5 replies to this topic

[Drumman]

Hello,
I am using CS3 ver.10 I have downloaded your templates BUT I can`t get pictures into your templates, when I unlock the photo layer and try and add a photo it goes to a completely different page leaving your template. Could someone please help me.

Drumman

[Kathlib the Prophet]

After you've opened the .psd template, go to File --> Open and browse for the image you want to use. Once it's opened, go to Select --> Select All and then to Edit --> Copy. Now close the image by clicking the X in the top right corner (the one for the current document, not for Photoshop itself).

Now, you should see the template open, or see a tab where you can maximize it. Once the template is on your screen, go to Edit --> Paste.

You can use the Layers Palette to determine where the photo goes in the template--think of it as layering pieces of paper over one another. For example, you would want text layers over a background layer.

Should you need to rotate or resize (scale) an image layer, go to Edit --> Transform. If you intend to use the image as a background for the cover, it's a good idea to resize and crop it before moving it over to the template.

Here is an image showing some useful information:

[attachment=5333:example.gif]

If you have anymore questions, or need a more detailed explanation, let me know.

[Drumman]

Thanks for the help I made a DVD stomp and it turned out okay, I need to watch my boarders a little closer.

drumman

[Drumman]

I am trying now to do a three piece cover using the template from this sight and I copy the picture and everything like you said then I select for it to be the front cover and then I paste it and it puts the image in the center of the template and I can`t move it because it isn`t putting it in my selected area it`s making a new layer and putting it there, I can not get it to paste anything in the template layers it keeps making new layers. Sorry I`m such a pain, but I am a computer hardware tech not a software tech.

Drumman


Never mind I think I figured it out, this isn`t very hard but of cource I am doing basics when I start to create my own covers, then I will really be asking questions

[Kathlib the Prophet]

That's the way it should work---pasted things should be new layers. The template layers should probably be deleted, except what's in the "notes" group--that can just be hidden. They're useful as guides occasionally. If you ever do need to merge layers, they can be merged down by pressing Ctrl + E or by holding Ctrl and clicking on all the layers you wish to merge, then right clicking and choosing Merge Layers.

You can use the Arrow Tool to align images by making a selection (you can either use the one of the selection tools or go to Select --> Select All to select the whole image), switching to the Arrow Tool, and clicking on the options at the center top of the screen (see attached image). Those easily allow you to align layers at the top, bottom, and sides of a selected area. It's a very useful feature.

Also with the Arrow Tool, you can checkmark the "Auto-select Layer" option (highlighted in the attached image), which will allow you to select a layer by clicking on it in the image, instead of through the Layer Palette.

[attachment=5334:example2.gif]

Note: it's also a good idea to change the default colors used to show transparency. Photoshop's default colors are black and white, but this is bad because those are two of the colors you'll use most. I have mine set to two colors rarely used that contrast well--orange and blue, like seen in the attached pic. You can change the colors used for transparency by going to Edit --> Preferences --> Transparency and Gamut.

[Drumman]

Great thanks for your help, I am going to start playing with transparencies some today. I did discover that once you get the image pretty close to the size of the template, you can just hit enter and it will automatically size itself, which is cool, I redid a cover last night that had some glare on it where is was folded at the spline and it turned out great. I really appreciate you help and maybe someday I could be an artist for your sight because I like making covers, especially now with this setup.

Drumman