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Tempted by Templates PDF Print
Written by Paula Yagisawa   
Saturday, 16 September 2006
Using Templates for Creating Layouts

A digiscrapping template is a "full sized" layout that is created in solid colors or grey tones - and it is often saved with layers and even sometimes with the shadows in place. You typically find them in either .psd or .png format - those are the formats that I have used for the "Tempting Templates" crop. Since there are a wide variety of graphics programs out there (and most of them used by our members here), I've tried to determine several methods for using the templates. My instructions are primarily aimed for Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro; Monica will be posting specific instructions for DIP (in this same thread). If you are using any program other than Photoshop, I suggest you read through all the options to determine which method will work best for your software.

Using the .psd files in Photoshop programs:

If you have any version of Photoshop, then you are in luck! Using .psd templates is so easy - and gives such wonderful results!

Start by opening the template and make the "background" layer your active layer.

Next, open the paper you want for your background. Cnt. A to select all --- Cnt. C to copy all. Now, make the template active and do Cnt. V to paste the paper in.

Now, let's fill in the next layer - here's where the magic starts! Make the first layer of "paper" active (this will be different with each template - but whatever large area of paper that isn't the background). Open the paper you want to use for your LO and "select and copy all" just as you did above. Now, go back to the template and paste it in - since you made the correct layer active, it will paste in directly on top of that layer. Now, don't panic... I knowthe second paper is filling the page; from the drop down menu, select Layer; group with previous and watch the magic! Any area of your paper that doesn't "match" the previous layer will automatically be invisible!

Repeat that process for each remaining paper layer. Then, repeat for each photo layer - just use pictures instead!

For the ribbons - you can either try to rotate a true ribbon in place, or you can just use a paper. For any of the layers, you can move, resize, or even adjust the color of the layer - before or after you have "grouped" it.

One of my templates even has the title already in place. You can change the font style and color, and of course you can change the words. If your title is much longer or shorter, you might need to adjust the settings for size and/or the arch to make it fit better. Start by making that layer the active layer. Then, pick the font tool and highlight the lettering. Now, you can make any change you want!



Using the .png files in PSP:

When using the .png files in PSP, they will have all the information on a single layer.

Open the template and also open whatever paper you want to add to it. Copy the paper and then paste it into the template "as a new layer". This will put it over the template - don't worry, just use the layers menu to move it down or move to the bottom. This will be your background and needs no further work.

For the first paper that fills a shape on the LO, start by opening and copying a paper as you did above. Now, copy it as a new layer onto the template. Move it down a layer and make the template the active layer. Use your selection wand to select the area that you want to fill with your paper (in some cases, you might want to add to this selected area - like for the row of circles, you might want to fill in the area of the circle that fits under the next one); now, using the drop down menu, click: Selection, invert selection. This will make everything except the shape be selected. Make the template invisible (using the layers menu) and make the second paper active. By clicking Edit: Clear - you will delete the area outside of the shape you want to keep. Next, click Selections; select none to remove the selection lines. Now, you can add shadows as desired.

Repeat for each layer that needs paper. For each layer that needs a photo, make sure the picture is in place and sized properly BEFORE you clear the excess area.

For the ribbons - you can use a true ribbon moved into place, or you can use a paper that is cut to shape.



What to do after you have "filled in" the basic areas:

All of my templates - and most of the templates I've seen by others - have areas for paper and areas for one or more pictures. But, they should also have open areas for you to journal or add other embelishments. Things like fibers can not be done using the same techniques as explained above, so they should be added after. The same would go for charms, brads, eyelets, page stitching, buttons, etc.

One of my templates has a pinched ribbon for adding a charm - the flower page should have a button or brad added to the center or the picture flower. Use your imagination and add your own personal touch!
 
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