alpha | Creation Cassel

New script – Stitched Edges 2

January 19, 2021February 28, 2014 by Cassel

If you love the look of stitching around the edge of elements, letters and shapes, you will LOVE this script. It is using a simple tube to create the stitching, and another tube for the holes.

Using any vector shape, you will just run a free script (that you’ll have to download separately) and follow the steps. The script integrates various options, like the width of the edge, the puffiness, the texture of the element and even the color of the stitching as it will colorize it for you. However, in the end, you will have unmerged layers, so you can tweak the color further, or add other details to the element, like shading, stains, or other printing.

Use preset shapes or draw your own. It is also great to create alpha in a (almost) single operation.

The zip file includes the thread and hole tubes that you can also use separately, in other projects.

You can grab this Stitched Edges 2 script in my store.

If you want a chance to win this script, check out this thread in the Happy Place and tell me what element you can think would really use some stitching around. I’ll be back next week with the name of a winner.

cass-StitchedEdge2-sample-WhiteDigits For this week, i decided to play with the idea of creating a whole alpha in one run with this script. I started with the digits (as there were fewer elements in the end). On a large image, i typed in the digits in white. I had to adjust the kerning to make sure the letters would not touch each other when the edge was added. Then, i ran the script. Everything went smoothly from there. I added the texture that came with the Clothes Label script to give a more “fabric” texture to those puffy digits.

Once the whole set of 10 digits was done, sewn and puffed, i just used the Alpha Sheet Separator script to cut out, and save all the individual files. That took less than one minute!

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

With the speed and ease of doing this set of digits, i could not help myself than repeat the process with the full alpha! And you can get it in the newsletter. If you have not yet subscribed, fill out the form on the left.

News from the Campus

This month, the live presentation will be about directional tubes. Do you know about those? Do you know what they are? Did you ever use them? Although you might know that Picture tubes are unique to Paintshop Pro, you will love to learn that the directional tubes are so much more powerful!

Join us this Sunday, March 2nd, at 5pm Eastern Time.

New script – Kidnap Alpha

January 20, 2021November 23, 2012 by Cassel

If you think that creating something very regular and even is long and tedious, try to create something that is totally random! It is not any faster, i can tell you. This script will allow our Paintshop Pro users to create totally random pieces of papers with various characters on them to write messages, titles, etc.

This script relies heavily on the random function to shuffle all the choices you decide: you can choose up to 6 colors, gradients or patterns for the papers; you can choose up to 6 colors for the text; you can choose any number of fonts; then you type in the text you want (or the whole alphabet). From there, the script will shuffle the data AND will also (if you want) randomly change the case for each letter. And even the shape of each piece will be randomized. Notice how the “2” appears 4 times in the preview, yet it has 4 different shapes/sizes/paper shades. You can even run the script multiple times with the same choices and get a wide range of results.

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

Do you want a chance to win this script? I am sure you do! You can simply add your name to this thread in the Happy Place, and tell me what kind of project could use that kind of alpha. I will be back on Monday night with the name of a winner.

cass-KidnapAlpha-sample-white Do you want to play with some of those letters? I created a random alpha for you using this script. I used 3 different fonts and the text is in grey so you can colorize the pieces to match your project. The set includes 26 letters, 10 digits and a few punctuation marks. There is no uppercase/lowercase since they are randomized anyways.

Will you show me what you do with this alpha? I might just share it in the newsletters.

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

New script – Alpha Pieces

February 26, 2017October 25, 2012 by Cassel

I have seen someone use little pieces of paper, side by side, all the same height, but different width depending on the letter. I thought it was a cool idea, and wondered how to replicate that fun effect without the tedious task of measuring all the characters. I guess scripts are handy with that as they work much faster than my brain could in doing those maths!

This script allows you to create words on a single image with each piece being on a separate layer.

You choose the text, the font, the colors, and you can also ask the script to create the individual pieces with some extra space on top or on the bottom or both. This gives you even more options as you can now add holes, fasteners, insert the pieces under other elements, etc.

Since the pieces are left on individual layers, you can still apply various effects to them, add textures, edges, grunge them, or run other scripts on them.

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

There is also a draw that will take place in the DST forum, where you can enter by telling me what you can use this script for? What could you do with those words, or individual tiles? Add your suggestions HERE, and i’ll be back on Monday night with the name of a winner.

cass-AlphaPieces1-sample This week, i ran the script to create all the pieces for a Happy Birthday banner or streamer. I used the Rope tube and the Vector Tube script to create that smooth looking string. I also ran the Twister script to give that random rotation to the individual pieces.

The banner is 2300 pixels long and offered in two different formats: one is a PNG format and has the darkened edges, the lifted shadows and the weaving string, while the other one has all the pieces in individual layers and offered in PSD format. You can apply the effects you want, move the letters around, use the string or not. You can just fasten the pieces with buttons, or staples, or many other types of fasteners. You can even recolor them 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.

You know that DSD (Digital Scrapbook Day) is coming our way, right? This will be on Nov 3rd. Something will happen in the store that does not happen often. A SALE. Yes. I am not telling you what kind of sale, but you surely will want to update your wishlist. Remember that if you log into your account, you have access to your own wishlist so whenever a big event happens (like DSD), you will be able to get to what you really want, faster, so you can play with your goodies, sooner!

You have one week to get ready!

New script – Alpha-Beads 2

January 20, 2021October 5, 2012 by Cassel

Unlike the previous Alpha-Beads script, this one will generate a different type of beads, but the basis is the same: you choose the font, the text, the color of the bead, the color of the text, the transparency. You can also choose whether you want the colors (of the beads or the text or both) to be all the same, or using multiple colors and if using more than one color, if you want them in sequence or randomly picked.

You can type in any word or phrase, and the script will create a bead for each character, whether it is a letter, a digit, a symbol or a space. You can also create blank beads, or a bead where you will add your own design that is not in a font format.

These beads give the impression of being slightly indented. Attach them with a string, a pin, a toothpick, a chain, or glue them on their own to create dates, names, phrases, titles, etc.

You can get this script in my store: Creation Cassel

In the Happy Place, there is a draw for this script. You can win this script on Monday if you add your name to the thread. But that is not all. EVERYONE who posts in the thread will win something. Place your order of what kind of beads you would want, and on Monday night, i will draw for one order and EVERYONE will get that order. So even if you are not a PSP user, you can enter and you WILL win something. Go for it!

cass-AlphaBeads2-BlackWhite-digits

This week, i created a simple and versatile set of alpha beads with digits, a blank and a few symbols that can let you create dates.

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

A full set of beads for the whole alphabet will be available to our newsletter subscribers, so you can complete this set.

Our newsletter is released on Sunday morning, so you still have time.

Subscribe to the newsletter HERE.

New script–Alpha-beads

February 26, 2017August 31, 2012 by Cassel

Did you ever play with those little plastic beads with letters, making bracelets with your name or your friend’s name?

Now, you can create your own set of beads, in any color, using any font, and adding any character, digit, symbol, etc. And not only you can create individual beads, but you can get a whole word, phrase, or even the alphabet. This is a script that Paintshop Pro users will love; it is so versatile and easy to use.

With this script, you can always have the perfectly matched beads: use the colors from your photo, your kit, or your palette. If you want to be a little wild, you can choose more than one color for the letters (you can pick them from your palette) and the script will randomly use them. This is cool if you want to write a word or a phrase and want some variety in the colors used: you don’t even need to create 3 alphabets to use 3 colors. You don’t even need to run the script 3 times either! All done in one run.

Another great advantage of this script is that you can use any font, and also any character. If you want math symbols you can create them (honestly, how many alphas include those?), you can add accented characters in your language (providing that the font supports those characters), and you can even create some beads with designs that are not in fonts: just draw them by hand or use a preset shape.

What can you do with those beads? Just about anything you want. Use them for dates, for names, for fun phrases, even for titles. Attach them to a string, a ring, a ribbon, a staple, a pin and more. Place them side by side, or vertically. After all, there is no hole in those so you can pretend they are in any direction.

If you want to create your own thin string, check out the Rope Tubes here and here. Use them at a small scale and you can have a string as long or as short as you want, in any shape you want.

Now is the time to go grab this superb script and start adding unique alpha elements on your projects. You can get it in my store: Creation Cassel.

This week, not only i will have a random draw for someone to win this script, like i do every week, but you are asked to “place your order” for a complete alpha. Check out this thread, tell me what shape, and colors you would want for a bead alpha and after drawing for one person to win the script, i will draw a second time and this person’s order will be filled AND EVERYONE who posted will get it. This means that you don’t even have to have a copy of PSP: just post and you are sure to get a free alpha, and if you are lucky, it will be made from YOUR specifications.

cass-AlphaBeads-sample

Do you want to play with some of the beads created with this script? Here. I made a set of digits with various symbols so you can create dates in various format. Attach them any way you want, vertically, horizontally, on a string, a pin, or maybe just “glued” on something. Simply click on the preview to start the direct download.

If you use these beads in a layout, i would love to see it. With your permission, i can even post it in here or in the newsletter. Show us your creativity! Don’t be shy!

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

Our next workshop will be held this coming Sunday, and we will look at the basic, most common tools and techniques to do extraction. Someone asked me what an “extraction” is. Extraction is removing a particular element from its background using different methods. Once the element is “extracted”, it can be used on a different background, or used in totally different ways.

We will look at the basic techniques this time. Another workshop will address more advanced techniques, later on.

There is still time to register. If you are new to those online workshops, you will not just hear me, but you will see me work directly on my Paintshop Pro at the same time. If i make a mistake (and it does happen), you will see it live (and you can laugh).

Today, August 31st is the last day to get the most popular Master Class of the Campus, “Realistic Shadows in Scrapbooking with Paintshop Pro”. You can get it for $8 instead of $19.99.

You need to use this code:

GRAB-0824-492

You can checkout directly from this page, but if you want to read more about shadows, you can check THIS PAGE. But the code will self destruct on Sept 1st so you better hurry!

Our new special offer will go live tomorrow (September 1st) in the Campus.

Yes. TOTALLY FREE. EVERYTHING is included (except the graphic program and your photos!). Supplies are included. Video instructions are included. Written handouts are included. Even a discount coupon to get it printed. And here is what Teejay has to say about this class:

I put 2 hours aside to view and play with this class… Now it is 4 hours later... lol. Your videos are really really good, easy to follow, even the hard stuff like separating the dates was made VERY easy to understand… the selection and cutting was made easy too. I think its because you ‘speak ‘ what you are doing when you do it, and you have given lots of stuff do make these calendars so special. That’s why it’s taken more hours of playing,… no cooking, cleaning or shopping!

So, check back in the Campus tomorrow (or later today, depending on your part of the world).

New script – Text Creator

August 4, 2018June 10, 2011 by Cassel

First of all, i am glad to be back online full force. Some of you might know that i had computer issues that started a couple of weeks ago. Although i thought it might be malware related, my computer was tested and found to be free of “unwanted visitors”. More testing indicated that i had a failing hard drive. Before it failed completely, i was able to get it replaced, so now, i am ready to go on. Although i didn’t loose any data, everything was already backed up so i didn’t feel like panicking!

Someone emailed me a couple of months ago with a suggestion for a script. She asked “I would love to see a script that will place all the letters from an alpha into a title. Do you think it would be a good idea?” I had to answer “Yes, it is such a good idea that someone already made something just like that… for Photoshop.” and i refered her to Anna Forrest’s script for Photoshop, but of course, my customer wanted something for Paintshop! Since programs cannot READ alphas per say, i had to use a different approach, which took a bit longer than i thought, but now, it is here.

This script will create your title or text using any alpha you want to use. The only prerequisite is that the alpha has to be on a layered image with each layer identified for what they contain. You will simply have to enter the text you want, and the script will retrieve each letter, in order, copy it, paste it onto your work, and move it so all the letter are more or less spaced evenly. The script will take into considerations if you have a space between words. If you enter a character in the text that is not in the file (for example, a “.” or a bracket), the script will skip over it, replace it by a space, and let you know, at the end that you have one character missing (if you have more than one, it will tell you exactly how many). Also, the script will differentiate between lowercase and uppercase letters.

You think this is cool so far? But there is more! If you have a large alpha and you want to create a long title, it is possible that your text would end up being too long for the width of the work canvas you. Did this ever happen to you? This script will help you avoid this frustration because it will give you two options: you can use a shorter text (and run the script twice), or resize the alpha, and here is the smart part of it: the script will tell you what percent to resize your alpha. So, if you want to resize it, you will KNOW that you will then be able to use the same text and it WILL fit on your page!

You want to see this script in action? check this out:

You can get this script in my stores: Creation Cassel and DigiScrapWarehouse.

And how about a chance to win this script? Easy. Just add your name to the RAK thread in the Happy Place here, and tell me why you like (or dislike) using alphas. I will draw a winner on Monday night.

If you do not have layered alphas, you can make your own version using any single sheet alpha in png format, using the Element Stacker script. This will help with the process. If you are a scrapper, use the single sheet alphas that you already have. If you are a designer, you might want to offer layered alphas as one option for your customers.

How about a freebie this week? Where is it? Well, it is going to be a special freebie since i will distribute it in the newsletter, this Sunday (June 12th). It will be a FREE script, called Quick Tab. Can you guess what it will be? It is not in the store yet, and will only be there AFTER the newsletter is issued. And you will have a limited time to grab it from the newsletter too. So, if you have already subscribed to the newsletter, just keep an eye on it Sunday. If you have not yet subscribed to it, you still have time. The newsletter usually goes out in the morning, at 8 am Eastern time. You need to register? you can do it HERE. Do you have friends who use Paintshop Pro too? Send them to register too!

New Product – Rope tube

August 4, 2018June 11, 2010 by Cassel

This week, my new release is NOT a script, as you might expect, but it is still a PSP specific product: a set of 10 tubes. If you are not too familiar with tubes, you might have seen some in your PSP, and they look like individual pictures that you can place here and there on a layout or other montage. These tubes are more than that. Although they are made of individual images, they are made to follow wherever you draw, and create a rope along the way. You can hand draw any line, or apply this string along a path or even around a vector shape for a regular look.

You get 10 individual files, in 10 different colors. If you want to de-saturate them, you can. You can draw loops, bows, strings, doodles, etc.

You can get this set of 10 tubes in either one of my stores: Creation Cassel and Do It Digi.

And if you want a chance to win this set, go add your name to this thread at DST forum. cass-Ropes1-sample

If you are still unsure about how good these will really look, or if you are not a PSP user and would still like to use something like that, i made a simple hand drawn alphabet. You get 26 individual PNG files for the 26 basic capital letters.

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

So, what do you think of this? Did you notice that it is called Braided ropes #1. Well, in the near future, other sets of tubes will be released, but i am not telling you when it will happen. You will have to follow this blog, or follow me on twitter to find out!