Designing Frustrations...

[Moeluv4u7]

Penny,

Thx and yes, you will still be hearing from me on getting help- It could be helpful to know a bit about both design programs or even more- Just can't confuse myself- LOL That can come easy sometimes- I will check out PSE or PSP after I can actually accomplish something I am somewhat pleased with in PI OR after the trial ends- LOL I have 10 days left- Right now for some reason I am getting a system problem- My computers health says my D drive is full w/ 0% space free- I have backed up files, I have deleted programs I don't use or need as well as uninstalled all kinds of game stuff the kids do and the songs and videos they have downloaded to their ipods and mp3's but I am still at 0%- I am getting frustrated about this now- LOL I can't find what else needs to be done- Biggest issue for me is this computer is only 1 yr old- It is a laptop and is actually my DH's which I bought for him last Christmas- I am the one who uses it mostly though- So I have no idea what else could be wrong- w/ everything I have deleted or uninstalled, emptied from recycle bin- I have only free'd up 4.x megabytes- It is still reading as 0% free so obviously not enough to make a difference- I have been saving all of my pics and shares from you guys on a flash drive- which I needed to do anyway...
Wow, look at how much I have to say today- LOL
Can ya tell I need some conversation- LOL I'll be going back & forth here today definitely- Off to see if I can figure out anything else to do to this puter!

 

[chaoscent]

I am not computer literate. In fact I am sure there is a little man that lives inside my machine and does things to it periodically just to send me over the edge. Just went to Pat's site and downloaded bunch of DISigns in case I might ever need them. I backed up on an external hard drive last night as I have lots of pictures and clip art on my computer.
Penny

 

[Dom13]

I am sorry to hear about your husband. I hope everything goes well for him. Please keep us updated.

How to explain layers....about the easiest way I know is this example.

In this example I took the picture on the right, duplicated it, which gave me a second copy of it LAYING on top of the first one, then took and removed the color from the top layer making it a grayscale (B & W). Then I simply erased the parts I wanted to be in color, Mushu, from the B & W layer allowing the color layer to show through. If you look at his right hand and left foot you'll see some remnants of the B & W layer.

This is just the tip of a very big iceberg. Layers are a VERY powerful tool and once you get used to them you won't want to work with out them. One of the nicest things is that the layers remain separate and you can work on one layer, say change it's color, with out affecting the other(s).

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Okay, I have been playing with PSP. I have figured out how, to some extent, add a background and add text and give it effects. But for the life of me, I cannot figure out how to add clipart without it having a background or frame around it (I can add the same clipart in Print Shop without a background, so I know it is the right format). Can somebody please give me a quick step by step?

 

[Moeluv4u7]

Dom,

Thx so much for that quick bit on layers- LOL I see, it does seem to be a bit involved but I kind of understand now since you pointed out the B&W left on the other Mushu picture- That is way cool- I didn't know it could be done to photos too btw!
I am trying to learn the "layer" thing in PI using objects- It is supposed to be the same concept-
All of these take quite a few steps and as I find out how to do something- I am now forgetting what I did to reproduce a diff design using the same manner- LOL I am going to have to start keeping my own notes now! Thx so much for well wishes for DH
A quick update-
They will be doing a Cardio-Cath in the morning (It was supposed to be done today and they never got to him) They kept him from eating until about 2 PM when they finally decided to go ahead and feed him and let him know it will take place tomorrow-
They will be checking his stent that he has in now and possibly putting in another one- (I hope they don't have to) At any rate, I will be on pins and needles tomorrow and even though I work for a family oriented company, It is the end of the month, I have to go in for a few hours tomorrow regardless- It will keep me busy since the procedure takes a few hours and I can't do anything for him during that time anyway- (This is how we always seem to explain it anyway)
So far though he is good tonight- he has had his "cocktail" for his procedure tomorrow and is watching some tube as he drifts to sleep, then they come in to "poke" him and he is up again until he can drift off and the cycle continues- LOL Don't get me wrong- We love Duke, They always take very good care of him and will keep in touch w/ me as well- We only know the Cardiology Dept but have had good experience with them while he is there-
Well, I have browsed for backgrounds and images today as well so I am going to try some object "layers" see if I can make it work- LOL
Oh! DisneyinAZ- Someone here will definitely be able to help you- Many of the designers use PSP so you are in good company!

 

[chaoscent]

Sending you more good thoughts and pixie dust.
Penny

 

[DisneyWhirled]

Luv, I am so sorry to hear everything that you and your DH have been going through. I am praying for you both.

Our dear friend has long history of cardiac problems. Your story reminds me of him. He is forever in and out of the hospital to check stents, have catherizations, etc. He is 48. His first heart attack was at 34. They have young children so, we often babysitt when he has to be admitted to the hospital.

I am with you on the PI. I have the trial version and DH keeps telling me that a software "trial" often does not let you have all the bells and whistles. Chaos has been fantastic, and I too keep her tuts opened while designing.

I found an older version of PSE at home and installed it to see if I can have any luck with it. Then I thought if I could upgrade, it may cost me less.

I dunno. The whole thing confuses me! Gif, png, jpeg...oh my!!

I really want to learn a new skill, but I get so frustrated (easily). My local college has a PSE class that started 10/20...I just missed it. Maybe I can catch it next semester!

Well, gotta go, but just wanted to pipe in and wish you the best!

 

[chaoscent]

Thank you both for the kind words. I never thought about looking at a local college/high school for a class on PSE or PI? that's a great idea. Though I swore when I got my Ph.D. in 2003 that I would never, ever take another class as long as I live. Well I guess I could take one as long as they don't give grades. I still have that dream when it is the day of the final and I forgot to study.
Luv - Sending pixie dust to you and DH.
Penny

 

[Moeluv4u7]

Hey all! Wow this is almost feeling like a board in itself! LOL
I appreciate all the well wishes! You all have been amazing
A quick report- As you see I am home, I left work early, they let my DH out of the hospital today so I drove up to Durham to get him as soon as I heard-
Had the Cardio cath done this AM - not on schedule but about 11 AM they finally got him- The doctor had ordered no Plavix while he was in before the procedure or for 2 days after- So, instead of having stay immobile for 8 hrs afterwards to make sure no excess bleeding from the artery- He had about 3 hours or so and then started to be discharged- Mainly due to... They did not add a stent, he does have another small blockage of 20% in another artery but the doctor cleared it some and it stayed open and clear- the stent he has now is still holding the walls well- he has changed medication to help with the effects of the stent he currently has- He does have a follow up appointment again in a couple weeks and won't be back to work until Monday- He is currently playing Monopoly with the kids happy to be home
I am relieved and a change in medicine is what he needed again anyway- Also, a bit of questions I have had about certain practices DH has got answered- He will not be drinking energy drinks anymore (not a BADhabit but he drinks at least one a day and I have told him over and over they are not good for you) - For him especially, ginseng is not his friend-between blood pressure and heart he should not have-
And his GNC supplements are all okay but one so he will stop that one- I am fine with- I just hated he never would ask the doctor about his "supplements" and I kept on him because he should make sure anything he takes is okay with the other medshe has... other things and I am at ease- for now- Thx for everything!
Now... I have been playing w/ the Challenge Image from MomEtc on the other thread (If you haven't checked it out, you should) I think I will post what I did - I still need to tweak it and it is not what my vision was but it is what I could do with all I have learned so far- I am excited that it really looks cute- Okay, gotta browse a minute- Then off to tweak it so I can post it- Hopefully...
LOL

 

[MomETC]

Hey all! Wow this is almost feeling like a board in itself! LOL
I appreciate all the well wishes! You all have been amazing
A quick report- As you see I am home, I left work early, they let my DH out of the hospital today so I drove up to Durham to get him as soon as I heard-
Had the Cardio cath done this AM - not on schedule but about 11 AM they finally got him- The doctor had ordered no Plavix while he was in before the procedure or for 2 days after- So, instead of having stay immobile for 8 hrs afterwards to make sure no excess bleeding from the artery- He had about 3 hours or so and then started to be discharged- Mainly due to... They did not add a stent, he does have another small blockage of 20% in another artery but the doctor cleared it some and it stayed open and clear- the stent he has now is still holding the walls well- he has changed medication to help with the effects of the stent he currently has- He does have a follow up appointment again in a couple weeks and won't be back to work until Monday- He is currently playing Monopoly with the kids happy to be home
I am relieved and a change in medicine is what he needed again anyway- Also, a bit of questions I have had about certain practices DH has got answered- He will not be drinking energy drinks anymore (not a BADhabit but he drinks at least one a day and I have told him over and over they are not good for you) - For him especially, ginseng is not his friend-between blood pressure and heart he should not have-
And his GNC supplements are all okay but one so he will stop that one- I am fine with- I just hated he never would ask the doctor about his "supplements" and I kept on him because he should make sure anything he takes is okay with the other medshe has... other things and I am at ease- for now- Thx for everything!
Now... I have been playing w/ the Challenge Image from MomEtc on the other thread (If you haven't checked it out, you should) I think I will post what I did - I still need to tweak it and it is not what my vision was but it is what I could do with all I have learned so far- I am excited that it really looks cute- Okay, gotta browse a minute- Then off to tweak it so I can post it- Hopefully...
LOL

You have mail. lol