New script – Knot #12

January 19, 2021October 23, 2015 by Cassel

How you would use knots if you had a traditional ribbon can vary from day to day. You would have options to tie that ribbon in multiple manners, attach different objects, wrap that ribbon around all kinds of things. This is why, in digital scrapbooking, there are so many different knots available.

This script for Paintshop Pro will allow you to "tie" a ribbon into a simple knot, but unlike other scripts where you can only choose the color or pattern and everything looks like it is "flood filled" with that pattern, this script will use your own straight ribbon. This is perfect to have a match if you are using the other ribbon in the project, whether it is left straight, or tied into a different knot or bow created with another script.

Grab this script in the store: Knot #12.

For a chance to win this script, tell me how you would customize a knot for your project otherwise. Do you colorize greyscale ribbons? Do you manually create a knot with your ribbon? Do you use a script that asks you for the color to use? Leave a comment below and i'll announce the 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).

This week, i created three straight ribbons (from greyscale ones) and ran the script to end up with three simple knots. Each one is left in unmerged layers so you can put them around any object or insert something in the middle of the knot.

I had fun with colorizing those ribbons with a gradient instead of a solid color. I think that gives a different kind of look to the knot that makes it more interesting (at least, that is what i think).

I also included the straight ribbons so you can use them with other scripts, or as is on your project to match. Or you can insert the straight ribbon directly in the knot too. Why not?

Remember to show off what you used this knot for. What project did you create using it?

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Corel Paintshop Pro Challenge

Check out this week's #CorelChallenge. It is about using text on your project. Well, if you are a scrapbooker, you surely have text on your projects! It could be a fun journaling display, or an unusual title. Or how about a nice Subway art design? We can do so much with Paintshop Pro. Show off what you can do (or just what you have done already).

Post your project on their thread or tag it with #CorelChallenge

Did you see the one i posted on their thread?

News in the Campus

As part of the Corel Challenge, i created a text inside a silhouette. I thought it was a great way to use the new text wrapping tool from PSP X8.

I also made a short tutorial on how to create this result. Read it HERE.

New script – Ribbon Banner

January 19, 2021October 3, 2015 by Cassel

You might have seen those vector banners on various sites, but you wish you could have something using real ribbons, right? Now, you can do that with this script and Paintshop Pro.

Pick any straight ribbon (it could work with a ricrac but it is not as pretty) or a long piece of paper and run the script. Answer the prompts, select the area you want in the center and voilà!

You can use any kind of straight ribbon: lace, translucent, directional, etc. The script is coded to use the whole length of the ribbon so nothing is lost, especially those frayed edges if you have them.

This is even better than using layered templates because it really curves the center piece so you can use patterned designs, text, or stripes and it will follow that curve. In addition, you can have the central part as wide or narrow as you want, and even use a section of the ribbon that is not in the very center.

Grab this fun script in the store: Ribbon Banner.

Banners are often used to announce something and in a layout, it could be a way to label or date it. What would you use it for? Would you add text? If so, what text? Tell me in the comments below and i'll pick someone who will win this script next week. I'll announce it 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).

Since it is harder to add text on a curved ribbon, i figured i might as well create a banner with the text already in for you to use. I could have done a banner for each month of the year, or each day of the week, but i thought it would be interesting to have the four seasons for you to share various photos in a layout.

Each banner is about 3000 pixels wide, so they would nicely fit on top of a layout, almost as a title. Yet, you can size them down, or even trim the ends 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.

News in the Campus

Have you registered to the live presentation this coming Sunday?

We will play alongside Mother Nature in adding rain and snow to photos.

It is FREE, as usual!

Corel Paintshop Pro Challenge

Do you have a photo with silhouettes? Do you have photos you have edited to create silhouettes? Or do you have other projects (not photos) that use silhouettes, like a card, or a layout?

Submit it to the #CorelChallenge

Let's show the world what we can do with PSP (and not just photography)!

Check out the collage i made for the Create Magic with PSP class. I posted it on that #CorelChallenge thread. Now it is your turn.

And if you want to create your own silhouette, there is a brief tutorial in the Campus HERE.

New script – Painted wood

January 19, 2021September 19, 2015 by Cassel

Whether you are creating a scrapbook page or any other graphic project, painted wood elements could add a special touch. And when you can choose one of SIX types of wood, when you can choose any shape, any design and any color, you are sure that your elements will be unique.

There are so many ways to coordinate them with your project, the theme and the the colors.

The script will use a black and white version of your design, leaving the white as bare wood and the black as painted. You will also get a textured paint that will match the grain of the wood, even though the script will randomize the angle and the scale.

You can get this script in the store: Painted Wood.

For a chance to win this script, add a comment below telling me what design you would first use to run this script on. Would you rather do alphabets, arrows, frames, basic shapes, etc. A winner will be announced 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).

As a free sample, this week, i created a fun set of digits. I used a black fill and a white outline to set the inside to be painted by the script. And instead of a solid color, i used a gradient with the 3 primary colors.

I have to say that i am particularly pleased with the end result. With those primary colors, you can easily embellish a child theme project, or a school theme layout.

You can use those to indicate the child's grade, his age, or the actual year a photo was taken.

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

#CorelChallenge

Did you hear about the #CorelChallenge?

This week, you can send in photo, scrapbook page or other graphic projects based on primary colors. Here are some ideas for you:

create a monochrome layout
use an ordinary photo, turn it in black and white and make one of those primary colors reappear (here is a tutorial).
create clusters with elements in primary colors (buttons, ribbons, flowers)
use the free digits above to add a colorful date

Go for it. Let's show how we can use primary colors in projects OTHER than just photos. You can do it!

Post your project here.

New script – Shattered Mirror

January 19, 2021September 5, 2015 by Cassel

If you like the Shattered script, which breaks up a single image into many pieces, you might actually like this new script. It is somewhat similar to the first one, but in this case, each piece will be converted into a piece of mirror, reflecting the initial image.

You can also let the script move the pieces at random for a really scattered look, or move them yourself (and you can even remove some pieces completely). You can even let the script add a drop shadow to each piece with YOUR favorite settings.

Since every piece is left on a separate layer, you can customize the end result to your liking.

Grab this fun script: Shattered Mirror script.

Do you want to win this script? Add a comment below giving ideas on how you think this script could be used (hint, check the freebie below for another idea). 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).

Since this script should be applied on YOUR own photo, it would be totally useless to offer you a free sample with one of my photos. What would you even do with it, right? However, for the fun of it, i decided to run the script on a simple black and white gradient pattern image to see what it would look like. Well, i thought the end result was... interesting.

I ran the script once and then merged the layers, cropped the resulting image and ran the script a second time. Since the initial image is untouched i was left with the original (the gradient), the first result, and the second one.

Now, what can you do with this odd-looking paper? Try to blur it to get an overlay. Or play with the blend mode to get something different. But if you were to use your own design or gradient, you can create a kind of "crazy quilt" effect, and add stitching along the lines.

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Corel Paintshop Pro blog

What do you know about 32 bits and 64 bits as far as PSP is concerned? Do you have plugins that don't seem to work on your new PSP versions? check out this blog post on the Corel Paintshop Pro blog for some information from LeviFiction, a regular contributor on the Corel user-to-user forum.

New script – Random Dots

January 19, 2021August 21, 2015 by Cassel

Random dot pattern script for Paintshop Pro There are super simple ways to create regular dots in an even pattern. If you want a speed up tool to create a variety of polkadot tiles, you can use the Dots and Diamonds script. But if you want to create something that has more variety in the dots yet, still be regular, what do you do?

That is why I created this script. It will create a dotted pattern but with a completely different type of result with different options.

You can create a tile that you would use as a seamless pattern, or a full size paper where you will have no repeat at all. In addition, you have various ways to pick the colors. You can have a monochrome pattern with only lightness variations. You can have blended colors between two. You can have specific colors picked from your palette with no blending at all, or you can have totally random colors picked.

The dots can be created on a new image or take an open image and add them on a separate layer.

Use the end result as you wish, adding effects if you want.

Grab this script in the store: Random Dots script.

For a chance to win this script, tell me what you would do with those dots. Would you apply them to something? would you add a particular effect? Tell me in the comments below and i'll pick a winner next week to be announced in our 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 little sample of that dot making machine? I created 2 patterns for you. One is made of primary colored dots (plus black an white) in a very regular pattern, where nothing touches the next dot. And one other in primary colors only where the dots are smaller and somewhat overlap.

Each pattern is 1000x1000 pixels (beware that one of them is not seamless ass some dots are over the edge of the image).

They are both png files so you can use them in most graphic programs. Add a background, apply an effect, use them as tiles, etc.

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

New in PSPX8

This week, Corel released the latest version of Paintshop Pro, which is version X8.

It has some great new features and those will be particularly welcomed by scrapbookers, card-makers and other graphic artists using PSP for other than photo retouching.

Do you want to read more about those new features? Check out this blog post in the Campus.

New script – Bow #10

January 19, 2021August 14, 2015 by Cassel

Nobody will ever say they have enough bows in their digital stash!

This script is one of the most detailed bow script that i have done, as it allows you to choose your own straight ribbons to create this bow. With the option of creating three layers of loops, using one, two or three different ribbons, and the choice of the number of loops to include, this script will let you create an assortment of bows for various occasions.

The script also includes a random option for the number of loops but also for where in the original ribbon, the pieces will be taken from, meaning that if you have a ribbon with a particular design or color variations, the script will always take a different section for every run.

Each loop is left on separate groups, allowing you to move them if needed (or you can remove some if you want, or tweak them any other way).

Grab this fun script in the store: Bow #10

See how this script works:

What would you do with such a script? Would you likely use the same ribbon for each layer or use different ribbons for each? Or would you use the same ribbon but colorized differently? How would you use this script and customize the end result to be unique? Share your ideas in the comments below. I'll pick a winner and will announce it 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).

This week, i created a three layer bow using two different greyscale ribbons (from Melissa Bennett). Each loops is on a separate piece (i merged the individual piece for each loop) so you can colorize each row as you wish, or even each loop as you wish.

Each layer has 10 loops.

The zip file includes two PSD files: one with basic shadows added, and one with no shadow at all, so you can add your own if you want something very specific.

Use the same color for each layer, or change for each. Or use the same hue but different brightness settings. Or go crazy and have a different color for EACH loop.

Since the last loop in the bow is kind of standing out, it is a perfect place to add a center piece, buttons, jewels, etc.

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

New script – Datestamp #3

January 19, 2021August 8, 2015 by Cassel

There are so many ways to add a date on a project, but even though they might be fairly easy to create manually, it is often taking a little bit more time than we really need, and if we ever want to create a series of them, it multiplies the challenges of making them fast, but also accurate.

This script will create a simple datestamp to add a month and date, or month and day for you. But, since you can choose any text you want, there are ways to be creative with it and have something else than a date, like a greeting, a short phrase and much more.

Since you can choose any font for the inside text, you can really create something with various themes, or moods, depending on your actual project.

Grab this fun script in the store: Datestamp #3

For your chance to win this script, tell me what ELSE than a date can you imagine using this script for? Show us your creativity and share more ideas than what i have! 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 a sample of this script, i created a series of 12 stamps, for each month of 2015. They are in png format.

You can use them to date your projects or your photos, or as a way to date your year in review project.

Each element is about 500 pixels wide, and although they are white, you can easily colorize them by first lowering the brightness to turn the white into a grey.

What project can you add those to? Maybe a layout that is already done and is still requiring a fun way to date it?

Remember to show us what you do with those. Either link in the comments below, or pin it on our group board.

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New script – Chevron

January 19, 2021July 31, 2015 by Cassel

It might be fairly easy to create chevron pattern manually, but it still takes time, and in order to get something that is different each time can be a challenge.

This script will take care of that challenge by randomly picking the colors from your palette, and randomize also the thickness and the order of the lines, and also randomize the angle. In the end, you get a variety of seamless tiles you can pick from.

You can generate up to 25 different tiles in one run. And it will take just a few seconds too! Keep the tiles you like, and discard the others (nobody will know).

This is perfect to create background paper or accent elements like ribbons, borders, tags, etc.

Grab this time saving script in the store: Chevron script.

Do you want a chance to win this script? Tell me, in the comments below, how you have used chevron patterns in the past (you can link to a layout if you have one too!). 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).

As a sampler, this week, i thought of creating a series of tiles from a single color palette, however, I have no idea what colors you would need. So i chose to run the script using black and white and 4 other shades of grey.

The resulting tiles are obviously all greyscale and you can colorize them as you wish.

You can use those tiles as a flood fill pattern to create edges, background papers and more.

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

New script – Knot #11

January 19, 2021July 25, 2015 by Cassel

We never have too many knots and bows, do we?

This script is all about creating that knot that you can use to tie an element like a ring, a tag, or anything that has a hole on the edge.

Interestingly, unlike other knots (or bows), this script allows you to get the correct shading whether you plan on using the ribbons toward the left, or the right or the top or the bottom. You know that one element with the correct shading should NOT be rotated, flipped or mirrored as that shading will become incoherent with the light source. Well, this is like having 4 scripts in one!

Each layer is left unmerged (so you can tweak them), and furthermore, they are grouped so you can copy the whole set of layers to paste them on your project without having to re-align them one by one.

You can use just about any type of straight ribbon: opaque, patterned, directional, translucent, lace, etc.

You can grab this script in the store: Knot #11.

For a chance to win this script, tell me how you can think of using this simple knot. Can you think of something even more original than others? Something a little "out of the box"? Share your suggestions in the comments below, and i will pick a winner 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).

As a sampler of what this script will generate, i created 4 knots using the same starting ribbon. So you get one for each of the 4 directions.

Each file is in PSD format and the layers are unmerged. If you want to copy the whole thing onto your project and not have to merge the layers first, here is the process (with PSP):

highlight the bottom layer
right-click and select New Layer Group; click OK to the window that will pop up
activate the layer just above the group; drag it into the group, just above the previous layer (which is now in the group)
repeat for each layer
activate the Group 1 layer (above all the individual layers); copy that one (Ctrl-C) and you can paste as a new layer onto your project (Ctrl-L)

That was easy, wasn't it?

What will you do with those tied ribbons? Remember to show use your end result!

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New tubes – Natural Ropes

January 19, 2021July 10, 2015 by Cassel

Natural rope tube for Paintshop Pro Are you always looking for a rope or string in the size and shape you want but can't find anything ready-made that matches your project? That is when you can REALLY take advantage of these rope tubes for Paintshop Pro.

These are picture tubes, and you can "draw" with them as you would with a brush tool. Make them long, make them short. Make them straight, make them curved, make them twisted. Create "rope doodles" if you want, draw freehand or shape them neatly with a free script (link in the description).

You get 12 different natural rope tubes that you can use to make frames, tie tags, write words, etc.

Grab this set of rope tubes in the store now: Natural Ropes.

Would you like a chance to win this set? Tell me how you would use these picture tubes in a project of yours. Post in the comment below and i'll announce the 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).

To show you how versatile these rope tubes can be, i created a doodle frame. First, i drew it with the Pen tool so i could get a vector path. That required some work and tweaking to get the smooth curves. Then, i just ran the VectorTube script to place the rope along the vector path. That was the easy part.

The biggest challenge was to add the shadow ON the rope where the pieces overlap. Since everything was on a single layer, i had to use a few steps:

added a shadow on a separate layer
selected the area where the shadow should be on top of a rope.
promoted that selection and moved it above the rope
deleted that duplicated section from the initial shadow layer
with the eraser tool, i removed the shadow that appeared on top of the top rope but should NOT be there
then, i had to feather the remaining shadow so it would look natural

It was not hard, but it was a bit time consuming. But what do you think of the result? This free download includes a shadowed version and an unshadowed one (in case you need to add your own).

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

Will you show me your end result with a photo in the frame? You can also post it on the pinboard HERE. Everyone would LOVE to see your project.