First create a template so that you open your working area with specific dimensions and specific resolution. The template name will be a file with no name. No room for size problems or resolution problems, you will always be asked if there’s a problem with either resolution or you’ll notice a size problem.
Second, open anything you’re going to use in your layout as a layer. You go to the menu and simply and directly choose the option “Open as a layer”. The name of the open file will not affect your working file so if by mistake when you’re working click on Save, you will always be asked to name your file and you will never by accident modify or lose your scrapbooking supplies or photos. You can also directly open the file on another window, but this way your element or paper is always centred in your canvas and your screen is always uncluttered most of the time.

Third install the plugging that makes you able to install Photoshop compatible pluggings, you can find interesting pluggings that will give you the chance to use similar extraction tools as the “Filter Extraction Tool” in CS2. Extractions would be very nice and crisp and they will no look pixelated or rough.

Fourth and last one that it occurs to me right now, this one is for any program, use YouTube to search for tutorials. You might not find Scrapbooking tutorials there, digital or traditional, or at least not too many. But you sure are going to find lots of image editing tutorials in almost any program and in English.

Right now I’m preparing a Playlist with a collection of Gimp tutorials I have found in YouTube. They are not in the best order right now but I think they’re nicely chosen. Of course there’s plenty of room for comment on that. They can be found in the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=3D59FAF7B91888FD

you can make a search there and you will find tons of tutorials on any program.

Thanks for the idea, it’s terrific and I’m sure it will be very helpful for all scrappers and best wishes. :O)

You can use the Step and Repeat function in Photoshop to do this. You use the shape tool to draw out a circle on a layer to use as reference. Place two guidelines at the center to mark the center of the circle. Place one of the objects (that you want to go around the circle) on the circle. Figure out how many objects you want around your circle and then divide this into 360 degrees. This will give you the angle of rotation. Eg. 360/20 objects = 18 degrees for rotation

Next, use the shortcut Alt+Control+T to enter Free Transform. Click on the little target in the very centre of the transform box and click and drag it to the centre of your circle (where the two guidelines cross). On the Options Bar, enter the degree of rotation that you figured out earlier. Click on the checkmark on the Options Bar to lock in this duplication/transformation.

Now, the fun part! Use the shortcut Control+Shift+Alt+T as many times as needed to place your object around your circle.

Once I found out about this method, I use it all the time! You don’t have to use this just on a circle. This Step-and_Repeat technique can be used anytime you want to duplicate something and reposition it.

Unfortunately, this method will NOT work in Photoshop Elements unless they have updated this method in PE6. It would not work in PE5 though you can do the first part, just not the entire step and repeat.

Heather

Sometimes I learn more from snippets than whole tutorials, and some tips I’ve picked up along the way have been wonderful.
I’m still very much in the learning process of using Photoshop CS2
Just discovered the magic eraser today and can see myself having lots of fun with this. Too early for me to post any tips on it but if anyone has this programme, I really recommend just playing around with this tool.
Will have a think and come back with some tips.

best wishes

Heather