Uncategorized

If you are a designer, you might want to include an alpha in a kit you sell. Creating a single alpha on a single sheet is very easy and convenient as you can apply the exact same effects to all the characters, at once. But then, if you want to separate all those letters, digits and punctuation marks, it gets tedious.

This script will automate the process of separating, copying, saving, naming all the individual character files while you will have minimal work to do.

This script comes with 4 templates to help you work even faster, and allow the script to name the files properly too, especially for the punctuation marks.

If you prefer to use your own set of characters, you an also do so, but you will need to give the name of the files, one by one to the script, which will then be used to save them.

The main "work" you have to do, once your sheet is ready to be separated, is to draw lines to separate the rows and columns of characters. This allows you to have some rows and columns that might not be perfectly aligned.

NOTE: if you want to create your own template, make sure you  have the same number of elements per row, or the script will get confused and stop before completion.

Get this time saving script, in the store: Alpha Sheet Separator 2.

Do you want to see this script in action? Check this video:

Are you a designer and you want to get your hand on this script? Add a comment below telling us how you usually separate an alpha sheet. If you have already purchased this script and you win, you can get a future release instead. The winner will 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).

 

Since i can hardly give you a sample of the script itself, this week, i chose to give you a complete alpha that i created using the templates and separated using the Alpha Sheet Separator 2 script.

I used the Broadway font, and applied a Super Blade Pro texture.

I used the astatine effect. I don't know where i got it, or even when, but i thought it looked cool and since it used various colors, it might be usable with many different projects.

You get the full alpha: uppercase, lowercase, digits and punctuation marks.

How will you use this alpha? Remember to show us!

You can send me a link or post on our PSP Showcase pinboard 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 from the Campus

If you like making alphas, you will love the live presentation scheduled for next week.

We will look at several ways you can create alphas, and tools to make this an easier, faster and more fun process, whether you are a scrapbooker, or a designer.

Register Now

Do you remember those clocks where the digits would flip, from one to the next, usually with a familiar "click" sound? Although most alarm clocks now have gone digital, some might still be around with those flipping digits.

This script will allow you to create any set of digits, but also use any character you want, if you want to write words, or phrases. Even better, you can also have a whole word in one tile instead of using individual characters.

This Paintshop Pro script offers more options than regular alphas you might find online. You can choose any font, any color, gradient or even patterns for the tiles, and also any color (or gradient or pattern) for the characters. This really allows you to match the alpha with any kit or project you are working on. Isn't that cool?

Each tile is set to be 400 pixels in height, whether it is a single digit tile, or a whole word tile. This makes it easier to mix and match words and digits and letters.

You can get this flipping cool script in the store: Alpha-Flip script

If you want a chance to get this script for free (of get a future one if you already bought it), add a comment below with the phrase you would like to create using this script. 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).

How about adding a date to your layout? You can do so with this free sampler. It includes all the digits, and all the months (in English) in their common 3 letter abbreviation.

This whole set was created in neutral colors, using a brown gradient for the background, black letters and using the Berlin Sand FB Demi font. Of course, if you want a different color, you can always colorize it (i won't mind).

So what will you do with this sample?

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

 

Do you like this script? Would you like to get it in the future? Pin it on Pinterest on a "Wish list" pin board. Who know? Maybe i'll see your pin and pay you a visit with a gift?

testing something.

Curled ribbons add some dynamism to a project, but finding the right ribbon, with the right curl is not easy.

There is always the option to use a filter that can curl a ribbon for you, but the end result will be on a single layer, making it really hard to interlace an element inside the spiral, or to have the ribbon curl around an element.

This script will take ANY flat ribbon, and curl it in separate pieces. There will be no overlap of design if you have a pattern or a directional ribbon. There will be no gap, no guessing. Every pixel of the ribbon length will be used in perfect alignment.

Each piece will be placed on a separate layer, so you CAN easily place an element between the layers without any need for erasing, or extracting.

You can also choose the width and the tightness of the curl, giving you a lot of options.

You can get this script in the store: Curled Ribbon.

Do you want a chance to win this script? Add a comment below, telling me how you can use curled ribbons in a project. The winner will be announced in the newsletter, next week.

As a sampler for this week, i had fun creating 2 basic ribbons: one with digits and one with the alphabet. I made a translucent white ribbon, with edges and the text was added in rainbow colors. Once merged, i ran the script.

The sampler includes both the flat version and the curled version.

The curled ribbon is in psd format (so it is NOT grouped since this would get flattened when saving).

The flat ribbons are 4000 pixels wide and you can use them in many ways. You can even use them to run other ribbon scripts, like bows or knots.

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

 

 

This week, there will also be an additional set of curled ribbons, exclusively in the newsletter (which should be available on Sunday morning). You still have time to REGISTER to get these fun date ribbons (it also includes the flat ribbons and the curled ones).

You still have time!

I ran the script a few times until i got a simple edge that was then turned into a mask. Here is that mask, in black and white (and grey).

You can use this mask in Paintshop Pro but also in other programs, like Photoshop and Photoshop Element.

What will you do with it? Show us a layout or a project you make using this mask.

I know this will be downloaded by a lot of viewers. Are you just going to let it gather digital dust?

Comment below if you want, with a link to your blog or your gallery so we can see it, or you can post it on our Pinterest board!

 

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

Last week, in the newsletter, i provided a layered covered frame, in greyscale and challenged everyone to do something original with it. It was really interesting to see what people came up with.

Did you participate in that challenge?

This is not a challenge to win something, or accumulate points, but a challenge to simply encourage you to be creative and share your result to inspire others. It is so easy to use elements in a “traditional” way, while in fact, there is much more that one can do with Paintshop Pro.

Let’s have a look at those projects.

 

Garry has been a regular attendees to the live presentations.

He likely used the colors from the photo (a nice looking cat by the way) to colorize the frame. Simple, yet effective!

Judy provided 3 very different uses of the same starting image.

As she said, you don’t need to use all the individual ribbons separately, so she merged the ribbon layers, colorized them, and used the PSP curlicues effect.

Very different from Garry’s frame, isn’t it? but that’s not all.

 

Here is another frame made by Judy. She said:

“The green one is also layers merged, then colored with a pattern, then the PSP weave effect applied. The birds and bows were added just to show how you could frame a picture with this.”

 

Finally, this one is very colorful and likely took longer as each individual ribbon layer had to be colorized separately instead of merging all the layers.

I think this is a great use of the traditional blue, white and red colors for our American friends (i think the French ones would like it, if the 4th was switched to the 14th). Of course, the decorative elements inside add to the theme.

 

 

How about you? What could you make with that layered wrapped frame? Not a subscriber to the weekly newsletter? Not a problem. You can SUBSCRIBE now.

You can now add sparkles to any vector drawing, whether it is a text, a shape or a hand drawn vector design. You can choose various options for colors, like have every sparkle the same exact color, or slightly different variations of a single color, have it with two colors and blends of colors in-between or have it multicolored with a base color to start with.

The script will add the sparkles and a touch of glow to it. Obviously, the effect will be more visible on a dark background.

This script is based on a free script you have to download (that is not mine) and 4 presets that you can also use independently from the script itself.

Since you are using presets, you can also tweak the settings to suit your needs or play with variations.

In addition, since you can use the presets independently from the script, it means you can create your own doodles, and sprays of sparkles. To give those hand drawn sparkles the same effect as what you get with the script (since there is more to do than just applying the presets), there is an additional script in the zip file that is especially coded to give the same effect. This will allow you to create matching elements, whether they are vector based or hand drawn.

Grab this Sparkles script set in my store.

If you want to win this script, head over to the DST forum, in the Happy Place and answer the question there. I’ll be back next week to announce a winner.

For a closer look at those sparkles, i created a complete alpha. Here are the digits (and it includes a hyphen and a slash if you want to use them for dates).

I used the preset TWO (wich is using one single color as a base and applying some slight hue variations from it). I chose a “gold” color as the base and you can see the result. Every sparkle has a faint glow to it so it will look fantastic on a dark background.

I picked an elegant font. Each digit is about 350 pixels in height so they are big enough for most projects.

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

Do you want the rest of the alpha? I also have the full alpha, complete with lowercase, uppercase, symbols and punctuations. It also includes the accents for accented characters so you can combine them yourself to create any specific characters for your own language. It will be included in the Newsletter that will be released tomorrow. You want it?

Sign up HERE. (link expired)

 

 

 

 

Now is the time to join the Scrapper’s Dozen event. It will be starting Monday, October 28th with the first tutorial/challenge. Are you up to it?

 

The event will include 12 unique PSP tutorials to create specific paper patterns, paper effects, and elements that will be useable in many projects, whether you are doing digital scrapbooking, greeting cards, signature tags, blog design and more. Do you want a peek? This is the first tutorial that will be released: the Linoleum Pattern. You cannot imagine how simple this technique is. I can bet you will be using this in MANY projects to come.

Those 12 tutorials will be spread over 4 weeks, so you will have ample time to follow them and catch up if something happens along the way.

You also get 6 kits from contributing designers that you can use with your challenges (but it is not a requirement, as you can use just about anything you have in your stash).

     

To find out a little bit more about those 6 designers, check out the Campus blog.

And what is special with a “baker’s dozen”? It is more than 12, so everyone who will be completing the 12 challenges will get a 13th something. What is it? You have to join to find out, but it will be worth your registration fee for sure!

Do you want some additional FREE tips, tricks and cheat sheets? Check out the 3 pre-event videos.

         

What are you waiting for? Some participants are already in, anxious to start. Lynn, Giovina, Linda, Shirley, Else, and more. Come and join us.

Register NOW

And bring a friend along too!

If you are using an older version of Paintshop Pro, you surely have noticed that you can align vector objects, but what do you do if your objects are NOT vectors? You have to rely on the guidelines, and snap the objects to the guidelines.

In newer versions of PSP (X4 and up), since you can select several layers, the ability to align raster objects is added, but if you are using an older version, it was not possible, until now.

This script will allow you to align raster objects in 7 different ways: top (aligning with the top of the highest top), bottom (aligning with the bottom of the lowest bottom), right (aligning with the right edge of the furthest object to the right), left (aligning with the left edge of the furthest object to the left), middle (aligning all the objects based on the center of the canvas), center vertically (align with the vertical center of the canvas), center horizontally (align with the horizontal center of the canvas).

Only one script includes all the seven alignment options. Bind the script and add it to your menus for a two click process: one click to run it, one click to choose the alignment. No other message window is added to create the fastest process.

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

There is a random draw available in the DST forum where you can win this script. Just add your name to the thread and tell me what version of PSP you are using. I will announce the winner on Monday night. Check this thread HERE.

This week, your free sample was made using the Banner FONT. You get a SPRING set in PNG format, and a blank set in PSD format.

You can add any letter or design to the blank banners to suit your own layout or project.

Remember that those banners are made from a FONT. That means that it can be used in most programs, and if your program allows you to add text to path, you can hang the various flags along the “vector string” for a perfect positioning.

In addition, the font includes no less than 50 different shapes that you can combine, and use in any size without losing quality, and you can have an outline and a fill material that will suit your theme or project. This is much more versatile than simple PNG banners!

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

 

 

April is coming

Yeah, what’s new about it? Something big, i tell you! You have to stay tuned to learn more about it but i can give you some hints:

Hint #1: get your wishlist ready

Hint #2: check the Master Classes in the Campus (watch the video for the free one or any other you might have purchased)

Hint #3: get ready for a BIG event!

Suzy was asking me if there was a way to create multiple tags with her choice of text and still have them personalized. She is doing genealogy work and needed such “tags”. That is what led me to code this script.

The process for you is simple: you type in the words or phrases you want, in the script, set your font, and run the script, following the prompts that will ask you to choose various options:

- the tag shape: you can combine the end shape to create up to 25 different look

- the color of the outline and the center of the tags

- the color of the text

- you can have all the tags the same length, matching the longest word, or have each tag proportional to the length of the word

- you can also choose how high you want the tags to be, and the script will match everything, like the length and the font size to match that size.

And in the end, you get a fun set of matching tags. You can use them as date elements (perfect if you do P365 project, but also for everyday layouts), names, places, and more.

So what will you use this script for?

You can grab this script in my store: Creation Cassel

And if you want to have a chance to win this fun script, just add your name to this thread and i will be back on Monday night to announce the winner.

Since the time is close to back to school for most, I am sure you will have some photos of your little one (or not so little) going back to school or going for the first time. You will definitely need to create layouts for that special occasion, right? These 20 tags are yours to use in those layouts. They were all made using the script, 5 words at the time.

They are all 150 pixels high so you can resize them if you need. And they are in PNG format, so everyone can use them, even if you don’t have Paintshop Pro

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

And remember to show us  how you use them!

 

 

 

 

News from the Campus

 

Did you follow our Monogram series? We already shared 12 monograms made by members of the Campus during one of our speed scrap (that was not really a speed scrap). There are still 14 to go. Mary had fun with those and sent me this lovely layout she did using one of the monograms.

Lovely layout, don’t you think? Some people have asked me how monograms could be used, since they were more familiar with alphas where you can use all the letters to create words and titles. Of course, monograms are only meant to enhance the initial letter of a word.

If you want to get the rest of the monograms, join the Campus. Another set of letters will be sent this weekend, so you still have time to join the fun! (it is FREE too!)

Join the campus

 

Our next workshop will be on Basic Extraction techniques. This will be so much fun and might encourage you to start using your photos in different ways from now on. Again, it is free. It will be held on Sept 2nd. Will you be there?

 

 

Finally, did you notice the DigiGrab special deal this week? It features one of our most popular Master Class: SHADOWS! You can get this complete Master Class for ONLY $8. This is a wonderful opportunity for scrappers and CT members to learn how to tweak the shadows on their layouts to make them look as real as can be. It is also perfect for designers who want to turn their previews from flat and boring to eye catching for their visitors. Click to view it!

Even thought the illustration is done using Paintshop Pro, it is likely easy to replicate using other graphic softwares.

Are you waiting for a new release in my store? I am sure you are but due to some technical difficulties related to a store upgrade, it will be delayed somewhat. However, i wanted you to have a SMALL peek at what it will be. This script will create an airbrushed surface with YOUR choice of palette, from 2 to 6 colors. Because of the random feature integrated in the script, you can run it multiple times, and you will never get the same result twice. Once the airbrushing is done, you can add whatever effect you want to it, or use it as is. This is a great way to create background papers for any layout, or to match your kit. 

So, keep an eye on this blog and my facebook fan page to find out when this script will be available to you.