Creating clusters can seem like a daunting task when you just end up staring at the screen, wondering what element to use, where to put them, resize them or not, etc.
This script is a tool that can help you get passed that step by generating a cluster template that you can then tweak to your liking. Like for any other template, you are not required to follow it exactly, but instead, customize it and make it your own.
This script will create a "strip cluster" that you can use on a full size project, as they end up around 3200-3500 pixels in width. Use them horizontally, as they are created or rotate them vertically, or, why not, use them as an angle!
Grab this inspirational tool script in the store: Cluster Template Maker 3
If you are into clusters, you can get all three Cluster Template Maker scripts AND the Speed Scrap Scripts as a Tool kit bundle for more than 30% discount.
That bundle includes this week's Cluster Template Maker script but also two other scripts to generate different types of Clusters. In addition, you get the 3 scripts included in the Speed Scrap Scripts that will help you replace the elements in your template by elements from your kits, all in a fraction of the time you would need to do it manually. A REAL time saver!
Do you want a chance to win this script? Tell me, in the comments below, how you usually manage to create clusters (if you create them). Do you use pre-made clusters? Do you use cluster templates? Do you work a long time to place the elements manually? I'll announce a winner in the newsletter, next week. 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's sample, I am actually including THREE cluster template strips that were generated using this script.
Each template would nicely fit on a 3600 pixels project. Use them as is, tweak them, rotate them, add or remove elements, change the layering, etc. Basically, make them your own.
The shadows are only for the previews since there is no way to tell what type of element you will use for each shape.
Can I challenge you? Would you take one of those templates and create a project to share with us?
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News from the Campus

Join us for our live presentation, this Sunday, at 5pm Eastern time.
We'll look at various ways to use and manipulate ribbons in your digital projects.
Remember that it is FREE.
And bring a friend along.

Whenever you work on a particular project, and create many layers, it is a real pain to copy and paste each individual layer onto the new project. Of course, you can group them, but if you have 20, 30 or 100 layers, it can be very time consuming.
As a sampler, i obviously can't sample this script as it would just need to be applied to your own projects. But since i had a very good response to the
Are you using keyboard shortcuts when working with PSP? Check out which are my top 10 shortcuts in
Creating designs for seamless tiles is not that hard, but creating many using the same palette without redoing the same one twice is a little be more challenging.
For a sample, i created 8 tiles in the green colors (for St-Patrick month). Each tile is 250x250 pixels and can be scaled up or down as a pattern. You can add a rotation. You can combine two tiles. You can duplicate a single tile and flip/mirror it to create a different pattern.
What do you know about Adjustment Layers in PSP?
Did you ever use a script that created many elements left on your workspace? What do you do with them? If you want to save them, you might have 20 images to save, each with a different name.
As a sample for this week, i am actually giving you a little challenge. I created a wooden window and i left it in separate layers for you to customize. You can remove some vertical or horizontal pieces to create a different disposition of the window panes. You can remove some of them, cut others, end up with a variety of pane arrangements, even if they are... uneven.
If you ever had cookies or cakes, you know what a little sprinkles can add to the look!
This week, i had fun "painting" with those sprinkles (it is addictive).
Did you join the live presentation, last week?
Don't you love cookies? Who does NOT love cookies?
This week, as a sampler, i created a set of digits, in the right colors for your Valentine. How about creating a project and writing a date that is special to you? The date you met? The date you married? The date you took that vacation? Any date!
Have you ever seen those wonderful images that are transposed into various slats to create vertical or horizontal blinds?
This week, i was really struggling to figure out what to create as a freebie that you might actually use. Since there was a big snow storm in the US this weekend, i thought that maybe, someone would want to have a nice, warm photo to cover the sight of all that snow. Of course, you could use this even if you don't have snow around!
You might be able to find some ready-made wooden windows in PNG format but what if you could create your own, to perfectly match your project? Use the same wood, or adjust the size or format of the window.
This week, i went a bit out of my comfort zone and created a cluster with a sample window. I had fun using a curly ribbon and wrapping it around the sides of the window, and then, just added some flowers and greenery.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.