Digital Scrapbooks: How to Use a Template - Part 2

Send article Send article Print article Print article

Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 7

November 7, 2008

Previous stepPrevious Page: How to Use a Template - Part 1

In this lesson, learn how to personalize a template in Photoshop Elements. This is Part 2 of the lesson.

How to Use a Template in Photoshop Elements - Continued - Part 2

  1. Edit or replace the elements. In this template, there are two leaves and a brad. You can replace these with your own digital elements or fill them with color and apply styles or filters to add texture and interest. For example, to edit a leaf:

    1. To add color, from the Enhance menu, select Adjust Color, then Adjust Hue/Saturation. In the Adjust Hue/Saturation dialog, check the Colorize box, then use the sliders to select a color and click OK.
    2. To add texture, first add some noise to the leaf. From the Filter menu, select Noise, then Add Noise. In the Add Noise dialogue, adjust the settings as desired and click OK.
    3. Apply a second filter to the leaf for more texture. Experiment with different filters for many effects. For example, from the Filter menu, select Brush Strokes, then Crosshatch. Adjust the filter settings as desired and click OK.
    Editing elements

  2. Edit the text in the text layers. You can also replace the text with word art, if desired. To edit the text:

    1. In the Layers palette, select a text layer. Note: If the font used in the template is not present on your computer, a yellow warning triangle will be displayed in the text layer, and you will be prompted to select another font.
    2. Select the Horizontal Type tool, then select the text. Replace the text with your own text.
    3. Optionally, on the options bar, change the font family, color, and size.
    Editing text

  3. Add depth to the layout by adding drop shadows to text and layers:

    1. In the Layers palette, select a layer to which you want to add a drop shadow. In this example, drop shadows were added to the title and vertical text, and to the paper shapes.
    2. In the Effects palette, click the Layer Styles button, then select Drop Shadows. Select a drop shadow and click Apply.
    3. After you have applied a style, you can copy the style and paste it into other layers. To copy the style, select the layer with the style. Right-click and choose Copy Layer Style from the pop-up menu.
    4. To paste a layer style, select the layer to which you want to paste the style. Right-click and choose Paste Layer Style from the pop-up menu.
    5. Copy and paste the drop shadow as desired.
    Add a drop shadow

  4. After you have completed all your edits, merge the layers to reduce the file size. From the Layer menu, select Merge Visible.

    Caution: After you merge the layers, you won't be able to edit text or photo layers, so make sure that your creation is finished before merging!

Resources Used in This Lesson

  • Template by Sine included in the Fallin for You mega pack at Scrap Orchard.
  • Papers from various digital artists included in the Fallin for You mega pack at Scrap Orchard.

Previous stepPrevious Page: How to Use a Template - Part 1

For permission to use an article or resource for educational or non-profit purposes, please contact me at karenb@alibony.com. Commercial use is not permitted.

Updated on November 9, 2009