More help for a newbie DISigner please...

[Iloveeliot]

Hi. Sorry to bother you all with so many questions. I want to start making some planning sheets. Some of them will have tables. I can't figure out how create a table in Elements 9 and I can't figure out how to use layers in Microsoft Word Starter 10. I tried making the table in Word but then I couldn't layer an image behind it. I tried saving the table as a pdf and opening it in Elements but then the table can't be edited. There must be a better way to do this! As usual I'm in way over my head as I can hardly work either program! I have learned so much in the past week about Elements as I've been designing, I figure this is a good way to keep learning. Thanks for your help!

 

[RustManFan]

do you have starter Excel? I personally would build my table there and never bother with PSE for this as long as it is for your own use.

you can draw out the table and insert any picture you want in Excel.

Not at all what PSE was intended for, I'm afraid!

 

[Iloveeliot]

I do have starter excel. I could try using that though I'm totally unfamiliar with it. I was planning on sharing some of the planning stuff. Can I not do that if I use excel or will it just not be pretty? I figured out how to build a table in PSE by drawing lots of lines. It's time consuming but I'm hoping I can reuse the same table in different applications. Thanks for your help and I will try in Excel. The one I'm doing in PSE is coming out pretty well so far, just taking forever!

By the way I just want to thank you again for the background eraser tip! It has saved me days of work already!

 

[Dom13]

You can build a table in Elements. It's not easy and will take "a lot of lines" like you said but it can be done.

I use CS 4 so I can't give precise instructions but I'll give you the basics.

1. Draw out the number of lines you want for the rows and add 1 extra.
2. Find the highest one in your layer stack and move it to where you want the bottom of your table to be. I'd recommend you use the arrow keys to move it this way you won't have to re-align the edges. Hold down the shift key while pressing the arrow key and it will move 10 pixels at a time instead of one.
3. Highlight all the lines in your layer stack, click on the move tool, then click on Distribute Vertical Centers on the tool bar at the top. If you find the spacing to be too much duplicate a line (or two) in the center and repeat.
4. Repeat these instructions for the vertical lines and you should have what you want.

 

[RustManFan]

and of course you only have to draw out one line in each direction and use the Duplicate Layer feature so they are all exactly the same width and length!

 

[Iloveeliot]

In other words it's a pain but can be done. Thanks so much! Dom that tip about holding shift while pressing the arrow to move 10 spaces is super helpful! I'm always trying to move things the same amount and I sit there counting while using the arrows so I know how much I have moved. Knowing I've moved ten will help tons! Seriously, I need one of you to come to my house and give me elements lessons. If I make enough planning pages maybe I'll share them here. As I have questions about how to do stuff should I just keep starting a new thread about it or is there a better way to get helpful tips from you guys? I do try googling stuff before posting. Thanks a million!

 

[Dom13]

Marion's correct. That will save you some time.

It's not easy but it shouldn't take too long. Think I spent ten minutes building one this AM after I posted.