Click here to download.

Now that you’ve downloaded a cool template, you might not be sure what to do with it.  Templates are really quite easy to work with, and are a great tool if you’re in a time crunch, or when you just want to get a layout done. 

Step 1:  When you first open a Photoshop template, you will see many layers in the layers palette.  Each layer relates to a specific element in the layout.  The name for each layer should correspond to the element it represents.

In my template, I have space for 15 photos.  Each block represents where an individual photo will be, and has to be on a separate layer so that you can clip your photo to the block.  Essentially, the block is being used as a clipping mask, and becomes a window in which your photo will appear.  The beauty of using a mask instead of cropping your photo, is that your original photo is still there, but the outer edges of it, behind the window, are hidden.  You can still transform or rotate your photo as you wish to suit the layout.     

Generally, when I use a template, I like to open a small group of my photos at the same time.  For example, with the above template, I have a block of 5 photos on the bottom, a block of 9 photos in the centre, and a main photo opposite.  I might open the 5 photos to go on the bottom first, then deal with the group of 9 next.  Here, for demonstration purposes, I’m going to choose the main photo. 

Step 2:  First I highlight the block in my layers palette where I want to put my photo.  Then, I drag my first photo onto my template, into position where I want the photo to be.  It will cover the block, but that’s okay.  In the layers palette, your photo should be just above the layer for the block that corresponds to where you put your photo.  Next, hover your cursor on the line between the photo layer, and the block layer.  If you hold down the Alt key while you are hovering between the layers, your cursor will switch to two overlapping circles.  While holding Alt, when you see the overlapping circles, click with your mouse.  Now your photo is “clipped” to the layer below it like so:

Step 3:  Next, you can resize your photo using the transform handles to fit into the block.  All you have to do is repeat until you have filled in all the blocks with your photos.

Step 4:  You can do the same for any of the elements and papers:  click and drag the element onto your template, then clip it as above.  

You can also re-arrange the template to suit your needs.  They are totally flexible, and really just a tool to help you get started and be creative.  Have fun with templates!

DeAnna

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