two page layouts

[WNDERLND]

Is it possible to create double page layouts in PSE4? I always create double page layouts, but when I do digital layouts I only know how to do one page at a time. I want some elements to cross over pages.

[scrapperjlc]

Yes, it is. I created a double page spread (12x12 each pg) by just creating a single document that was 12x24 because I wanted art to actually cross over to the next page too. Then when I was all done creating it, I just Cropped the canvas size to 12x12, keeping the left half intact, and saved it to one file. Then reopened the full image and cropped it again, keeping the right half and saved it as a separate file. Worked great. Use the ruler as a guide to where the 12" split will take place when placing your different elements in.

Jodi

[WNDERLND]

Thanks for the tip--I will give that a try...I too want photos or other papers, etc. to cross over the center sometimes.

Do you do anything else when creating a 12 x24 layout? Is the print quality still the same? I do print mine out on Epson's scrapbook paper since I have a wide format printer.

thanks, :)
Wnderlnd

[huntress]

I just did my first two page layout. I haven't separated it yet but was planning on doing what scrapperjlc suggested. Since reopening takes more steps, I usually just create a duplicate copy and then crop because I don't have to worry about accidently overlaying the orginal plus I find it faster than refinding the file. I just created my new file at 12 x 24, 300 dpi. I also kept rulers shown because although there were some elements I wanted to cross like my panaramic, there are other things I didn't want to have drift over and the rulers help.

I'd love to know more about your printer. I want one, cannot afford two and keep waffling back and forth between the Canon and Epson large format printers. In some ways the Canon is my preference. They say it does better black and whites, better greens and I do a lot of nature type photography, and less expensive because it utilizes the inks much better. It has two main draw backs, lack of paper options and it's not archival but I cannot find details what exactly that means. I'd also like to print my own cards and they say the Canon doesn't take much in the way of different papers and easily jams with thicker papers, so I didn't think I'd be able to print on premade blank cards.

I noticed that Epison has a 12 x 12 paper for scrapping. What is it like, are you happy with the quality? Someone said they didn't care about archival quality because if it wears out they have the digital images and they can just print another, that doesn't work well if you give it as a gift and sounds expensive and like a hastle. My mother did baby books for us and mine is very precious to me but archival materials were not used and everything is yellowing and or faded, some photos are badly damaged. At least with Elements and a scanner I can restore and preserve it, but having gone through this I'm not sure the Canon is the right choice for me. However, I heard the Episons have a green tinge to all prints (may be that one persons setup), and wastes a lot of ink and the ink heads are extremely touchy, so I'm stuck. It would be nice to hear the pros and cons from someone who uses it for the same things.

[NRiceDesigns]

Lynn,
I purchased the Canon i9900 shortly after it was released. I've printed hundreds of cards on various papers with it & don't remember ever having a paper jam. The print quality is outstanding & having experienced the i9900, I'll definitely get another Canon when this one dies. I actually tried an Epson before this but returned it after 2 days because it was too noisy. I tested the same photo on the Canon that I'd tried on the Epson & the quality was equal if not better on the Canon. I'm definitely a Canon convert.

[scrapperjlc]

Do you do anything else when creating a 12 x24 layout? Is the print quality still the same? I do print mine out on Epson's scrapbook paper since I have a wide format printer.

thanks, :)
Wnderlnd

I can't think of anything special that I did for my two page spread. The print quality should be the same if your resolution is the same (I create mine at 300 ppi).

Quick tip for Huntress: You don't have to refind the file to reopen it, instead of going to File, Open.. go to File, Open recently edited file, and in the popup arrow to the right your two page spread should be towards the top of the list. Easy way to reopen a file without having to rebrowse for it. But your way works just as good!


Jodi

[NMarti]

Lynn
I too have the Canon and I have never had any problem with it. I have pages that are displayed in bright light rooms and they have been there nearly 3 years with no color loss so far. How do I know? I printed two copies because I though my daughter wanted on and when she didn't, I taped it to the back of the frame so I could easily find and replace it if the color faded or looked bad. So far - no difference between the two. I also have never had a paper jam or any cartridge issues. I get, in my opinion, good cartridge life. I print a lot of 12x12 pages and I know I have printed at least 15 high quality pages on photo paper without changing the ink yet. That's in addition to other things I printed.

[kayser]

I have the Epson, but I struggled with the decision, and I think I'd be happy with either. I've heard from others who have the Canon that the paper options aren't as limited as it says. The Epson has worked great for me, and I've been happy with the quality of the prints.

[Wags374]

I do two page layouts all the time. I set the crop tool to give me a 12x12 crop - once I crop one side and do a "save as", then I simple hit undo and then recrop and "save as" the other side. And if I really feel the need I can save the 12x24 layout too. (Just in case I want to mess with it some more at a later date.)

As long as you are using 300dpi as your resolution there should not be any problems with it. I frequently crop landscape shots to 12x24 to use as backgrounds for pages in my vacation books.

[huntress]

For you Cannon users, do you print your 12 x 12 pages on the 13 x 19 and trim down or do you use something else that works well?