Alphabet Fill In Template

[mwikette]

http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/sc_materials/article/0,2025,DIY_14228_2275014,00.htmlWhen I use to do paper scrapbooking, I had Puzzle Mates Templates. They had an Alphabet and Number/Celebration template books. The books contained cardstock letters and numbers. This would allow you to cut your photos out into the shape to fit within the letter or number.

As a result, I am searching for the same idea, but in a digital format.

I am searching for the following:

1. Upper Case Alphabet Template
2. Lower Case Alphabet Template
3. Numbers - 0-9 Template

Is anyone aware of such templates.

If not, is there a way for me to create the same effect, if I scan my PM Alphabet and Number/Celebration books. I have a good scanner, but not sure what to do after that.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks
Mariahttp:///www.puzzlemates.com/ideabooks/abc123_ideabook.html

[msbrad]

I think I am familiar with the puzzle mate you are referring too. I'm pretty sure, I have it somewhere also from the paper scrapping days.

Just to clarify, are you wanting your photo to FILL a letter shape or wanting to make the photo into a puzzle with puzzle squiggles on it.
both are possible.
I'll be back.
m

[mwikette]

I want to add the photos inside the letter.

For example
In paper format, I wanted to recap the year 2005

I would take photos from 2005, align with the template cut out and paste and all the photos together which would make up the 2005.

If you click on the DIY network link, it will bring up an example of what I use to do.

[Bayla]

Maria,

You can do this using any font. Choose a nice thick font. Drag your photo over the top, then Ctrl-G to clip it to the font. You can move your photo around within the letter to place it.

Here's what I mean:

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1ldVQ0JpV5aVf0huE7gYSGrnVXtGk_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1ldVQ0JpV5aVf0huE7gYSGrnVXtGk)

Is this the effect you're trying to achieve? This was done with just one font layer and one photo but you could do the letters individually and put different photos in each. In my gallery on this site is a LO where I put multiple photos into a heart shape using the same method.

Bayla

[its_me]

oh that is oh so cool!

[cats4jan]

You can use the same technique to achieve this look.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p103/cats4jan/Photobucket-JON.jpg

[twoaussies]

Janice: What is that nice thick font you used for JON Jean

[msbrad]

You can use the same technique to achieve this look.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p103/cats4jan/Photobucket-JON.jpg

Gee...How did I know you would have made this awesome example!
m

[cats4jan]

Font is - hebar extra black

Good thing the text tool was still on it - or I couldn't have helped you.
____________

Now, Michelle - whatever could you be talking about?
Me - using Bon Jovi?? I was sure it would come as a complete surprise to you. ;)

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p103/cats4jan/_42420278_domejon_getty416.jpg

Ain't he sweet!!!

[cats4jan]

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p103/cats4jan/Tutorial%20Samples/Photobucket-CAT.jpg

See - I can do other things

[its_me]

bahahah! that was just funny janice. lol!

I CAN'T WAIT TO TRY THIS!!!!!!! AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!

[its_me]

still can't play just yet but wanted to ask about this in more detail.

can i do this same thing using an alpha? So I have this really cute fun fat alpha i can see me using for a lot of my daughter's scrap pages. Just wondering if this effect can be applied.

tia!

[cats4jan]

What effect are you talking about?

If you like the "plaque" look behind the letters,
this is how I do it in Elements 4

Control click on the thumbnail of the word/letter layer

That “loads the selection” – an outline of your word or letter

Go to select> modify> expand
Choose between 25 to 50 points

While the "marching ants" are still on - in the shape of your word - put a new layer under your word/letter

stay on that new layer - fill your new layer with solid color - it will fill it in the shape of the word/letter

control d - deselects the selection

Add a bevel to that new layer

[its_me]

I was just talking about getting the pic inside the letter. If I use an alpha (or any other shape for that matter), I should be able to do that, right?

I couldn't follow what you had there cuz I still don't have the program on this pute. They were supposed to send me a link to dl it directly...boohooo.....i didn't get it. Now i really have to wait......my pute upstairs (which has pse loaded) is just craaaaawwwwwlllling so can't do it.

[Bayla]

can i do this same thing using an alpha? So I have this really cute fun fat alpha i can see me using for a lot of my daughter's scrap pages. Just wondering if this effect can be applied.


You can clip photos in the same way to an alpha or any shape - it works particularly well with those nice chunky chipboard alphas.

Bayla

[SharLamb]

Where did you get the Hebar font? I've Googled and still can't find it. Seems like a perfect font for what you did.
Shar

[emkayess65]

I went looking for big fonts and found this one: Rns_BoBo_Dylan.otf
It's a bit unusual, would not want to read much of anything with it, but it has
nice solid chuncks to put a picture in.
I found it at dafont.com
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1HzahY6XfuUXAHt0JusE7OYfJ061A_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1HzahY6XfuUXAHt0JusE7OYfJ061A)

I could not find the hebar either.
mks

[its_me]

Bayla,

Thx! So looking forward to playing.....waiting...waiting...waiting......

[roansngrays]

I went looking for big fonts and found this one: Rns_BoBo_Dylan.otf
It's a bit unusual, would not want to read much of anything with it, but it has
nice solid chuncks to put a picture in.
I found it at dafont.com
http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1HzahY6XfuUXAHt0JusE7OYfJ061A_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1HzahY6XfuUXAHt0JusE7OYfJ061A)

I could not find the hebar either.
mks

I was wondering how does one save a certain font from dafont.com to PSE5 or do I have to save it somewhere else?
Thank-you

[Bayla]

Denise,

When you download and install a font to your computer it will automatically show up in PSE.

Bayla

[emkayess65]

Hi Denise, fonts are not saved into PSE. Elements uses the fonts that are in the Windows system.
You just unzip and drop it into C: > Windows > fonts.

An unusual font like this one I would not install.
You can put the font into a folder anywhere on your PC. Then double click the font so it is open.
THEN open Elements.
The font will show up in your font list.
Type whatever you want with the font.
You have to simplify the font before you close your file.
To do that you right click on the layer and choose simplify.
Your text will be only a shape and you can no longer edit it.
HTH
mks

[roansngrays]

Thanx so much for the directions..That was my next question!! LOL I'll try it now... I'll save the different fonts to a folder like you said..
Thanx again!
Denise

[roansngrays]

OK..I typed out a name using a thick font, then I opened a picture dragged it on top, did Ctrl-G and nothing happened...the black letters are still on top of my whole picture that I used??? what did I do wrong?

[roansngrays]

Ok..I got it...how simple!! Thanx for all your help!! I just posted it in my gallery with the name "TOM" :D

[roansngrays]

Well gee..
I tried a new font, typed out a word then picked a photo and dragged it over that, clicked CTRL-G and all that is filling in is the outside/outline of the font.. Now I am confused.... before you click CTRL-G what layer do you highlight?
Thank-you

[roansngrays]

After playing around some, I got it figured out now... some of my western fonts had grain in them , like a wood texture so they didnt come out nice..I posted a couple I just practiced with....
Thanx

[Jancy]

Denise they came out great I need to give that a try.

[roansngrays]

Jancy,
Thank-you...it was fun practicing.....I'll be watching for your photoword!!

I see your from Boston..I grew up in Methuen Mass...My sis lives in Weymouth and my parents live in Haverhill and other sis lives in Salem, NH !!! I moved out West in 1990...will never go back haha (just to visit of course!

[Jancy]

So Denise your a Boston girl who flew the coop I can't say I blame you. I am sure you don't miss the traffic heading into Boston? It drives me CRAZY! I am just about a couple of miles from Boston and there are days it takes me 45 minutes to get to work. With no traffic about 7 minutes!!
I won't be home tomorrow night so I give these a try on Thursday!!:)

[roansngrays]

I miss my family and maybe the foliage season is all.... I now live on our ranch 9 miles out of a town of 200 LOL..I love it.. no people no cars no nothing really haha... Glad I am not a shopper.. Yes I hear it all the time from my sis in Weymouth about the traffic when she goes to my folks house in Haverhill.. I use to work in Lowell at the Research Foundation , Center for Tropical Disease..they shut down years ago .....I use to go to Wilmington for our mice & rats for our work.... when I go back home I bring my meds to calm me down haha ..too much anxiety for me...

[emkayess65]

Hi Denise, this works best on solid fonts. Outline fonts you only get the outline to fill in.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1wMe46a4UmNstzbGfZiskL3uDi4_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1wMe46a4UmNstzbGfZiskL3uDi4)

Yeah, you'd think an "empty" font would fill up. NOT
Just pick a solid, filled font and it will work.
mks

[roansngrays]

oh yes...I did try different fonts and found I had to use solid ones.... I wish it did work on some of my lightly textured western fonts but thats ok..there are many I like..............been playing with it for ahwile but now I think I have it... it was fun...Thanx so much for all your help!!!

[Jancy]

Denise,Sounds like 2 different worlds!! Yours is much more relaxing!!!
It is fun here in the summer but I think if I didn't have family here I would love to live some where without COLD WINTERS!!
emkay I will have to give these a try!

[msbrad]

It is fun to fill the text with photos. I also liked the outline one. Cool effect.
m

[mwikette]

Thanks for the responses.

I was wondering how I would do this if I wanted to apply more than 1 photo to a letter. How would this be done. IE - If I used 2008, I would like to add 3 photos to the number 2, 4 photos the the numbers 0 and 6 photos the number 8. It would contains lots of photos from 2008. How would I do this (similar to the puzzlemates alphabet/number templates)?

[cats4jan]

This is how I would do it using PSE4

Using text tool with thick font - in a large size - say 200 points - type a letter

Simplify that text layer -
right click - simplify layer

control click on thumbnail of letter layer - which will make a selection in the shape of your letter

open a new layer above the letter layer - stay on that layer

edit> stroke
control d to deselect

You will now have an outline to place photos UNDER.

Move photos onto canvas - between the letter layer and the stroke layer -

Using the move tool, place the photos within the outline

Once all the photos are placed properly - merge all the photos layers -
ONLY the photo layers

After merging photo layers - Control G will group the photos with the letter layer below it
trimming off the parts of the photos which are outside the letter outline

You can then discard the stroke (outline) layer or keep it to use for layer styles, etc.

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1VCJ9fel94ldkTpJGPXfFvUor4qww_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1VCJ9fel94ldkTpJGPXfFvUor4qww)
Photos from Webshots

[its_me]

yeah! i'm playing now! this is fun!!!

[its_me]

my first attempt. i have a lot of learning still but just had to share. i'm getting it!



http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8da25b3127cceb76118d59ecf00000026108IZMWThm0cs

[cats4jan]

Michele - that turned out very cute. I like the erased flower look

[CarolRN]

:)

Yes, it's been a few months since you guys/gals started this thread. I found it by searching "fillable font", and thank goodness you had been here. I'm new to the forum, I've been lurking in the shadows for a week or so and learning soooo much. Again, thanks for the superb instructions and knowledge you all share. This is a great place to be!! I'm going to try to attach my first attempt, please feel free to throw out ideas and cc.

thanks,
carol

[roansngrays]

Jancy..
Sorry , just saw your post now... yes, most definately two different worlds..from city life to ranch life ..I'd never go back East.. change is good!! I have been in Wyoming for 15 years and now Colorado.. we raise cattle and quarterhorses and Catahoula dogs.. very much fun, and yes, very peaceful..If I have to run to Walmart its a 3 hourr ound trip haha..if your a shopper you wouldnt want to be here where I live lol:D

[cats4jan]

Carol - welcome. Hope you enjoy "Fun With Text"

Try cutting your name from a background paper
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p103/cats4jan/name-from-BG.jpg

Select your text tool - choose the Horizontal Type Mask Tool and type out your name

Click checkmark or hit enter

Control J puts it on it's own layer. Delete the original layer. Save the file with a new name.

[CarolRN]

Ok - my first attempt to upload didn't work....#2:)

carol:rolleyes:

[CarolLHB]

That's terrific! Welcome to the forums!:)

[vawitt]

What a fun keepsake! It looks great and I'm sure he loves it!

~Val in steamy IL

Ok - my first attempt to upload didn't work....#2:)

carol:rolleyes:

[cats4jan]

That is perfect. It's one of the best examples of photos in a word that I've seen. It is so hard to find photos to work around the shape of letters.

It needs to be printed and framed for his room. So cool.

[CarolRN]

Thanks,

I think he'll like it, I haven't shown it to him yet. Thanks for the encouragement and the help. I had really been wanting to do one of these but didn't know how, until I came across this thread. Thank you!!!

carol

[Joba]

This is a great thread! Off to try all the techniques right now!

[glorybee]

Hi All,

I realize it's been a while since anyone posted to this thread, but I'm a brand new user to PSE and also to the forum. This is exactly what I'm looking for. I am trying to make laminated bookmarks for each grandchild using their names and pictures.

I found a great site for free fonts. It is: http://www.creamundo.com/ and there are 9800 fonts to choose from. I particularly like Electric Pickle Bold because it has lots of solid in it for placing photos.

I've been working on following these directions for quite a while and think I'm starting to understand the process. I know this is simple for some, but do you put each letter on a separate layer and then move everything onto the final project?

Do you know if anyone has made a tutorial on this subject? I've been searching the database and haven't seen one, but I could have missed it. I would love to see the whole process from start to finished project.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Glorybee from Snowy Maine

[vawitt]

Greetings from snowy IL! Anyone who is willing to post such a great new font link should have what she wishes...instructions!

There are lots of ways to accomplish your task, but here's how I do it. With this method, you end up with each letter on its own layer, so you can manipulate as you like.

1) Open a COPY of a photo you wish to place inside a letter
2) Select your type tool. Run the font size all the way up to 72 (this will be too small, but don't worry about that yet
3) Pick a color for your font that contrasts with your photo (color doesn't matter, but you want to be able to see it on top of your photo
4) Type the letter. Press ENTER to confirm.
5) If needed, click the letter in the workspace to get sizing handles around it. Use the move tool to drag the letter on top of the area of the photo you wish to use. Use the resizing handles in the corners to stretch the letter to the size you need. Press ENTER to confirm your changes.
6) Hold down the CTRL key and click ON THE LETTER in the layer mask. Don't click on the letter in the work space, and don't click on the gray area that tells you the letter. Click the white square in the layer pallette.
7) You should now see the "marching ants" effect around your letter in the workspace. Hurray!
8) With those ants still marching, click the layer of the photo, in the layer pallette.
9) Press CTRL plus the letter J (CTRL+J) on your keyboard
10) You should now have a new layer, with the section of your photo in the shape of the letter.
11) SAVE your work with a new name

Repeat as necessary. You can open additional photos, type additional layers, etc., all in the same document if you like. When you are finished, you can open a brand new document in the size you like, and drag each letter into position.

If you are going to print, you should make that new document 300pixels so prints are clean and sharp.

Good luck with your project! Post it when you are done, and ask questions if you get stuck as you go!

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1EsNTCDuwbhPJEoZ8aAFHqHR8csY0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1EsNTCDuwbhPJEoZ8aAFHqHR8csY0)

[glorybee]

Thanks so much for your clear instructions, Val. Since it is going to snow here every day until Christmas, it will be good to have something else to think about.

[glorybee]

Hi All,

Thanks to this great thread and everyone's contribution, I was able to complete my Christmas project of making everyone laminated bookmarks for Christmas using their names.

I have posted 2 of them in my gallery. I tried to put the image in this message, but even though I used the "Insert Image" icon and copied and pasted the gallery link to the image, I kept getting a blank image icon. Oh well, just one more thing to learn.

Right now I have mush brain from working all week on this project, but again, thanks to all. I'd never have completed this project without your input.

[vawitt]

These turned out great! What a fun project!

[JCH]

Do you have a location where one can find this font?