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New script – Cluster Template Maker

cass-ClusterTemplateMaker

Some people love to create clusters, but feel they just can’t make anything reasonable. Someone asked me if i could make a script to do clusters for her. Well, I know for sure that a script in Paintshop Pro is a set of commands with mathematical values, so there is no way i can code what looks good and what does not, so i studied some clusters that looked good and tried to extract some mathematical similarities and that is what got into this script. It turned out to be quite good and the results are generally interesting.

The script will generate a random number of rectangles, horizontally and vertically, of different size and shape, all layered under an image or a placeholder. Once in a while, you will see a wavy line in the cluster. That is just added for fun. Once the script is done, if you REALLY don’t like the result, simply undo and run the script again. It is that easy. Once you are kind of happy with the result, you can still adjust and customize the layers, and the rectangles. Add more shapes, remove some layers, rotate others, rearrange the layer order, add some fancy edges on some rectangles, etc. Make it your own. And if you want more layers, just run the script a second time starting with the image layer, then you’ll have more layers and shapes to play with!

You can grab that script in either of my stores: Creation Cassel and DigiScrapWarehouse.

And for a chance to win this script, simply add your name to this thread in the Happy Place of the DST forum, and tell me how you go about to create your clusters. I will be back on Monday with the name of a winner.

cass-ClusterTemplate-01 As usual, you want to get a freebie, right? Fair enough. I created this layered cluster template with the script. I added shadows to the preview only, since there is a chance you might want to change some layers and then, the shadows might not work. It is a PSD format, so most of you should be able to open it, and use it. If you DO use it, would you mind showing me how it turns out? I would love to see how different scrappers will turn this ONE template into many unique results.

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

 

 

 

 

 

News from the Campus

The Element Creation Tutorials with Paintshop Pro section has open and we are taking registrations. If you register on or before September 17th, your name will be put into a draw to win one copy of Paintshop Pro X4 Ultimate (freshly released last week).

But you have only a couple of days left!

I added a thread in the DST forum where you can win ONE membership to the Element Creation tutorials, and the draw will be on Sunday morning, just in time for the winner to have his/her name added to the draw for the PSPX4. Would you be lucky enough to win both? Maybe. Who knows?

Sunday, Sept 11th, we held a webinar on using the Text tool in Paintshop Pro. An edited recording of this webinar is currently posted in the Scrapbook Campus under the Webinars tab. A written handout will be added shortly. (you only have to be logged in to access it, but registration is totally free if you are not yet a member)

Do you want to register to our next webinar? It will be held on Oct 2nd at 3pm Eastern. You can register here so  you will be getting reminders ahead of time. The topic? Shadows!

New script – Shattered

cass-Shattered

How long would it take you to cut an image in random pieces, separate them in individual layers, resize them, rotate them, move them and then add shadows to each of them? With your Paintshop Pro and this script, it will only take you a few seconds and a few clicks. And if you dont like the result, no problem; run the script again. You will NEVER get the same result twice because of the random features incorporated into the code.

You can stop the script right after the pieces are cut and separated in layers, or you can keep going and get each piece slightly resized, rotated and moved randomly.

You can stop the script here too, or choose to add a drop shadow. In this case, you will decide on all the settings for the shadow and the script will apply the exact same settings on all the pieces, no matter how many there are. Since the script ends with unmerged layers, you can keep manipulating all the pieces as you wish, deleting some, moving others, etc.

You can get this script in either of my stores: Creation Cassel or DigiScrapWarehouse.

cass-Shattered-sampleHow about a chance to win this script for free? You can, by simply adding your name to this thread in the DST Forum, telling me of one creative use you can think of for this script, and Monday, i will announce a winner.

And now, as usual, you are expecting a freebie, right? Well, since this script applies on a photos, i could hardly give you a cut up picture. I am sure you would not care to get one of MY pictures! So, i figured i could make a layered template with the pieces still in place, not resized, rotated or moved. That way, you can apply that template to any picture of YOURS and create a similar effect.

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

Paintshop Pro X4 is out.

Paintshop Pro X4 came out Wednesday this week. I have been part of the beta testing team for a few months. If you want to know about the improvements or additions, and if it is not too late for you, you can join their live demonstration tonight (there is one left, and you can register here). One thing i can say is that it is more stable than X3 was, so it might interest you!

News about the Campus

Did you add your suggestions for which type of elements you would like to learn to create yourself? If not, it is still time. Just hop over to this page and add your name and suggestion. And then, be sure to check your emails or check the Campus again very soon as the Element Creation Tutorials section should go live within a few days. And you will have a chance for some GREAT bonuses. And i mean GRRRRREAT. Subscribe to the mailing list on that page, follow us on Twitter, or like us on Facebook to be sure you know when the section goes live because you dont want to miss the time limited bonuses!

See you around the Campus.

New Script – FLower Power

cass-FlowerPower

This little script for Paintshop Pro might not seem like much but how often did you want to get a flower shape and had to do all the duplicating and rotating manually? This script will do just that for you. With a random feature integrated, you might get between 6 and 15 petals, and each petal will be slightly different in size and shape, so you will always get a new shape.

In addition to creating a different shape, you can generate it as a vector shape to be exported as a custom shape, so you can use it at any time, later on. You can choose to have it in layered raster with your choice of color, gradient or pattern, or you can ask for a plain basic flat sample, again in the color of your choice (perfect for layering).

Once the script is run, you can keep adding details, modify the individual petals, add glitters on the edge, re-arrange the petal order, remove one petal, etc. So many things you could do!

You can get this script in my stores: CreationCassel and DigiScrapWarehouse.

If you want a chance to win this script, simply go over to the DST forum, and add your name to this thread. I will be back on Monday with the name of a winner.

cass-FlowerPower-sample I am sure you are also looking for a freebie sample for this script. That is exactly what i did. I ran the script and got a few random shapes and i played with them. On one layered shape, i added a glittered edge with the Glittered Edge script on each individual petal, then i slipped the last petal under the first one for the  gold color flower. Then, i played with the Felt script to add a felt texture on 3 coloured copies of the same flower, and layered them. You get one PNG sample and the matching PSD format flower. Finally, i ran the Inked Edge script on a purple flower, petal by petal, and then, i removed the petals themselves, leaving only the inked border. I think it does give a really fun result that i didn’t even expect! What can you do with that script?

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

 

For the fun of it, this week i took the time to create a scrap page about one day of geogaching with my husband. It was a fun day, and since i have been meaning to make a whole album on our geocaching adventures, which started 3 years ago with my sons, i think i just found a style that might work for this. What do you think? I might just post the other pages as i create them. Do you do geocaching? Tell me about it!

2011-08-21-600

 

From the Campus:

This is getting more and more exciting. Several people emailed me saying they would like to learn how to create this and that element with their Paintshop Pro, and i kept smiling because that is exactly what i am preparing! Many tutorials are in the making to create papers, elements, textures, fasteners, text effects, and more. So keep an eye on the Element Creation Tutorials of the Campus, subscribe to the mailing list if you want to be first to learn when registrations open so you can take advantage of the special price.

New Script – torn Edge

cass-TornEdge

Do you ever want to have a look of a torn piece of paper on your layout? Maybe for a freestyle look or a wilder look. I am sure you could achieve the same look by manually trimming the edge randomly, then adding an edge, also randomly. I have done the same and it is not too hard, but, after a while, I find it is hard to be “original” in the line design. All my edges looked kind of the same. With this script, this will never happen again. The line design is created with a random feature integrated so no matter how often you run this script, you will always get a different edge. And if you don’t like the edge you got, easy: undo and run the script again. It will only take a few seconds!

As you can see on the preview, you can get a torn edge that is fairly straight, but you can also get a wildly torn paper.

You will get the actual edge on a separate layer than the paper itself so you can add your favourite texture, or just add some noise to it. And you can have it any color you want, whether it is matching the paper or contrasting, or just plan white. Once you have the torn edge, it is perfect to make tags, frames, journaling pieces, etc.

You can find this script in my stores: Creation Cassel and DigiScrapWarehouse.

cass-TornEdge-SamplersI am sure you would like to win this script, so just go over this thread in the DST forum and add your name telling me how you do torn edge look. I will be back on Monday night with a winner.

As a sampler, this week, i made 5 torn edges in PSD layered formats. I ran the script once with each of the “amplitude” option.  They are in greyscale and you can use them as templates to create a torn edge on your own papers.

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

 

New script – Palette Maker

cass-PaletteMaker

This script will create a color palette based on any photo you have. This will be a quick process: open an image on your Paintshop Pro workspace, and run the script. How much easier can it be? You do not have to download any program, you do not have to host any image online or upload it anywhere.

You can generate 5 to 12 colors, which will be picked depending on the frequency of that color in the image. If you have a photo with a large “plain” area (like a sky), you can crop the image and get a better sample. The initial image will be left untouched, so no worry. Also, all the hex values for each swatch will be automatically displayed underneath.

And just for the fun of it, you can have each swatch as a perfect square, or a rounded square.

You can get this script at my stores: CreationCassel and DigiScrapWarehouse.

cass-PaletteMaker-samplesIf you want a chance to win this script, go add your name to the RAK thread here. I will be back on Monday with the name of a winner.

How about a few samples? I ran the script on three photos of mine, to generate three color palettes. You can use them to create a kit, or a mini-kit, or even just a page from scratch if you want.

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

 

Now, i have some more news this week. I was looking for one more CT member and i found Bren. She is a CT member for other designers who will see their products used, but also, Bren creates her own products so at times, she might just create a layout from scratch. You will see her stuff in the newsletter. Keep an eye out for it.

New script – Text Creator

First of all, i am glad to be back online full force. Some of you might know that i had computer issues that started a couple of weeks ago. Although i thought it might be malware related, my computer was tested and found to be free of “unwanted visitors”. More testing indicated that i had a failing hard drive. Before it failed completely, i was able to get it replaced, so now, i am ready to go on. Although i didn’t loose any data, everything was already backed up so i didn’t feel like panicking!

 

cass-TextCreator

Someone emailed me a couple of months ago with a suggestion for a script. She asked “I would love to see a script that will place all the letters from an alpha into a title. Do you think it would be a good idea?” I had to answer “Yes, it is such a good idea that someone already made something just like that… for Photoshop.” and i refered her to Anna Forrest’s script for Photoshop, but of course, my customer wanted something for Paintshop! Since programs cannot READ alphas per say, i had to use a different approach, which took a bit longer than i thought, but now, it is here.

This script will create your title or text using any alpha you want to use. The only prerequisite is that the alpha has to be on a layered image with each layer identified for what they contain. You will simply have to enter the text you want, and the script will retrieve each letter, in order, copy it, paste it onto your work, and move it so all the letter are more or less spaced evenly. The script will take into considerations if you have a space between words. If you enter a character in the text that is not in the file (for example, a “.” or a bracket), the script will skip over it, replace it by a space, and let you know, at the end that you have one character missing (if you have more than one, it will tell you exactly how many). Also, the script will differentiate between lowercase and uppercase letters.

You think this is cool so far? But there is more! If you have a large alpha and you want to create a long title, it is possible that your text would end up being too long for the width of the work canvas you. Did this ever happen to you? This script will help you avoid this frustration because it will give you two options: you can use a shorter text (and run the script twice), or resize the alpha, and here is the smart part of it: the script will tell you what percent to resize your alpha. So, if you want to resize it, you will KNOW that you will then be able to use the same text and it WILL fit on your page!

You want to see this script in action? check this out:

 

You can get this script in my stores: Creation Cassel and DigiScrapWarehouse.
And how about a chance to win this script? Easy. Just add your name to the RAK thread in the Happy Place here, and tell me why you like (or dislike) using alphas. I will draw a winner on Monday night.
If you do not have layered alphas, you can make your own version using any single sheet alpha in png format, using the Element Stacker script. This will help with the process. If you are a scrapper, use the single sheet alphas that you already have. If you are a designer, you might want to offer layered alphas as one option for your customers.

How about a freebie this week? Where is it? Well, it is going to be a special freebie since i will distribute it in the newsletter, this Sunday (June 12th). It will be a FREE script, called Quick Tab. Can you guess what it will be? It is not in the store yet, and will only be there AFTER the newsletter is issued. And you will have a limited time to grab it from the newsletter too. So, if you have already subscribed to the newsletter, just keep an eye on it Sunday. If you have not yet subscribed to it, you still have time. The newsletter usually goes out in the morning, at 8 am Eastern time. You need to register? you can do it HERE. Do you have friends who use Paintshop Pro too? Send them to register too!

 

New script – Knot #5

cass-Knot5

Do you have some ribbons you would like to tie? Do you want to use the ends of the ribbon as if it were REALLY tied, instead of drawn? This script will do just that. This script for Paintshop Pro will use YOUR ribbon, and “use” pieces as if it were a real ribbon. If you use a ribbon with a gradient or a directional pattern, you will see the pattern follow the ribbon, through the knot and into the loose ends. Like most of the knot scripts in the store, it ends in unmerged layers so you can insert something in the knot for more customizability.

If you do not have a ribbon to use for this script, you can create one from scratch at the first prompt. You will then get a ribbed ribbon in the color of your choice.

You can get this script in my store: Creation Cassel and DigiScrapWarehouse.

You have a chance to win this script (or a future new release if you have purchased it already) in this RAK thread of the DST forum. To enter, simply tell me if you own any of my other knot scripts. And come back on Monday night to see who won.

cass-Knot5-sample

As usual, i made a sample for you to enjoy. You can grab this combo of a flat straight ribbon and matching knotted ribbon. Use them as is, or recolor them. Wrap the straight ribbon around a frame using the Quick Wrap script and add the knot to it if you want, or run the ribbon through any other knot script to add to your layout.

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

 

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Now, this week i have a little something else to share with you. As i was doing some research for the Campus addressing the use of sketches or templates as a source of inspiration for digital scrap layouts, i came across a HUGE resource. I know that templates have become “in fashion” lately, but this book includes 500 sketches to jump start your inspiration. I LOVE templates, but i tend to use them most often as 500ss2sketches instead of using the layered version, so seeing so many sketches in ONE file will definitely be a time saver too. And considering that you can always rotate, flip, mirror a sketch, you can get 2000 variations and then, you can add elements, subtract some, and replace others. If you are following that, you can get the equivalent of over 5000 starting point for your layouts. That is right, FIVE THOUSAND possible ideas. Now… you should not run out of ideas soon!

Just click on the preview to get it. You will adore it (i bought it too, and will be delighted to show you my pages!)

New Tube – Spiral Binding #2

cass-SpiralBinding2

These tubes are perfectly measured to create a regular spiral binding on the edge of any book, notebook or other element. You can place them along any edge, and you can make them as long as you want, with the size you want. You get 4 sets of tubes for Paintshop Pro (only…. sorry Photoshop users); each set includes side binding and center binding, shadowed and unshadowed. You also get a tube to align the holes perfectly. You get a total of 24 tubes in all. These realistic spirals were extracted from real ones, gathered at the printing shop!

 

You can grab this second set at either one of my stores: Creation Cassel and DigiScrapWarehouse.

 

 

cass-SpiralBinding2-notebook Now, what could you do with the spirals? I made a little notebook for you. Use it for journaling on your pages if you want.

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

What kind of little notes will you write in that notebook?

 

Did you know about my birthday yesterday? Yeah, i share my day with the Earth, as in Earth Day! easy enough to remember! This year, I posted a special sale in my personal store, and a LOT of people took advantage of that rare opportunity: they enjoyed a 50% off sale on everything. Did you miss it? I still have a 35% off everything today (until midnight), and then a 25% off tomorrow. Hurry because sales are not very frequent in my store. Scripts, fonts, tubes, presets, paths, everything is on sale.

New script to help remove jaggies – Smoothener

cass-Smoothener

Whether you are a designer who is concerned about quality control, or a scrapper who wants to check their supplies, this script will help you a lot. This is the first script coded for Paintshop Pro that will remove jaggies, smoothen the edges, AND fill in missing pixels with a perfectly matching color inside the element.

Although the script will not fix EVERYTHING or replace a good extraction technique in the first place, it can still help you get the best end result before distributing or using your element.

You can find this script in my stores: Creation Cassel and DigiScrapWarehouse.

And for a chance to win this script, hop over the DST forum at this thread and tell me how you normally remove jaggies on elements. And i will come back on Monday with a winner.

This script is a great addition to the Stray Pixels Catcher and the Quality Check Utility script (which are already bundled here too).

 

birthday

Did you know that April is my birth month? Well, it is, so i am going to hold a big promotion all month long. How much you can save will depend on you, on how much you buy.

Stay tune for all the details in the newsletter on Sunday.

 

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And this week’s newsletter will also include something VERY IMPORTANT for all digiscrappers using PSP (or other programs). It will be only this week. Make sure you open your mail when you get it. And if you have friends who scrap or design using PSP, send them to join my newsletter as soon as possible (they can always unsubscribe if they really dont want to receive future issues). Click on the link on the left to join.

New product – Zippers tubes set #3

cass-ZipperSet3

Yes, another set of Zipper tubes for Paintshop Pro. I had 2 plastic and 2 metal zippers scanned and i extracted the teeth and the pulls. Just like for the other 2 sets, they are tubes that can be used along any path, or “hand drawn” in any shape you want. The pull bases are layered PSD format so you can insert different types of pull, change the color, etc.

 

You can find this set in my stores: Creation Cassel and DigiScrapWarehouse.

 

And if you want a chance to win this set, just check out this thread and add your name to it.

 

cass-Zipper3-sample

And now, is your free sample for this product. It is a PSD layered template. The pull, the zipper teeth and the “fabric” are on separate layers so you can change them or add other decorations to the pull. Just click on the image to start the direct download.

 

Remember that you can use ANY of my products for your third entry to the big February contest, including any FREE products from this blog.