Just got PSE2 - please help!

[andyapc]

I have been working in DIP9 and I just downloaded the trial version of PSE2. I have never used PS or PSE before, so the workspace is COMPLETELY foreign to me. I have no idea at all how to work with layers.

I am trying to go through the help file and trying to work my way through the 1st page tutorial, but already I'm stuck. I got as far as File>New and my settings are 8x8 at 200 resolution with a transparent background (should I always start with a transparent background?)

I have spent about 45 minutes trying to figure out how to get a picture onto my canvas. I went into File>Open and browsed for my picture and clicked on "open" and my picture appears in my workspace but it's not really my picture, per se. It has a title bar on top of it with the minimize/restore/close commands on it. So then I minimized PSE and opened up my pictures folder, clicked on my picture and tried to drag it above the minimized PSE to drop it in there, but the same thing happened. The tutorial (which is for PS - couldn't find one for PSE) just says to open a picture and determine the size of it - how? The help file is not helping me (which is really scaring me - I always depend on a help file). I'm trying to go through this tutorial so that I can take the beginner PSE2 class starting October 1.

UGH - after working so hard at learning DIP9, I cannot believe I'm actually making myself a newbie again, on purpose.

[scrapqltr]

ROFLOL, Andy! You sound just like I did last month!! I was soooo lost, after working in DIP.

Yes, leave the transparent background. Don't ask me why, tho.
I had a very hard time with the tutorial, also. They need to add one for PSE. Emma??

Have both your picture and new canvas opened. Click on the picture. The blue line across the top will be dark blue. The crop tool, is the third one down on the right on the tool list (left side) Use it to outline your picture. Then click on the Move tool, top right. Now, move the whole picture over so it partially covers the canvas. Click on the picture with the move tool and drag it over on the canvas. Resize if needed, using the control key as you move it to keep the ratio. You will learn other ways in class, but that should get you started.

There are a lot of terms that are really greek, since DIP doesn't have them. But this program is awesome!

[andyapc]

Hi Jan!

I tried your suggestions. I opened my picture again (there was no dark blue line across the top??? The top of what??) and I used the crop tool to crop my picture. When I tried the move tool, I got a pop up that said I couldn't complete that request because the layer was locked. Went into layers and saw my picture on my background (shouldn't my background and my picture be on 2 different layers? My layers was showing only 1 layer). Saw a little lock icon and just clicked on it a couple of time (because I didn't see an "unlock" icon appear so I thought my computer was just acting up), then all of a sudden my picture just got huge on my canvas! So I tried to downsize it using the corner square and it got all distorted. My "undo" button (both under Edit & my tool bar) was not active (why??) so I thought I would have to close the entire project. Went under File>close and it wouldn't let me close, because I needed to choose to apply/not apply something (can't remember now). Anyway, started again, tried to downsize my photo using the corner box and holding down CTRL and it still got distorted.

This is so different from DIP9! If I can't even make it through the 1st page tutorial, how in the world am I going to make it through the class??


BTW: should those Hints & How To boxes stay open on my screen? I'd like to have my canvas be larger on my screen, if at all possible.

[bpalmer]

Hi Andy,
I have found the best way to move a picture into your new file is to either use the move tool... the one with the 4 arrows, or to copy and paste. If you do the copy and paste you would have to tell the program what you want to copy so you would either use the marquee tool... the doted rectangle or select> all from the file menu then copy. After you have copied go to your new file and click on it and paste. If the picture is too big in the new file you will want to resize the picture using the image>resize>scale... you may have to maximize your screen to get the corners to show but then you can drag it in till its the size you want.
As for the hints and how to pallets (or windows) you don't have to leave them open on your desk top but you can and they can be helpful when you are learning. Hope this helps!

[andyapc]

Hi bpalmer!

OK - somehow I got my picture on my canvas (I think I just maximized it and hit my move tool and dragged it - I did so many things, I have no idea what finally worked).

I cannot resize it without distortion. In DIP9, I just had to drag the corner boxes/dots and it would resize while maintaining the correct proportion/ratio. In PSE2, I get distortion. And then, I cannot seem to "undo" this - my undo arrow and undo option under Edit are not highlighted and therefore not active. So I had to go into Layers and delete that layer. I got my picture on my canvas again and went into Image>resize>scale and also tried holding down the CTRL key while dragging the corner box, but it still got distorted and again, my undo key is not active.

*sigh*

[scrapqltr]

The blue bar is at the top of the picture's window. That has to be highlighted to work on that window.

Try holding the shift key! I may have been wrong on that! Oh, my!

There is another way, but without Emma's class instructions, it's hard to explain. Anytime you choose a tool, the options bar shows that tool right above the tool box. For the move tool, when you click on one of the little squares around your picture, you get a row of options. Between the W and H, there is a icon that looks like a paper clip to me (link icon). That will maintain ratio. Click on it! Also, over to the right, there are a triangle, square, and parellogram icons. To turn, click on the triangle first, then turn your picture. To resize, click on the square.

You have to add layers in this program. Nothing like DIP.

To get rid of the Hints box, try dragging the tab back up to the top and drop it, or click the x in upper right.

Don't fret over it now. When you get Emma's instructions each week, it's a lot easier. Have a binder ready. She wrote a book! LOL You will receive about 35 pages a week.

[andyapc]

Hi Jan!

I have a brown bar at the top of my picture that includes the minimize/restore/close commands (that must be what you're talking about? I just have a different window/color setting than you??) I also have this same brown bar on tope of my canvas, called "untitled". Is this what you are referring to?

I clicked on the Move icon and saw the row of options and I clicked that "link" icon and then I also clicked that square on the upper right hand side of the options. Finally, my picture was resized with proportions maintained! Wow - do we have to go through all of those steps every time we want to resize??

You know how we have Files in DIP9 where it shows every file that we have open? (pics, backgrounds, elements, etc.) - where is that in PSE2? Seems to be on the bottom of my screen, minimized??

Also, after I did the above, I was able to go under Edit>undo and it worked. But, my undo button on my tool bar (called "step backward") is still not active - is this right?

I'm continuing with the tutorial - I'm sure I'll be back with more questions. Maybe I might even finish it before class starts! I just signed up for the class today - whoo hoooo!

[andyapc]

OOPS, forgot to ask: I'd like to print out the lesson/instructions each week but was wondering if they are in color? Just wondering if I'm going to need to order replacement ink if the lessons are approx 35 pages each!

[scrapqltr]

LOL Get more ink! You will definitely need to print out the instructions and have them next to you while you are working on a project. The whole class is over 100 pages. It's something like 25 pgs. 1st wk, 38 pgs. 2nd wk, 35 pgs. 3rd wk, and 31 pgs. 4th week. I also printed out the chats.

The bar changes color when you are working with that particular window. "Untitled" is there because you didn't name your project at the start, when it asked you for the dimensions.

>I clicked on the Move icon and saw the row of options and I clicked that "link" icon and then I also clicked that square on the upper right hand side of the options. Finally, my picture was resized with proportions maintained! Wow - do we have to go through all of those steps every time we want to resize??< YES! LOL DIP is a lot easier.

Were you on your canvas when the "step backward" wasn't highlighted? If you go to Windows, scroll down to Layers, and click on that, it will show up on the right side, where the Hints are. Grab the tab and drag down to your work area. This works like DIP's Stack. Everytime you want to add something, you need a layer, tho, by going to Layer at the top, New, Layer, and name it. It will show up on the Layer's Palette. When you want to change something, just drag it in the palette to be above or below another layer, like DIP. When you want to work on a particular element, pic, highlight it on the layer palette to make sure you have the right thing. Using the palette is the hardest thing for me. In DIP, you can just click on anything, and it's ready to go. PSE2 doesn't always work that way.

After I add something to my canvas, I get rid of it from the workspace. I hate having all of those pics, elements, etc in my way. I wish it did work like DIP, showing everything that is opened. I don't have anything showing up on the bottom of the screen.

I only use the Edit at the top for Undo and step backward. There is also an Undo History in the Palette box on the upper right. You can undo anything from there, too. It lists every move you make.

[bpalmer]

You'll love the class! Its alot of fun and you will learn alot! :D

[andyapc]

Well, I got stuck on the 1st page tutorial when it came to shadows because the commands in the tutorial don't appear in PSE2 (I think maybe 'cuz the tutorial is for PS??) so I'm going to stop before I drive myself crazy. I PM'd Emma for help. Thanks guys, for all of your help above! I need all I can get!

[Emma]

Andy
I really just need you to understand how layers and palettes work before starting the class. I'll soon be including sections in Lesson 1 on this, and post it in tutorials too. I'll also translate that first page tutorial into PSE sometime soon.

So if you feel comfortable with "stacks" in DIP, then you should be just fine.

Go ahead and send me your specific questions in an email to emma@digitalscrapbookplace.com

The newbie chat is the last Friday of every month gearing up for the classes. Also, where you got stuck on adding the Drop Shadow under Layer>Layer Styles>Blending Options is the PS version of the PSE Layer Styles Palette. Open the Layer Styles Palette and in its drop down menu you'll see Drop Shadows. Make sure you're on the right layer in the Layers Palette, and then click the Drop Shadow you want.
That part is covered in the class along with a lot of other Layer Style information. As long as you understand palettes and layers, you're set!

I designed this class to be after DSU 102, a very basic, general class covering opening images, saving, resizing, palettes, and layers for most software. It's not written yet, so that's why the first page tutorials are required at this point.

Let me know how you're doing, don't get stressed out about it! You won't be totally lost, and I'll always be one click away!