How to to Use the Embed Action In Photoshop Elements for Digi Scrapbooking

How to to Use the Embed Action In Photoshop Elements for Digi Scrapbooking
by Julie Ann Shahin

This is a tutorial to show you another option for drop shadowing on elements such as buttons, eyelets, and other things that "attach" to a page. I use the "Embed Action (Style)" from Scrapgirls. This tutorial assumes that you have followed the instructions provided from Scrapgirls on how to install the tool in your styles palette.


Here is the layout that I am using this tool on. I want to shadow the denim ribbon eyelets.

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Step 1. In the Styles & Effects palette on the right, chose Styles, then chose the Embed Action. Make sure the layer you want to use the tool on is selected. In this case, I am using the tool on the left denim ribbon with eyelets.

Step 2. Go to Layer --> Layer Style --> Scale Effects. You can see I adjusted the scale to 30

(Click on image to enlarge)

You can compare the Embed style with the regular drop shadow which I used on the right denim ribbon. The left ribbon is a more pronounced shadow, which I prefer in this case.

Note: There are 6 different types of this tool. I try different ones until I get the look that I desire. I do not have a rule about which type to use with certain embellishments.

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In the image below, I have applied the tool to all three ribbons.

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Next, I'm going to use the Embed Tool Style on a staple. This is the staple before.

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Now I've clicked on the tool and the style has been applied to the staple. (You can click on the image to enlarge if you wish).

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As I did in Step 2 above, I've adjusted the scale of the tool until I get the desired effect.

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In my last example, I am going to apply the tool to the epoxy button in the middle of this paper circle. First, I want to duplicate this layer. Second, on the top duplicate layer -I applied the tool to the whole circle as the embellishment .png comes with the button in the middle.

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Next, on the same layer, since I want the style applied only to the button - I erase or cut away the outer circle. You can erase with the eraser tool or you can create a circle with the circle marquee tool around the button. Then, select inverse, then delete that selection.

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You can see I've applied the tool to both buttons below.

It's one of my favorite and most used tools that I use! Thanks for your support of the EDS Blog.
Credits: Falling for Fall by Two Sisters Designs at wearestorytellers.com; Daily Birdie Font by Audrey Neal at wearestorytellers.com; All Stitched Up template by Janet Phillips; Embed
Action 1801 by Scrapgirls

Please leave feedback if you would like more new content on the EDS Blog!

Julie Ann Shahin, Founder

Creating a Realistic Digital Embellishment is Just a Few Clicks Away

Creating A Realistic Embellishment is

Just a Few Clicks Away with Actions

How To By Maggie Lamarre,

Creative Team Member

Supplies Used
Tracy King Buttons Action @Dragonflairestudios.com
(These actions are for Photoshop only- not valid for other software)


What I love about Tracy King’s actions is the ability to modify the elements as you are creating them, such the bevel and the shadows to your preferences..

Let’s begin

• Download the action and install into a folder.
• In Photoshop go to windows select actions
• Then on the action fly out menu click on the triangle, select load action and select the folder the Tracykingbutton ATN action.
• Open the paper you want to use for the button, then select the action and select play.
• During the action it will pause and let you modify the bevel.
• Then next is to modify the shadow.
• I usually create my shadows manually with a paint brush for a more realistic shadow..
  

Voila you are done..

This button was included in the EDS Blog Birthday Bash Kit from October 7th EDS Newsletter.

Have fun, create your ART
from Maggie Lamarre



Mention this ad and get free May Arts Ribbon with your first order at The Shaker Box!

How to Get Glitter-iffic with This FAST Action (Freebie too)

Glitter Action Tutorial

for Digital And Hybrid Scrapbooking

by Julie Ann Shahin, Creative Team Member

One of my favorite places to get neat actions and styles is at Scrapgirls. When you buy their actions or styles - you get a PDF document that is a step by step tutorial for installing and using that style. I would like to show you the results I get with their Glitter Brights style.

1. Open a new blank document that is 8" square, resolution 300, transparent background. Click on the Shapes tool which looks like a talking bubble. In the drop-down menu, select "ornaments."






2. Select the shape you would like, and drag it out on your document to the size desired. The color does not matter at this point.

3. When your shape is ready to glittered, in your right-hand palette go to your Styles and Effects palette. In the drop-down menu, go to Layer Styles. From the Style Libraries menu, select CBA_SSTools_Glitterbrights.

Click on image to enlarge

4. With your shape layer selected, click once on the color of glitter you prefer. You are done! It's that easy to create glitter elements! Repeat these steps for the rest of your ornaments.







And a freebie for you to enjoy! Here is the preview - three ornaments that have been glittered. Please credit myself, Julie Ann Shahin for the items, Scrapgirls and Cheryl Barber for the Glitter Brights Style.

Download link is here! Enjoy!!! Please leave a comment if you download the freebie - thanks!

Please visit our sponsors and purchase today!

Tips for Actions by Miss April: Rhonda Palmer

Digital Scrapbooking Tutorial by
Miss April, Rhonda Palmer
Everyday Digital Creative Team Guest Member

Using Actions to Pop The Colors In Your Pictures

Do you wish you could be a professional photographer but can’t afford all the expensive equipment to become one? I have a solution for you, actions. Actions are presents in Photoshop that can give your pictures the edge they need to pop. There are many styles to choose from to fit any person’s style. I found a lot of them for free by going to google and typing in “Photoshop Actions.” Many digital designers are coming out with their own actions. For my article I am using actions made by Holly McCraig.

Holly McCraig’s actions are easy to use. You simple follow the steps it tells you and your pictures will turn out amazing. What is great about actions is that you can use them to really make your photos dance. As you are working with the actions you can notice how your picture starts to change. It is rather exciting actually. You won’t know what it will turn out like till your last step of the process. There are simple actions that are a few steps. Then there are more intense actions that will take many steps. I have seen one that took over 20 steps. I got a bit impatience and decided to go to another one.

For my flower photo I used Holly’s Purty Pics Warm Color action.

You can see that the photo is dark. I must not have used a flash when I took this. I want to brighten it up. When I used Holly’s Purty Pics Warm Color action (see photo below) see what a different it makes. See how it brightens it up. The flower has more dimension to it. The background color has changed. It really made a huge different by using this action.

For my couple photo I used Holly’s All That Pops Action. Here is the "Before" shot. This photo is nice. It is a little light. It feels as if it needs a little something to make it shimmer.

Using this action gave me this result:
Notice the color. See how the tree stands out more and there is somewhat of a glow around it? Everything is brighter and a bit off focus to give it the feel that it needs to accommodate the photo.

For the sunset photo I used Holly’s Purty Pics Basic Black and White. Step out
of the box when you want to change a photo to black and white. Black and white
photos don’t have to be just people. Give your photos a bit of mystery by
using black and white. Here is a normal sunset:




If you want people’s mind to wander, turn this photo into black and white.

Now people can image what it was like that day. What color were the houses.
What shades of blue, white and black were out that day. Make them think. Make
them get lost for a moment in your photograph.

If you want people to think you are an amazing photographer you must get into
using actions. You can use any photo from any camera and make your pictures
look like they were taken professionally. Here are a few sites that I
recommend trying out actions for free so you can play around with them and get
use to using them. But I must warn you, actions are addicting!

http://www.atncentral.com/

http://www.photoshopsupport.com/tools/actions.html

http://www.panosfx.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=4&id=13&Itemid=27

If you enjoyed today's tips, please leave Rhonda feedback after the sponsor's banners! Thank you!

Please visit our sponsors and purchase today!

Time-Saving Digital Tutorial with Scripts in Paint Shop Pro!!!

Digital Scrapbooking Actions (Scripts) Tutorial
for Paint Shop Pro
by Maggie Lamarre, Creative Team Member

Start, Action!

Sorry I couldn't resist :)

Supplies used: Rebel kit from Ronee Pearson @ Oscraps.com
R initiales from Les Initiales de Meg at Oscraps.com
Pink Flower from the Flower trousseau at Dragonflaire.com
This tut is for PSP 9 and higher.

If you are a Paintshop Pro user like me, don't think you are left out. PSP has Scripts which is similar to Actions. Granted there are not that many scripts available on the market. The good news is that they are very easy to create.

For instance, is there a task you do very often in creating your art? I do I resize a gazillion times. Now I just use my dandy script and I'm done.

Let's begin.

1. I need to resize my Alpha's to 300 pixel and a dpi of 300 and want them to be sharp after the resizing.
2. Here's how I created the script.
   

If the script output is not on your title bar activate it by right click on the bar select palette then output script.


You should have the script bar with a number of scripts that comes with the software.
the 5th item the round circle is the recording the next one is the pause, then the stop button.
We are going to use only 2.

Let's the fun begin.

• I open the initiales from the Initiales element kit and sleect the letter I want to work with.
• Select the recording on the script menu.
• Select image resize for my purpose I select 300x300
• Resample check,
• Lock aspect ratio check
• resize all layers check,then hit ok
• the next step I select Adjust
• then Sharpen, unsharp mask and use the smog effect 60. radius, strength 20 clipping 0 hit enter or ok
• then I save the script recording by clicking on the picture of the diskette which is the last button.
  

At this point it ask that you name your recording and select wherer it's trusted or restricted script. I put all of mine in trusted strict, then you are done.

Next time you need to resize an alpha to the exact size, just go to the script window and select your script and voila done...

TIPS
Other script ideas:

• how about resizing papers from 12x12 to 8x8,
  
• or setup one for matting pics
• do you use a certain tag style?How about setting a script as well.
  

Have fun, create your ARt

PS let us know what other script you have created.







Please Vote!

Discover the Hottest Trend - Curved Photo Tutorial

How To Install and Use Actions in PSE 5.0
Create Curved Photos
Computer Scrapbooking Tutorial
by Cammy Plummer, Creative Team Member

1. Download action of your choice. There are many good sites for interesting actions. Check out:
Atomic Cupcake - www.atomiccupcake.com
PanosFX - www.panosfx.com
Traci Murphy Designs - www.tracimurphydesigns.com

The one that I will be demonstrating comes from PanosFX. It is an action that adds a border to your photos, bends the edges, and adds a drop shadow.

2. Unzip the download. Make sure that Phoshop is closed.

3. With Photoshop Elements 5.0, the only files you need are the files ending with .atn. You may delete the .psd files. Move the .atn files to the following folder:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\5.0\Photo Creations\Special Effects

In the Special Effects folder, create a new folder called Panoxfx. Place the files in this new folder.

*Note: If you placed PSE 5.0 into a different location, the path may differ slightly. Also, ensure that you have the SHOW HIDDEN FILES option selected in FOLDER OPTIONS.




4. To use the action, select a photo and start PSE. The program will automatically refresh the actions to include your new download.

5. Make sure your palette bin is open (Window > Palette Bin).

6. Click Artwork and Effects, then Special Effects. Select Pansfx from the drop down menu. With this action there are two options Bbconcave (a concave photo will result) or Bbconvex (convex photo). Choose one.




7. Drag the Image and Shadow layers to your layout. To select both layers, click the name of the layer in the Layers Palette, hold down the shift key, and then click the second layer.




If you are inspired by today's tutorial or have a question, share your thoughts!


Credits:
Note paper: Linda Gil Billdal, Stationeries Revamped, ScrapArtist; Meredith Fenwick, Holiday Punch
and Pieces of Me: Sentimental, Scrapbook Graphics
Ribbon: Natalie Braxton, Perfectly Pinned, The Lilypad
Date Stamp: Karen Hunt, It’s A Date, Scrapbook-Bytes
Actions: Traci Murphy, Drop Shadows, Traci Murphy Designs; Border & Bending, Panos Efstathiadis,
PanosFX; BriAnna Shultz, Sponge Paint, Chipboard, and Rubon, Atomic Cupcake
Fonts: Abuse Lite; SP Wonderful Wendy