Need some basic help

Hallvard Tangeraas wrote:

Without the manual and not having used Photoshop elements much I’ve managed to draw the front and rear/side covers of a CD jewel case. I will use that file as a template for printing out any type of CD I want, with images and/or text, and text on the side of course. But having struggled with this for a long time I’m stuck and need some help…

I’ve tested that the dimensions are correct by printing out and sheet, and it’s fine. What’s left is to add an area for text, which will be sideways on the right hand side of the rear cover, like this:

———————–
! ! !
! MY FAVOURITE CD ! x !
! ! x !
! 1. blah blah ! x !
! 2. blah ! x !
! 3. blahblahbla ! x !
! 4. bla ! x !
! 5. blahblaah ! !
! ! !
———————–

The "x"es represent the title of the CD which is text inserted sideways. Is there a way I can add a text field as a template, so that every time I want to make a new CD cover I simply enter the new text there, and it’ll be locked in position every time?

As for images and text for the rest of the cover -this varies from time to time, so I guess the best way is just to paste it in every time.
I know very little about layers, not having used it yet really, but would that be a good idea for something like this, where the template (everything that is standard and not to be changed) would be at the bottom, and whatever I want to add for that particular CD cover I’m working on at the moment is on another layer?

Hmmm – I’m not too sure that PSCS is the tool for this job.

The data you intend to print would sorta make sense as being fields in a database – that way you can do an electronic search & sort being a bit easier than a physical one if there are many cd’s

The question then is to setup a special output page of the dimensions to fit a CD cover

Aerticeus

ps – you could always import an image to the database report printout

"Hallvard Tangeraas" wrote in message

Without the manual and not having used Photoshop elements much I’ve managed to draw the front and rear/side covers of a CD jewel case. I will use that file as a template for printing out any type of CD I want, with images and/or text, and text on the side of course. But having struggled with this for a long time I’m stuck and need some help…

I’ve tested that the dimensions are correct by printing out and sheet, and it’s fine. What’s left is to add an area for text, which will be sideways on the right hand side of the rear cover, like this:

———————–
! ! !
! MY FAVOURITE CD ! x !
! ! x !
! 1. blah blah ! x !
! 2. blah ! x !
! 3. blahblahbla ! x !
! 4. bla ! x !
! 5. blahblaah ! !
! ! !
———————–

The "x"es represent the title of the CD which is text inserted sideways. Is there a way I can add a text field as a template, so that every time I want to make a new CD cover I simply enter the new text there, and it’ll be locked in position every time?

As for images and text for the rest of the cover -this varies from time to time, so I guess the best way is just to paste it in every time.
I know very little about layers, not having used it yet really, but would that be a good idea for something like this, where the template (everything that is standard and not to be changed) would be at the bottom, and whatever I want to add for that particular CD cover I’m working on at the moment is on another layer?

—
Hallvard

What I’ve done is to scan a "real" CD rear insert, crop it to the exact size, drag guides out to where the two little side flaps begin and then delete the original scanned layer. I then fill with white. I create two CD-edge text boxes rotated so they are vertical and mirror images of each other. Holding SHFT while rotating limits the rotation to 15 degree increments. Naming the layers easily identifies which is which. Another text box is used for the song titles and one for Property of_________.

I repeated the scanning process for the front insert (separate file), crop it to size and then Press CTRL+T. I drag a vertical guide out to the center point to represent where the center fold would go.

Lately, I’ve been using only the "Slim-Jim" type CD cases, so I haven’t needed the rear insert template for some time. That information now goes on the inside half of the front insert.

Layers are definitely the way to go. I’m not sure if Elements supports Layer Sets, but if it does, creating one just for the text might be a good idea. This set could be placed above all graphic layers and layer sets. Just be sure each layer’s background is transparent! Well, except for the "background" layer.

Peadge 🙂

The very easiest way to do what you want is to use the Cover Designer, which is included in the "Nero" Cd Burning Program.

Once you have made up a Cover, just save it, and then all you have to do for the next Cd is open the Saved version, and change the "Data" to the new version. The program will then fill in the Fields where-ever you have placed them.

Ms Publisher also has Templates for Cd Covers, but Nero is considerably better.

Roy

"Hallvard Tangeraas" wrote in message

Without the manual and not having used Photoshop elements much I’ve managed to draw the front and rear/side covers of a CD jewel case. I will use that file as a template for printing out any type of CD I want, with images and/or text, and text on the side of course. But having struggled with this for a long time I’m stuck and need some help…

I’ve tested that the dimensions are correct by printing out and sheet, and it’s fine. What’s left is to add an area for text, which will be sideways on the right hand side of the rear cover, like this:

———————–
! ! !
! MY FAVOURITE CD ! x !
! ! x !
! 1. blah blah ! x !
! 2. blah ! x !
! 3. blahblahbla ! x !
! 4. bla ! x !
! 5. blahblaah ! !
! ! !
———————–

The "x"es represent the title of the CD which is text inserted sideways. Is there a way I can add a text field as a template, so that every time I want to make a new CD cover I simply enter the new text there, and it’ll be locked in position every time?

As for images and text for the rest of the cover -this varies from time to time, so I guess the best way is just to paste it in every time.
I know very little about layers, not having used it yet really, but would that be a good idea for something like this, where the template (everything that is standard and not to be changed) would be at the bottom, and whatever I want to add for that particular CD cover I’m working on at the moment is on another layer?

—
Hallvard

Peadge wrote:

"Hallvard Tangeraas" wrote in message

Without the manual and not having used Photoshop elements much I’ve managed to draw the front and rear/side covers of a CD jewel case.

What I’ve done is to scan a "real" CD rear insert, crop it to the exact size, drag guides out to where the two little side flaps begin and then delete the original scanned layer. I then fill with white.

I’ve already done this, but without scanning. I figured out how to draw it. And I’ve uploaded it here:
http://home.c2i.net/w-460389/CD-cover_template.psd

I create two
CD-edge text boxes rotated so they are vertical and mirror images of each other.

I’ve just created one CD-edge flap -the side that will show when you place the CDs next to each other in a book-shelf or whatever. I see no need to print on both ends (besides, it means for yet another paper-fold 😉

What do you mean by text boxes? Is it possible to make some sort of pre-defined area which is locked into position, and every time you want to make a new title you just double-click it and enter the text title? If this is possible, please tell me how, or perhaps you could add it to the Photoshop Elements file I’ve just uploaded?

I repeated the scanning process for the front insert (separate file), crop it to size and then Press CTRL+T.

I tried finding out what CTRL-T was for, and now I know: "free transform" which I should have used all along to move a part of the image to somewhere else on the canvas. I see that I’ll have to spend some time with this program in order to learn the basics.

I drag a vertical guide out to the center
point to represent where the center fold would go.

Why would you want to fold the front cover?
As far as I’m concerned it’s only a sheet sized 120x120mm which replaces the "TDK", "Sony" or whatever front-sheet which is in place when you use a CD-R disc. I usually keep the one that came with the CD-R, because it’s usually a bit thicker than the cover sheet I print out and keeps it in place.

Lately, I’ve been using only the "Slim-Jim" type CD cases, so I haven’t needed the rear insert template for some time. That information now goes on the inside half of the front insert.

A good idea is to create several different CD cover templates for different situations so that you don’t waste too much paper. For example, I may want to print out just two front covers (for "slim-jim" CD cases) in which case I have a template with two front-covers. But usually a template with one front and one rear cover will use up a sheet of paper and take care of one CD.

Layers are definitely the way to go. I’m not sure if Elements supports Layer Sets, but if it does, creating one just for the text might be a good idea.

I’m not sure what it supports or not, but Elements definitely has layers, though I don’t know how to use them.

This set could be placed above all graphic layers and layer sets. Just be sure each layer’s background is transparent! Well, except for the "background" layer.

I understand, well at least in principle.
Do you have a working CD cover template that you wouldn’t mind sharing with me (and others)? Or modify the one I uploaded?

—
Hallvard

"Hallvard Tangeraas" wrote in message

Peadge wrote:

I create two
CD-edge text boxes rotated so they are vertical and mirror images of

each

other.

I’ve just created one CD-edge flap -the side that will show when you place the CDs next to each other in a book-shelf or whatever. I see no need to print on both ends (besides, it means for yet another paper-fold 😉

I use the cutting edge of my paper cutter table to crease the folds. Backlighting from beneath helps greatly when cutting too! Don’t cut yourself!

What do you mean by text boxes? Is it possible to make some sort of pre-defined area which is locked into position, and every time you want to make a new title you just double-click it and enter the text title? If this is possible, please tell me how, or perhaps you could add it to the Photoshop Elements file I’ve just uploaded?

You can use the Type Tool to drag out a text box of a defined size in which to insert text. This text box can be rotated and resized using CTRL+T.

I repeated the scanning process for the front insert (separate file),

crop

it to size and then Press CTRL+T.

I tried finding out what CTRL-T was for, and now I know: "free transform" which I should have used all along to move a part of the image to somewhere else on the canvas. I see that I’ll have to spend some time with this program in order to learn the basics.

Another great shortcut I learned from Space Girl is ALT+S+T which is the shortcut for Select > Transform Selection. This works when you need to resize or rotate just the selection itself, not the pixels.

I drag a vertical guide out to the center
point to represent where the center fold would go.

Why would you want to fold the front cover?
As far as I’m concerned it’s only a sheet sized 120x120mm which replaces the "TDK", "Sony" or whatever front-sheet which is in place when you use a CD-R disc. I usually keep the one that came with the CD-R, because it’s usually a bit thicker than the cover sheet I print out and keeps it in place.

I use a folded insert for two reasons. One is because it makes it thicker and it stays in better. I often print these on 65# to 110# paper, which is already thick, but the fold offers even more support. the other reason is to include information which may not fit on the front.

Layers are definitely the way to go. I’m not sure if Elements supports

Layer

Sets, but if it does, creating one just for the text might be a good

idea.

I’m not sure what it supports or not, but Elements definitely has layers, though I don’t know how to use them.

Basically, to create a new layer, just click on the new layer icon at the bottom of the layers palette. Alt-clicking on the icon opens the Layer Properties panel. To copy an existing layer, just drag it down to the same icon. Another cool trick is to drag layer styles like drop shadow or bevel and emboss from one layer to another to copy them. You can drag an individual style or the entire thing by dragging the word "Effects" to the desired layer and then letting go. This also works from one file to another too!

This set could be placed above all graphic layers and layer sets. Just

be

sure each layer’s background is transparent! Well, except for the "background" layer.

I understand, well at least in principle.
Do you have a working CD cover template that you wouldn’t mind sharing with me (and others)? Or modify the one I uploaded?

Here’s a layered PSD file of the rear insert for a CD. Two layers are text for the edge flaps. Any other text can be inserted easily. So can graphics. For CD’s it’s usuallly best to keep the text layers above the graphic layers:

http://tinyurl.com/5hmjz

To save paper, you can either temporarily flatten the image and drag it to your own template, or you can link all the layers and drag the entire thing. This will allow you to print both front and back images on the same piece of paper.

Happy New Year!

Peadge 🙂