Flourishes

[IreneO]

What is the best way to make those flourishes that you see in digiscrapping everywhere? I mean the elegant ones, not the doodly ones, kwim?
I'm thinking these would look great on Christmas layouts!
Thx in advance.

[jodee]

Irene,
I’m glad that you asked that question, and I will be watching this thread just hoping that someone will come and tell how it’s done. I love those things, and wished that I knew how to make them

[carlalee]

I find the easiest way to get flourishes is to buy them! ;-) Here's some good ones (http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=flourishes). HTH -c-

[IreneO]

I agree that's the easiest way - lol - but I want to make my own!

[carlalee]

LOL - I would like to learn as well! I googled all different kinds of word combinations but didn't find any tutorials. Maybe if no one knows how, Linda could add this to a WBWT video for us??? (hint hint) TY -c-

[Wendy]

Hi ..

I have been looking at these and it looks like they are just done with the pen tool. I would suggest that you start off with a new file then create a new layer and use that layer as a sort of sketch pad to sketch out your lines.

Just do one florish at a time and don't worry if the lines wobble :o
lower the opacity of the sketch lines layer and then create a new layer above it.
Now use the pen tool to copy (and smooth out the wobbles :) ) and then stroke the line
next create a new layer and do another line.
carry on like that until you have finished.

If you do one layer per line you will be able to move them around and create other florishes ..

I'll see if I get time later today to try it out :)

Wendy

[reeniescraps]

Wendy, you make it sound so easy! I liked your idea about a "sketch" layer. I think I can use that idea in other ways. Let us know how it works out if you get to "play"! As always, thanks for sharing!:)

[Margeeo]

Flourishes

Hears the method that I use.
You can use Fonts our Dingbats to make Flourishes . You can also draw them out using a protractor and then scan them in if you have a scanner. I use a Black marker pen to draw them .
If you have a pen and tablet you can also draw them right on the tablet. It will take some practice to use this method.
You can get some interesting results with any of these methods.
Have fun. :)

Marge

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1WGTkQ8X1QqaZC2brPg8JfSOrsec4L_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1WGTkQ8X1QqaZC2brPg8JfSOrsec4L)

[Priss]

There were tips for this in WBWT #7 "Filigree". Taking a font or wingding and then creating a brush from one you create with that technique is another way to do this. You can also save these as patterns for some varied applications of vectors you make.

[poogie369]

Huh? varied applications of vectors you make. Please explain Priss. I got the first part but I don't understand what a vector is. Please educate me teacher!

[carlalee]

Huh? varied applications of vectors you make. Please explain Priss. I got the first part but I don't understand what a vector is. Please educate me teacher!
I agree! I read Priss' post and got that "deer in the headlights" look. Vector??? ok sure whatever you say :-) TY -c-

[Wendy]

Hi ....

OK then I'll make it very simple ... well there are two types of images or shapes ...

First there are Raster ... they are made up of lots of pixels and if you try to make them larger then you stretch the pixels and the jagged edges of the pixels show.

Second there are Vector ... good examples of Vector are Custom Shapes or Fonts. You can resize those and not get jagged edged and that is because they are simply mathematical shapes.

Because the WBWT used a font ... then it was Vector :)

Hope this helps ...

Wendy

[June Wright]

You know if Linda or Wendy could create a good tutorial for that we could do a florish exchange....like for the ornaments....that would be fun!

[Wendy]

Hi June ...

The WBWT (No 7) did this ... it was the one that used fancy text ... you can make some great flourishes using it :)

Wendy

[poogie369]

Oh! Thanks Wendy... I understand now!

[Priss]

Hi ....

OK then I'll make it very simple ... well there are two types of images or shapes ...

First there are Raster ... they are made up of lots of pixels and if you try to make them larger then you stretch the pixels and the jagged edges of the pixels show.

Second there are Vector ... good examples of Vector are Custom Shapes or Fonts. You can resize those and not get jagged edged and that is because they are simply mathematical shapes.

Because the WBWT used a font ... then it was Vector :)

Hope this helps ...

Wendy

Exactly--thanks Wendy!

[MidnightChardonnay]

There are some free flourishes available at this link:

http://www.obsidiandawn.com/brushes/sets/swirls.php

Oh, and a tut here as well:

http://everydaydigitalscrapbooking.blogspot.com/2006/12/add-fancy-flourishes-to-your-photos.html

Hope this helps.

[Margeeo]

David thanks for the links. Always like to find new stuff. Never have enough stuff to scrape with. Welcome to the forums.

Marge

[jodee]

David,

Sure glad you joined this site, and thank you for finding that tutorial for all of us, I downloaded the tutorial, and the free flourish brush set that they offered, and will be trying it out real soon.

Always said that men were handy to have around.

[Wendy]

Hi David ...

Thanks for the link ... :)

Wendy

[MidnightChardonnay]

David,

Always said that men were handy to have around.

I do cooking and cleaning if you like :eek:

[IreneO]

Thanks for the links - just what I was looking for. No need to re-invent the wheel now!

[carlalee]

There are some free flourishes available at this link:

http://www.obsidiandawn.com/brushes/sets/swirls.php

Oh, and a tut here as well:

http://everydaydigitalscrapbooking.blogspot.com/2006/12/add-fancy-flourishes-to-your-photos.html

Hope this helps.
TY - great websites! -c-

[Cupcake]

there are three ways I got flourishes #1 there are some great royalty free clip art flourishes from Broderbrund and Dover. I start with one of their basic flourishes then expand, cut parts off, add from another piece till I get what I like and #2 I got a book on flourishes and borders I practiced and practiced on just drawing paper until I could make some really cute ones and understood what made a good design. I drew some in good dark ink and scanned. # 3 you can use paths. This way will give you a very smooth flowing line but it isn't great for the partily filled in ones. AND if you really want to make nice flourishes this way it helps to have a working knowledge of Illustrator as their paths component is much easier to use than in PS

[Sarah]

Cupcake, would you mind giving the title and author of the book you used? Thanks.

[lindylou50]

You could also use a font to do these curly art nouveau is a good one to try

[Priss]

See the WBWT (October 30th's) for Type Borders: The GALLERY sharing these flourishes is here: (http://www.scrappersguide.com/forums/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=582)

If you don't have that particular WBWT, it will be for sale shortly in the new store, but you can see what 163 people did to make flourishes with various fonts for it in the gallery. Enjoy!

[photobookmemories]

I make flourishes... in Illustrator. The pen tool in Photoshop gives me a headache! In Illustrator I use my tablet pressure to draw doodles and I get nice smooth curvy lines that don't look the doodles people draw in Photoshop. I've made a ton of brushes out of them.

Dingbat fonts (I have a great one called Type Embellishments) are great place to find nice shapes, even really curvy fancy fonts can be used. Find a nice swirly S and cut it up to suit your needs.

[digigal]

RE: Raster/Vector -- Could someone please tell me what you can do/cannot do with each? (and what the advantage/disadvantage is)

I know I learned this a while ago (but forgot!) such as putting a style on, I belive you cannot do this with vector? Thanks:)





Hi ....

OK then I'll make it very simple ... well there are two types of images or shapes ...

First there are Raster ... they are made up of lots of pixels and if you try to make them larger then you stretch the pixels and the jagged edges of the pixels show.

Second there are Vector ... good examples of Vector are Custom Shapes or Fonts. You can resize those and not get jagged edged and that is because they are simply mathematical shapes.

Because the WBWT used a font ... then it was Vector :)

Hope this helps ...

Wendy

[Wendy]

Hi ...

The main difference is that Raster Images (pixel based ones) don't scale up well as you are just stretching out the pixels ... but Vector scales up without any loss of quality.

Wendy

[digigal]

Thanks, Wendy, but which one can't do "styles?" Isn't it raster?

[Wendy]

Hi ...

Raster .. or normal pixels takes layer styles just fine :)

... and so does Vector (Custom Shapes, Text etc)

Wendy