Printing CD Labels

[hplimpton]

Would like to set up a simple process for printing a photo as a CD and/or jewel case label formats. Is there any plugin available for PSE to print out directly to a CD label sheet? The only apparent option I have used is to create a 4x4 jpg and then import into a label program. Looking for a way to streamline this. Suggestions?

Comments welcomed..... Hal

[MikeH]

Hal,

Here is a kink to a Photoshop plug-in on cd cases, I haven't used this so I can't say how good it is or whether it works fully in PE3.

http://thepluginsite.com/resources/gizmo/

Another option is to make a standard template in PE3 and just use that every time...

Mike

[MikeH]

Hal,

Creating a jewel case cover in PE3 is easy - as requested here are the instructions...

:arrow: Go to File > New > Blank File

:arrow: Enter a width of 9.5 inches and a height of 4.75 inches

:arrow: Set the resolution to 150 pixels/inch, which is sufficient for printing this size on an inkjet.

:arrow: Colour Mode should be RGB and Background Contents White

:arrow: Go to View and select Rulers. This will add horizontal and vertical rulers to the edge of the work area.

:arrow: Select the pencil tool (or Press N), set the brush size to around 2 pixels and reduce the opacity to around 25%. These settings aren't critical - all you want to draw is a feint line to mark the middle of the canvas.

:arrow: As you move the cursor around the canvas, you will see a guide moving on each of the rulers. Position the cursor in the middle of the top edge of the canvas. You can locate the middle precisely by using the ruler.

:arrow: Hold the Shift key down and draw a vertical line top to bottom. Holding the Shift key ensures that the line you draw will be straight.

:arrow: This line separates the front and inside covers of the jewel case. The right hand half is the outside and the left hand side the inside.

:arrow: Save this file as a psd file e.g cdjewelcase.psd.

:arrow: When you want to make a cd cover, just go to File > Open and select the file.

:arrow: You can then insert text and pictures to create your cd cover. Be sure to save the cover you have created as a new file.

Mike

[Downy]

Hal,

Here is a kink to a Photoshop plug-in on cd cases, I haven't used this so I can't say how good it is or whether it works fully in PE3.

http://thepluginsite.com/resources/gizmo/

Another option is to make a standard template in PE3 and just use that every time...

Mike

Somebody know if this works on pse 3, or how I can start this plugin? Or is there another plugin I can use?

[MikeH]

Hi Downy,

I haven't tried this (or any other) plug-in because making your own template in PSE3 is very easy.

Have you tried the instructions I posted?

Mike

[cja]

I've downloaded the "gizmo" plug-in but not convinced it will work in Elements (perhaps only PS) as I can't get past the install instructions which say:

How to install: Simply copy the "CD_Utilities.Atn" File into the "Photoshop\Presets\Photoshop Actions"
Directory. Then open Photoshop and click on the Actions Tab on the right-side toolbox.
Click on the Triangle at the top of the Actions Toolbox and choose "Load Actions".
Locate the new "CD_Utilities.Atn" File and choose "LOAD". When they appear in your
Actions Toolbox, you will have to click on the Triangle next to the "CD_Utilities.Atn".

Is there an Action tab in Elements?

[MikeH]

No... there isn't an Actions tab in Elements. From the instructions, it looks as though it won't run in PSE3.

Mike

[TonyW]

Although there's no action tab in Elements there is a way to run many .atn action files that you can find here (http://hiddenelements.com/actions_whitepaper.html). As long as the action file doesn't contain functions that aren't supported in Elements this approach will work.

However for something like you're trying to do, creating your own template as Mike suggests is far easier. I'd sell you mine but Mike might object as I just followed his instructions :lol:

Tony

[cja]

Tony,

I followed the link you gave and then followed the instructions given but the only bit of the action which I can get to work is the Brightness/Contrast enhancement - see last para of readme.txt which comes with the CD_Utilities.atn download. I guess all the stuff about image contortion etc must be functions which won't work in Elements. Mike's suggestion for creating a template is much easier - although I'd be interested to hear if anyone has got the "gizmo" to work in its entirety.

Christine

[Wendy]

I use this software:

http://www.mismatch.co.uk/expressi.htm

All I do is create a circle in Elements (any size will do) make my image then the software scales it to fit. If you have a look in my Gallery you will see a wedding one I did ..

The software also does the inserts ..

Wendy

[Mack C. in Brooklin ON]

Mike; regarding your instructions to print CD labels and creating a jewel case: I can't get rid of the pencil tool now when I'm in Editor. The line follows me wherever I go. Kindly Help!

[Wendy]

Hi Mack ...

Do you mean that the pencil tool stays selected???

Wendy

[Mack C. in Brooklin ON]

Hi Wendy; I think that's what I mean.

[Pauline]

Mack, just select the move tool or something else and the pencil will go away.

[Wendy]

Hi Mack,

Once you select a tool in Elements is stays with that tool until you select another ... that does take a bit of getting used to.

Most of us "park" on a none distructive tool inbetween just so that you don't draw lines by accident :( ... I usually select the lasso tool ... mainly because it looks a bit like a cursor :)

Wendy

[Mack C. in Brooklin ON]

Wendy & Pauline: Thanks ladies! Now the crop tool is with me all the time, but that's the only one I'm using so far. Thanks again!

[Wendy]

Hi Mack ..

Glad to help :)


Wendy

[Pauline]

No problem Mack. It takes a while to get used to in the beginning but I don't even notice any more.