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Help With Using Templates In Pse 5


farmwifek

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I got brave last night and decided I'm going to start learning PSE 5.0. I didn't do too bad. Today I decided to try out templates. I'm using the #2 sketch (Cute & Cuddly example name) from the 1st set of sketches. I changed the opacity of my template so I can see my background paper. I went to add a photo in the center box and when I put it in, it doesn't fill the whole box and half of the head is cut off. What did I do wrong? Is there a way to move the picture down to get the whole picture? I'm trying to follow the directions that came with the sketches. I thought if I use the move tool I could but that just moves the box where I want the picture not the picture itself.

 

I hope this makes sense to someone out there.

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Hi. I'm trying to picture your scenario. When you go to move the picture, did you click on the picture layer over to the right in your layers pallet to make that the active layer?

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To add, I don't have the sketches, so I'm not sure exactly what the instructions say...

trying to help anyway. lol

 

Is the picture masked/clipped to a shape (rectangle?) below it?

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Hi. I'm trying to picture your scenario. When you go to move the picture, did you click on the picture layer over to the right in your layers pallet to make that the active layer?

 

Yes, I did. But it's like the whole picture isn't available to even use. It's like the top has been cut off. Maybe I can take a picture of my screen and post it. Do I need to have my picture that I'm using in the layers palette before I go to use it in the template? Right now, I have my background layer, template and then I drag my photo onto my screen from the photo bin to make it appear in the layers palette.

 

I'm going to try and take a picture for you.

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Hmmm...let me reread what you just said...

meanwhile, another thought...is what you are trying to click on and move (the photo?) also reduced in opacity? If so, make sure that "auto select layer" is not checked. It will want to grab whatever is below it if what you are trying to grab/move has a low opacity.

 

going back to read your last post....

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I'm so terms unknowledgeable! lol

When I say "layers pallete" I mean over to the right. Where it shows everything that you've got in the layout.

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Sorry to sound repetitive, but is the photo clipped (I use CTRL+G) to the shape below it? If so, any part of the photo that is outside of where the shape is, it won't show up until you move the photo around or resie it.

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Sorry to sound repetitive, but is the photo clipped (I use CTRL+G) to the shape below it? If so, any part of the photo that is outside of where the shape is, it won't show up until you move the photo around or resie it.

 

Clipped??? I have't gotten that far yet but I will try to figure that out. All I did was put my picture up on the screen and try to follow directions of using the magic wand to select my area, then choosing my picure and then select, inverse and then deleting the area. And I ended up with a cropped picture with the head cut off.

 

I can tell this is going to be fun!!!

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lol

It is fun! even with the learning curves.

I tried to recruit some help...maybe they'll be here soon. lol

:walkinghelmet::walkinghelmet::walkinghelmet::walkinghelmet:

 

Let me go study your picture and posts again....

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While we're waiting for more expertise...

I'll think out loud.

I've never used a sketch. It looks like it's just that...a flattened all on one layer sketch. An example to show you ideas of where to place things. I assume the sketches don't come with PSD layered files?

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While we're waiting for more expertise...

I'll think out loud.

I've never used a sketch. It looks like it's just that...a flattened all on one layer sketch. An example to show you ideas of where to place things. I assume the sketches don't come with PSD layered files?

 

You may have just figured it out without even knowing it!!! My other program that I use can only use png or jpg files. I bet I used the png file template instead of the psd file here. I will go back and see if I did that. If so, I will try it with the psd file and see what happens. Stay tuned.

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I have no idea why this isn't working.

it looks like you have the correct layer selected.

have you clicked on the photo?

you should just be able to move it around.

 

What TOOL do you have selected?

the move tool right?

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While we're waiting for more expertise...

I'll think out loud.

I've never used a sketch. It looks like it's just that...a flattened all on one layer sketch. An example to show you ideas of where to place things. I assume the sketches don't come with PSD layered files?

 

You may have just figured it out without even knowing it!!! My other program that I use can only use png or jpg files. I bet I used the png file template instead of the psd file here. I will go back and see if I did that. If so, I will try it with the psd file and see what happens. Stay tuned.

 

 

Well, I went back and looked and the files don't come with a psd file only jpeg so that isn't my problem.

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I have no idea why this isn't working.

it looks like you have the correct layer selected.

have you clicked on the photo?

you should just be able to move it around.

 

What TOOL do you have selected?

the move tool right?

 

 

I CAN move the picture around but it's not inserting the full picture into the box. That is what my problem is right now. I did end up figuring out how to move it.

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I'm going to step in here and just say to Farmwifek she is doing great asking questions and seeking guidence! I'm not real familiar with the templates and recently purchased some too so this is of interest to me as well. Also, thanks to Charlene for giving it her best to help! :)

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Sorry to sound repetitive, but is the photo clipped (I use CTRL+G) to the shape below it? If so, any part of the photo that is outside of where the shape is, it won't show up until you move the photo around or resie it.

 

Clipped??? I have't gotten that far yet but I will try to figure that out. All I did was put my picture up on the screen and try to follow directions of using the magic wand to select my area, then choosing my picure and then select, inverse and then deleting the area. And I ended up with a cropped picture with the head cut off.

 

I can tell this is going to be fun!!!

 

When you choose the area with the magic wand, then select the picture...before you hit inverse and delete, move the selected area over the part of the picture you want to keep. Or...line up the picture first and resize it over the area that is going to be selected. You can lower it's opacity to see how it's going to fill the spot...then put it's opacity back up before you do the magic wand selection, inverse, delete part.

 

Hope that makes sense.

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Hi!

 

First of all sketches are jpgs, like you said, and you won't be using clipping masks here. Sketch serves as a guide. Gives you an idea for a layout. But it is not a template.

 

What I would recommend now is starting over again. I guess you must have used the marquee or other selection tool and then inserted the photo into the selection.

 

Open your background again, using the move tool (the top one) drag and drop your sketch, change the opacity and then, using the same move tool drag and drop your photograph.

 

Of course you can built rectangular shapes and then use clipping masks. To do so select the marquee tool (the square with dashed lines) and draw a shape like on the sketch. Then on the new layer fill it with black (any color will do) - Edit/Fill/Foreground Color. When you have a separate "independent" layer with a rectangle, then move your photo layer above it and clip (with both layers selected press Ctrl+G or go to the Layer/Group with Previous). You can now move those two layers independently. Play around so you will position them correctly. To move them around together you need to select both layers in the layers Palette and move them with the Move Tool.

 

Hope this helps.

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Hi! Let me see if I can help you figure this out! :D

 

First, there is a difference between a TEMPLATE and a SKETCH. A sketch is a single layer file (usually a JPEG). It's just a reference picture to give you ideas on placement. you will see sketches in scrapbooking magazines, etc.

 

A template is a layered PSD file. Each of the items (Photo mats, etc) are on individual layers. You use clipping masks (sometimes called "Group With Previous", the keyboard shortcut is CTRL + G) to "trim" pictures and papers to be the exact size as the layer below.

 

I've got to go but I'll be back in a little while. :D

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May I add another suggestion? I've had this problem too, and this is how I've learned to get around it. First, make sure the photo is above the sketch layer. Lower the opacity of the photo to about 70% (enough so that you can see the sketch below it), and position and resize the photo where you want it. Then select the sketch layer, use your magic wand to select the shape. THEN go back and select your photo layer again. First change the opacity back to 100%, then Select+Inverse, then Delete. This should leave you with your photo the shape that is on the sketch.

 

Please let me know if this works for you.

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farmwifek, I hope some of these ladies helped you out. I'm not very good at explaining things...especially without knowing the terms very well.

 

Let us know if you figured it out.

:)

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May I add another suggestion? I've had this problem too, and this is how I've learned to get around it. First, make sure the photo is above the sketch layer. Lower the opacity of the photo to about 70% (enough so that you can see the sketch below it), and position and resize the photo where you want it. Then select the sketch layer, use your magic wand to select the shape. THEN go back and select your photo layer again. First change the opacity back to 100%, then Select+Inverse, then Delete. This should leave you with your photo the shape that is on the sketch.

 

Please let me know if this works for you.

 

 

:dancingelephant::bouncing-frog::dancingcow::banana::breakdance:

 

Yes, this worked. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. That was my problem - I was clicking on the sketch layer before the picture instead of clicking on the picture and moving it and then going back to the sketch layer. That little question took me 3 hours to figure out. I really appreciate everyone's help on this. I'm sure I will be back with more questions since there is so much to learn.

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