many times I have gone to add my product list and can't remember them all. I leave them in the tray until I have the layout done and then remove them as I add them to my list.
ANSWER 6: Did you know that you can drag and drop from one window to another? You have to have the one you want to drag from as your active image. Click the thumbnail on the Layers Palette and hold while you drag it to where you want it. Hold the button down until cursor returns to the arrow with a "+" and let go!
| 
