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New script – Wood Frame

January 19, 2021January 8, 2016 by Cassel

Wood frame script for Paintshop Pro I know, you can probably create a wood frame very easily, right? Using Paintshop Pro, some tasks are quite easy and creating a wood frame is one of those. However, it still takes a bit of time, and if you want to create a series of frames, for a kit or a collage, it can quickly add up.

This script will create the frame in less than 30 seconds. Yes! You will start with a texture image of wood (you can choose fine wood or old wood), and the script will literally cut pieces to create your frame. No two pieces will be identical (in real life, they never are, right?). The script will also calculate the size of frame you can do based on the starting image dimensions. Also, once you have chosen the inside size of the frame, it will calculate how thick you CAN create the rest of the frame.

As an added detail, there is the option to add rusted nails to the corners, if you chose the overlapped type of corners. Those are picture tubes that you can also use in other projects if you want.

Grab this script in the store: Wood Frame

Would you like to get this script for free? Tell me if you tend to prefer the overlapped type of corner or the mitered type. Tell me in the comments below and i'll pick a winner next week to be announced in the newsletter. Not a subscriber yet? Not a problem. You can register here and it is free (and you only get one email per week).

How about a few frames to play with? I created 10 frames for you: 5 have mitered corners and 5 have overlapped corners. Their sizes range from 1000 to 2000 pixels, but you can easily resize them if you need.

They are all in png format so they can be used in just about any program you have.

Most of those frames are pretty rustic as i used worn, old or painted wood images to start. I also adjusted the color of the nails when they were used so they would match the rest of the frame a little better (that is something you can do with the script since everything is left unmerged for you to tweak the individual pieces).

You need to be logged in to download this sample. You can either login, or register on the top of this page.

Corel Challenge

Do you have photos of your clock or watch? Maybe a photo from New Year's Eve? How about an in-review project where the time is illustrated with a clock or a watch or other time ticking device? Post it on the Corel page HERE.

Remember that they don't need to be only PHOTOS, but you can post scrapbook projects too!

I would love to see one of your projects posted on the Corel page.

Happy New Year!

January 2, 2016January 1, 2016 by Cassel

How did you conclude your Year 2015?

How are you starting year 2016?

You can probably create a layout with lots of photos from 2015 as a year-in-review. Do you have 52 weekly photos? Do you have 365 daily photos? How about 12 monthly photos? Whatever you have, you can use just a few and make a simple collage with this template. Although it only has 8 photo spots, you can easily split each one in smaller areas if you have more photos you want to use.

Or, if you don't want to use photos, you can also use it to write some stories on each area. With the text wrapping feature of Paintshop Pro, you can select each area, contract a bit (you don't want the text to be too close to the edge) and then, type your stories, memories, or any other type of journaling you want to include. Talk about an original way to document your year 2015!

Once your project is done, print it and frame it!

Do you want it? Just click on the preview to download it. No logging needed.

News from the Campus

Sunday, January 3rd, we will have our live presentation in the Campus.

Let's see how we can use Patchwork ideas for scrapping.

It is still time to register, and invite your friends.

New script – Circles Circles

December 3, 2022December 18, 2015 by Cassel

Although it is fairly simple to create a pattern of overlapping circles, it can be very tedious to choose all the colors, and hard to be accurate to create really seamless patterns.

That is why I created this script to generate an array of seamless designs with various options: not only you can choose your own color palette but you can choose to have thin, medium or thick outlines. You can choose to have only the outlines using your colors, or also have filled overlaps. You can choose to have a single design, or a larger one with more variety. You can even generate up to 25 tiles in one run of the script. Of course, it is likely that the randomness will create a few identical patterns, but it will only take seconds to have that many to choose from. Save the ones you like, delete the others.

Get this script in the store: Circles Circles.

Do you prefer the outline design or those with filled overlaps? Tell me in the comments below and i'll pick a winner next week, to win this script. The winner will be announced in the newsletter. Not a subscriber yet? Not a problem. You can register here and it is free (and you only get one email per week).

Being in the holiday season, i created a set of 20 seamless tiles with traditional red, green and gold colors. Some tiles have only outlines, and some have filled overlaps. They are all 600 pixels wide, so you can easily size them down for more variety.

Each tile is a png format, and has no background. This allows you to add it to any color background, or even to an existing textured paper. The possibilities are just about endless.

You need to be logged in to download this sample. You can either login, or register on the top of this page.

Corel Challenge

This week, the Corel Challenge is about Red, Green and White projects. That would be perfect if you were to use those tiles to create your project or a frame or collage. What do you think? Can you create one and post it on the Corel page HERE?

And why not check the Paintshop Christmas Master Class video (which is free to watch) and create a Ribbon Tree or an ornament with those colors so you can submit it to their Challenge too? Another great way to combine two things together.

New script – QR Code

January 19, 2021December 12, 2015 by Cassel

QR codes might be used as a way to direct someone to a website or use a coupon for a purchase, but you can use that pattern to create some fun labels.

This script for Paintshop Pro can replicate the look of a QR code, either in traditional black and white color, but also using a different color instead of the white, and even use two different colors to match your actual project. And unlike the real QR Codes, those created by the script can include a short text in the font of your choice. Just a fun way to create a unique tag or label.

Get this script in the store : QR Code.

Do you want a chance to win this script? Tell me how you can think of using those labels. Be creative. I know you can make tags, but what else? What other medium could you use to display them? Tell me in the comments below and i'll pick a winner that will be announced next week in the newsletter. Not a subscriber yet? Not a problem. You can register here and it is free (and you only get one email per week).

As a way for you to sample the result of this fun script, I created 6 inspirational tags for you, in various basic colors. Each tag is 300 pixels wide.

It will be up to you to use them where you want, either as an accent to a project, or as an inspiration.

So what will you do with them?

You need to be logged in to download this sample. You can either login, or register on the top of this page.

New script – Cube beads

January 19, 2021December 5, 2015 by Cassel

There are various ways to add letters or digits or fun symbols on a project. If you were a traditional paper scrapbooker, you might actually use some small beads, and you can do the same with Paintshop Pro.

This script will create various cubic shape beads with your choices of settings. You can choose the color of the bead, the color and the font for the text, the direction of the beads, the custom design you want to add.

Each bead will be about 300 pixels wide so you can easily resize them to fit your project. You can "thread" the beads if you want with any string (including some from the store). If you need to thread a bead facing left or right, just add a "hole" with the brush tool where the string would enter.

Get this script in the store: Cube-Beads script.

For a chance to win this script (or a future new release), tell me what message you would write using cube beads. Would it be a single word? a short phrase? a date? Tell me in the comments below and i will pick a winner next week to be announced in the newsletter. Not a subscriber yet? Not a problem. You can register here and it is free (and you only get one email per week).

As a way for you to sample the result of running this script, i created a set of digits (with a hyphen and a blank) beads. I made them neutral white so you can use them in just about any project to write a date. I used a rope tube from this set to "attach" the beads on the bottom, and rotated the beads slightly to match the string curve (I find it easier to draw the curved string first and adjust the bead orientation than the reverse).

You can use those to write a date or any other number you need (the address of your new home, the year for a birthday, the date on a calendar, etc.)

What can you write with those digits?

You need to be logged in to download this sample. You can either login, or register on the top of this page.

Paintshop Christmas

Join us tomorrow, December 6th, for our monthly live presentation.

We will look at various projects you can do with Paintshop Pro. I already got a few interesting suggestions for projects i will illustrate and demonstrate. Come and add yours too.

Attending is always FREE, and you get the chance to ask questions, comment, and chat with the other attendees.

Remember that you can promote this presentation to your friends, in a Facebook group, in forums where you hand out, etc. The more we are, the merrier it will be!

New script – Circle Doodles

January 19, 2021November 27, 2015 by Cassel

Did you ever like to play with those multiple gears in Spirograph (R) to create various types of designs?

Now, you can do the same in Paintshop Pro without the gears, and mostly, without the calculations needed to have a precise arrangement of the rotated layers, AND with the added speed of automation.

This script allows you to create an unlimited number of design, either from a randomly generated pattern, or your own. You can choose also the number of rotations, and you can even tweak the random design create for you.

Merge the layers if you want, or leave them unmerged if you want to tweak them some more. The possibilities are endless!

Get this script in the store: Circle Doodles

See how this script works and some ideas on how you can use the different options:

What could you do with such designs? Give me an idea of what element/effect you can create with this kind of design. I'll pick a winner, at random, and announce it in next week's newsletter. Not a subscriber yet? Not a problem. You can register here and it is free (and you only get one email per week).

For this week, i ran the script twice to create two interesting patterns, and colored one version just with the brush tool.

One ends up as a frame, while the other is more of a solid shape. Maybe you can print them and cut them out to add to your Christmas ornaments? Or maybe use them on a greeting card?

They are all about 1000 pixels wide, and you get one version with only the outline, and one version with the filled in colors. You can use the outlined ones and paint them to your liking, to match your project.

You need to be logged in to download this sample. You can either login, or register on the top of this page.

Christmas bundle sale

Did you hear about the Creative Christmas bundle?

It is a collection of 14 products offered by 14 fabulous designers, to help you save time, do more and enjoy the coming holidays.

You will find card templates to use with PSP (or with your favorite papers), craft patterns, scrapbook kits, recipe, printables, planners, ornaments to make, and much more. All those products would cost you over $200 to get separately, but you can save 85% of it, by getting the whole bundle this weekend.

You don't have much time: GET IT NOW for only $29.99!

It will be over, on Monday, Nov 30th, at midnight!

New script – Word Album 2

January 19, 2021November 20, 2015 by Cassel

How about creating a unique kind of photo album or scrapbook with a title right cut out of the pages? This is a totally unique idea, and you can do that easily with this script for Paintshop Pro.

The script will create full size pages (12 x 12) with a letter cut out of the top to form a word. The letters somewhat overlap to be visible as a whole. You can choose any word you want, whether it is the name of a person, a location, a sentiment, or any other word that is meaningful to you, and will summarize the content of the album.

This is perfect for those who have a cutting machine, but anyone can cut out the pages manually.

Choose any text, but also any font! Of course, thinner fonts will be harder to cut out, but if you have a cutting machine, that should be simpler.

The 12 x 12 pages can always be cropped to a different format, or resized to a different size, depending on what you would want to create in the end.

Use the pages as templates, a scrapbook layout, or maybe just blank pages that everyone can use to hand write notes for someone, for an event, etc. like a giant greeting card.

Get this unique script in the store: Word Album 2

Do you want this script for free? I have a little game for you: in the comments below, pick a word that you think would make a great title for an album (just ONE word). I will draw a winner and announce it next week but even better, the winner's word will become a free album template for everyone subscribed to the newsletter. Not a subscriber yet? Not a problem. You can register here and it is free (and you only get one email per week).

As a sampler, i created a set of 6 pages that will form the word FAMILY. Of course, with the holiday season coming, it is a time when many people will visit family members, see some they haven't seen in a while, and so on. Close family, extended family. Why not create a keepsake using those pages? You can create layouts with holiday photos, but you can also just leave most of the pages blank and let everyone who visit this season, write a little note, a wish, a story, etc.

This will become a great keepsake to cherish all year long.

You need to be logged in to download this sample. You can either login, or register on the top of this page.

New script – Harlequin Pattern

January 19, 2021November 13, 2015 by Cassel

Although it might be easy enough to get a greyscale template of a Harlequin pattern, it is still a task if you want the colors to be varied, and matching your chosen palette.

Creating the shapes, manually is very time consuming, but with this script and your Paintshop Pro, you can create those in seconds only.

This tool will allow you to create seamless tiles with specific colors of your own palette, but you can also create a larger pattern based on a gradient or even an image (try a picture of a texture!) for a very unique Harlequin pattern that will match your current project.

You have other options, like the presence or absence of outlines between each diamond. Again, that will yield quite different results for you to use.

Grab this script in the store: Harlequin Pattern script.

Have you ever created (or wanted to create) a Harlequin pattern? How did you do so, or how would you have done so? Tell me in the comments below and you will get a chance to win this script. Not a subscriber yet? Not a problem. You can register here and it is free (and you only get one email per week).

As a sample, I created a set of 4 simple patterns made from simple gradients. Although the script asks for a minimum of 2 colors, I just provided the same gradient twice to create a repeated single pattern. If you want the same colors as your particular palette, you can use the foreground-background gradient, and having picked the colors ahead of time, you will get a fantastic match.

Those tiles are seamless so you can use them to create papers, or elements, and by changing the scale, you can create detailed designs too.

So what would you do with those tiles?

You need to be logged in to download this sample. You can either login, or register on the top of this page.

Suggestion box

November 7, 2015November 7, 2015 by Cassel

Did you ever envy Photoshop users because they have actions that do not have anything similar for Paintshop?

Did you ever see something in a kit or element pack and wish you could do something similar with a script?

Do you find yourself creating some elements manually and wish you could have a script to help you do them faster and more efficiently?

Well, this is the perfect time to make your suggestions. As part of the Digital Scrapbook Day events, you can actually win $$ for suggesting your ideas. Post a description of your "dream tool" in the comments below and i will draw a winner among all the suggestions received until Saturday November 14th (the draw will take place on Sunday morning).

The winner of the draw will get a $25 coupon for my store, but that is not all. If i manage to create a script following your suggestion, you will be allowed to get most beta versions, test it, give feedback for added options, and you will also get the final script FREE. So what are you waiting for? If you want to link to a picture, or preview of something you would like to do, it would be great!

One entry per person, but you can list as many ideas as you want! The more ideas you suggest, the more chances you have that i will make one of yours!

Put on your thinking cap and send me your ideas.

Digital Scrapbook Day 2015

November 7, 2015November 7, 2015 by Cassel

DSD is on the first Saturday of November, and it has been the case since 2007. For the occasion, I got several activities going on, for you. Let's have a look at them.

1- Storewide sale

Everything in the store will be discounted by 25%, for Saturday and Sunday. Did you ever fill a wishlist in the store? Now it is time to stock up and get those products you want to get to complete your projects faster or create new kits for your store.

Start shopping!

2- FREE tutorials

In the Campus, there is a dedicated page where you will see 12 unique tutorials rotate, one by one, each hour. For 48 hours, you will have the possibility to view video tutorials that are normally reserved for enrolled students. The list of the 12 tutorials is this:

Brick wall texture

License plate
Ghost text
Paper clip (2) (not the ordinary ones)
Reflection
Wired Ribbon
Gold Element
Coffee stain
Folded Edge
Accordion
Separator tab
Flair button

Which ones will you catch? Come back often.

Check out the tutorials

3- Show off contest (with prizes to win)

In order to promote digital scrapbooking using Paintshop Pro, there is a show off contest in the Campus. There are prizes to win too:

One copy of Paintshop Pro X8 Ultimate (value: $99.99)
Two Master Classes of your choice (value: $39.98)
The new 12 Cards for Christmas (value: $9.99)

And what do you have to do? Simple: show off a scrapbook project you made using Paintshop Pro. But, there is a little twist to this: you have to use ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

a technique you learned in the Campus
a free element you picked from this blog (there are lots of those)
or a product you purchased from the store (or one of mine in the Discovery Center)

Once you have something to show off, you can post it in the Campus forum, while browsing through the other members' submissions. The winner will be picked AT RANDOM, NEXT WEEK, on November 14th (next Saturday). This will give you a chance to pick some freebies from this blog, or view new tutorials in the Campus, or grab a new product in the store, and complete up to THREE projects to enter.

Check the Campus forum

4- 101 super easy tricks to work faster with Paintshop Pro

On Amazon.com, there is a countdown deal for this Kindle ebook that offers 101 tips. Since it is a countdown deal, it is now $0.99 but tomorrow, it will be up to $1.99 and then, Monday night, it will be back to its regular price of $2.99. Don't delay.

You don't have a Kindle? No problem. You can download the free app to view any Kindle book on your computer (how cool is that?). Although the deal is only available on amazon.com (in the U.S.), since it is a digital download, you are still able to get it: there is no added shipping fees!

That is 101 tips that where shared through years of newsletter, but they are all in one handy document, just for your convenience.

Grab your copy of this book

I would greatly appreciate a review of this book, when you have a chance. I am sure you will learn SOMEthing from it.

So what will you be doing this weekend??