Can anyone recommend a template that is good for PSP? I have downloaded several freebie ones but I cannot for the life of me do it.... I get confused on the layers... using magic wand... when I use the wand like they instruct I don't get the end result. Maybe like a really simple template haha

I would liked to try them further but just can't grab the concept with the layers. I can do my layouts with multiple layers but the templates ..hmm... that is another story!
Ann T

When I use a template with multiple layers, I copy and paste each layer in a new file starting with the bottom layer and working up. Once the layers are all on the same file, I begin to fill in each layer from the bottom up. Sometimes it is helpful to only have the layer you are working on visible. When I want to fill the layer with a picture or background paper, I choose that layer in the layers palette. Then I click on the magic wand tool. I click on the shape in the LO. Then I click on the picture or the background paper in the layers palette. Then choose invert selection from the Selections Menu. With the picture or paper layer highlighted, choose cut from the Edit menu. This should cut the picture or paper to match the size of the layer. (If needed, turn down the opacity on the picture to center it on the layer before you cut.) I hope this helps!

I am not quite sure where my hang up is. It is like when I have a layer on my workspace and I go to put a picture/paper, etc in .. I have a hard time figuring out where it goes? does that even remotely make sense?

I tried a kinda simple one today; maybe 4 layers. I got my picture on, then went to do the 2nd layer which seemed to be the background paper, did that but I had to move that layer under my picture, then layer 3 was like a band down side kinda like a border, I foudn paper for that and when I went to paste it in.. it covered my background paper... I tried it a couple times and then gave up!


Maybe I am not supposed to use templates! but there are so many good ones out there and I love them but...

I bought Amy Bleser's trading card templates I loved those but I can't even do those and they seem to be fairly simple but something ain't clickin in my blond brain!


Thanks again!

Here is a tutorial for using templates in PSP. Make sure you always make a duplicate copy of your template file and work on the duplicate.
http://www.scrapbook-bytes.com/a-tut...icle_565.shtml
Hope this helps- know you're frustration but keep trying. Templates are really a time saving tool.

If your layers don't show up in the right order, just go to the layers palette, click on the layer that is in the wrong position and drag it to where you want it. It might be easier if you make the palette a little larger for this (as in longer).
Just think like you're doing paper. What's on top of the list is what's on top of your layout. If I'm thinking too simple because you do get this, just ignore me, but I got the feeling that this was the problem.

What I usually do before I insert a photo or paper, is that I select the layer in the template that I want to work on first. Then insert the photo or paper and it shows up on top of the layer that you just selected. (If it's not the top layer, you might have to scroll down the layers palette to see it). Then select that layer again, use the magic wand to make your selection, invert, go to your photo or paper and hit delete. Then undo your selection and start over again on a new layer.

Just one more note; you can only hit delete to remove the selection when you are working on a raster layer. If it's a background layer, you need to promote it to a raster layer first.

Good luck!

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Iris
Ayya Creative Designs

I am going to work on that tutorial today and try again! Maybe I will get teh swing of it...soon! I have twin boy cousins that I would love to use those trading cards of Amy's on!

Okay. I am working on these templates but I do have a questino about using magicwand. The template I am using said to use magic wand to select the gray template area on the layer, select invert and delete excess gray and delete from photo...how the heck do I do that. I get the gray highlighed with magic wand...get my marcing ants and then invert...but then how do I get rid of it..

to undo the selection hit Ctrl+D

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Iris
Ayya Creative Designs