How to add images to an existing template? I'm sure this is easy for you guys.

[BTL99]

So I am trying to add some custom art to an arcade stick and this template is provided for me:

http://www.tek-innovations.com/arthobbies/downloads/Art Hobbies Qanba Template.psd

However, I don't have Photoshop, so I downloaded Gimp but I still couldn't figure it out.

I just want to add an image to the template and then save it and e-mail it to him so he can print it out.
I've got a couple images in mind, but I'm not sure how to actually put it into the template and line it up and stuff.

One of my images is this:

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/6337/colorednetofbeing.jpg

Shouldn't I just be able to click "insert image" or something and it should just go into the template and I should be able to movie it to where I want it to be?

These are some instructions from his website:

"Once you have done so, and have opened up the PSD, please note the layers within the Template. The black outline is the plexi configuration and that is what you should use to plan out your artwork. The Red outline is where you should extend your artwork out for cropping reasons.

Note: Stretch your artwork to fit the template. I know the template is a bit large at 300dpi, but it's large because the image will be printed rather large. So you need to stretch your artwork to fit the template, DO NOT shrink the template to fit the artwork... it doesn't work that way. If you stretch the artwork out and it looks blurry, it's because the artwork is too small and not enough details to fill the template, and that's how it will end up when printing. Shrinking the template doesn't change the fact that the artwork is too small. If you change the template, it gives me more work to resize your artwork and could take more time to finish your order."

I'm sure this is like the easiest thing in the world for you guys. Any help?

Thanks.

 

[MikeMc]

However, I don't have Photoshop, so I downloaded Gimp but I still couldn't figure it out.

You need PS for psd files......

 

[Tom Mann]

That template doesn't use any advanced or newly added features of Photoshop, so any version from the past dozen or so years should work. You should be able to pick up an old version at a very low price.

The one feature that template does use is "layers", so the use of Photoshop "Elements" is restricted to a version that supports layers. I don't use "Elements", but I think this happened around 2 or 3 years ago, so a relatively new version of Elements should also work. "Elements" is often given away with the purchase of a scanner, new camera, etc., so it should be very easy to find one.

To answer your question about how to insert that image in his template, the process couldn't be simpler:

- open both your image and his template simultaneously in PS
- make your image active (ie, make sure its tab or sub-window is highlighted)
- hit cntl-A, cntl-c to select the entirety of your image, and then copy it to PS's clipboard
- make the template active
- click on the layer named "Insert Your Artwork Here"
- hit cntl-V

Now, your artwork is in his template. He asks that your artwork be resized to fill his template. To do this, click on the Edit/scale menu, grab the handles and move them in or out till your artwork is the correct size.

---> Unfortunately, after writing all of the above, I just discovered that there is a big problem with your artwork.

It is much too small and will look blurry after it is expanded to fill his template. Your artwork is only 800 pixels horizontally, whereas his template is around 5000 pixels horizontally. That's a huge expansion.

That being said, may I ask how you produced your artwork if you don't have Photoshop, didn't have Gimp, and don't know how to do even ultra-simple operations in either program? If the artwork is not yours, do you own the copyright or a license to use it for this purpose?

Tom M

 

[BTL99]

That template doesn't use any advanced or newly added features of Photoshop, so any version from the past dozen or so years should work. You should be able to pick up an old version at a very low price.

The one feature that template does use is "layers", so the use of Photoshop "Elements" is restricted to a version that supports layers. I don't use "Elements", but I think this happened around 2 or 3 years ago, so a relatively new version of Elements should also work. "Elements" is often given away with the purchase of a scanner, new camera, etc., so it should be very easy to find one.

To answer your question about how to insert that image in his template, the process couldn't be simpler:

- open both your image and his template simultaneously in PS
- make your image active (ie, make sure its tab or sub-window is highlighted)
- hit cntl-A, cntl-c to select the entirety of your image, and then copy it to PS's clipboard
- make the template active
- click on the layer named "Insert Your Artwork Here"
- hit cntl-V

Now, your artwork is in his template. He asks that your artwork be resized to fill his template. To do this, click on the Edit/scale menu, grab the handles and move them in or out till your artwork is the correct size.

---> Unfortunately, after writing all of the above, I just discovered that there is a big problem with your artwork.

It is much too small and will look blurry after it is expanded to fill his template. Your artwork is only 800 pixels horizontally, whereas his template is around 5000 pixels horizontally. That's a huge expansion.

That being said, may I ask how you produced your artwork if you don't have Photoshop, didn't have Gimp, and don't know how to do even ultra-simple operations in either program? If the artwork is not yours, do you own the copyright or a license to use it for this purpose?

Tom M

That is really simple. I guess I need to find elements in order to make this work.

As far as the artwork goes, I just found it on google. I seriously didn't think it was a problem getting in printed out for my own personal use. It's not like I am going to be making any money of it or anything. On a side note, I do own a book of that artists work.

Thanks for the help man.

 

[Tom Mann]

BTW, the metadata for your artwork shows that at some point it was 1280 pixels wide.

That size is not one of the common sizes put out by a digital camera, and seems much too small to be the output from a program such as Corel Painter or any other painting program that could produce that much detail, so I ask again, where did that image come from?

Tom M


PS - We were typing at the same time. I just saw your explanation about the source of the image. Maybe it's OK to use it for purely personal purposes, but to be safe, I would get permission of the artist.

PPS - You need not only "Elements", you need a much larger image (in pixels) if you want it to look good.

 

[BTL99]

I'm guessing it isn't going to be easy to find an image that is 5000 pixels huh?

As far as getting the artists permission, it never even crossed my mind. For example this stick is for fighting games like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat and all the people in that community that get custom artwork done for their stick usually have the characters from the game on their stick. Is that ok for them to do that? I've never heard anyone bring it up before regarding the characters being used and not having permission.

Let's say I bought a cd. Could I find the artwork for that cd on google and use it since I purchased the cd? You might not know the answers to any of this, but thought I would ask.

Thanks again for the help. If I find an image that I like that is the right size, I can make this happen now.

 

[BTL99]

Oh yeah, one more thing.

Does the 5000 pixels the same thing as the dimensions of the picture?

Like could you have a image that is 1920 x 1200 and still have 5000 pixels?

Or does the "pixels" actually mean the dimension? As in 5000 x XXXX?

 

[Tom Mann]

Hi BTL - I don't even play a lawyer on TV, so I can't answer your questions about legalities, but in some cases you have to be very careful. I don't think this is one, but you'll have to find out a definite answer from someone that knows about that particular game, the policies of the company that puts it out, etc.. Probably, if you do what everyone else does, you'll be fine.

WRT your question about the meaning of the term pixel dimensions, it's your last guess. The exact number for his template is 5025 (horiz) by 3225 px (vert). You don't need that full size, but you need something that is at least around half those numbers so the blur won't be too bad. A 1920x1200 is getting kinda small, but it may be good enough for your purposes. A lot depends on how large the final image is going to be. The only real way to tell is to do a test print run.

HTH,

Tom

 

[BTL99]

Hi BTL - I don't even play a lawyer on TV, so I can't answer your questions about legalities, but in some cases you have to be very careful. I don't think this is one, but you'll have to find out a definite answer from someone that knows about that particular game, the policies of the company that puts it out, etc.. Probably, if you do what everyone else does, you'll be fine.

WRT your question about the meaning of the term pixel dimensions, it's your last guess. The exact number for his template is 5025 (horiz) by 3225 px (vert). You don't need that full size, but you need something that is at least around half those numbers so the blur won't be too bad. A 1920x1200 is getting kinda small, but it may be good enough for your purposes. A lot depends on how large the final image is going to be. The only real way to tell is to do a test print run.

HTH,

Tom

Awesome. Makes perfect sense. Thanks.