How can I make a "poster board" and add/arrange images?

[SyncroScales]

Hi. Using PSPPX3 Ultimate.

The idea is probably a graphic design idea. I think PSPPX3 can do it though.

What I want to do is create something like a flyer or poster. So if it was physically I would have some poster board or a large sheet or paper, then I would arrange images and tape or glue them to it. Then scan and print off any copies if I needed them.

In software I think I want to be able to create a background and be able to enlarge it or shrink it down as I need to. Then start applying images and resize or reshape them on this "virtual canvas" or outside of the "virtual canvas" and bring them into the "virtual canvas".

Can this program do it, or do I need something like CorelDraw? Any freeware someone can recommend also?

Thank you.

[LeviFiction]

Scribus is a virtual software designed for desktop and professional publishing. It's a page layout system. So if you know the size of your poster board you can set up the size in Scribus and start loading in images and writing text. You can use guides to make sure things are placed just so. It's pretty nice.

X3 can handle this to a point. But I make no promises.

[SyncroScales]

How does X3 handle it though? Where do I start. I think there is two ways to do this.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[LeviFiction]

Just create a new image with the size and resolution you want. You can set the width and height based on Inches or pixels. It's best to use inches. The resolution will depend on the size of the image and how far away your audience is going to be when they view it. 300dpi for arms length away, similar to a photograph, 150dpi for up to five feet away from it.

Then you copy other images as new layers into the larger image and then you can use the pick tool and other things to re-size, rotate, position, these different images on the canvas. There really isn't much to it.

Be careful if you rotate images though, if you rotate less or more than 90 degrees at a time you'll distort the image and lose pixels and quality. Same goes for resizing images.

[wds937]

Hi. Using PSPPX3 Ultimate.
[...]
What I want to do is create something like a flyer or poster. So if it was physically I would have some poster board or a large sheet or paper, then I would arrange images and tape or glue them to it.

If the background of your flyer or poster is the page on which you are printing, then this quick-and-dirty approach may suffice.

• Save each item you want to glue to the poster as a separate image.
• Open all of the separate images at the same time.
• File > Print Layout...; the Print Layout screen will open, with your images on the left-hand side and a blank page on the main part of the screen
• Drag your images, one at a time, onto the blank page. They can be moved/resized as needed.
• File > Save Template...; save the template if desired (optional)
• File > Print

[SyncroScales]

Thanks LeviFiction.

If I'm using tif files shouldn't they not get distorted? Or will any file type do it if you turn too much? Does the undo function correct this?

If I continually resize or change the canvas, will it distort or change the images and content on it? Or is rotating and resizing images I need to be more concerned about?

Is there any way to create a canvase that is blank and size it which way I want to in the express lab or full editor? I am usually in the full editor though. I have brought pictures in and went to Image - Canvas Size, then made it bigger.

Does anyone know if I try and export these files or print anything off, can they be auto sized to fit on print out? I will need to make and edit some big "canvases" to fit everything in there, then shrink it down to a regular size.

What I want to do is also similar to a collage. But I need it to be able to shrink down or "be fit" to the printout paper, photo paper, cardboard, etc.

[SyncroScales]

Thanks for the quick and dirty way also wds937. I just tried that, and it can work for some things.

But there are ideas I have that will need the full editor options. I need that "blank page on the main part of the screen" in the full editor.

If the full editor cannot do it after that, I'll need the suggested software or a program like Corel Draw, I actually want CorelDraw or another like it, but I have to learn photos first and get the money. It's worth it then as long as I use it, no point in all these fancy programs that cost as they do and then to have them collect physical or virtual dust somewhere...

[wds937]

But there are ideas I have that will need the full editor options. I need that "blank page on the main part of the screen" in the full editor.

If the full editor cannot do it after that, I'll need the suggested software or a program like Corel Draw...

PSP's full editor certainly can do that. As LeviFiction suggested above, create a blank image as your virtual canvas, and then copy/paste the individual images as new layers onto the canvas. Use the Pick tool to move/resize.

Yes, this can also be done in CorelDRAW. Use File > New to create the canvas, and File > Import... to bring in each image. As each image is brought in, you can drag the mouse onto the canvas to set the initial size and position; afterward, use the Pick tool to move/resize. Personally, I would probably use PSP rather than CorelDRAW for this (just personal preference).

[SyncroScales]

When I file - import it wants a scanner, camera, screen capture, custom brush, TWAIN aquire, TWAIN source. I can't find a folder tree or something with my images.

[wds937]

When I file - import it wants a scanner, camera, screen capture, custom brush, TWAIN aquire, TWAIN source. I can't find a folder tree or something with my images.

The File > Import in my previous post was for CorelDRAW. In PSP, use File > Open.

[SyncroScales]

What I'm having trouble with now is that I make a canvas, bring in an image, the image is too big. I try and resize, but the whole size changes and the image shrinks the canvas down or with the canvas, it's not like I can "undock" the image and them move it freely or alter the image seperately then attach it to the canvas. Can I fix my prediciment?

[wds937]

I make a canvas, bring in an image, the image is too big. I try and resize, but the whole size changes and the image shrinks the canvas down or with the canvas, it's not like I can "undock" the image and them move it freely or alter the image seperately then attach it to the canvas.

Here is a step-by-step example of creating a project I'll call MyPosterProject, onto which I shall paste two images called Image1.jpg and Image2.jpg.

1. File > New...; set your desired dimensions, resolution, background color, etc; choose Raster Background
2. File > Save As...; name the file MyPosterProject (or your desired name), and select PSPIMAGE for the file type
3. File > Open...; choose the Image1.jpg file
4. Selections > Select All
5. Edit > Copy
6. File > Close; click No at the prompt to save the Image1.jpg file
7. Now, the only file open should be MyPosterProject.pspimage.
8. Edit > Paste as New Layer; the newly-pasted layer will have focus in the Layers palette
9. Image > Resize...; set your desired size parameters; be sure the Resize all layers checkbox is not checked
10. Use the Pick tool to move, resize, rotate the newly pasted image.
11. File > Open...; choose the Image2.jpg file
12. Selections > Select All
13. Edit > Copy
14. File > Close; click No at the prompt to save the Image2.jpg file
15. Again, the only file open should be MyPosterProject.pspimage.
16. Edit > Paste as New Layer; the newly-pasted layer will have focus in the Layers palette
17. Image > Resize...; set your desired size parameters; be sure the Resize all layers checkbox is not checked
18. Use the Pick tool to move/resize/rotate.
19. (Here, you would repeat the above steps as necessary for any additional images.)
20. Use the Layers palette to rearrange the the layers as you see fit.
21. File > Save