Using Layered Templates in PSE
SUBJECT: Using a Layered .PSD template
PROGRAM: PSE8 (can be adapted for PS and/or other versions of PSE)
PREREQUISITES: Basic understanding of layers, be able to open a document in PSE/Photoshop, be able to use the move tool to drag and drop, rotate and resize items
RELATED DOWNLOAD: Layered Template
A layered template is a stack of shapes each in their own layer. Digital scrappers use each shape layer as a clipping mask to ‘clip’ their photos and papers to the shapes. This tutorial covers the basics of using a layered template.
Open PSE (or Photoshop). Open a layered template. You can download the template shown in this tutorial here. Go to File>Save As and save this project under a new name so you don’t accidentally save over your original template.
Open a photo.
Use the move tool to drag your photo onto the template canvas. Position the photo so that it covers the spot for the photo in the template.
Go to Layer>Create Clipping Mask (Keystroke Ctrl+G in PSE, Shft+Ctrl+G in PS).
With the photo layer active, use the move tool to resize and rotate the photo until the desired portion is visible.
Right click on the photo layer in the Layers Palette and select “Merge Down” from the drop down menu to merge your photo into the template layer (see red arrow below). Alternatively go to Layer>Merge Down or Keystroke Ctrl+E.
Open a paper from any of your digital scrapping supplies.
Click and drag your paper onto the template canvas.
Click on the paper layer in the Layers Palette and drag down until it is directly above the template layer you want to clip it to (see red arrow below).
Go to Layer>Create Clipping Mask (Keystroke Ctrl+G in PSE, Shft+Ctrl+G in PS).
Right click on the photo layer in the Layers Palette and select “Merge Down” from the drop down menu to merge your paper into the template layer (see red arrow below). Alternatively go to Layer>Merge Down or Keystroke Ctrl+E.
Continue this process with photos and/or papers until you have used all the pieces in the template.
Some templates come with drop shadows already set, others don’t. Either way add or delete drop shadows as desired. Templates are a good starting foundation for any layout. Add your own personal touches to finish off your page.
Further Application
- Alter templates to fit your needs, rotate them, move shape layers or delete layers you don’t want.
- The clipping technique described in the tutorial can also be applied to photo masks.
Credits: ABC & 123 by Misty Cato, Font – Last Words
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Comments
This was Soooo helpful I’m just starting out with photoshop and this was great ! Thank you
Hi Misty,
I am using your “Layered Templates” tutorial to try to understand how to do this. However, I am not able to download the template. I have tried for three day now, and keep getting a corrupted message.
Thanks for your instructions, they were clear and easy to follow.
kimmer
Hi there, I just did a test download of the file and it worked for me. Here are a couple of things you can try. Delete the previous corrupted downloads before you download again. Sometimes it also helps to download directly to your desktop, unzip and then move it to the desired location.
Hi Misty,
Thank you for the rapid response. Probably as you were writing to me, I decided to use another computer and try it–sure enough, it worked there.
So, thank you and I really like the tutorial. Now to get the confidence that I can do this!
Kimmer