{"id":3922,"date":"2023-08-01T07:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-01T11:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yourscrappingcafe.com\/home\/d19521157\/public_blog\/?p=3922"},"modified":"2023-07-30T14:14:01","modified_gmt":"2023-07-30T18:14:01","slug":"i-keep-learning-new-tricks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yourscrappingcafe.com\/home\/d19521157\/public_blog\/i-keep-learning-new-tricks\/","title":{"rendered":"I Keep Learning New Tricks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I know I\u2019m risking falling into \u201cbeating a dead horse\u201d territory. But I do have another update on a paper clipping technique in Photoshop Elements (PSE).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I mentioned in my prior post about a new tip for clipping paper<\/a><\/strong> & reducing file size, a very dear friend of mine who uses full Photoshop, was trying to help me figure out a better way to do something I\u2019ve been doing (for a while) in PSE. Well, she was finally able to get this old dog to learn an even better trick than what I thought I had already learned. This updated tip cuts out a couple steps so I\u2019m very happy about that. If you\u2019re interested in this latest update read on to see what I have to share this week\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clipping Paper Update<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Every tip\/trick I post about is done using PSE. Also keep in mind that some things behave differently in full Photoshop than the way I see things in PSE. I point this out because this difference is actually the root cause for this next update.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, in that prior post about teaching old dogs new tricks<\/a><\/strong> I tried to give you a better (hopefully easier) method of clipping papers to shapes\/elements. This all has to do with how to best cut that paper\/photo down to only the size required. But I have an update on how to do this more simply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ll be using the same \u201cLighthouse\u201d layout as before to discuss this new tip. Again, for more information about that layout you can view it in \u201cmy gallery<\/a><\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Michigan<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Now, looking at the PSD file for this layout, you can see the \u201coutline\u201d of the full sheet of paper still visible in the layout\u2019s workspace? Clearly, the entire piece of paper is not needed. But it will remain full size when we save the PSD file.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Full<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Rather than creating a new layer of that paper (as previously described) with only the portion required to cover the shape to which it will be clipped, I\u2019m going to show you how to use a layer mask instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the paper layer selected, I Ctrl+Click on the shape layer\u2019s thumbnail in the Layers panel:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Shape<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Once I do that you can again see those familiar \u201cmarching ants\u201d around the shape to which the paper is clipped:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Marching<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Ensuring that the paper layer is still selected, I then click the \u201cAdd layer mask” tool in the layers panel.<\/p>\n\n\n

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

See how the mask layer shows only that small strip of paper remaining? This is exactly the only part of the paper I want to keep.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Add<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Now, I right click on the paper layer\u2019s thumbnail and select \u201cSimplify Layer\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Simplify<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

And voila\u2026only the portion of the paper selected is left in the Layers panel.<\/p>\n\n\n

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

No more creating a new layer, renaming it and deleting the original paper layer. I am thrilled with this new technique. This new method feels so much easier and more efficient. It sure beats the way I\u2019ve been doing it for years! And I\u2019ve never seen\/read a tutorial that described it the way my friend showed me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note:<\/strong> I do want to mention that this method also may not always work well with objects that have “fuzzy” edges. Things like paint, transfers, stamps, etc., having very diffuse edges can make it tricky. Still give it a try. If you find that not all of the object gets selected you can revert to the method I described previously (creating a new layer).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most Important Tips About New Tricks<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

It\u2019s so easy to keep doing things the way we always have. It\u2019s familiar & comfortable. I try to always be open to new ways of doing things. Learning something new allows me to pass that new information along to others who might benefit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember always to only start cutting clipped papers down to size AFTER<\/em><\/strong> you\u2019re certain the layout is finished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As usual, if you have any questions or need a bit of help, please don\u2019t hesitate to \u201cMessage Me<\/a><\/strong>\u201d for some assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks for reading this week\u2019s Tuesday Tip. <\/em>If you want to stay informed about next week\u2019s post, just click \u201cFollow Me<\/a><\/strong>\u201d to get an update. I hope you have a wonderful week!<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Stay<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I know I\u2019m risking falling into \u201cbeating a dead horse\u201d territory. But I do have another update on a paper clipping technique in Photoshop Elements (PSE). As I mentioned in my prior post about a new tip for clipping paper & reducing file size, a very dear friend of mine who uses full Photoshop, was trying to help me figure out a better way to do something I\u2019ve been doing (for a while) in PSE. Well, she was finally able…<\/p>\n

Read More Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3921,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_wp_convertkit_post_meta":{"form":"0","landing_page":"","tag":"0","restrict_content":""},"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3922","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tuesday-tip-day"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t