I need a little guidance. I've learned how to scrap digitally, so I bought a number of FB headers - I like the premade ones a lot, but I really love the ones where you insert your own pictures in order to personalize it more. When I pull up a file in .png format I don't see a way to add the photos - I could place them on the top of the file, I guess, but some of the headers have images that cover a bit of the photo box, which means it needs to be done in a layer situation. When I pull up a file in Affinity Designer so I can, in theory, access the layers, the file simply shows as all one layer, which means I can't pick and choose which layer I want to work with. I'm totally new to the GS forums and need someone to steer me to discussion threads where this is spelled out. I really want to learn how to do this and feel silly that I can't figure it out myself, but I figure I can't learn without asking questions. Anyone have any suggestions for me?
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- Thread starter Cathy
- Start date
Dandelion Dust Designs
New member
Hi Cathy,
I'm not familiar with Affinity Designer, but you did mention layers, so I thought I'd see if this helps you. When you pull up the file in Affinity Designer, where the Facebook Header is showing all in one layer, do you have the ability to create a new blank layer? If so, can you create a new blank layer and place that layer under the Facebook Header layer? If so, will it then allow you to place your photo(s) on the new blank layer? If so, they should then show through the photo boxes on the Facebook Header, since that is the top layer? Can you then save the file with both layers, so you can use as your Facebook Header?
Here is also a GingerScraps Tutorial Tuesday on Facebook Timeline Covers that you may find of interest.
In addition, here is a running list of Tutorial Tuesdays, so there may be another tutorial you will find helpful, on this subject that I didn't see.
Ginger
Dandelion Dust Designs
I'm not familiar with Affinity Designer, but you did mention layers, so I thought I'd see if this helps you. When you pull up the file in Affinity Designer, where the Facebook Header is showing all in one layer, do you have the ability to create a new blank layer? If so, can you create a new blank layer and place that layer under the Facebook Header layer? If so, will it then allow you to place your photo(s) on the new blank layer? If so, they should then show through the photo boxes on the Facebook Header, since that is the top layer? Can you then save the file with both layers, so you can use as your Facebook Header?
Here is also a GingerScraps Tutorial Tuesday on Facebook Timeline Covers that you may find of interest.
In addition, here is a running list of Tutorial Tuesdays, so there may be another tutorial you will find helpful, on this subject that I didn't see.
Ginger
Dandelion Dust Designs
roxyrenders
New member
I have used Affinity Photo and your question prompted me to open Affinity Designer for the very first time. I had no problem opening a layered PSD or TIFF template (with all the layers available) and "clipping" a photo to the photo spot. The way you described your PNG file it sounds like it might be what is known as a quickpage - which is a PNG that has been created from different layers, papers, elements- etc and merged into one layer with an open spot for inserting photos. If this seems an accurate description of your FB header PNG file then the following steps might help.
Open your PNG file
Create a photo placeholder shape on a new layer
Drag this place holder layer so it rests below the PNG layer
Move the place holder shape so it properly aligned beneath the photo opening of the PNG layer.
Bring in the photo you want to use and in the layer stack - position it above the placeholder shape but below the PNG file
With the photo layer active go to the Menu Tab>Layer>Arrange>Move Inside - this should "clip" the photo inside the placeholder and then adjust the size of the photo to properly fit the space.
Gee- as I reread the steps I realized you could just bring in a photo - move its layer below the PNG layer and then position and resize it so it is visible through the opening of the PNG.
Hopefully this helps you get a little closer to completing your project.
Open your PNG file
Create a photo placeholder shape on a new layer
Drag this place holder layer so it rests below the PNG layer
Move the place holder shape so it properly aligned beneath the photo opening of the PNG layer.
Bring in the photo you want to use and in the layer stack - position it above the placeholder shape but below the PNG file
With the photo layer active go to the Menu Tab>Layer>Arrange>Move Inside - this should "clip" the photo inside the placeholder and then adjust the size of the photo to properly fit the space.
Gee- as I reread the steps I realized you could just bring in a photo - move its layer below the PNG layer and then position and resize it so it is visible through the opening of the PNG.
Hopefully this helps you get a little closer to completing your project.
BTW, you should try Affinity Designer - I can pretty much guarantee that, once you use it, you will never go back to your previous program. It's that good. It's also inexpensive and has great help forums - you pay something like fifty bucks once and never pay again. Updates are free and help is free, and the program itself is extremely powerful and very user-friendly.