Creating and saving background template in artwork and effects palette

[Jerrilyn]

Is it possible to save your own background template in the artwork and effects palette so that when you open a new document you can scroll through and bring it up like the preset images in PE5? I'm not using one in the artwork and effects palette. I opened a blank document as well as an image that I wanted to make the background. I then defined the pattern and filled the blank layer with the pattern. Now I want to save that background in the art and effects palette. Can it be done?

[kroberts]

Jerrilyn,

I looked in the background files and they were all jpeg files. I tried adding one and it worked!
C:/Documents & Settings/All Users/Application Data/Adobe/Photoshop Elements/5.0/Photo Creations/Artwork, then choose where you want it (backgrounds, etc.). Be sure the PSE is NOT open when you do this.

I've read that adding more brushes, shapes, etc. to Elements makes it slower on startup, so you will need to consider whether you want to add the image to PSE or just open it from another location on your computer.

Hope that helps!

[nolanc]

Yes, any picture can be a background. :)
It needs to be a JPG and should be a specific size, I have done this but don't have the size handy right now. :( Do a search of the posts I now it is in the forums somewhere.

[cats4jan]

If it's going to be a jpg and it's going to act like a jpg - what is the purpose of having it in Elements when you could just as easily open it as you would any jpg?

With all the talk of slowing down Elements - and with my own experience seeing it first hand - I would not put anything in Elements that doesn't have to be.

Janice

[Jerrilyn]

After playing with it a bit, I agree with Janice. However, with regard to adding brushes, adding only those brushes you know you will use many times, might be the exception. What do you think?

[graficalicus]

backgrounds can be png, jpg, pdf, psd..... pretty much any graphic format.

adding things (like backgrounds & brushes) will really only potentially slow down startup, and that depends on how many things you add. If you're going to use them a lot, or if it's a favorite set, it's more convenient to have them readily available, especially if it's just a few brush sets or styles, for example.

[Pauline]

Jerrilyn if it's something you want to do often you might just want to set up a folder somewhere titled, backgrounds. That way they are readily available and can be viewed at a larger size to help with selecting. Either way it's not a big deal. I have a tendancy to keep a lot of stuff like this separate. It's always easy to access. (and don't forget to burn a copy to cd in case of problems)