Is there a work-around for the cookie cutter?

[pawleywog]

I'm loving Photoshop CS2, but for scrapbooking I miss the cookie cutter (obviously)! Since CS2 has the custom shape tool, is there a way to use that as a mask / invert selection / or something to create the cutouts?

Thanks,
Linda:confused:

[Robyn]

Hi Linda.....

Just draw the shape you want, control click on that shape layer in the palette to select that shape, then click on the layer that you want to cut the shape from, select inverse and then just delete.......and hey presto, it's done!:) And you can then trash that shape layer as you don't need it anymore.

Or alternatively, you can draw the shape as a path, control click on the path in path palette and do the same as above. This way you can also you the path selection tool to move it around before you do the inverse and delete............... you don't end up with the shape layer in the layers palette that you have to trash, but the template shape is in the paths palette for you to trash if you want. Hope this makes sense to you, I'm not so good at explaining!

[Wendy]

Hi ...

... and a quick way to convert a path to a selection is to hold down the Control key and press Enter (Mac Command and Return) :)

Wendy

[Priss]

Hi ...

... and a quick way to convert a path to a selection is to hold down the Control key and press Enter (Mac Command and Return) :)

Wendy

Wendy---Robyn---
Could you expand on using a path effectively and share how to put type onto it? I think that might be helpful to scrappers who are just starting out with CS2.

[Wendy]

Hi ...

Well Custom Shapes are a lot more flexible in Phototshop than they are in Elements. In Elements they simply draw a shape layer but with Photoshop you get choices.

Click on the custom shape tool and then take a look at the top of the screen. Over on the left hand side there are three little boxes just hover your cursor over them and you will see:

Shape Layers ... This is just like the one Elements has

Paths ... This makes a work path ... now that is the vector equivelent of a selection. Good news is that you can scale it up with no loss of quality and it has beautifully smooth edges. Thats because it doesn't have to go around the square edges of Pixels like most other selection tools do. (You can also make work paths using the pen tool :) )

Fill Pixels ... This just creates a workpath but then it fills the pixels inside it with colour.

Experiment with them and see what happens :)


Wendy

[Wendy]

... and when you have done that then try out the text tool with your path. That is fun !!

Try this:

Use the custom shape tool (set to Paths) to make a circle .... (or the ellipse tool), then select the text tool, move your cursor slowly across your image and watch the cursor change shape.

1. When the cursor is outside the circle its just the normal text cursor ... an upright with a square box around it.

2. When its on the line of the path it changes to an upright with a wavy line though it.

3. ... and when its inside the circle it changes into an upright with a circle around it.

Its 2 & 3 that get interesting at this point :eek:

Upright with a wavy line through it ... if you click down and type when that is showing then your type goes along the path itself. In this case around the edge of the circle to give you text in a circle.

Upright with a circle around it ... if you click down and type when that is showing then then all the type you do will stay within the circle itself. Just keep typing and the circle will fill with text.

This is how they look ..

http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1MiDp2OEGbw0JPYybkohL9ivghAv50

there are all sorts of variations you can do and remember that you can use any shape it doesn't have to be a circle.

Try filling a bell with text for a Christmas Card or a heart with text for Valentines day ... :)

Wendy

[Robyn]

Thanks for answering Wendy. I certainly couldn't have answered so comprehensively. I would know what I was trying to say, but most probably no one else would!! Wendy is an 'old hand' :D at CS2, but I'm very much a beginner, having only quite recently graduated from PSE3................but I absolutely love it, I haven't once been even tempted to go back to PSE3.

[Wendy]

Robyn ...

You are doing just great with CS2 and have learned so much in the short time you have had it :)

Wendy

[Penny]

Thanks Wendy and Robyn - I am also new at CS2. I have copied and pasted this info into Notepad so I can refer back to it.

[Robyn]

Hi Penny.....

Looks like we are starting out together on the CS2 journey. I had no trouble picking up on things that I had already learnt in Elements.......but it's all those wonderful, wonderful, new things that you can do in CS2 that I want to learn. But I'm so impatient and greedy for knowledge, I want to know it all NOW!!! :eek: Of course that is never going to happen, it is such a huge powerful program..........if I know just 5% of it in 12 months time, I'll still be pretty pleased with myself! :D...........ummm......maybe that is being a bit ambitious!

[Penny]

Hi Robyn - I have used Photoshop before (Photoshop 6) but not to this extent. At work I was called the Bitmap Queen because I could always clean up the graphics that were drawn by hand and then scanned (this is years ago). So that is about all I knew how to do. Oh yes, I was taught how to make a macro to turn the Bitmap Graphics into RGBs so they could be corlored by another employee. This I still do quarterly. Now our graphics are designed in Illustrator (not by me). That's another program that is hard to learn - can only do a few things in that program. I messed around with Elements 4 but not to any extent. Just played around with it from time to time. This is a whole new experience for me - I am really enjoying it - just would like to have more time to play and learn. We can both learn together. And yes, CS2 is a great program.
This formun is a great way to learn and lots of people are willing to help. I think that is great.:D

[ConnieK]

I just purchased CS2 within this year and am trying to learn it rapidly as well. I have found myself using PSE4 when I'm time contrained and need something quickly because I know it better. I really appreciate reading these helpful hints.

Cheers!
Connie

[Wendy]

Hi Connie ...

One of the problems when you frst start using CS2 is that things are in different places in the menus so you can't find them as easily. All you really need to do is get used to where they are ... and the best way to do that is to put Elements away and use CS2 all the time.

The first few days are hard but after that it just becomes automatic to find things in the menus (as it is with Elements now) .. just try it for a week and give yourself time to get used to it :)

It does get easier ... :)

Wendy

[Robyn]

Connie........

I agree with Wendy, put Elements away. That's what I did, and it took a very short amount of time to become familiar with CS2. Obviously there will be much to learn in the future, but I've got the basics. I've only been back in Elements once and I actually found it quite awkward to work with! :eek: My personal feeling is that if you are switching backwards and forwards between the two that is when it DOES become confusing.

[jodee]

Well you have convinced me that I should put the PSE5 away and use CS2. I do go back to PSE5 when I’m in a hurry. I updated when 5 came out and have only used it for a few months, and then DH got me CS2 for my birthday, mothers day, valentines, and Christmas etc. It’s really scary!!

He also bought me the Photoshop CS2 Bible by McClelland & Fuller, that darn book is about 2 ½ inches thick. It may only take me 5 or 6 years to get through it. Guess I’d better just jump in with both feet and try along with Robyn and ConnieK, and ask all my dumb questions as I get my feet wet. :confused: That way Wendy will get her daily chuckle, but know she will always come to our rescue. :)

[Wendy]

Hi Jo ...

You won't regret it :) ..

If you do get stuck just ask and there are quite a few CS2 users around who will be able to help. Don't struggle on your own.

I too have the bible ... its a nice reference book but its not a books I would sit down and read from cover to cover :eek: :eek: :D

Wendy

[Robyn]

I think we should rename this thread as the "CS2 learners' thread". Wendy can be our tutor! :D :D

[Wendy]

Robyn ...

:eek: :eek: :eek:

Wendy

[Parker]

Just started reading this thread. It is great to know there are some "experts" with CS2 around! I am still overwhelmed with all the lessons and homework etc. but I am always open to learning more tips and tricks. Thanks Wendy and all who offer their expertise - I'm sure I will be asking some questions in the future.

[annfield]

Thanks Wendy. I am new at CS2. Your instructions are great. I thought I might go back and forth with PSE4 but have not found the need and love CS2.

Ann

[Wendy]

Anytime you need help ... just ask :) There are quite a lot of people here who use Photoshop so there is always someone who will be able to talk you through things :)

Wenndy

[Priss]

I'm loving Photoshop CS2, but for scrapbooking I miss the cookie cutter (obviously)! Since CS2 has the custom shape tool, is there a way to use that as a mask / invert selection / or something to create the cutouts?

Thanks,
Linda:confused:

Ya'll stay tuned for the November 20th's WBWT! :D

[Wendy]

Oh that is just great news ... and its going to help a lot of people who have switched :)

Wendy

[cathy]

Wendy advised me a year ago to put elements 3 away and I did.
I did purchase elements 5 thought i was missing something. It is good but i have gone back to cs2. (Now i have not left the other great forum.) :D

[ScrappyGram]

Thank you Wendy for explaining the text around a shape or in a shape I will definately(sp?) have to try this.

[Wendy]

Glad to help :)

Wendy

[KimberlyRae]

Hi Linda.....

Just draw the shape you want, control click on that shape layer in the palette to select that shape, then click on the layer that you want to cut the shape from, select inverse and then just delete.......and hey presto, it's done!:) And you can then trash that shape layer as you don't need it anymore.

Or alternatively, you can draw the shape as a path, control click on the path in path palette and do the same as above. This way you can also you the path selection tool to move it around before you do the inverse and delete............... you don't end up with the shape layer in the layers palette that you have to trash, but the template shape is in the paths palette for you to trash if you want. Hope this makes sense to you, I'm not so good at explaining!

Hi Robyn~
I have just used photoshop CS3 for a month or so and have NOT gotten Linda's cds yet. I used to use pse5 and 6 with the cookie cutter and now in CS3 found only the custom shape tool.
I would also like to CUT OUT a portion of my photo with SEVERAL INDIVIDUAL PUZZLE pieces.
It sounds like I want to do what you have explained above BUT I don't really understand what you are talking about.....I guess I'm a Visual learner..yikes!
Is there 'steps' you can write down and WHERE those things like 'inverse' (I could only find 'invert' and your outlined process did NOT work for me......
Thanks in Advance, dear ox

[Wendy]

hi KimberleyRae ...

One way you can do this is to use the Custom Shape Tool and make sure that you have it set to "Paths" (top of the screen on the left there are 3 little icons click on the middle one. Its a pen with a square around it)

Choose one of the puzzle Custom Shapes from the Objects Set ..

Then drag it onto your page

Now go into the Paths Palette and select the Option "Make Selection" (Or just hold down Control and press the return key (Mac: Command and the Return Key) to change the path to a selection)

Then cut out part of your photo by doing Edit>Clear.

There are lots of other ways to do it ... but try that one first :)

Wendy