With the release of Affinity 3.3, scripting is now available, and that opens up a whole new range of possibilities. Of course, I couldn't resist experimenting with it!

If you have used my PaintShop Pro scripts before, you already know how useful a script can be for taking a repetitive or sometimes tedious process and doing much of the work for you. Affinity scripting is still very new, but I have already been busy exploring what can be done with it.

And instead of introducing this new category with just one script, I decided to start with two!

Duplicate Image – FREE Affinity Script

The first script is a simple utility that I am offering for free. Duplicate Image does exactly what its name suggests: it creates a duplicate of your current image so you can continue working on a copy while leaving the original untouched.

It is a simple script, but it is also a great way to try scripting in Affinity for the first time. You can download it, install it, and see how scripts work without having to purchase anything.

Get this script in the store: Duplicate Image

Mitered Corner Frame

For the second script, let's do something a little more creative!

Have you ever had a ribbon, lace, paper strip, fabric trim, or other straight element that you wished you could turn into a frame? Creating the four sides isn't difficult, but getting those corners to meet neatly can take a little more work.

The Mitered Corner Frame script does that work for you.

Start with your straight element, choose the dimensions you want, and the script creates the four sides with neatly mitered corners. That means the same ribbon or trim can be used to create frames of different sizes to suit your photos, scrapbook pages, cards, and other projects.

And because you start with your own element, you are not limited to one particular frame style. A ribbon can give you one look, lace another, and a textured or patterned strip something completely different.

You can find the Mitered Corner Frame script in the store.

Want a chance to get this script for free? Head over to this Facebook post and tell us what other PSP scripts from the store you would like to see converted for Affinity. Likes and shares are appreciated, but won’t count as entries.) A winner will be announced in next week’s newsletter. If you’re not on the list yet, you can join right here. It’s free, and we only email once a week!

For a sample, I ran this script in Affinity to generate these two frames. They are in PNG format so you can use them in any program.

You need to be logged in to download this sample. Please log in or register using the links at the top of this page.

More Affinity Scripts to Come

These are the first Affinity scripts to appear in the Creation Cassel store, but they certainly won't be the last. I have already been experimenting with other ideas and have more scripts in various stages of development.

Affinity scripting is brand new, so I am learning what is possible right along with everyone else. It will be interesting to see how the scripting capabilities develop over time, and what new tools we can create with them.

For now, you have one free script to experiment with and one that can start doing some of the work for you right away.

Generate as many variations as you like, then customize the individual vector layers to make the result your own.

Get this script: Text Collage 1

Want a chance to get this script for free? Head over to this Facebook post and tell us what theme you would like to choose to create a text collage. Likes and shares are appreciated, but won’t count as entries.) A winner will be announced in next week’s newsletter. If you’re not on the list yet, you can join right here. It’s free, and we only email once a week!

For a sampler, I created a collage with words and phrases related to memories and stories. Although I used some muted colors, you can always changed them by locking the transparency and painting some words. The collage is in PNG format so you can use whatever background color or patterns behind it.

You need to be logged in to download this sample. Please log in or register using the links at the top of this page.

Although you might sometimes want to have some neat and soft wool strands, other times, you might want something shaggier, and more irregular. This is what you need.

This set of 12 picture tubes, in 12 different colors, allows you to add shaggy edges anywhere you want, in any length and shape you need.

Draw freehand or along a set edge using the VectorTube script.

Get this set of picture tubes: Wool 2

In order to win this script, add a comment on this Facebook post telling us how you would use some shaggy wool (remember, add a comment, not just a Like!) 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).

As a sampler, I created a set of white shaggy digits. You can colorize them if you want to match other colors in your project. Each digit is about 500 pixels high.

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

You get tall vines that you can use to cover a whole section, but you can also use the individual pieces to create your own vines, in the shape you want (if you want to follow a different path).

Get these tubes in the store: Vines 2

In order to win these tubes, add a comment on this Facebook post telling us how you could use a vine in a project other than for a background (remember, add a comment, not just a Like!) 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).

As a sampler, I created a large frame, covered it with chicken wire (from the Chicken Wire tubes) and added some vines, and some clothespins to hold some photos. These photos are showing as a mask group so you won't have to do any cutout of your photo to place it in the frame.

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

With this script, you can focus the main diamond wherever you want on your photo and then, with various options, it will add slats on the left or the right or both sides. And with the choice of colors for the outline, you will have a custom result. And even more, you can tweak the unmerged layers for more special effects.

Get this script in the store: Diamond Slats

In order to win this script, add a comment on this Facebook post telling us if you have used slats to showcase photos (remember, add a comment, not just a Like!) 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).

For a sampler, I created this layered template for you to showcase your photo in the middle. The template is 3600 pixels wide and in pspimage format for PaintShop Pro users.
You need to be logged in to download this sample. You can either login, or register on the top of this page.

These punches are perfect with the Eraser tool, and you can also use them as brushes, to add some details in a contrasting color.

You get 12 designs for corners, and 12 matching edges. In addition, you get individual elements in brush format so you can use them on their own.

Get these punches in the store: School Punches

In order to win this script, add a comment on this Facebook post telling whether you have any school-related photos you would like to showcase (remember, add a comment, not just a Like!) 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).

For a sample, I created a simple frame that is 3600x3600 pixels. You can use it full-size to frame a whole page or you can size it down to fit a smaller photo. I am also including a frame made of wood that is slightly smaller.

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

You can use any of those 12 colors, including a grey one that you can colorize if you really need yet a different shade.

Get them in the store: Pompom Trims

In order to win these tubes, add a comment on this Facebook post telling us what would you use those pompom trims for, in a digital project (remember, add a comment, not just a Like!) 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).

As a sampler, I used the grey trim, along a vector path (using the VectorTube script) and then colorized it with a rainbow gradient. The whole trim is 4000 pixels long so you can choose only a segment if you don't want to use it all.

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

Drop me an email if the download is causing issues.

These petals were also extracted but exported as picture tubes so that you can scatter them anywhere on your project, simply by dragging your cursor on your project.

This product includes 20 sets of petals in 10 colors: one set has no shadow, so you can add your own, and one has a slight shadow, mostly to give a 3D effect on petals that might be overlapping.

Get these tubes in the store: Colored Petals Tubes

In order to win these tubes, add a comment on this Facebook post telling us what is your favorite color for rose petals (remember, add a comment, not just a Like!) 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).

For a sample of these tubes, I created two frames made of petals. Each frame is almost 3600 pixels wide, so you can resize it as you need it.

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

Using templates to create a layout is a way to speed up the process as it helps you with some precise suggestions as to where to put the photos, papers, and elements. Of course, you don’t have to follow everything exactly, but it is a start.

Using those templates still require you to open the photos, copy them, close them, paste them into the new page, resize them, move them to match the location of the shape, then you have to either Clip it (using the Clip to It script), or go through the selection process, and so on. That is a lot of steps that can be automated with these scripts.

There are 3 scripts, for different types of elements in the template. The photo script will never merge the photo to the shape, giving you the option to tweak it and adjust it to your liking. The paper script will give you the option to merge the paper to the shape from the template, if it is within the size of the template (in case it extends outside the edge). Finally, the element script will adjust the size of the element you pick to match the size of the shape in the template, and replace that shape by the element.

There is a video clip in the description, showing how fast you can create the basis of your layout using the three scripts. Of course, you still have to add the shadows, the title, the journaling and any additional detail you want to use to make the layout truly yours.

You can get this set of Speed Scrap scripts, in my store.

Do you want a chance to win this set of scripts? Head over to the DST forum in this thread and add your name while answering the question. I’ll be back next week with the name of a winner.

Again, i cannot give you a sample of the script, since it is a tool script, but i can make something that could be used for Halloween layouts. Check this fun wordart. The letters were made using the Alpha-Beads 2 script, and the strings are from the Twisted Rope tubes (i used the white one you can see in the preview).

The whole montage is about 1800 pixels wide and is in PNG format, so everyone can use it.

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 follow the videos in the Campus related to the Scrapper’s Dozen?

The third video is now up, and you can even download something quite useful (and it is free). So go check it out.

Video #3

And while you are around the Campus, check out the blog section where you will see more about the “secret ingredients” and the designers who contributed them.

A while ago, i saw some of those old fashioned curtains made of glass beads. I thought i could make a script to create those but i ran into various problems with it and decided to put it on the back burner for a while. Last week, Connie posted on our Facebook page the suggestion to create this exact same element, so i brought it back to the front burner and kept working at it. It must have worked because i figured out how to get all i wanted into it.

This is how this Bead curtain script for Paintshop Pro was born. This script will allow you to use ANY picture tube and make vertical lines of it. Obviously, the most comment tubes you will be using are going to be beads, right? Well, probably, but you can also use chains, drops, flowers, gems, and more. For a fun Halloween curtain, you can even use strings of bugs! I am sure it would make a fantastic background for some Halloween theme layouts!

The script offers many options. The length of the strings and the width of the “curtain” will be determined by the size of your image, so you can work directly onto your current project, or make a smaller one on the side. You can have all the strings of the same length, or in random length, or even in a triangular pattern (check the sampler, below). You determine how many strings you want, how spaced the elements will be, and you can also have individual elements all of the same size or randomly sized. You can use directional tubes (like chains and ropes), but also tubes that need to be used in sequence (like always 5 small ones and 1 big one), or totally randomly.

You can grab this script in my store at Creation Cassel.

You can also add your name to this thread for a chance to win it, as usual. So what are you waiting for?

I am sure you will LOVE this free sample i made for you. I used one of my bead tubes and ran it on a 600x2000 pixels image asking for a triangular shape bottom. Then, i used that tile to flood fill a 3600x2000 image to get that chevron effect at the bottom. Isn’t that lovely? You can use it as a background for something fancy, or formal, or maybe a wedding page, or Christmas layout. What will you use it for? This is a png format, so anyone can use it.

The beads are slightly uneven to give it more depth and life.

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

>>>  New in the store

As you know, i specialize in Paintshop Pro scripts. However, i regularly get requests from Adobe users asking if i could convert my scripts so they could use them in Photoshop or Photoshop Element. Well, i decided to take the plunge and get a few chosen scripts to be made into actions (or scripts) so that more people could enjoy creating custom elements for their kits, layouts or other projects.

Today, i am making this action available to you. It is a first. I do not have a set schedule of how often Adobe-compatible products will be released in the store. When it happens, i will tell you in here, and in my newsletter.

This action will let you create a custom license plate that you can match to any kit, layout, theme that you want. Aren’t the samples in the preview lovely? Thanks to Michelle and Jenn for those! If you want to get this action, simply head over to my store HERE to buy it. Just like my regular PSP products, it is on sale for 25% off over the weekend, so hurry!

Get it HERE.

News from the Campus

Did you have a look at the latest workshop recording in the campus? It is about Customizing your PSP workspace. It is free to watch it, so go have a look over there.

Watch it

This weekend, we will also have a fun brand new activity. I am all excited about it and the more people join, the more fun it will be, and the more everyone will bring home afterward.

Because of the annoying “time zones issues”, there are 2 meetings planned, so it is more than likely that one of them will be accessible for you, in YOUR time zone.

Those meetings are called VIDEO SPEED SCRAP. It is probably not the best name for it, and it is surely going to change, but i didn’t find anything better for now. It will be a VIDEO meeting. Nothing to do with a webcam, so don’t worry about your hairdo or makeup. You can come in your pyjama if you want, nobody will see. The VIDEO part is about sharing your screen. As we meet and work (yes, YOU will work too), we will share screen of what everyone is doing. Sharing screen is NOT mandatory, if you prefer not to, but it will be available to all.

The VIDEO SPEED SCRAPS will take place on Sunday, July 22nd. (and they are NOT software specific so everyone can join in)

• The first one is on ALPHA. We will be making MONOGRAMS based on one single kit that you will get to download just before the meeting. Everyone will work on different monograms, but using the same palette, the same theme and maybe the same base material, but i can promise you that everyone will be doing something VERY different! The meeting for the ALPHA will be at 10 am Eastern time zone. Register here.

• The second one will be on TEMPLATES. We will all create a different template based on some identical elements, and some specific instructions. At the end, everyone will be able to get a set of templates from what each participant created. As you see, the more people who join, the more templates we’ll get. It is a bit like a template exchange, but with a twist. And again, we will allow everyone to share their screen during the meeting. This meeting will be held at 9 pm Eastern time zone. Register here.

Finally, as the month of July nears the end, our Anniversary celebration also will be closing soon. As a last offer to you, both the Basic Scrap course and the Element Creation tutorials course are currently on sale. This is a great offer, and it will last until July 31st. Check them out.

for

$49

Basic Scrap Course       Element Creation Tutorials

See you in the Campus!