{"id":3104,"date":"2023-05-02T09:10:37","date_gmt":"2023-05-02T13:10:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yourscrappingcafe.com\/home\/d19521157\/public_blog\/?p=3104"},"modified":"2023-05-02T09:10:39","modified_gmt":"2023-05-02T13:10:39","slug":"want-just-part-of-an-element","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yourscrappingcafe.com\/home\/d19521157\/public_blog\/want-just-part-of-an-element\/","title":{"rendered":"Want Just Part Of An Element?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Several weeks back in my post about Journaling<\/a><\/strong> I mentioned I would have a future post discussing how to cut elements into pieces.  Well, that\u2019s this post!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me just say, in case it isn\u2019t already obvious\u2026I love digital scrapbooking!  One reason is the supplies, which are truly only limited by my own creativity.  As I\u2019ve already discussed in prior posts about Re-coloring elements<\/a><\/strong> & Re-coloring paper<\/a><\/strong>, amazing digital editing programs like Photoshop Elements (PSE), makes altering digital supplies a snap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, sometimes an element might be the right color but you really only want to use part of the element.  There are multiple ways to do this depending on the element in question.  If you\u2019d love to know more, please read on\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Removing Part Of An Element<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes this is any easy process.  For example, you found the perfect scatter to use on your current layout.  Only problem is some of the pieces end up in places you\u2019d rather not see them.  This is generally fairly easy to fix.  Simply use the Eraser tool and remove the parts of the scatter you don\u2019t need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re using PSE (or likely most graphics editors) you may need to simply (rasterize) the element before doing so.  If you\u2019re not sure how to do this you can either \u201cMessage Me<\/a><\/strong>\u201d or search for tips on the internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Either way, before you simplify the image be sure to remove any shadows.  First copy (or make note of) the layer (shadow) style.  Then delete it from your image.  You will then reapply the style once you\u2019re happy with the edits you make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But There’s More<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The scatter element was one thing.  Then there are times when you find a great cluster but it has a frame that you don\u2019t need.  That\u2019s a bit trickier but not impossible.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Winter<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

For the layout above I used elements from the \u201cHere and Now<\/a><\/strong>\u201d collection by Natali Designs.  You can see more details about this layout if you go to my 2023 Gallery<\/a><\/strong>.  I found the perfect cluster for the leftmost upper photo frame.  But it had a frame that wouldn\u2019t work and some other bits that I didn\u2019t care to keep.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Here<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Again, I could have removed the frame and other bits by using the Eraser tool.  But it was just a bit more complicated than simply erasing a scatter here and there.  When this happens, I tend to use the Layer Mask option in PSE.  And I do all of this editing outside of the layout for which the cluster is intended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using a layer mask allows you to make nondestructive erasures.  In essence, masking lets you \u201chide\u201d rather than physically delete unwanted portions of an element.  This also means you can fix any mistakes much more easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the element to be edited open, go to the layers panel and select the Add layer mask tool.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Layer<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

You now see the layer mask (white box) \u201cattached\u201d to the element in the layers panel.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Layer<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Select the layer mask by double-clicking on the white box next to the layer thumbnail.  You\u2019ll know it is properly selected when you see a colored (in my system it\u2019s blue) outline around the layer mask.  Now select the Brush Tool.  You\u2019ll want to pick a brush shape & size appropriate for the task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally, this will likely be a basic round brush either hard or soft edge depending on the circumstances.  If you\u2019re wanting to delete some paint or stamps from an element you may want to look at using a \u201cwatercolor\u201d brush.  This will tend to make the edges look more in keeping with the original paint\/stamp.  Changing the opacity can also help.  I hope that makes sense.  You can decide which brush will work best for you and the element you\u2019re editing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember that when using the layer mask, the color black will erase (hide) and the color white will restore (unhide) portions where you use the brush.  So, before beginning to erase you need to ensure that your color chips are set to the default (black foreground & white background).  Then just start brushing over the element to erase the parts you want to remove\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Removing<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

It can be tricky trying to get the frame out and still leave bits and pieces of other elements intact.  But that\u2019s what the zoom tool is for.  Just zoom in as close as you need so as to be able to carefully erase around certain parts.  Yes, it can be tedious and a bit time consuming.  But eventually you can end up with the perfect result.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Frame<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

And I would encourage you to save your altered element (both as a layered (PSD or TIFF) and a PNG) under a new name so you have it for future use.  By saving it as a layered file you can always go back and modify the element even further if you so desire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note:<\/strong>  I did use a watercolor artist brush to work around some of the paint.  The brush I used was part of a watercolor action set I obtained via a class I attended quite some time ago.  Unfortunately, I can\u2019t share that brush with you.  But I know there are a lot of great free watercolor brushes at Brusheezy<\/a><\/strong> that would work perfectly for this instance.  Just search for watercolor brushes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I used this altered cluster in the layout above, I did rotate it horizontally and brush out a few more bits once I placed it in the correct position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This method works on all manner of elements.  It\u2019s also especially useful if you want to use just a portion of a piece of word art.  This is just one more way to make better use of your supplies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cutting Elements Into Pieces<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Nina<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

I know\u2026now you\u2019re wonder what an alphabet pack has to do with this topic.  Well, if you remember back to my post about fonts & alphas<\/a><\/strong>, I specifically mentioned that not all designers provide their alpha characters as individual PNG elements.  That\u2019s the case with this particular set of alphas from \u201cNina<\/a><\/strong>\u201d by Rachel Martin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rachel provides (at least currently) her alphas only in single sheets like this\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Blue<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Obviously, you\u2019ll need to cut the individual letters out.  Which is a very simple process so don\u2019t be scared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the alpha sheet open in PSE (or your software of choice) select the Rectangular Marquee tool in the Tool Options.  You could try using the Circle\/Oval Marquee tool but that might be a bit trickier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click on the New Selection icon.  Set the Feather to 0 (zero) and Aspect\/Style to Normal.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Rectangular<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Drag a selection around the letter you want.  Then select Layer> New> Layer Via Copy.  This will create a new layer with just the character you selected.  You can now either move that single layer to your layout or save it as a stand-alone PNG file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Easy peasy\u2026right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This same process can be used to edit existing word strips you may have and break them apart or replace certain words with others.  Of course, replacing words in existing word strips can be tricky if you don\u2019t know what font the designer used.  But I\u2019ll try to do a post about that soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creating Word Bits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

So, that last technique is not that much different than what you would do to create word bits from complete sentences as I discussed in the post about Journaling<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a plain, untextured paper open in PSE, follow these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n