Using Shape Templates in PSE3

[jaklouie]

Open a shape template.
Open any background that you want made into the shape.
Add the background layer to the open template document, so you have Layer 0 (template) & Layer 1 (background paper) in the layers palette. It’s important to make sure your template is below the background layer.http://www.gottapixel.net/team/linda/TemplateTut/figure01.png
Hold your Alt key and move the pointer to the line between both layers in the layers palette. Your pointer will turn from a hand to 2 circles with a small arrow. Click the line while holding Alt and this will group these 2 layers together.http://www.gottapixel.net/team/linda/TemplateTut/figure02.png
Switch to your Move (V) tool and you're able to move your background around til you get it where you want it in the shape.
When you’re satisfied with your background placement, link the 2 layers in the layers palette by clicking on the empty box next to the eyeball -- it will turn into a chain link, indicating linked layers.http://www.gottapixel.net/team/linda/TemplateTut/figure03.png
Ctrl-E to merge the linked layers.http://www.gottapixel.net/team/linda/TemplateTut/figure04.png

I’ve provided some curved border templates for you to practice with but these instructions will work with any shaped template. Have fun!!

Find the templates here: http://www.gottapixel.net/forum/local_links.php?catid=15&linkid=385


(http://www.gottapixel.net/team/linda/TemplateTut/figure01.png)

[michie_michie]

cool! I'll have to see how it works in cs2... I think I'm doing it the "long" way :)

[Tbog]

Very cool !! I love finding new shortcuts on how to do things !! This was real quick and easy !! Here's my results:

http://www.gottapixel.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=9621&page=0

[zwyck]

Thanks Jaklouie!:D
Easy for me to follow in English when you point all out in the layers palette with pictures. In most cases I get problems when the tutorials are only in text.

[Lanka]

Thanks! It just what sufficed me for full happiness! An excellent lesson!

[GZValVerde]

When you have your paper on top of your shape can you just use the Control "G" and the merge? This works in PSE

[jaklouie]

You bet - Ctrl-G is the keyboard shortcut to group items -- just make sure the top layer is active in the layers palette (click on it) and it works the same!

[kanga]

Thanks for this - I use PSE4 and need lots of help to get these things working properly - and the ctrl g shortcut is really useful!

[heatherdumas]

I can't wait to get my 30 posts so I can get the templates. I enjoy the way you use the screen shots. it is so helpful to see what I am supposed to do.

[mizamigo]

Linda,
Thank you so much for explaining this. I've been trying to figure it out for a while now. I have PSE 3 and I'm finished with just using the basics and want to try more advanced things. This is a great start.

[tklarsen]

I'm new at this, so thanks

[marhaven]

I've printed this out and I'm off to try it, Thanks.

ETA - Yeah, it worked!!!!

[lindy]

I'm new here and loving all these tips!

[jaklouie]

I've printed this out and I'm off to try it, Thanks.

ETA - Yeah, it worked!!!!

Great, marhaven!! This will work with any .png file. You can open any shape or save any shape as a .png and use it as a template. Have fun playing!! :)

[anutter]

How do I apply these templates so that my program recognizes them as a preset shape category? Or will I need to just open the template each time I want to use it. Does this make sense? I'm such a newbie. LOL

[jaklouie]

How do I apply these templates so that my program recognizes them as a preset shape category? Or will I need to just open the template each time I want to use it. Does this make sense? I'm such a newbie. LOL

no, these are not preset shapes -- they're just templates, so you'll have to open them each time you want to use them (but they're easy to use once you get the hang of it - give it a try). :)

[anutter]

Yes I did give it a try and I love the look! Thanks so much for these templates.

[gizmo1966]

I will have to try this. But need to wait till Ive got enough posts until I can try your template so I hev bookmarked it.:)

[nanstomom]

Thanks for the tips! Great to have pictures with it.

[bapyles]

I've used it and it works great. Good to have the pictures with it. I sometimes get so lost in tutorials without them. Thanks so much.
Blessings,
Barb

[uthatswho]

Neat tip. I use PSP and have been using the image as a Mask and then Copy and Pasting back into the original image. No wonder it's taking me so long..lol

[amyleigh1204]

I love all the tuts here at GP! I hope to get to try many of them soon. (I don't get to practice as mush as I would like!)

[beckykiessling]

Thanks for the lesson. Can you recommend any good places to purchase any templates?

[QueenShakeNBake]

Thanks for the tutorial. I have some further questions if you wouldn't mind answering. I have a "template" that is actually five different documents, including a solid black one. Do I have to use the solid black one first? I assume I use the layers in the order they are numbered. I'll try your solution tomorrow night hopefully. (I've just spent 1.5 hours trying to figure them out and NOW find this message.

[jaklouie]

Thanks for the tutorial. I have some further questions if you wouldn't mind answering. I have a "template" that is actually five different documents, including a solid black one. Do I have to use the solid black one first? I assume I use the layers in the order they are numbered. I'll try your solution tomorrow night hopefully. (I've just spent 1.5 hours trying to figure them out and NOW find this message.

If the layers are numbered, I would guess that's the order to use them - but you can certainly switch them around to suit your own creative style. :)

[jennyrehder]

Thnaks for the templates and the tutorial! Great directions!

[maggiemae]

any suggestions on where to get more templets like this one?

[roxanna]

I couldn't get it to work for me in CS2

[Tbog]

It works for me in CS. Maybe you did a step wrong? Let me think about what it could possibly be.

[PatinParis]

roxanna, you need to do alt+control+G in PSCS2. Or, in the drop down menu, layer, then click on "create clipping mask". Only way I could get the templates to work in cs2. Hope that helps!

[BAUCHART]

Thank you so much Linda !!!

I download one or two that I fend very cute but didn't knew how to use them !
Now I'll try to see if it's the same in Photoshop CS.

Great post !
Thanks
Cécile

[janybee]

Thanks for the tutorial, still learning, this helps a lot.

[madae]

Thank you so much for posting this tutorial! I had instructions from another website on how to use templates and I just couldn't get it right. I followed your instructions and actually did it!!

[SummaBreezuk66]

Thanks for the tut and templates, will have a go now.