Designing a grid for pasting?

[terrypin]

I'm trying to make a birthday card with 48 images of equal size arranged in a grid of six columns and eight rows. The overall size of the printed output will be about 144 x 224 mm. There should be a white gap of about 0.5 mm around each image, just enough to be visible. To allow relatively easy pasting and positioning of each image, what is the best design for the background layer, with its mix of white and transparent areas, and the simplest way to make that layer please?

Strictly OT, but as I hope to make more cards of that form in future, with different variables, I'm also wondering if anyone has tackled this with a script?

[Joelle]

There is a good script, which was posted in the old PaintShop Pro Photo group: Panda_Grid_v2-1.pspscript which does what you are looking for. You can make as many columns as needed.

I can't find it though, but can send a private message with the script attached.
Let me know.


Joëlle

[terrypin]

Thanks Joëlle, I'd appreciate that please. I've sent you a PM.

I have also just found three other promising scripts in my existing library and will shortly start experimenting with them:
GridByCells
GridByPercent
GridMaker

Does Panda_Grid_v2-1.pspscript deliver a result with the cells transparent?

[Joelle]

It's on it's way

[Jean-Luc]

144/6 columns = 24 mm
224/8 rows = 28 mm

Create a 24x28mm image.
Open Print Layout.
Under View/Options set the Grid settings to 24 and 28 mm (see attached).
Place your sample image as many you need.
Save the layout.
You will use it as template for placing future images.

[JoeB]

There is a good script, which was posted in the old PaintShop Pro Photo group: Panda_Grid_v2-1.pspscript which does what you are looking for. You can make as many columns as needed.

I can't find it though, but can send a private message with the script attached.
Let me know.


Joëlle

Because this was something requested here and others might find it useful also, perhaps you should post the script in the Scripting sub-forum, with a link to this thread for people to be able to read what the script is useful for, and perhaps adding a link here to the location of your post in the Scripting sub-forum.

[Joelle]

Will do, thanks Joe

Joëlle

--
Done that.
How 'intelligent' that '.pspscript is not allowed in a Scripting forum
Tsk tsk

[JoeB]

Will do, thanks Joe

Joëlle

--
Done that.
How 'intelligent' that '.pspscript is not allowed in a Scripting forum
Tsk tsk

Could you please zip the script file first then post it as an attachment in zip format, removing the script text you posted? The text of the script that you posted will not be able to work for people if copied and pasted because it doesn't contain the necessary formatting (spaces) required in a python script. Thanks in advance!

[Joelle]

He he , this is taking on a life of it'd own !

[JoeB]

He he , this is taking on a life of it'd own !

Yep! Ain't life fun??

[Joelle]

Looks like I can't spell either.
I hope it worked, sending the zipped file I mean.

[terrypin]

144/6 columns = 24 mm
224/8 rows = 28 mm

Create a 24x28mm image.
Open Print Layout.
Under View/Options set the Grid settings to 24 and 28 mm (see attached).
Place your sample image as many you need.
Save the layout.
You will use it as template for placing future images.

Thanks, I'll try that although I've never been comfortable working in Print Layout.

How would I make the grid lines wider and also handle the transparency issue, so that exact positioning of each image is unnecessary?

[Jean-Luc]

Thanks, I'll try that although I've never been comfortable working in Print Layout.
How would I make the grid lines wider and also handle the transparency issue, so that exact positioning of each image is unnecessary?

In the Print Layout mode, the grid is virtual (not visible when printing).
You may enlarge the display (zoom in and out).
Once you have created the template, you will obtain a template with empty boxes at exact places where you have placed the images.
When using your print template, dragging each open images inside the print template will stick them to the grid (you must activate the Snap to grid feature). In my example, the image I created is the exact same size as the grid cells. It fills automatically the empty cell.
I created a red border to show you you may replace the red by white.
I don't understand your transparency problem.
If you need more explanation, ask...
The Print Layout function is provided with readymade templates. I suggest you try some template for a better understanding of how all the stuff works.
The Print Layout has also a Fit to cell feature (it centers automatically the image inside the empty cell).
The grid is used only for the creation of the template. When using your template, the grid is not necessary.

[ehume]

Print Layout is amazingly flexible. One has no clue that certain things are possible.

For example, you can double-click on the image at the left to get it to appear in the main window. Or one can drag it.

I'll go commune with the Help file, now. Say what you will about PSP. The Help file is the most amazing and useful document. Microsoft could learn a lot.

[terrypin]

Thanks both. I'll set aside time to study Print Layout seriously.