Lesson 5 - First Layout Tutorial

**Hummie** · 11-13-2007

This is a very important tutorial. It is carefully written to teach basic skills necessary for many of the other tutorials.

This tutorial is written to be a hands on learning tutorial. Just jump right in and follow along step by step.

Don't forget those drop shadows! It is the most missed task by newbies! It is one of the most important to creating a realistic layout.

Stuck? Ask questions here! You never know when I might answer with a quick video tutorial!

Be sure to post here to share your layout with us. The best way to learn is to have someone else observe the layout and tell you exactly what needs to be fixed and where to find that button in PSE!

I have broken down the written tutorial into four parts for the video tutorial. This tutorial is the most important tutorial in learning to scrap with Photoshop Elements, so it is the longest. Therefore, I had to break it down into four videos. The first three are about 12 minutes long and the last one is about 17 minutes long.

Remember that you can pause the videos and then go play with your PSE. Please do take the time to stop and play with each section until you feel comfortable having learned it sufficiently.

For video technical problems, see this thread.

PART 1

PART 2

PART 3

PART 4

And for a fun laugh, watch the video which inspired this layout and tutorial!
Warning, not for the faint of heart--the bird is eating something "red."

**Hummie** · 12-29-2007

I am so excited to have these videos done! I am hopeful that they will be a blessing to many newbies!

**ccynden** · 01-16-2008

Hi Hummie - I am just now doing the First Layout Tutorial, but I do not know where the written tutorial is. Can you point me in that direction. Thank you.
Cynthia

**Hummie** · 01-16-2008

There is a drop down menu at the top of ever page (yep, look up! To the top!).....under tutorials is a page for Course 1, Getting Started..... The written tutorials on those pages correspond with each thread in the forums.

**Hummie** · 01-24-2008

From a question asked in another thread:

Here's a screen cap that shows the Welcome Screen when you first start PSE6.

Choose Edit to go to where you can begin your layout. However, before you do so, choose "Start with Editor" in the area which I have circled in red. The next time you start the program, I will go to the Editor first each time rather than the Welcome Screen.

**anabellpepper** · 03-27-2008

Okay so I have been digi scrapping for almost 4 years I think. I kinda lost track since I have been scrapping in general for nearly 11 years. lol

I learned to digi scrap using a completely different program, though and just started using PSE in the past year. Still haven't figured out how to use most of the tools. And since I had a baby about a year ago, I haven't had an opportunity to read the book that I bought to teach me the program. These tutorials are a lifesaver!! I can go through at least 2 every time the boy naps!!!

Did a page using the tutorial. Had to share!! I do know how to use the program enough that most of this was the basics, but it was so much easier than the way I have been doing it!! And other than drop shadows, I had never really played with the Bevels and stuff before.

**Hummie** · 03-27-2008

Oh, I love this Lisa! First, I like the muted colors (it's my personal preference for layouts). I like the way you stacked the photos and kept them big as the focal point of the layout....Your application of bevels is really cool! Simple and effective....always appealing to me.

**shad1radog** · 04-27-2008

Great tutorial

And funny last video...

**jeenny** · 05-12-2008

Hi Hummie
i have posted my LO in the gallery it isnt the same sort as yours but i used the tut
to set everything up the mat under the text ,the ctrl-g to cut my paper for the frame
and the select inverse to tidy up the multi frame photos when they were in position and of course i have loaded some of my actions , had a fab time playing withthem all again. i suppose i better give you the link
http://www.hummiesworld.com/Gallery/...40&ppuser=1557
hopefully that is right
hugs
Jenny

**Hummie** · 05-12-2008

I am glad that you are learning! I see the lowered opacity mat under the text as is in this tutorial. I do not think Control G is in this tutorial in this thread, but in the template tutorial, so I'm gla to see you using it.

I'm glad to see you continuing to learn by watching all the tutorials about this place and picking up little things here and there.

**jeenny** · 05-13-2008

Dear Hummie
thank you, i forgot to tell you i used the dnd method from the minimized open file
so much easier thank you.
hugs
Jenny

**Hummie** · 06-19-2008

So typical that this thread has had 1,081 views in the last 5 months or so, but so few have taken a moment to say a word of thanks. I have it set so they have to be logged in to view them, but still people do not take a moment to type one or two words. It never ceases to amaze me how the digiworld is.

**Hummie** · 06-19-2008

lol...or all four! Well, at least we are on page 2 now. It seemed a shame to have so many hits and not be on the second page yet. I wonder if you'll learn anything from these since you are already so experienced.

**merr** · 07-08-2008

These tutorials are wonderful. I appreciate you speaking slowly and distinctly. I viewed all four videos today and watched several more than once. It finally all began to 'click' for me and I think I will remember how to do all this next time. Thanks so much for taking time to do this!
Merr

**Hummie** · 07-08-2008

Yeah! Doing the happy dance! Another digital scrapbook addict is born!

Please do share your first layout with us. Don't feel it is not good enough to share. We are all ready to rejoice and give you warm fuzzies!