Cassel

Something for my to-do list!

I might look into that. The problem is that the fabric might not lend itself to that type of item. I have things like stretchy spandex, corduroy, fleece, etc.

It is a new month and new projects. Show off what you are working on in February, be it a scrapbook page, a collage, a tutorial, or anything else you want. We are curious and want to see, learn, and get inspired. These threads are quickly becoming a fantastic source of inspiration, support, and friendship. Keep them coming! Remember to size down your image to about 600x600 pixels and save in jpg format before posting it. Here are a few guidelines for everyone: when you post a project, give as much information on your sources or techniques used. It will help others who are curious and would like to do the same. if someone uses something that you like on their page, ask where they got it. Sometimes, you can go get it too and it will be better quality than trying to extract it (as it would have been resized to post in the forum anyways). if it is something that they did from scratch, ask how they did it. It would be so helpful to everyone! if you like a photo and would like to “play with it”, ALWAYS ask permission. Sometimes, there are some limitations and the person is not allowed to let others use it. Don’t get them in trouble. Usually, people are happy to say yes (if they can) when you ask politely. And if you get permission, you might get a better-quality image than the resized image anyways.

In February, our monthly theme is VALENTINE'S DAY. This should be a fun theme to find words for. So, what words can you think we can associate with each letter of the alphabet? It could be a lovey nickname, a treat for Valentine's Day, and more. You are always so creative! Let's go!

In February, the theme is VALENTINE'S DAY. Do you have pictures or stories surrounding Valentine's Day? A special present you got? Share them in pictures or in words. Add stories to those photos but you know that you can also tell stories without photos! Let's go! Post your project in the gallery.

Do you have lots of leftover supplies from a hobby that you are trying to use up, creatively? How do you deal with all the extras you collected over time? Let's chat.

It would depend on the format they come in. I have a a couple of tutorials on using masks: How to use masks? Using transparent masks But we will go in further details during the Workshop.

Another workshop will soon start. Are you in? It will start on February 13th. This workshop is FREE for everyone, so spread the word. This workshop is meant to be for those with some experience with PaintShop Pro. If you are brand new to using the program, it will be a little more challenging, although we are here to help you if you still want to participate. Did you find this thread before the registration page? Here it is. (and yes, it is the same series of tutorials, but I'll try to find more supplies for the DIAMOND members)

@Betty Welcome to the Bootcamp. Looking forward to seeing your projects. You still have a couple of days to enter the draw but this thread will stay open even if you take longer to post your projects. @Leslie JostesFor the "disappearing text", it is a known oddity. It is explained in this article. I am glad you enjoyed this workshop. And that is the exact motivation for me to offer those: I also did the guessing game myself for years, so I know the struggles! @Lesley MapleGlad to hear that you didn't panic!!

Interestingly, it looks like the blurred photo was done intentionally!!

Could you try to add a solid blue layer on top of your background, and lower the opacity? That would still be blue, but it will create a separation between the background and the decorative elements.

You are NOT a pain in the you know where!!! We love to see your projects and how you use various supplies, even my freebies! Be careful NOT to change the proportions as it distorts the elements! If needed, you better just crop the image behind.

@Steve KovacsDid you add a shadow on the project 5 text? It is hard to say in the resized version, but remember that text typically has no thickness so it does not need a shadow. But it might also just be an illusion due to the resizing. For your idea of merging layers to move them, sometimes, it is enough to LINK them, since merged layers cannot be unmerged later! @Linda J WalkerRounded corners are automatically created when expanding a selection or using the Select Selection Border with the Outside or Both option checked. @Gerry LandrethInteresting tidbit of information. I heard that somewhere, a big object (maybe not a rocket) was to be moved through a town and to accommodate the space needed, they cut down hundred-year old trees on both sides of the road. At least, for power lines, they can "easily" be replaced! @TonimarieGreat work. I am glad you enjoyed the bootcamp. @Anja PelzerI think that using a part of the image as a fill for your title is a great idea. I would suggest to make the title even larger to accommodate such a busy pattern, otherwise, it is a little harder to read. You have plenty of room to make it larger. @Leslie JostesI feel your frustration about not finding exactly what you want. In fact, that is the whole reason behind the membership where there are hundreds of tutorials to show you how to make your own supplies OR to convert existing supplies to suit what you want. A lot of members started just like you and now, they can create perfectly matching elements and papers. As for your question about "tubes", they are unique features of PaintShop Pro. Here are a couple of articles about them: Picture tubes in PSP and What can you do with Picture Tubes. That might answer at least some questions. Don't hesitate to ask if it is not clear enough. @GabrielaSuch a fun layout for a cute photo. Well done. @Thomas WillisThanks for the cuddos. The issue you are experiencing with the text "disappearing" is due to the fact that the wrapped text stays inside the "selection", yet once the selection is deselected, it has to stay in the program/image memory. The text does not really disappear, but is now outside of the smaller image. To test that, resize back to 3600 pixels (yes it will possibly be pixellated but just to illustrate). The text should still be where it was. I wrote an article about the Text Wrapping feature and at the end, I mention this issue. It should explain it. And as mentioned by others, it might be simpler to resize a jpg version of the full-size project OR to rasterize one copy of the text as the rasters won't be affected by that oddity. @Mary SolaasI don't know if you added a texture to the title but it almost looks like embroidery. Is that just a trick on my eyes? @kasanyNice photo to showcase. I think that the background paper would let the details show up more if it was solid OR even very blurred as it is hard to distinguish what is the background and what is a little square with a cloud since they are so similar in colors. I think you forgot some shadows on the elements (other than the title and the squares). Is that possible? @Susan EwartThe compression will only be set when saving in jpg. In recent versions of PSP, you can adjust that right in the Save as... dialog window. I think it is the same as using the Optimizer. Back a few versions, the Optimizer was the only way to adjust the compression to control the file size. Not anymore. For those who have not yet finished, don't worry, you still have a couple of days to post 4 out of 5 projects to be entered into the random draw, on Monday night.

On the other hand, if you look at the example on the left, it would use a different approach. There is a way to achieve that "even" gap but, so far, as of PSP2023, there is no way to retain the corners, and this is what you may end up with. If that is good enough, then here are the steps: Start drawing the smallest shape you want (make sure you have room around). If you can make it in vector format, you will get a better result. Make a selection from that smaller shape Expand by a certain amount, which would be the gap (I used 50 pixels) Add a new layer Fill with the color you want for the other shapes If you want only an outline and no fill, Contract by a stroke width (I used 10 pixels) Expand again Add a new layer Fill with the color and so on At this point, PSP won't retain the corners like in your example. I suspect that has been asked before (and that is what the first patch in 2023 was SUPPOSED to do, but we know how that went!)

Although it is not the quickest way (maybe I should make a script?), there is a way. Draw the largest size you will use (it would work the other way around but here, you have the maximum space used) Center it in your canvas (even if temporarily) using Objects > Align > Center in canvas Duplicate the vector layer Resize by 90%. Uncheck the "Resize all layers" Duplicate the INITIAL vector layer Resize by 80% and so on. Always go back to the initial vector layer to duplicate At the end, the outline will have also been resized. If you want them all the same thickness, you can manually double-click on each shape, and adjust the stroke width. Although it is not quick, it is easy. Would that work with what you want to achieve?

Here is a challenge to do something that might not be repeated in other months. Just an idea that popped like that (and you can also send me suggestions for occasional random challenges too). This time, use a single photo but use it to cover the whole page. You can add effects to the photo or showcase it in all its original splendor. Add a title and journaling however you want, but it will have to be on top of the photo itself. Here is one example of a large photo using the whole space. For other ideas to use large photos, check out this article. Post your project in the gallery.

We all love to know who are fellow members are and some of you hav already uploaded a profile picture for the Campus. However, the new forum/gallery is not using those pictures so you have to upload it another time, in a different place. But don't worry, it is just as easy. Step 1. Click on dropdown arrow beside your name, on the top right of the page, while you are logged into the forum or the gallery. Step 2. Click on Profile. You can also just click on the image or the letter that shows up if you don't have an image yet. Step 3. Click on the image icon that appears near the colored letter. Step 4. Choose "Upload a photo" Step 5. Click "Choose single file" and navigate, on your computer, where you have the image you want to use. Step 6. Click "Continue" Step 7. Adjust the area you want to use, with the handles around the blue square. Step 8. Click "Save" and you are done.

If you want to look at all the images posted by a specific member in the gallery, there is a way. Step 1. Click on any members profile image (or the letter that shows if they have not added an image yet). Step 2. Click on the View their activity button on the yellow band. Step 3. Click on the Albums tab Step 4. Click on Images on the left, to see all their images.