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How safe are you data? We often hear stories of friends or relatives who have lost a lot of photos or documents due to a computer crash. We always think that it only happens to others, while OUR data is safe. But is it? It seems like computer users fall into two groups: those who experienced computer failure, and those who will.

Systems for backup

You can do regular manual backups of your data, your documents, or your entire drive. If that is your solution, remember to be vigilant: don't postpone those backups. Don't wait until tomorrow because you are busy. Drive failures don't wait!

Automatic backup can be great if you tend to forget. Systems like Acronis can back up your data at regular intervals and you can schedule them to be in the middle of the night, when you are likely not going to be using your computer. You can save the back up to an external drive, or online. AmazonS3 can be a good location for that.

Continuous online backup like Crashplan can help you have the most updated backup possible. Instead of possibly loosing one day or one week of work and documents because of the schedule of backups, systems like Crashplan will update your backup continuously  (there are others but I can't tell about them since i never used them)

Crashplan

Although i do NOT have an affiliate link for Crashplan, i still want to tell you how it saved my sanity.

When i realized that after having my Windows reinstalled by the shop, all my data were apparently missing (about 300GB), i felt sick to my stomach. All the files for the store were on a different drive, so those were safe, but everything related to the Campus, for the last 5 years, was missing! EVERYTHING! Since the shop was already closed for the weekend, what could i do?

I remembered that i had Acronis installed, but although i had just recently upgraded to a newer version, i had not set it yet. Yes, i was procrastinating, so restoring from that backup was not an option.

Then, i remembered that i also had Crashplan installed, and it was backing up all the time. Once i opened the application on my computer (yes, i had to reinstall it first), i was able to connect with the service. I just had to go in the settings, see what folders were backed up and select which one i wanted to restore (everything was in a single BIG folder). I chose the option to restore that whole huge folder in its original location (since that folder was completely missing from my drive), and click RESTORE. I knew that 300GB of stuff would take a long time, so i went to bed.

I am very lucky that we currently have a very good internet connection (i think we got an upgrade just a few weeks ago) so the whole download and restore took several hours, but everything was back on my computer, by the time i got up in the morning. EVERYTHING.

So, if you want to prevent a heart attack from a computer failure, check out Crashplan. You can backup 1 computer for $5/month, or the whole family (up to 10 computers) for $12.50/month. Once you live through a crash or get very close to loosing everything, you will see that it is definitely worth it.

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On a happier note, how about letting me know what is your favorite script in the store. Tell me in the comment below and 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).

If you like the idea of the Photoshop acrylic styles but can't seem to be able to replicate them in Paintshop Pro, here is the answer to you. You won't have to tweak and try various settings, as the script will do all the calculations to create a great effect, no matter what the size of the element is.

In addition, you can create a series of elements (many shapes, or an alpha) in one run as the script will also make the correct measurement to give you a proportionate result.

You get 6 different acrylic effects, that you can apply to ANY shape. Create accents with arrows, stars, frames or alpha. Create elements for a frozen theme or a dark Halloween one.

Get this script in the store: Acrylic Styles B.

If you want a chance to win this script, tell me, in the comments, what elements you would like to create with these styles OR which style seems to appeal to you the most. 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 the sample, this week, I created a full alpha with a set of digits, using the Cracked style (that is the project that gave me the insight to adjust the script to add the possibility of creating multiple elements in one run).

Each character is 500 pixels high and in PNG format.

After creating the alpha in one run of the script, I used the Alpha Sheet Separator 2 script to separate all of them, again, in one run. That is such a time saver! Check out the video on how much time you can save with this script, if you are a designer.

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

Who can say they have enough buttons in their stash? Who can say they always have a perfectly matching button for their project?

The Button Machine script allowed Paintshop Pro users to create a variety of buttons with the perfect color they wanted. So this time, 4 more button designs have been added to the store in the Button Machine 2.

You can choose any color, gradient or pattern to create the buttons and the script will randomly generate them. In fact, even if you end up with 5 buttons of the same shape, they will be already rotated randomly (so the light/dark areas will always be consistent), and there will also be some random variations of brightness on each button too, making sure you never have the exact same button twice, which is nice because you can then use them as if you literally had 10 individual buttons (which you really will have!)

You can get this script in the store: Button Machine 2

Do you like the idea of getting this script for free? In the comment below, tell me what kind of button you like to use in your digital project. 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).

As a free sample, i created 16 buttons, one for each shape and each of the basic colors. In fact, i only used the "Rice paper" pattern for the white buttons, and the "Blue pattern" that i colorized in pink and yellow so that makes them all matching and usable together without looking like they came from different sources.

I left them at 500 pixels, which is the maximum size for the buttons using this script. This will allow you to resize them all, or resize only some and have even more variety.

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

These buttons should be a nice addition to a spring theme layout. Do you have one to show us?

Are you tired of always using and reusing the same fasteners in your kits or your layouts? You might have dozens of eyelets, brads and other fasteners but it might be hard to change the color or the texture and make them always unique.

This script will do that work for you. With 6 types of fasteners, and 4 choices of metal, you already have a base of 24 choices. But that is not all: you can also choose any other color or pattern you want for those fasteners (even polkadots if you want!)

In addition, the script is coded with a random function that will generate a slightly different element each time, varying the size, the rotation, the texture and the bevel.

This is now perfect to add a special touch to those otherwise boring fasteners to complete and match your kits or your layout.

Get this script in the store: Fastener Factory.

For a chance to win this script, tell me what texture would be your favorite to create fasteners. I'll pick a winner that 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).

As a sample, i thought of creating something a little original. I generated 20 eyelets using the gold pattern, and placed them randomly along a frame that was created using a twisted rope tube. Then, using the interlacing technique, i overlapped the rope on the edge of each individual eyelet.

Yes, that was a lot of work, but i think it gives an interesting effect, don't you think? It kind of looks like an eyelet necklace!

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

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.