Help with Layered Template

[suehill2]

I have searched the site and can't seem to find an answer...probably not looked enough. I have downloaded a few templates to try - been building my own pages - however, when I go to 'open' them, there are all these folders with all the different layers of the template, but I thought it would come as a set on the screen and I would just fill in with my pics. I am sitting looking at 8 different pieces of this template and cannot figure out what in the heck I'm supposed to do. Downloaded it from Scrap Girls and it came with instructions, but it's not doing what they said. The said to just open it and start adding pictures...hmmmmm....have I missed the planet they're on?? Thanks...will check back later after I have de-stressed myself! :eek:
Su

[cats4jan]

They are all in folders?

That's probably not a sketch template. It's probably a folder of different pieces you can add to your own creation.

To my thinking, a sketch template is a psd file with layers - all on one project. Look for those.

[schmoo]

Hi Su,

If there is not a layered PSD file with the template you got then you need to make your own.

Is it a layout template (to create a page) or an embellishment template such as a fold? Can you let me know which ones you have? What version of PSE are you using?

I use a lot of Scrapgirls stuff so hopefully I can help you.

The instructions are pretty much the same for creating the PSD file (note these will not work for some of the embellishment templates).

Open all the pieces of the template
The pieces are normally labelled 'ThingItIs_a.png", _b, _c etc
Find piece "a" and duplicate it and close the original.
Then find piece b and drag it onto the piece a copy, it should line up correctly.
Continue dragging the pieces in order to build the file.
Once you have all the pieces in one file I like to rename my layers so I know which each piece is.
Then if it is an embellishment template I link all the layers so I can drag them across to my document in one piece.
Then I save the file with a name such as "ThingItIs_layered.psd"

Hope this helps. You could also try posting on the scrapgirls message board because it is full of people who actually use those products.

Some of the older templates didn't come with layered PSD files but they are including them now. The reason you get all the individual files is that not everyone uses Photoshop (it's true). So to be able to use the templates in other programs they need the individual PNG files.

Sue

[suehill2]

I am using PSE 6.0. I looked at it again and discovered the a,b,c,...blah, blah, blah, just like you said. I printed out some instructions and will attempt it. Since I have never used a template before, I think I assumed (not smart) that all templates were made to just 'drop' pictures in. I will learn. Thanks. I also discovered I ordered a template that does come all together. This should be interesting! Thanks.

[its_me]

Sue, I think you are looking for a Quick Page (QP) then. Someone out there correct me if I'm wrong, but with TEMPLATES you are still doing a lot of work with backgrounds, colors, etc. while in QPs you simply just drop the pic in and that's it.

[Wendy]

Hi Sue ...

Yes it sounds like you are looking for Quickpages and not templates. With a Quickpage everything is already made and all you do is add a photo and maybe some text :)

Wendy

[cats4jan]

Wendy - I saw on another site that they offer templates that are in pieces and in psd format. I'm guessing they provide the pieces and a "diagram" of sorts - so that people who don't use Photoshop can use the template in any program they own.

I never heard of this way of making templates prior to this thread - so it really stuck out when I came across it.

[Wendy]

Hi Janice ...

Oh thats interesting I haven't come across that before :)

Wendy

[photoshopsusieq]

This does sound like an odd way to make templates.

[cats4jan]

Wish I had noted which site it was on. I think it would be very difficult to work with a template like that - but maybe it's just we are so used to the ease with which we use psd templates with Photoshop.

[lindylou50]

Jessica Sprague has an online video at CK website on how to use a layered psd template with free template too!

[Bayla]

HERE (http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/mag/article.ihtml?index_field=2137)'s the link to Jessica's video tutorial and template downloads.

Bayla