Mindy Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 What are some of your favorite tips or shortcuts that you've learned that have made your digi scrapping life easier/faster/more productive, etc.? You know, those hints that you've learned that you say "aha, wish I would have figured that out long ago"! Personally, I can think of quite a few (because I've learned SO much here!), but here's some of my favorites: 1) Using www.extractnow.com to unzip all of the goodies all at once - especially love it on club days! 2) Using brackets - [ or ] - to easily resize brushes quickly. Sure beats trying to guess a number to put in for the size! 3) Resizing pictures right away when I open them to put onto a LO - change the resolution to 300 pixels. Usually while I'm there, I also change the size to something close to what I might want on the LO so it's more manageable with less adjusting (i.e. 5x7 or 4x6 or whatever). What are your tried & true tips? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CC from AZ Posted March 26, 2007 Share Posted March 26, 2007 Ctrl + or Ctrl - zoom shortcuts in Adobe a hugh help to me... and of course Ctrl alt z !!! LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mindy Posted March 27, 2007 Author Share Posted March 27, 2007 Anyone have any tips to share? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schmoo Posted March 27, 2007 Share Posted March 27, 2007 - Having all my stuff organised. I use PSE Orangiser and it saves so much time. - Having all my brushes organised is great now too. - Shift + and Shift - to scroll thru the blending modes. - Backing up. - I have an info layer on all my layouts which lists the supplies I used and any special tips or messages about how I did the layout. - a font manager Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrigittevT Posted March 27, 2007 Share Posted March 27, 2007 Wow that tip abt. the info layer is a great one, why didn't I think of that LOL I recently learned the ctrl G shortcut here, and I am crazy about that tip ! Before that used to select with magic wand, than go back to pattern paper and hit delete, now it is just ctrl G en ctrl E to merge and it's done .... And now I am trying to learn a lot more shortcuts, because they are soooo much easier LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momentousangel Posted March 27, 2007 Share Posted March 27, 2007 One of my most favorite tips is actually about scanning in photo's. Be sure your scanner bed is cleaned frequently. Another of my most favorite tips is for PSP. Ctrl & V to paste as a new image. Another is Ctrl & L to paste as a new layer. Very helpful shortcuts, . One more tip I can give is to be sure to save an unflattened copy of your layout, this makes it so much easier to change something later on in case you decide you don't like how something looks or in case you found a typo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mandiannie Posted March 27, 2007 Share Posted March 27, 2007 I love the ctrl+shift+U command. It's to desaturate in photoshop which is something that I do often. I make a copy of my photo that's too bright and then desaturate the bottom one and lighten the top one to give it an instant "softened" effect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManiakMama Posted March 27, 2007 Share Posted March 27, 2007 I love the PSE shortcuts (T for Text, V for Move, M for Marquee, etc). But I really love some of the tips you ladies have posted. So, how do you do the info layer? Can you do that in PSE 5? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kara Posted March 27, 2007 Share Posted March 27, 2007 For me, using templates in PSE saves sooo much time! I don't think I'm naturally very creative or artistic, so they really help me get started with a layout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelJohnson Posted March 27, 2007 Share Posted March 27, 2007 Recently my Alt+Ctrl+G functionality went away in CS2 (don't ask me why but apparently it's a common problem) so Erica gave me a tip on another shortcut to do the same thing. First off, press and hold the Alt key. Then, in the Layers palette, move your mouse between the two layers that you want to create the clipping mask for. You'll see a double-circle sort of thing. When you do, click and PRESTO! You have your clipping mask. This is way faster than Alt+Ctrl+G ever was for me so I'm really not that sad that it doesn't work anymore. I use a PC so I'm not sure if those are the same keys you use on a Mac. I'm not sure I understand how the [] helps you to adjust your brush size but I'm going to test it out now in CS2 and see if I can figure it out. Thanks for the tips! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Debbyo Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 I love the control-L shortcut to get to the levels. I've found adjusting (or at least checking out the levels) make my pics look a lot better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mindy Posted March 28, 2007 Author Share Posted March 28, 2007 Melanie - I use PSE 5, so I don't know if the brackets work in CS2 or not. In PSE5, all's you do is pick your brush and hover it over the page, then click (or hold down for faster results) either the "[" to make it smaller or the "]" to make it larger. HTH! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crush4dolphins Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 - Having all my stuff organised. I use PSE Orangiser and it saves so much time. - Having all my brushes organised is great now too. - Shift + and Shift - to scroll thru the blending modes. - Backing up. - I have an info layer on all my layouts which lists the supplies I used and any special tips or messages about how I did the layout. - a font manager Info layer question: Do you mean all you info on one layer instead of renaming each layer? If so how do you do that? TIA I use PSE3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelJohnson Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 Melanie - I use PSE 5, so I don't know if the brackets work in CS2 or not. In PSE5, all's you do is pick your brush and hover it over the page, then click (or hold down for faster results) either the "[" to make it smaller or the "]" to make it larger. HTH! Yep, that works in CS2. Very handy to know. TFS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anna Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 I love the scrolling wheel on my mouse. Use it for everything from changing text sizes and leading sizes (the space inbetween lines of text) to scrolling through the blending modes and everything else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rose Ann Posted March 28, 2007 Share Posted March 28, 2007 I love the scrolling wheel on my mouse. Use it for everything from changing text sizes and leading sizes (the space inbetween lines of text) to scrolling through the blending modes and everything else. Anna- How do you use the wheel to change the leading size? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crush4dolphins Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 I love the scrolling wheel on my mouse. Use it for everything from changing text sizes and leading sizes (the space inbetween lines of text) to scrolling through the blending modes and everything else. I'm curious about how you use it for all these too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest siraacsa Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 One of my favourite little tricks is the use the Visability>Hide function which you can find in your Layer Styles menu (I use PSE5). In the example below I used the rectangle marque tool to create a block under my journaling, put a colour into it (doesn't matter what colour), added a bevel and then used the Visability>Hide function which gives you the cool raised effect. I also used it on the font as well using the same process. This is a great thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schmoo Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 Info layer question: Do you mean all you info on one layer instead of renaming each layer? If so how do you do that? TIA I use PSE3 I use PSE 4. My info layer is just another layer with a large text box on it. I type my info into, lock and then hide it. I list any pieces I have used, fonts etc. It's kind of like a journal of the page. I still rename my layers but only as a description of what they are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schmoo Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 One of my favourite little tricks is the use the Visability>Hide function which you can find in your Layer Styles menu (I use PSE5). In the example below I used the rectangle marque tool to create a block under my journaling, put a colour into it (doesn't matter what colour), added a bevel and then used the Visability>Hide function which gives you the cool raised effect. I also used it on the font as well using the same process. This is a great thread. Hey this is a great tip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennk Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 One of my favourite little tricks is the use the Visability>Hide function which you can find in your Layer Styles menu (I use PSE5). In the example below I used the rectangle marque tool to create a block under my journaling, put a colour into it (doesn't matter what colour), added a bevel and then used the Visability>Hide function which gives you the cool raised effect. I also used it on the font as well using the same process. This is a great thread. Very cool! I can't wait to try this one! Jenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mindy Posted March 29, 2007 Author Share Posted March 29, 2007 Rachael - what a neat tip (great LO too!). Did you just use bevel on the title too? Love how that looks! schmoo - I would have never thought of that to put your info into another layer. What a good idea! I've been searching for a way to easily keep track of what I use on a LO. If you lock that layer, can you type stuff in the box as you go along (like with each new item used)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Debbyo Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 Schmoo -i love your hint -and yours too Valerie -two really cool tricks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staceycanada Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 Great tips ladies I will have to write these down somewhere. My little tip though I am not sure this is what you are looking for is to save layouts I really love. Then when I need inspiration I just flip through my own little gallery. The only thing I think I'll have to change is adding some info on who made the layout and where I saw it. This really helps when I am completely stumped. Often I will use the placement of the objects on my page but change the intire look with new pictures, colors etc. I can make a very girlie page into a very maculine one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schmoo Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 Rachael - what a neat tip (great LO too!). Did you just use bevel on the title too? Love how that looks! schmoo - I would have never thought of that to put your info into another layer. What a good idea! I've been searching for a way to easily keep track of what I use on a LO. If you lock that layer, can you type stuff in the box as you go along (like with each new item used)? Mindy - I just unhide and unlock each time I need to add something to it, then I lock it and hide it again. The reason I lock it is so I don't accidentially delete it. Sometimes I will work on a layout over several days and in that time I may have swapped several different papers/elements in and out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jassinc6 Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 One of my favourite little tricks is the use the Visability>Hide function which you can find in your Layer Styles menu (I use PSE5). In the example below I used the rectangle marque tool to create a block under my journaling, put a colour into it (doesn't matter what colour), added a bevel and then used the Visability>Hide function which gives you the cool raised effect. I also used it on the font as well using the same process. This is a great thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jassinc6 Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 One of my favourite little tricks is the use the Visability>Hide function which you can find in your Layer Styles menu (I use PSE5). In the example below I used the rectangle marque tool to create a block under my journaling, put a colour into it (doesn't matter what colour), added a bevel and then used the Visability>Hide function which gives you the cool raised effect. I also used it on the font as well using the same process. This is a great thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jassinc6 Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 Awesome tip! Thanks so much. I'm new to digital scrapbooking, so all of the tips I'm finding throughout the site are greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelaNussbaum Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 My favorite suggestion, came from my father in law. to help me with my scrap files.... I save my layout unmerged as a name with the date. then when i resize it i add _web to the file name and save as jpg. then i also keep a notepad file with the same name to reference how i did things, what supplies i used etc... see below for an example zoey_sleeping 04_03_07.psp (original un merged layout) zoey_sleeping 04_03_07_web.jpg (resized jpg for gallery) zoey_sleeping 04_03_07.txt (notepad) I also name the person in it (or put family/friend if not one person), then a basic description of the layout. With the date, i can reuse zoey, sleeping over and over again and each file will be unique! Hope that helps! Angela Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickelle Posted April 11, 2007 Share Posted April 11, 2007 I've been using ctrl + T for transformations, but just the other day I discovered that if I wanted to do a specific kind of change (instead of free transform), I can right-click in the area I'm already transforming, and I'll be given all the options. Makes it a cinch to do horizontal & vertical flip, or to rotate it 90 degrees. And, I know it's not really a photoshop tip, but it sure cuts down on the workload for me... I love using plugin filters to enhance my photograph. So much faster than doing it by hand! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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