This tutorial will show you how to create a basic scrapbook
layout that contains a background, a photo, an element and some journaling.
1. Create a new file (File > New). The following window
will appear:
2. Enter the desired width, height and resolution for your
layout. ***TIP: If you plan on printing the layout, be sure to choose a higher
resolution for better quality (about 200-300 pixels/inch.) Layouts to be
displayed on the internet can have a resolution of 72 pixels/inch. Select the
following settings: Raster Background; Color depth – 16 Million Colors; Color –
Transparent. Click OK. You will now have the following:
3. The Layers palette should have one layer called “Raster
1.”
4. Rename this first layer to “Background” (right-click on
Raster 1 layer > Rename).
5. Choose a color by using the Dropper Tool 
. Use the
Flood Fill Tool 
to fill the background layer with your chosen color.
6. Apply a texture to your background paper if desired
(Effects > Texture Effects > Texture). Choose the desired texture effect and
experiment with the various values.
7. You should now have a background paper with texture
applied to it.
8. Next, let’s add a photo to the layout. Begin by adding
a new raster layer to your layout (Layers > New Raster Layer). ***TIP: Adding
new layers for subsequent items added to your layout will allow you to move
individual items separately or delete items without having to delete everything
else on that same layer. Choose the Default preset and change the name of this
layer to Photo.
9. The Layer Palette should now have two separate layers
(Background and Photo.)
10. Open the photo you would like to add to this layout
(File > Open > browse to photo file). Create a duplicate of your photo and
close the original (Window > Duplicate).
11. Apply any desired effects, corrections, cropping, etc.
to the photo.
12. Copy the edited photo (Edit > Copy) and return to your
layout. Paste the photo onto the Photo Layer (Edit > Paste As New Selection)
and move it to the desired location. Deselect the photo (Selections > Select
None).
13. To give the layout more dimension, add a drop shadow
to the photo (Effects > 3D Effects > Drop Shadow)
14. Next, let’s add an element to the layout, in this case
a tag. Before doing so, however, be sure to add another layer to your layout
(Layers > New Raster Layer). Rename this layer from Raster 1 to “Tag.” The
Layer Palette should now look like the following:
15. Open the desired element (File > Open) and copy it
(Edit > Copy). Return to the layout and paste it onto the Tag layer (Edit >
Paste > Paste As New Selection). If the size of the element is not
proportionate to your layout, use the Deform Tool
to resize it. To change the
size of the element, right-click on one of the nodes and drag your mouse until
proportion is correct.
16. Add a drop shadow to your element (Effects > 3D
Effects > Drop Shadow).
17. Next, let’s add some journaling to the layout. Create
a new layer (Layers > New Raster Layer) and rename the layer “Journaling.”
18. Choose the Text Tool
, create as floating, choose a
font, font size and alignment. On the Materials palette, choose a fill color
(background) and a stroke color (foreground or “outline”) if desired.
19. With the Text Tool activated, click on the layout
where you would like your journaling to appear. A Text Entry box will appear;
begin typing your journaling in this box. Click Apply when complete.
20. Move the selected text to the desired location and
deselect the text (Selections > Select None).
21. Next, let’s add a title to the layout. Begin by
adding a layer (Layers > New Raster Layer) and renaming it “Title.”
22. Activate the Text Tool, choose the font and size,
choose your colors, and click on the layout to type your title.
Congratulations! You have just completed a basic scrapbook
layout! Be sure to experiment with the various effects and tools in your
program for countless options. Remember to stop by the Scrapbook-Bytes download
gallery for tons of free papers and elements to get your collection started.
Have fun!
© Copyright 2003-2005 by Scrapbook-Bytes; & original creator/s of tutorials/articles
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