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Papers Tutorial PDF Print
Written by Paula Yagisawa   
Tuesday, 08 May 2007
Crop Discussion
May 8 6PM Eastern Time
Gotta Do It! Crop - How to make papers.
** Thanks to "paperlady" Joan for saving this text.
It has been mildly edited only - please excuse the grammar issues.

------
ok.... instead of my normal "lesson" - this will be tips and tricks
this is because each paper type and maker is different
but.... I'll start by telling you the number one tip...... patterns!!!
by making a pattern, and using the pattern to fill your page, you can get a perfectly repeating design
for example... the double circles in the kit
open that file - and recolor as desired
then... you should be able to set it as a pattern
in Pse.... you click Edit: Define pattern
then when you select fill, you also select that you want a pattern and pick the pattern you just defined

I always fill on a blank layer of a 12x12 image (or just a new transparent image)

tip #2 - Layers!!!
always work in layers!
ok, so you just made a dotted paper with a transparent background
if you make a new layer - move it under the dotted layer - you can fill it with any color for your paper

in fact, when I work on a kit, I will often have a "solid layer" for each of my main kit colors

mostly now, I'm talking about method (not program specifics)
* We had a short discussion about different programs and determined that the method is similar for all programs - only the specific buttons/commands are different. Please feel free to add program specific tips to this thread!

ok.... so we have our dotted layer and one or more "solid layers" under it;
by changing which layers are visible, you change the look of the paper!

ok.... how many of you like grungy papers? Most, but not all.

I've figured out that "grungy" (or that slightly messy/dirty looking finish) is very popular
I've also figured out that I like it as long as I do it lightly

I really wanted to give you an overlay that is a marble or grunge finish - but it would have been too large for our size limits
so... I'll try to explain how to do it

first... don't expect perfect results - play around and see if you like it!

make a new layer - over your patterned layer
and select a rough looking brush set fairly large
I use a "faux finish" brush and set the size to around 300 pixels or so
select a grey color and make splotchy looking areas all over the image
don't worry if you don't like it!
we can make it lighter or darker
and we can make it more transparent
I've found that I personally like the lighter more transparent look!
so, you should have a color layer, a pattern layer, and a grunge layer
if you remove the pattern - the grunge layer should leave you with a neat "solid" look

I also like to add a very light edge to my papers - like inking
I've given an overlay file with the kit - it is an inked edge
again, you can lighten or darken it - and I usually set mine to 20% opacity or less

now if you've followed these instructions, you will have at least four layers
you can create the same dots with different colors and add them as another patterned layer, you could add other patterns, and of course, other solids.
you end up with a "stack" of layers to create your papers from
Save This In The Software Format!!!! by software format, I mean if you are working in Psp, save it as a .psp file in Pse, save it as a .psd file, etc.

from it, you can create a wide variety of papers quickly!
if you want an actual texture on your papers, add it to the .jpg files you create from your paper stack

Terebinthtree_Laura: I like to play with the different blending modes to have more options in how the circles look

dreamerpaula: that was going to be my next tip!
Terebinthtree_Laura: lol

dreamerpaula: after you have mastered the basics, you can play with your programs special features

I like to play with the filters and effects in Pse - and then use them as an overlay that I fade out
it gives a really neat finish for papers!

Terebinthtree_Laura: what are your fav filters?

dreamerpaula: another tip is making special patterns - like the other dot pattern

I use the cold lava "effect" in Pse
the papers from Boys to Men use that - and they look so rich!!!
because I used that, I didn't need to do any other grunge or marbling!


ok, the other dot pattern is designed to create dots that run diagonally on your paper so they don't look so much like checkers

ok, the smaller dot with the 1/4 dots in the corners
because I set them that way, those 1/4 dots will work together to make the in-between dots

again, you can change the color of the pattern - or you could even change it after you use it to fill your paper layer

a stripe is so easy to make!!! Just a tiny little pattern that is half one color and half transparent and you have a stripe fill
I made a slightly fancier stripe for the "kit"

for the background on the preview, I added a bevel to the dots after filling that layer
it gives it more depth
I also added a "texture" to the paper
and that one has the inking on the edges

you can make your own inked eges too - just use a rough brush and work on a new layer
like with many other digital stuff.... just play around
if you don't like it, delete it! - you probably learned something

-------

other comments

(May 08-17:45) scrapinej: I have use Photodraw and have been doing the same thing, I create a paper and save and the I can overlay another pattern and save it. Each time I add a new effect it makes the paper different.

(May 08-17:46) dreamerpaula: scrapinej - please add any tips you have to the thread once it's up!

(May 08-17:46) scrapinej: I will write it down so it makes sense. Does anyone else use Photodraw by microsoft.
 
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