Bought a tutorial, but . . .

[auntlorivintage]

I know this is going to be something super simple, but I can't get it to work right!! I bought Cassie's tutorial No. 3, figuring this is the quickest way to learn CS3. (Normally I use Elements 5.0 for layouts)

I'm trying to just START a layout, but everytime I open the "next" document, it doesn't create a new layer but instead replaces the locked backgound layer. I've tried creating new layers and going there to open, but it just makes the layers disappear and the new paper applies to the background.

What is set up wrong? I'm following this VERY BASIC, step by step exactly - but can't get beyond step 3 which is to start after creating a document!!

[auntlorivintage]

Ok, so I thought that I'd just open Elements and follow the tutorial on there, but now the same thing is happening in Elements. Is this the twilight zone?

[auntlorivintage]

I think I figured it out, I have to choose select >all >close >paste and then a new layer appears. Hmmmmm . . .

[KerryMac]

Welcome to DD!
I'm not sure what is going on for you. You definitely shouldn't have to go to so much trouble to add a layer!
I do know that as soon as Cassie sees your post, she'll help you out. She's great about that.
If I could see your screen, I could help (I'm way too visual)!
Good luck!

[auntlorivintage]

Ugh . . . I consider myself an educated, intelligent woman, but this is killing me . . . I think my impatience is too blame! Ok, so I haven't figured out how to use the commands or the drag to get it to work, but if I follow what I did above, it works for me. It is just several more steps.

Next issue I'm working on is the text, I typed a B and want to move to Step 7 to modify, but everything except ALL is grayed out on the drop down menu?

[auntlorivintage]

I bet you guys hate folks like me . . . LOL!! Never mind, figured this out too! I hope Cassie reads all these messages before she starts responding . . .

Kerry, thanks for your support - LOL. Yes, I am laughing at myself!

[katrinak]

Welcome Lori! The best thing about "folk like" you is that we have all been there Photoshop has overwhelmed us all and so often it just comes down to one box checked in the wrong way to screw up everything!!

Best of luck on this adventure Keep us posted and let us see what you create!

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

Hi, Lori. I'm glad you figured it out. It sounds to me like you simply needed to change your workspace view. You were only seeing each new document as it opened. Make sure that you are in Standard Screen Mode and that your windows are viewed in Cascade mode.

You can use the tool palette on the left side to set the screen mode (as shown below) or just go to View > Screen Mode > Standard Screen Mode, OR you can type the letter F repeatedly to cycle through the modes.

For the window arrangement, go to Window > Arrange > Cascade.

If you have any more issues with a tutorial, feel free to email me directly using the address at the end of the tutorial.

[auntlorivintage]

Cassie - Bless you!! Yes, this makes such a difference!! I've also printed out the tutorial, so I don't have to keep going back and forth - my brain is overloaded right now. But these tutorials REALLY ARE so simple!!

Thank you!

[auntlorivintage]

Clickity-click here . . . to see the finished product:

http://www.designerdigitals.com/digi...=95232&cat=500

Cassie and everyone who responded . . . thank you sooooo much for the super fast responses. I kept coming back to this today and working for a few minutes here and there as I got a chance and am soooooo pleased with the process (once I slowed down and applied what I was reading!).

These are soooooo very well written - kudos to Cassie and I'm off to buy more of her tutorials!

[audrey77]

Make sure that you go to her chats that happen every so often...

[auntlorivintage]

Jen - How do I find out when/where they are? I've never participated in a chat before.

[Cassie Jones (1gr8muggle)]

I generally have one "How'd They Do That?" chat and one "30 Minute Masterpiece" chat each month. Click on Chat Room at the top of the screen and you'll see a schedule. Of course, I'm not on it for April. This month seems to be escaping me. I will be hosting a 30MM chat during the sale weekend, though.