Question on Pictures

[GrandmaDee]

I'm hoping someone will answer this question. When you do the edges of embellishments or pictures, and make the edges fade/become transparent into the page, are you doing it with this program, or in another program? I can't find that within this program.... If another program, which one, and how. I have Corel Paint Shop Pro also. I can't figure out how to export it out with the transparent edges. Thanks so much.

[Lee]

The tutorial I sent to SBM earlier this week should get you on the right track. It's based on Adobe Photoshop Elements (PSE) but the process should be very similar. While Corel PSP is a fine program, it's much easier to find lots of help for PSE because there are so many more people using it. You can get the full version at Costco for about $60-$70.

[GrandmaDee]

The tutorial I sent to SBM earlier this week should get you on the right track. It's based on Adobe Photoshop Elements (PSE) but the process should be very similar. While Corel PSP is a fine program, it's much easier to find lots of help for PSE because there are so many more people using it. You can get the full version at Costco for about $60-$70.

Thanks so much! I will probably do that!! And I'm going to look at your Tutorial!

[Squeak]

In SBM there is an option to add a custom shape to a photograph. In the shapes dialog there are two options, 'Fancy' and ' Objects'. The fancy ones create differnt faded edge effects. If you have already added your photograph, right click it and choose properties. You will see the 'Custom Shape' option along with the 'Shadow' option.

If you want the whole picture to be faded, then you would choose the 'opacity' setting, which is to the left of the 'custom shape'.

Hope that helps.
Custom_Shape_Example.jpg

[GrandmaDee]

In SBM there is an option to add a custom shape to a photograph. In the shapes dialog there are two options, 'Fancy' and ' Objects'. The fancy ones create differnt faded edge effects. If you have already added your photograph, right click it and choose properties. You will see the 'Custom Shape' option along with the 'Shadow' option.

If you want the whole picture to be faded, then you would choose the 'opacity' setting, which is to the left of the 'custom shape'.

Hope that helps.
[ATTACH]1495[/ATTACH]

I just found that!!! Thanks so much! I would rather stay within one program as much as possible, it is more cumbersome to be going back and forth. Again thank you!

[Lorne]

Here's another tip:

Those custom photo shapes are just greyscale image files, serving as alpha masks...everything that is black in the photo shape becomes transparent, everything that is white in the photo shape stays visible.

You can make your own photo shapes if you want. In fact since they're just greyscale images (256 shades of grey) you could even make them using MS Paint.

One thing that isn't obvious in the photo shapes that are included with Scrapbook MAX! is that you can create nice soft masks, with soft edges, or even do "partial" masks with translucent areas. You aren't limited to just having transparent and opaque parts.

Here's a custom image shape file I just made as an example.

[Marnie]

Jumpin' jillikers!

That was an expression I used when I was young to refer to a really AMAZING FIND! (Doesn't it come from a movie??)

Thanks to Lorne, I have created my first photo shape. To be honest, I tried it because it sounded just tooooooo simple - but it worked!

I went into the paint program on my computer (just the standard, no-frills, no expense program), made a black background and then free-handed a white blob shape. I then saved it in Scrapbook MAX > Gallery > Images > Shapes > Fancy.

My very own shape was then available with all the other 'fancy' shapes when I opened Scrapbook Max!!!

Jumpin' jillikers - that was simple!

[Lorne]

Heh, you're welcome Marnie.

My grandma has a saying like that: "golly gee willakers!"

It's the closest thing to a swear word she has, I think.

[Marnie]

Awwww, so very cute. I wonder how many of those "grandma-special" words exist out there.......

[GrandmaDee]

The tutorial I sent to SBM earlier this week should get you on the right track. It's based on Adobe Photoshop Elements (PSE) but the process should be very similar. While Corel PSP is a fine program, it's much easier to find lots of help for PSE because there are so many more people using it. You can get the full version at Costco for about $60-$70.

Hi Lee, I hope you are still following this thread. Where is your Tutorial? I looked in FAQ and can't find it... am I looking in the wrong place? Thanks so much!

[OnieRN]

Never Fear Toots

Lee will show up very shortly! Or someone else. They're such a great bunch and always prompt at getting to you!

nie

[efsantos]

Hi Lee I'm Also Looking For Your Tutorial !!! Any Help Woulbe Apreciated!!!

[Lee]

Ooops...

Hi Lee, I hope you are still following this thread. Where is your Tutorial? I looked in FAQ and can't find it... am I looking in the wrong place? Thanks so much!

Sorry, old age strikes again! I started to upload it and discovered the forum has a 244KB limit on pdf files and it's 320KB. So, I said to myself, "Self, you need to upload this to the site." And, promptly forgot about it. So, give me a day or two. I'm on a roll with the book I'm writing as well as planning the new digital photography class I'm teaching at a local JC and getting ready for the cruise next month. Bottom line, when you're up to your eyeballs in alligators, it's difficult to remember the original intent was to drain the swamp. (For those who recall the original phrase, "Yes, I cleaned it up for this audience!")

If you're the impatient type, send me an e-mail and I'll send it to you as an attachment.

[Granny]

LOL, oh, Lee, you are funny!!!!

I like your alligator saying, seeing we got so many back home. In fact, in 1961 we went to the alligator national park the week before it got invaded. We were at the Bay of Pigs! We were going to go the following week, but for some reason they moved it up one week. Imagine the fun we would'd had if we had waited.

Come to think of it, those were crocodilles, we don't have alligators in Cuba. But trust me, when you're looking into those beady little eyes and counting those teeth, they all look the same!

Granny

[Lee]

Tutorial - Creating Text Embellishments w/PSE

OK, Toots,
I had to break the pdf into 6 pages because I had already discarded the original Word document and didn't want to recreate it.

There are 6 pdf files. You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these files. If you don't already have AAR installed on your PC, you can get a free copy from my site (bottom of the Home page).

The files should be in the order 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a, 15a, 16a. Trust me, it won't make sense if you read it out of order!!!

There are some typos but I don't think they confuse the meaning. Please send me any feedback re: parts that don't make sense, sound stupid or are flat out wrong. You can send feedback by posting here or via my website.

You can print the tutorial or send it as a digital file to your friends, family, mortal enemies or line your bird's cage. You MAY NOT sell it or include it for "free" with any products that are sold.