Scraps Of Mind

Have You Ever Tried Making an Animated Layout?

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Animated scrapbook layouts are a great way to showcase several photos on the same page without having to select a focal photo. Each one becomes the layout focus in its turn. And I think animated scrapbook layouts look really cool too.

I made this one using the very scrumptious Christmas Cheer Kit from Digital Arts Cafe and I love the way that all three of my photos have their moment in the spotlight in turn. And I think the movement in the layout is a great look too.

One of the key things to remember when you’re designing your Animated Scrapbook Layouts is maintaining colour harmony. When you design a ‘regular’ scrapbook layout you take into account the colours in your photos, especially your focal photo) when choosing your papers and elements.

In an Animated Layout you will have several photos appearing in the same spot in succession. This can have the effect of bombarding your eye with a lot of colour and activity and can be confusing.

Design tips for your Animated Scrapbook Layout:

• If your photos have lots of different colours happening in them, I suggest you change them to monochrome as I have done in the All Together layout. In Photoshop Elements there are a range of monochrome effects to choose from under Photographic Effects in the Styles and Effects Palette. Just highlight the photo and click on the colour of your choice. This will also be available in other software programs.
• Keep your layout simple. This is particularly important if you decide to use colour photos. With so much happening for the eye in the photo area as it keeps changing, you don’t want to have a busy layout that is competing for the eye’s attention all the time.
• The number of photos that you have in your layout will determine the size of the file. I would recommend three photos if you want a file size that will conform to the size restrictions on most online galleries. But if you just want to upload it to your blog or email it to friends you can add a couple more.

Remember Animated Scrapbook Layouts are totally digital.

You can’t print them out. Well you can, but you won’t get the animation — they will just be regular scrapbook layouts.

They make a very cool Christmas Card to email to far away friends and family.

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