Using PSD Smart Object Repeat

11 Aug 2024

Using PSD Smart Object Repeat

 

INTRODUCTION

I offer a series of photoshop collage sheets that come pre-formatted with smart objects that work on repeat, so that it's super easy and quick to create printables of a single design.

These PSD files are compatible with Photoshop, PS Elements and Photopea.

I'm providing instructions here for Photoshop, and the very slight variance of those steps using the free online editor Photopea (scroll down for photopea).

PS Elements will have a similar process.

What I am not including here is how to create smart objects in the first place for repeating images. This is purely an instruction on how to use templates that already come with this included (such as my own collage sheets).

Knowledge of clipping masks may also be useful and you can find that tutorial here.

 

PHOTOSHOP

To begin, open my collage sheet file in Photoshop. I have named these files PSD-repeat-SKU for easy reference in the download folder. You will know you have the right file open if all the shapes are grey in color.

Navigate to the first shape layer in the layers panel and double click the layer icon (as pictured to the right). A new file window will open containing just that shape layer (see below).

Now go to File>Open and open the image file you want to place in the shape. Once open, drag that image into the single shape window.

You will likely need to position and re-size the image. If there is a clipping mask layer included, be sure to adjust the image layer positioning under that clipping layer. (see below right)

 

 

All you need to do now is to close the single shape window by clicking the X in the top right corner of the window pane. A pop-up box will appear asking if you want to save changes. Click Yes and the window will close.

It may take a few moments but the collage sheet should auto populate all shapes with the image you just inserted. Repeat the above steps to make any further changes or additions to your design. In the single shape window you can also add any other elements such as text, complete your full design here and it will repeat to all other shapes. Just save your file from here!

A few extra tips: editing any shape layer in this template changes all the shapes. Clipping masks are included only for non square/rectangle shapes. Place unique elements per shape on top of the main template rather than inside the smart object. 

 

 

 

 

 

PHOTOPEA

Smart objects work the same way in Photopea but there are a few differences in the steps. Instead of repeating the same info, follow the same steps as above but take note of these minor step variations.

1. Photopea doesn't use floating windows like Photoshop can so you will only see one window pane at a time (some people like to work that way in Photoshop but my personal preference is to see all windows at once)

2. Once you open the single shape window, go to File>Open & Place to insert your chosen image, then position and re-size.

3. Clipping masks don't carry over into Photopea, so you will need to left click on the inserted image in the layers panel and select 'clipping mask' to apply it when using any non square/rectangle shapes. (see below)

4. To close the single shape window first go to File>Save smart object. Then close the window by clicking the X for the window pane. (see below right)

5. From here everything should look exactly as it does in the final image in above Photoshop instructions.

    

    

   
   
   
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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How to Open Purchased Canva Templates

10 Aug 2024

How to Open Purchased Canva Templates

 

INTRODUCTION

Unlike many software programs, Canva templates can not be download as a file type to share and distribute. Instead, templates are saved right inside the website and are shared via a web link.

If you purchase Canva templates, from me or anyone else, you'll likely receive a PDF with the link provided in the document alongside some instructions. Like the one pictured left!

You simply open the provided PDF, click the link as indicated and a web page should open with the template in question (as pictured) and a button to "use template for new design." See image example in the PDF.

When you have clicked the "use template" button it will open the template in your own Canva account (you will be prompted to login if you are not already). See image below left for how this will then look.

Where you have Canva frames in the template, as in this example, you can simply drag and drop any photo or video onto each shape. You can also change any shape to a solid color using the color swatch tool. See image below right.

Continue designing as you like using any of Canva's available tools.

If you have trouble opening the template, or you experience a link not working properly, contact me for assistance.

 

 

 

 

 

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Introduction to Stencil Templates

9 Aug 2024

Introduction to Stencil Templates

 

This is a basic tutorial and is not software specific. Instead, I'm going to cover the overall concept for using stencil templates which can be done in any software program of your choice. Any software that allows you to stack images and/or text, one on top of the other will work for this method.

If you need more detail, I cover how to use these in Word, Canva or Procreate.

It should be noted that this design method works best for fairly simple designs of either single objects or repeated objects (for example, a sheet of gift tags or a single pennant banner flag).

I'm going to keep this super simple and cover just the base design, meaning, I'm not going to add all the extra elements for a completed design. You can use this same concept to expand your design just by adding any extra pieces under or over the template stencil.

I also want to note that I'm referring to this type of template as a 'stencil'... which is accurate enough, but the files you'll receive from me may also be labelled with 'window.png'. Other designers may use other terminology but the templates will all have the same feature, the design shapes are 'cutout' from the main canvas creating a 'window' or 'stencil' effect.

 

 

1. Start with a blank 8.5x11" canvas in your software program of choice (or other page size depending on your template).

2. Add the color or patterned background you intend to use in your design (or a temporary placeholder that can be changed later). Without a non-white background, when we add the template in the next step it will be invisible - white on white - making it just a little harder to get started.

3. Insert your stencil PNG file on top of the colored or patterned background you just created and adjust placement if necessary. At this point your base design step is done! Just like that, in one quick step, you've got the first part of your design completed.

4. Now just finish things off with text or other imagery depending on the project you are tackling.

    

    

   
   
    
   

 

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Use The Stencil Template in Word

7 Aug 2024

Use The Stencil Template in Word

 

Create a simple design instantly with the stencil template.

 

To begin open a blank document in Word size 8.5x11".

Because our stencil is white, and our background is white, the first step is to add color so we can see what we are doing.

ADD SOLID COLOR

Go to Design in the top menu then Page Color. In the drop down menu you can select any color for your background. You can easily change this later by going back to the same menu options. See image on the right.

ADD PATTERN

Adding pattern as a background is a little trickier and we'll be covering another method below. But to set a pattern as a background you can use the fill effects option in the Page Color menu.

Add gradients along with pre-installed textures and patterns or a picture.

Using picture, a seamless pattern will tile it automatically, however, it doesn't give you an option to adjust tile sizing in the current version of Word.

If your pattern is too large (12x12") reduce it in size using an image editor. Depending on the pattern 2 or 3" is probably going to work better.

 

 

 

INSERT TEMPLATE

Now that we have some color on the background we can insert our template and we'll be able to see it.

Go to Insert in the top menu then choose >Pictures>This device. Navigate to your template and be sure to choose the PNG file version that has the shapes as 'cut-outs' or 'windows'.

This template style acts like a stencil or pattern to create your design in.

Initially Word is going to place that template mid page and sized smaller than you'll want it. See image left.

So you'll need to make a couple quick adjustments. With the template selected go to Picture Format in the top menu. Then in the Wrap text menu choose 'behind text'.

You'll now be able to resize the template to fit the page exactly by dragging each corner and moving the template into position. The sides will glow green when you have positioned it exactly to the edges.

See illustrations below for both steps. Now we're ready to design!

 

 

 

 

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Use The Stencil Template in Canva

6 Aug 2024

Use The Stencil Template in Canva

 

Create a simple design instantly with the stencil template.

 

To begin, open Canva in your browser, 'create new design' and set your canvas size to 8.5x11".

Because our stencil is white, and our canvas is white, the next step is to add color so we can see what we are doing.

ADD SOLID COLOR

Go to 'Background' in the side menu and choose a color from the palette selector. The chosen color will be applied to your canvas.

ADD PATTERN

Alternatively, you can use the search bar in the backgrounds menu to look for a pattern background to suit your project. I'm using a solid color as a placeholder for this tutorial and then apply my design from there.

 

 

INSERT TEMPLATE

Now that we have a color background let's add our template.

Click 'Uploads' in the side menu, then 'Upload Files' and choose your template file from your saved documents. Make sure to select the template that has the shapes as 'cut-outs' or 'windows'. This is important.

Once uploaded you will see the template in the images library, select the template and it will appear in the middle of the canvas.

Drag to position and re-size so that the template covers the whole canvas.

You are now ready to begin designing!

If you set a background color or pattern, you can change this at any time by simply going back to the Backgrounds menu.

 

 

Add images or text from here to create your design.

Move inserted images under the template by moving them backward. With the image selected, you'll find this command by clicking the three dots in the mini menu bar that appears under the selected image. pictured right.

Continuing adding images this way to complete your design.

Once you send something backward it can be difficult to re-select it to make edits. By using control+click on the canvas you can toggle between different elements that are stacked to select the right layer needed.

Moving things around can also get tricky once you have many layers so you may need to fiddle with things a bit until you get the hang of it.

Once you understand how to use Canva's tools designing with PNG templates should be relatively easy.

 

 

 

 

 

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Use the Stencil Template in Procreate

5 Aug 2024

Use the Stencil Template in Procreate

 

Create a simple design instantly with the stencil template.

 

To begin, open Procreate on your device and create a new blank canvas sized at 8.5x11".

Because our stencil is white, and our canvas is white, the next step is to add color so we can see what we are doing.

ADD SOLID COLOR

Go to the layers tab and select the Background layer. A color wheel menu box should open when you do so. From here move the two small circles so random select a color.

If you want a very precise color, click Value option at the bottom of the menu box and you can input exact color code you want to use. There are a few other choices and options in here that you can explore if you are not already familiar with the color menu choices.

ADD PATTERN

Alternatively, you can add a pattern image to the canvas instead by using the same steps as below for adding the template file to the canvas.

Either of these options can be changed later so if you're not sure yet what color you need, or perhaps not at all, that's fine. We're doing this purely so we can see the stencil on the page.

 

 

INSERT TEMPLATE

Now that we have a color background let's add our template.

Click on the wrench icon in the top left corner then 'Insert a file' and choose your template file from your saved documents. Make sure to select the template that has the shapes as 'cut-outs' or 'windows'. This is important.

Once  you select the file image it will insert onto your canvas automatically.

If you are using a template that needs to be at the exact size it was designed at, make sure that the template is fitted to your canvas at exactly the size the template comes as (my templates are almost exclusively sized at 8.5x11")

You are now ready to begin designing!

Remember, at any time you can go back and alter the background color or pattern you had originally selected.

See below for template layer and next steps.

 

 

As you can now see, adding the white template layer on a color background allows you to clearly see and work with the template design.

From the layers tab, top right corner, you should have a blank layer above the background but under the template layer. If not just add a new layer by clicking the plus sign and drag it into position. The 'design' layers need to be underneath the template.

You are now ready to begin your design! Procreate has lots of wonderful options for designing. Whether you want to insert images, draw shapes, add text or paint with the brushes. If you're stuck on how to use any of those tools a quick google search will give you a huge range of tutorials to choose from.

I'm not going to cover the design process here, but you're now ready to add whatever strikes your fancy.

 

 

 

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White on White Edits in Photopea

3 Aug 2024

White on White Edits in Photopea

 

White on white editing in free online editor Photopea

I'm often asked why my template shapes are not white...

Well, white on white is a problem, like a polar bear in a snowstorm. Adding an outline to define the shapes would be required but if I were to add that for you, I would be creating bigger problems for everyone else who doesn't want/need an outline.

Because these are templates and are meant to be edited, it shouldn't matter what color they are delivered to you as, since everyone will need/want something different, editing is all part of the process with a template.

So for projects where you require the shape color to be white you simply change the shape color and add an outline to define it on the page - if you need it that way for printing purposes.

What about registration marks you might ask? Why aren't those included? Well, those have a place in certain types of printables, but they work well only for straight edges, they don't work on curves, complex shapes or collage sheets with multiple elements.

Unless you are using a cutting machine and save your work as a PNG file with a transparent background... you're going to need those outlines.

In this tutorial I'm going to show you how to change the shape color and add an outline for the white-on-white method using the PSD file format inside the free online editor Photopea. We'll be working on the assumption that you want to change an entire sheet of shapes like in my example template.

See my previous tutorial on just changing shape colors using an entirely different method for a one shape at time process.

Photopea is comparable to photoshop and is compatible with PSD file formats making it very quick and easy to edit any photoshop file - for free! The process here is nearly identical to that of Photoshop itself so these steps very easily transfer over to both Photoshop CS and PS Elements.

 

STEP 1:

To get started, have your template ready, open your web browser and navigate to Photopea.

Either click "open from computer" to locate and load your PSD template file, or drag and drop the file onto the center of the screen.

This will open the file in Photopea and your screen will appear like in the example below.

Make sure that you have selected the right file format by ensuring you have multiple layers in the lower right layers panel, as marked on the example below.

 

 

STEP 2:

Go to the layers panel in the lower right of your screen and open a folder by clicking on the little arrow next to the folder icon.

In this template example below there are 6 circles, so there will be six separate shape layers, which are organized here by row into 3 folders.

Click once on a shape layer in the layers panel to select it and notice what happens on the canvas. A blue line will appear on that circle indicating it has been selected.

This is how you know which layer you are working with on the canvas. You can use Ctrl + click to choose more than one shape layer at a time which is something we will be doing further along.

 

 

STEP 3:

To add an outline and change the shape color we're to going to use a shortcut method to pull up the 'Layer Style' box. Double click on the shape layer in the layer panel box in the empty space next to the layer name as indicated in the picture.

The Layer Style box should now appear on your canvas. There are many style options to choose from here but we're looking for the Stroke and Color Overlay options.

Starting with the stroke, select it by clicking on the name (and not just the tick box). This will bring up the stroke style options where you can adjust things like color and stroke size.

Leave the other settings as the default, as pictured. 

 

STEP 4:

TIP: The menu boxes float, so you are able to drag them around your screen if you need to adjust your view of things. Just click and drag the top bar of the menu box to move it.

I'm going to use a light grey for my stroke. So I've clicked in the little color box (see picture) which opens the color picker menu. I can choose any color I want from here. I don't need to be too specific for this though so I'm picking a random light grey. I can always go back and adjust it if I need to.

Click OK in the color picker menu box.

For size, I'm going with the default 3px. Depending on your needs though you can go as big or as small as you want.

Keep the Layer Style box open while we go on to step 5.

 

 

 

STEP 5:

Let's change the shape color by using the color overlay option. Click this line the same way you did with the Stroke option and you'll get the color overlay menu choices. (as pictured)

We're going to select white in the color picker using the same process as we did for the stroke. Select white and click OK.

We're all finished with our style choices so you can click OK in the Layer Style box as well. The changes will now be applied to that shape.

Deselect the layer to see it fully just by clicking the background layer in the layers panel. You should now see a white shape with a grey outline.

Let's go apply that same effect to all the other shapes on the page!

 

 

STEP 6:

While you can spend the time to edit each shape individually, if you have many shapes that you want to apply the same layer style options to there is a quicker method.

On the shape layer that we have already edited go to the layers panel and as before, in that empty space next to the shape layer name, this time you'll do a right click instead of a double click. You'll see a whole new menu list.

From 'Layer Style' in this list, open the sub menu and click 'copy'.

Next, you'll need to select each layer in the layers panel that you want to apply the stroke to. Use Ctrl + Click to choose all the other shape layers.

See image below for what that looks like.

 

 

STEP 7:

What we need to do now is paste the layer style on to all the other shape layers.

As before, right click in the layers panel on any of the selected layers. From the pop up menu go back to the Layer Styles sub menu and click 'paste'.

The changes should be applied instantly to all the shapes. If not, it's likely you selected something that isn't a shape layer. Perhaps a folder layer. Adjust your selections and try again.

If the template has a lot of layers I suggest doing this in smaller batches.

For an even quicker shortcut though, you can apply layer styles to an entire folder of shapes by following all these instructions but by clicking the folder line in the layers panel instead of the shape layer.

 

 

That's it. Have fun experimenting with the layer styles!

You're now ready to move on to whatever next steps are required for your project. Whether that's printing as is or adding other elements.

To save your newly edited template go to the top menu bar and in the top left corner click File>Save as PSD or File>Export As and choose whichever file format you need.

For PNG with a transparent background you'll need to turn off the background layer in the layers panel (just click the eye icon).

SVG is not compatible with the type of edits we've made here today, so while it will save, it won't work properly as a true SVG.

JPG or PDF will likely be the most suitable options.

 

 

 

 

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Changing Shape Colors in Photopea

2 Aug 2024

Changing Shape Colors in Photopea

 

Edit template colors using the free online editor Photopea

For projects that require custom colors you might choose to edit a template by changing the color of each object on the sheet.

Whether it's a single object or multiple shapes like the example on the left, the easiest way to change the color is by using a graphic design software program and one of the layered template options provided.

I offer both SVG and PSD as fully layered templates that can be edited with exact precision.

For this tutorial I'm going to show you how to change shape colors using the PSD file inside the free online editor Photopea.

Photopea is comparable to photoshop and is compatible with PSD file formats making it very quick and easy to edit any photoshop file - for free!

The process here is nearly identical to that of Photoshop itself so these steps very easily transfer over to both Photoshop CS and PS Elements.

To get started, have your template ready, open your web browser and navigate to Photopea. (this is more easily done from a desktop computer)

 

STEP 1:

Photopea's home page should look like this when you first open it.

Either click "open from computer" to locate and load your PSD template file, or drag and drop the file onto the center of the screen.

This will open the file in Photopea and your screen will change to the example below.

Make sure that you have selected the right file by ensuring you have multiple layers in the lower right panel, as marked on the example below.

 

 

 

STEP 2:

Layers are likely to be grouped in folders if there are many layers to the template. Each individual shape represents a separate layer in the file.

In this example there are 6 circles, so there will be six shape layers, which are organized here by row into 3 folders.

To open the folder just click on the little arrow icon next to the folder icon.

Do this now for all three rows so you can see each circle shape as a separate layer. Click once on a shape layer to select it and notice what happens on the canvas. A blue line will appear on that circle indicating it has been selected.

Double click that same shape layer in the layers panel and a color picker box will appear over top of the template canvas.

 

 

STEP 3:

This is what your screen should now look like.

This is where you'll select your new color. Just choose a color using one of the color picker methods and click 'OK' to apply the change.

There are a few options here for color selection. If you have the exact color code you want to use, you can enter it in the HEX or RGB value boxes.

You can also use the slider to randomly pick a color you like if it doesn't need to be exact. You have a pretty broad range to choose from here.

You'll notice two tick boxes for web colors and cmyk gamut. Only use these if you know for certain you need this, otherwise the default RGB colors will be perfectly suitable for any project in web or print designs.

 

 

SIDEBAR: Color Picker Eyedropper

I'm going to pause on the instructions to explain the eyedropper tool, because this is a most handy option for picking color options.

If you have a color palette in image form that you want to use, or you want to pull colors from another design or a photo, go to File>Open on the top menu bar and open that image in Photopea.

The image will open in a new tab. From the left hand tools menu, select the eyedropper tool. And from the top of the right hand panels, select Swatches.

Now just click each color, one at a time, and each one will be added to the swatches panel.

STEP 4:

Resuming where we left off at Step 3, if you've set up custom color swatches these will now be available right in the color picker menu box.

All you have to do is click the color choice you want for each shape and click 'OK' for it to be applied to that shape.

And so on for each shape.

You can also click the color choice from the Swatches panel itself, if your colors are not all shown in the color picker menu box.

Once you have changed your colors you can either continue designing in Photopea or you can save and download your new changes as a new file.

 

 

STEP 5:

To save as a JPG or PDF for printing purposes, simply go to File>Export as and choose your preferred file format.

A pop up will appear with saving options such as file name and image quality. Make any necessary adjustments and click Save. The file will automatically be sent to your downloads folder.

If you want to save as PNG with a transparent background you will first need to turn off the white background layer. In the layers panel, click the eye icon to turn off a layer.

Now save as above but choose the PNG file option. In the saving menu box, leave all settings as they have defaulted with the exception of the file name should you wish to change that. Everything else should be left as is.

 

 

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Clipping Mask Edits in Photopea

1 Aug 2024

Clipping Mask Edits in Photopea

 

Insert images into shapes with free online editor Photopea

The clipping mask is one of the most useful tools you'll have when working with templates like these. And once you know how to do it, it is the easiest thing and is super quick to apply.

As you can see from my example image, what we're doing is inserting an image into (or on to) the template shapes.

It's probably one of the biggest frustrations new designers make when faced with "here's a shape' and 'here's an image' - how do you put the two together??

Well, I assure you, it's super easy!

We're going to do this in the free online editor Photopea, but these instructions translate well over to Photoshop CS or PS Elements as well.

To begin, make sure you have your template and at least one image ready to use, then just follow along.

 

STEP 1:

To get started navigate to Photopea.

Either click "open from computer" to locate and load your PSD template file, or drag and drop the file onto the center of the screen. We'll open the image you want to insert in the steps below.

Your screen will appear like in the example below with the editing canvas open and ready to use.

 

STEP 2:

Go to the layers panel in the lower right of your screen and open a folder (if there is one) by clicking on the little arrow next to the folder icon.

In this template example there are 6 circles, so there will be six separate shape layers, which are organized here by row into 3 folders.

Click once on a shape layer in the layers panel to select it and notice what happens on the canvas. A blue line will appear on that shape indicating it has been selected.

Choose the layer you want to insert an image into by clicking that layer to select it now as in the example.

 

 

STEP 3:

Go the top menu bar and Click File>Open and Place. Find and select the image file you want to insert from wherever it is saved on your computer.

Click ok and the image will be inserted into the template file as a new layer right above the shape layer that you selected in the layers panel.

You can see it now in the layers panel. Right click on that layer name in the layers panel to open a popup menu box. In that menu you'll see the option 'Clipping Mask'. Click this and the magic happens.

If the image was not directly over top of the shape it might appear to have disappeared. But you'll still see the image box and controls nodes.

Use your mouse to drag the image into place and re-size as required, just like the example below.

 

 

 

 

STEP 4:

All that's left to do is to fine tune the size and placement.

The repeat for each additional shape/image.

TIP: you can turn layers off if you don't need them by clicking the eye icon in the layers panel for any shape not required, as well as the background if you require transparency when saving as a PNG.

To save your newly edited template go to the top menu bar and in the top left corner click File>Save as PSD or File>Export As and choose whichever file format you need.

SVG is not compatible with the type of edits we've made here today, so while it will save, it won't work properly as a true SVG.

JPG or PDF will likely be the most suitable options.

 

 

 

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