using handwriting in a layout - SBB Digital Scrapbooking Forums | Scrapbook-Bytes

KiaraRose · #1 (**permalink**) 04-10-2006

Hi,
Not sure if this is the right area to post this, but I am new to all this.
I would like to scan the back of an old photo with my ggrandmother's handwriting, and add this to a layout. Somewhere I saw a way to use your own handwriting in a layout; it involved scanning it......and that's all I can remember.
I don't want the back of the photo that it is written on, just her own writing. Is there a way to do this, and is it fairly easy???
Thanks so much,
Mary

hollyrh · #2 (**permalink**) 04-10-2006

Hi Mary,
There are probably other ways to do this, but here's one way. I use PS6 and an HP scanner, so this might be different for you.
_ When I scan something, one of the options with my scanner is "scan as a black and white drawing." Other options are "color picture" "black and white picture" etc.
_ Scan it at the highest resolution your scanner allows, that way you'll have better control over the size of the text later.
_ Once you have your scanned image, use the magic wand tool to select the white background, then "cut" or "delete" it. You should be left with just your black text, which can then be copied and pasted into your LO.
If there are other markings on the back of the picture, you might have to use the eraser to get rid of them.
Good luck!

curth · #3 (**permalink**) 04-10-2006

I did it in a layout a few times, but instead of using the magic wand I used a script called amc_removeany, it is for psp and it removes all the color I have in the materials palette forground.
In psp, you scan in your writing.
then promote the background to a layer
You use the color picker tool to choose the color right off the scan itself into the forground material.
then run the script
when it's done all that is left is the writing!
here is a layout that I used it on: http://www.scrapbook-bytes.com/galle...00&ppuser=2981
(the writing, originally was on the back of the photo)

good luck!

Mar1anneC · #4 (**permalink**) 04-10-2006

In Photoshop there is a "magic eraser" that you can use on the scan to remove the background (make it transparent) so that just the writing is there.

shelleyrae · #5 (**permalink**) 04-10-2006

And in DIP use teh magic wand selection tool to remove teh white background from the scan

danib · #6 (**permalink**) 04-10-2006

I would scan it like hollyrh said
but instead of selecting the white, how about just making it into a brush (if it is small enough)
That way you can just stamp it onto your page.

I did this with a typed family story my Grandmother's sister wrote. I wanted to re-type the story but wanted to preserve her little comments and notes along the side. I scanned in the pages as text, cleaned up the bg by erasing all the little spots then created a brush of what I wanted to keep.
HTH and good luck!