Putting Templates into Artisan

[ladyravena]

I'm trying to do the November Calendar challenge... sorry, the desktop challenge, and I downloaded the template, but it's a image. I thought templates were layered or that you can change certain parts and insert, but all I can do is put stuff on top if it!

Help!

 

[meagan43]

So you use Artisan?
That is in itself, it's own program. You need to make sure that you are using a .page file.
I will have to look to see if this month's desktop includes the .pages. If it doesn't, then it would be a flat piece (almost like a picture) for you.

If there are layered pngs available, you can paste them all onto your page and then fill the layers separately. They would still be flat (ie, the photo spots would not be truly spot, but flat place holders), but at least you can have separate pieces to work with.
Let me go look at what is there.

 

[meagan43]

Ok, so I just went and looked and it does not include the .Page files, which Wendy states due to the pixel size.

There is a Facebook group for Artisan Users that you can join. There is lots of information about how to layer in pngs to your project.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1635812020017391/?hc_ref=SEARCH

I would be happy to walk you thru the process of creating a desktop page using pngs if you are interested.

 

[Colleen]

Meagan, you are so kind to offer assistance!

 

[ladyravena]

That would be really cool if you could. I didn't realize that page files were so different!

 

[meagan43]

I haven't been ignoring you. So sorry that life has been really busy around here. Now, I have Storybook Creator 4, which is the predecessor to your Artisan program. It might look a little different, but in essence works the same. I know that Lori has some videos to help out on the Facebook group as well if this doesn't make sense. I have not figured out how to make videos, so I am going to show you some screen shots. If I skip steps that you do need a screen shot of. Please let me know. I may have to do this in stages as I have work today and kids to get to school. So, if I don't get to it all. Please check back.

1. Create a new page. (You will need to know if your desktop screen is the 1280 x 800 or 1024x768. These are different sized pages to start with. I will show you with the 1280x800.). You will click both the "create a new page or project" and then the "new page or image". You will then scroll to "custom size" and will have manually enter the size. I already have both sizes saved in mine. I just called them 1280x80 desktop so that I would remember what that size is for.

Since I already have them saved, I can't remember the actual size in inches. I am looking for the actual size, but it is something like 16" x 9.25". I will update this when I get the exact.
It will look something like this:

 

[meagan43]

Now, for the next step, you need to unzip the files of pngs that you were given from Neverland Scraps. I have a spot in the folders on my desktop where I keep all my templates.
You need to have the view reverse order so that they layer in correct. As you can see, the last png #33, is the first listed. Now, you can highlight them all (I use the "highlight all" short cut key) and then "copy".

You will now paste these onto your new page.

I am checking into a few things. I found an anomaly when I pasted these desktop pngs. Plus, I have to get kids out the door. I will back later today with more.
Stay tuned

 

[ladyravena]

Okay, I'll be back up later. We have a new cat that I am trying not to blind with picture taking! >^..^<

 

[meagan43]

Ok, so I did find out some more information regarding Artisan vs SBC and also regarding the size of the pngs.
Apparently, in Artisan 5 when you select the Desktop Backgrounds as the project type, a bunch of options show up that indicate the screen resolution. Pick the one that matches and the size will be determined by the software.
This is what it should look like



Now, in this case, the pngs are smaller than I expect for a normal desktop project.
The properties of the background show it is 4.267 x 2.667. You may need to do something a little different for them than normal (like create a special project that size).
If this project were a normal size, you would select your project type and move on. I went ahead a created a project that was that size.

Once again, after you have created your project, and copied all the pngs from your regular folder like I showed above, you then paste them all onto your page work surface. If they are all in reverse order like I said above, then they all layer in on top of each other in perfect order like this:

The one thing is that they are not "flat". Each png is the size of the whole page, so you will need to flatten each one. We used to do this individually, now we have learned a way to do all the pngs at once.
Using the cut tools.
First, select all of you pngs at once (I usually us the method to drag my cursor from above one corner to below the diagonal corner. When you do this you select everything that your cursor goes around).
You will then need to open your "Cut and Fill" tab and select "straight" and then " straight edge"
Once, you have selected this tool, the yellow directional arrow will appear in the middle of your project. We don't want it there, you will need to grab the yellow arrow and drag it OFF of your project like below.

 

[meagan43]

This will flatten each png individually, so they are each just the size that they are supposed to be. It may take a minute. The more pngs there are the longer it will take. This process works the same no matter what sized project you are doing. You just copy all the pngs onto a page, "cut" them so they are the right size, and then you can get to work.
Now, when you look at your elements list to the left, you will see them at full size

Now, you can move forward with them just like this. There are not any "live" photo spots, but each shape is individual for you to fill.

Do you know how to turn them into a photo spot or "live" spot?

 

[meagan43]

One last possible step is saving your project. You have 2 choices. If you think you might like to re-use this .page as a template, (I think in Artisan), you choose "File", "save as" and make your choice as to file type. I usually save mine as .page. Name your file.

Now you can use this same template over and over again.
You can go back to your project and start replacing the pngs with your photos and papers.

When you are done, you will resave it as something specific to your project. If you save it as just a jpg, you not be able to edit any changes later. In these cases, I will usually save a .page version of my project and then save the jpg to share.

I hope this helps you. If there is any part that you do not understand or if you need help with the photos, please let me know. Sometimes, when you do something over and over, you forget the basic steps, so I hope I haven't missed any for you. lol

 

[meagan43]

Since I had already converted the project and had it open, I went ahead and did the challenge myself! It was quick to replace all the flat pngs with papers from Clever Monkey's Christmas Ho Ho kit. I ended up just adding the pictures to the page and then replacing the photo spots with the picture and even flipped the one frame to fit the direction of my photo.

Thanks for the push!