Getting Started - The Basics of Creating a Digital Layout

When you create a digital layout, you do it in much the same way that you would a traditional layout, in that you layer papers and elements on top of one another. Each paper, photo, or embellishment exists on its own layer in your document, and you can reposition them at your discretion.

Here are some simple steps for creating a basic layout with Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Photoshop Elements.

1. Open your photo-editing software
2. Go to File > New and set your document size to 12x12", 300 dpi, transparent background. Click OK. This will be your layout document.
   

3. Go to File > Open and locate the file of a paper you would like to use for a background. Click OK.
4. Position your layout document and your background paper document windows so that both are visible.
   

5. Select the Move Tool (click on the arrow at the top of the tools palette or just type "M") as shown
   

6. To move your paper onto your layout, simply hold down the SHIFT key and click and drag the paper over to your layout. Release the mouse once your cursor is positioned over the layout. The paper should now be centered on its own layer in your layout document.
   
   

7. Repeat steps 2-5 with a photo, a frame and piece of word art, position your elements, and you have created a simple, but beautiful layout.
   
   

Tips

• "To reposition an element on your layout, simply click on its layer, and with the Move Tool (V) selected, move your cursor over that element and click and drag the element on your layout to a new position.
• " To resize an element on your layout, select the element's layer, then go to Edit > Free Transform (PSE users go to Image > Transform > Free Transform). Then hold the SHIFT key as you drag one of the corner handles in or out to resize and maintain the original proportions. (The bounding box with adjustment handles will shop up automatically if you leave the "Show Bounding Box" option checked in the options toolbar.)
• " To add depth to your elements, go to Layer > Layer Style > Drop Shadow and adjust the settings in the dialog box to your liking. (PSE users can find drop shadows in the Styles and Effects Palette under Layer Styles.)
• " To move elements in front of or behind one another in your layout, simply click and drag the layer up or down to a new position in the Layers palette. The higher it is in the palette, the closer it is to the "top" of your layout.