RAK | Creation Cassel

New script – Strip Cluster Maker

January 18, 2021June 18, 2016 by Cassel

Strip cluster maker script for Paintshop Pro Making clusters can be a great way to expand a kit you want to sell, or a way to use a kit you just purchased.

Making clusters can be a tedious task however. This script will help you as it will serve as a starting point, in gathering a certain number of long elements (like ribbons, tapes, stitching) and other elements (like flowers, buttons, tags, knots, etc.).

You can generate as many strip clusters as you want, from the elements in a single folder. You can create horizontal strips or vertical ones. Did you know that it is not a good idea to rotate a strip cluster that is already made? The shadows will be showing in the wrong angle, and any light source indication will also be inaccurate, giving an odd looking result in the end. So this script will NOT rotate any element (except the long elements) but will place them in a vertical arrangement, if that is what you want.

You can also choose to have few elements on the cluster or a fuller arrangement.

Since the script cannot "see" the result, it will not know if it looks good or not. That is YOUR task. But the script will have given you a starting point, from which you can rearrange the elements, add new ones, remove some.

A time saving tool for you: Strip Cluster Maker.

Do you like strip clusters? Did you get the Cluster Template maker #3? Tell me how you use (or would use) strip clusters in your projects. Add your answer in the comments below. I will pick a winner and 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, with Heather T's permission, i am giving you the exact strip cluster that I made using this script.

It is 3600x700 pixels in size, in PNG format. It also includes all the shadows for realism (including the lifted thread on the left).

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

New script – Wax Alpha

January 18, 2021June 3, 2016 by Cassel

If you want to add a touch of elegance or a formal look to a project, you might be looking for a wax seal. However, what you will find is often a set of ready-made seals that will not have the color you are looking for, or the font you wish it had. Or, you might find seal templates that will give an identical shape to all the seals you would create from them.

This script will do just what you need: you can pick the color that perfectly matches the color palette you are using; you can choose any letter, digit, punctuation marks you want (or generate a blank seal to add other designs); you can even choose any font you want, whether it is a simple Arial font, or something more elegant or formal.

Get this script in the store: Wax Alpha

Would you want to get this script for free? Tell me, in the comments below, if you ever used a digital wax seal in any project? If so, how did you create them? I'll pick a winner to be announced 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).

Do you want to add some wax titles to your projects? You can use this complete alphabet made of blue wax.

This alphabet includes all 26 letters, 10 digits (for dates or age), a hyphen and a blank seal.

Each seal is about 450 pixels wide and you can resize them as needed.

Add a ribbon underneath, or place the seal on the edge of a paper element to act as a fastener for another use of them.

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

Did you register for our live presentation scheduled for this coming Sunday, June 5th?
Come and see various ways you can use ribbons in a project, whether you created the ribbons, or downloaded them from the net.

New script – Quilling

January 18, 2021May 20, 2016 by Cassel

Many years ago (at least 35), my mom got me a kit to do some quilling. I had no idea what it was and didn't even have the proper tools to do it, but I improvised and created a few fund designs by rolling those long strips of papers, and shaping them in specific ways. I loved that, and often wished I could find time (and tools) to do it again.

But, in digital scrapbooking, those tiny elements are not as easy to create, until now.

This script will turn any line drawing into strips of papers shaped like that drawing. As long as you can create even lines, using the Pen tool or the Brush tool, you can turn those lines into intricate designs.

In order to help you, the zip file also includes 15 preset shapes that you can use in the color of your choice. Resize them or distort them at will. Since they are vector, they will keep nice edges. Create your design in larger size, so it will be easier to draw, and then once it is converted into quilling, you can size it down. Super easy.

Get this script in the store: Quilling script.

Did you ever do any quilling? Tell me about your experience or what you know about this art in the comments below. I'll pick a winner next week to get this script for free (or another one, if you choose to buy it immediately). 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 can be done with this script, I made a little daisy. I used one of the preset shapes, in white. I duplicated and rotated that one petal 5 times and arrange those petals around another preset shape drawn in yellow for the center. Then, using the Pen tool, I drew a couple of free form lines. Finally, I used a third preset shape, in green, for the leaves and I placed them along those lines.

Before running the script, I merged all the layers together, and voilà! A quilled daisy, ready to be used on your projects. It is quite large so you can size it down to suit your needs.

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

Can you create more flowers to go with this one?

News from the Campus

Did you have a look at the forum lately? After the live class on the Out of Bound techniques, viewers have posted FANTASTIC projects using that technique. And they are so creative!

Here are just a few examples:

Do you want to see more? Check out the forum HERE.

And if you want to know how they created those masterpieces, check out the edited video. It is free to watch for a couple more weeks; you just have to be logged in. And yes, you will be able to create such projects.

New script – Mosaic Photo

January 18, 2021May 13, 2016 by Cassel

You might have seen tutorials on how to turn a regular large photo into a mosaic using smaller photos. It might not be too hard, but you can create that exact effect in less than a minute with this script for Paintshop Pro.

Start with a large image, and run the script. Follow the prompts and you will see your image turned into a mosaic using 1, 2, 3 or 4 different images of your choice.

Make sure you read the README file as you will have to edit the script to match the configuration of your own Paintshop Pro and your own computer (I can't guess that part for you).

Get this script in the store: Mosaic Photo.

For a chance to win this script, tell me if you ever tried to achieve that effect, and if you did, how you did it. Post your answer in the comments below. I'll pick a winner and 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).

Since it is impossible for me to give you a sample using a photo that would be of any interest for you, I decided to see what other sampler you seemed to have liked, and I found out that the Cluster Templates were a big hit, so I created three more for your own use.

They are in PSD format, so they can be used by non-PSP users.

Each one is about 3500 pixels in width, so they could be used on a full size scrapbook project, or you can size them down to fit your project.

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

New script – Leaf Pattern 1

January 19, 2021April 30, 2016 by Cassel

Creating a geometric pattern can be easy if you have only one shape, but it can become tedious if you have multiple similar shapes, using different colors. Until now, you either had to do them by hand, or rely on layered templates, which only offer a limited number of color arrangement.

And now, what if you wanted to use totally random colors throughout the whole paper, with hundreds of those similar shapes. How would you do it?

This is exactly what this script will do. Using your own color palette (from 3 to 6 colors), you can generate simple 4-leaf patterns, or multiple ones, and the script will pick the colors at random while creating up to 20 tiles per run. Keep the ones you like, and discard the others. Each tile will have the shapes but no background so you can customize that last element to match your project.

Get this script: Leaf Pattern 1 (and yes, there are plans for a #2 also!)

Do you want to win this script? In the comments below, tell me how you would call this pattern. I called it a leaf pattern, but i am wondering if there is another name for it. I'll pick a winner next week and 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).

Although Easter is over for most people, the colors associated with Easter are still very appropriate for spring, so whether you want to showcase your Easter photos, or spring photos, these colors should be quite suitable.

I generated 8 small tiles using a 5 color palette. In the preview, you can see the result when each tile was used to fill a larger page, with a solid background.

Each tile is in png format, so they can be used in most graphic programs.

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

Did you register to our live class, tomorrow? There is still time to do so.

If you have never heard of Out of bound effect, you will be in for a treat, and if you have heard about it, you will see how we can bring it to another level!

Did you hear about the BIG 2016 Show Off event that is going on in the Campus. It comprises of several parts:

a way for PSP users to show off what they do with products from the store, freebies from the blog, or tutorials from the Campus
over $900 in prizes to be won at random, among all the participants
FREE video tutorials between April 22nd and May 7th (a new video every day)
special deals announced in the Campus emails

For more information, check it out HERE.

New script – Photo Blinds

January 19, 2021January 23, 2016 by Cassel

Have you ever seen those wonderful images that are transposed into various slats to create vertical or horizontal blinds?

This script can recreate that effect with Paintshop Pro. Use any image to start and run the script. You will have various options to choose to create your own custom blinds.

You can even have the blinds partially open (one third, one half or two thirds), so you can still see the initial photo, yet have the option to show a window and a scenery behind it.

This is just a plain fun way to display your image.

You can use the top valence if you want, but you can remove it completely and just use the individual slats that the script created.

Get this fun script: Photo Blinds

Would you like to win this script? Tell me, in the comments below, how you would use these blinds. As usual, i expect some very creative uses! I'll pick and 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).

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!

It is a png format element and it is full size so you could use it to cover half of a full size layout. Add a frame and a window scene behind for an interesting effect.

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

What will you hide behind that warm sunset blind?

News from the Campus

Our next live presentation will take place on February 7th (yes that is 2 weeks from now; for a change, we are quite ahead!).

Come and join us for a fun live class on ways we can be inspired by newspapers and magazines formats do display our photos and stories.

It is free so why not join in?

(and share with your PSP friends too)

New script – Wooden Window

January 19, 2021January 16, 2016 by Cassel

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.

With this script, the possibilities are endless. Even if you have a smaller image to start with, the script will join several pieces in a dovetail manner, just like a carpenter would do.

You can create a single window, or place two tall windows, side by side for a totally different look.

Add those windows to a digital scrapbook project as a way to showcase an outdoor scene, or use each individual glass pane to place individual photos.

You can create an elegant window or a rustic one, depending on the wood texture image you start with.

Get this fun script in the store: Wooden Window

For a chance to win this script, tell me, in the comments below, how you would use those windows in a project. I always love the creativity you show, so i will be anxious to read your suggestions. I'll be back with a winner, 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).

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.

The whole window with the cluster is a bit over 2000 pixels.

You can use this window and place a large image behind it, or just leave it as is. I think it is cute on its own too! And i am sure you can do something similar with different types of windows. A great way to customize the window 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.

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.