Paint Shop Pro XI (PSP 11) - Tips and help......

[Dust Bowl Refugee]

Hi all,

I use PSP XI to edit my images. I have bought an excellent book (PSP Photo XI for photographers) which covers most things but would like any advice for a simple method to insert text like below onto my pictures (in order to put SAMPLE or PROOF or my email address). The method in the book (creating a duplicate layer, typing the text, converting the text layer, hiding it and flattening it) works fine but takes ages to do and you have to retype the text each time. Does anyone know if there is a one-click solution? Ideally I would be looking for an >Insert>Layer>FIlename type idea but any ideas would be most welcome?

Many thanks
Mark

PS If anyone needs any other help with PSP post it here and I'll check it out in the book

[JTL]

I think you would need to script it. Paint Shop Pro uses the Python programming language for creation of scripts. Anything can be scripted, including creating pauses in the script for you to enter your variable text. There's also a way to create scripts using the "Quickscripts" functionality that is driven off of the History Palette. This is discussed in the book that you referred to, just look under "Scripting" in the index.

For info on programming in Python, look here:

http://www.python.org/

[Dust Bowl Refugee]

I think you would need to script it. Paint Shop Pro uses the Python programming language for creation of scripts. Anything can be scripted, including creating pauses in the script for you to enter your variable text. There's also a way to create scripts using the "Quickscripts" functionality that is driven off of the History Palette. This is discussed in the book that you referred to, just look under "Scripting" in the index.

For info on programming in Python, look here:

http://www.python.org/


Many thanks for that, I'll let you know how I get on.

Cheers
Mark

[JTL]

Here's a script you might want to edit to save some time...

http://pixelnook.home.comcast.net/Watermarks.htm

[paperglyphs]

In Photoshop, you can CTRL click on a layer and it selects just the object on the layer not the whole layer. Is there a way in Paint Shop Pro XI?

[toriaj]

You do mean selecting part of the photo, such as an apple, but not the tree it's in. Right?

Not AFAIK, but I don't work much with Layers. I always use the selecting tools in this type of situation. I don't like them much though. I'm pretty sure there are more effective tools out there, although I have yet to use them :D

[JTL]

In Photoshop, you can CTRL click on a layer and it selects just the object on the layer not the whole layer. Is there a way in Paint Shop Pro XI?Yes...use the "Pick" tool...it's the arrow right under the hand/Pan tool if you have them docked on the left vertically. If you have the tools docked horizontally, then it's the tool to the right of the hand/Pan tool...

[paperglyphs]

I am sorry, but this didnt work for me? HELP I really need this function.

[toriaj]

Do you just need to put text on the image? Or do you need that specific background-blending style?

I don't know how to do the background blending. But I put text on this photo with Paint Shop Pro: http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showpost.php?p=256605&postcount=2670

Just make a new layer, click the "A" button in the row of tools (way below Zoom and Pick, close to the end,) choose your font, etc., click in the picture, type words, click "Apply," and that's it. Not too bad.

[JTL]

I am sorry, but this didnt work for me? HELP I really need this function.The Pick tool IS the object selection tool in Paint Shop Pro.

If you are looking to simply remove an object from an image, you can use the Object Remover tool. In addition to removing objects it also (optionally) allows you to replace the removed object with pixles from anywhere else in the image. Also, there is the Magic Wand tool which allows you to select areas of an image based on criteria that you specify/define. Once selected, you can perform ANY PSP function on the selection.

Also, you can select the layers themselves in the Layers Palette.

But the function that you initially described is the function of the Pick tool.

BTW, it just occured to me...when you referred to ctrl-click, were you talking about on a Mac? And is the PSP XI running under Windows/PC? Because right-mouse-click in Windows equals ctrl-click on the Mac (in Photoshop, at least). Could it be that simple?!? Regardless, "ctrl-click" is NOT the function, it is just a means of accessing a function (as right-click is in Windows) and you're leaving out part of what you were doing in Photoshop.

[paperglyphs]

Thank you so much for your time and reply. I asked the question wrong. First of all I am using a PC and in PSE you can CTRL Click on the icon in a layer and if the background is transparent it will put a selection marquee around just the objects on that layer not the background- no need to use a selection tool like the Magic Wand. It is so handy. If I could be so bold and ask one more thing, how do you stroke or outline selections? Selections being areas that have a selection marquee around them. Thanks!

[JTL]

O.K.! Now I get it! Unfortunately there's no "one-click" way to do that. You have two choices. 1) Select the pick tool, hold down shift and you can select multiple the objects on a layer...but you have to manually click on each one. 2) In the layer palette, click on the + icon. The vector layer representation in the palette will expand and show you all of the objects on that layer. Hold down shift and click on each object name that you want as part of your selection.

I know its not what you hoped for...but at least it's a solution of sorts.


If I could be so bold and ask one more thing, how do you stroke or outline selections? Selections being areas that have a selection marquee around them. Thanks!No problem!

I can tell you how I do it. I don't know if there's an easier way but this is what I do.

When the selection marquee is active, on the menu chose Selections and then Modify and then in the Modify sub-menu chose Select Selection Borders. Set you desired border width and click OK. Now I select the Flood Tool from the tool pallete, chose a color and flood the space between the marquee and the border. You can also draw between the border and the marquee with a pen or brush. When done go to Selections again and chose Select None.

There's probably a better way, but that works for me...

[paperglyphs]

I would like to say that I have asked this question on multiple sights, including the corel knowledge base and user forums and not one of them has the experience or knowledge as the users on this site. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your prompt and helpful answers. Thank you!:)