Make Your Own Calendar + Video + Templates

[andrewb2012 Profile]

I had hoped to create effects to produce calendar pages at the request of users, but unfortunately SPE doesn't really support the concept of having a fixed size image in which your original image can be posted. I tried all sorts of ideas, but eventually decided that it might be better to to use the Composite Feature, which in fact, gives users more control.

Here is a link to my blog Andrew Buchanan's Arty Facts where you will find a Tutorial Video and all the required TEMPLATES that you can download and freely use:

http://www.smartphotoeditor.com/AndrewBuchanan/?p=331

If you want to see the Video on its own, you can view it in Vimeo at:

http://vimeo.com/111354648

Note: To all who were looking forward to effects - I have tried my utmost to create generic Calendar Effects that you could use with any image no matter what its aspect ratio was. I did tests and uploaded them and sought advice from Tony (Anthropics) - between us we tried various options. Here is the problem. It was not possible to maintain both the aspect ratio of the calendar template and the original image. It was either the one or the other. This was no use for making calendars to be printed out on standard papers. The use of the Composite Feature too overcome the problems might seem disappointing but, in truth, users will have much more control over the results.

I don't often say this (in fact I've never said it before) - but I think this approach is really worth pursuing - I would encourage you to WATCH the Video at least and, if you are interested, download the templates of which there are 8 series that can be downloaded a series at a time. You can download the Master Templates too and create your own templates from them.

Kindest regards,

Andrew

[eadams Profile]

Dear Andrew, what a great addition you have made to SPE! I watched the video last night and marvelled at all the thought and work you put into making and organizing the templates so that they can be used for any month/year. Providing the *Codes.jpg, which is the key to which template to use for a particular month/year, was a stroke of genius. Before you posted the templates on your blog, I saw the test calendar effect in the Effects Gallery and recognized the aspect ratio problem. I wondered how you would solve this, and the solution you offer is ideal from my perspective.

Thank you for posting the Master templates (giving users the opportunity to use some other background for their calendars) and the master calendar grids. It might be a good idea to add a Codes.jpg to that download package, but anyone who viewed the video (and that is really necessary) will know that the codes are in the other downloads.

The video is excellent and I especially like the part that shows that even after the calendar page has been put together, further effects can be added with SPE.

Thank you!

Eve

[andrewb2012 Profile]

Hi Eve,

Thanks for your kind comments and comprehensive review of my latest tutorial video and Blog article - I hope as many users as possible get to see the amazing potential of using the Composite Feature.

As you requested, I've just added a link so that users can download the Code Template (a pure oversight on my part - sorry).

Keep well and creative.

Kind regards,

Andrew

[Arwin Profile]

Briljant Andrew!

True about the fixed size image to add your image on, like a empty canvas to start with, I stumbled upon it in the past too, but did not thought about it when you came up with the idea about the calendar templates.
But your new approach is briljant and will give indeed a lot of new possibilities to think about!

You did put again a lot of effort and time in this, your video is great and I'm sure very helpful!
Thanks a lot Andrew!

And of course..
It's a must try!
(Click image to enlarge)

December2014.jpg (775.29 KiB) Viewed 4216 times

My approach:
Started SPE with Calendar Black 2-31
Added a Hue Saturation Brightness node in a new created effect to play with the Hue to change the default red color to purple/pink.
Added the effect Media militia - shemul lens flare 06 by Arwin
Started the Composite feature of SPE to added the party photo

1) Did a search for Text in the effect gallery of SPE, chosen for the effect Text neon 01 04 by Arwin
Added the text December by using the Text feature of SPE
Merged the effects Text neon 01 04 by Arwin with the Text (December) effect
Removed the old Text node (Fast) to replace it with the new Text node (December)

Repeated the steps from 1 but now with the effect Text neon 01 06 by Arwin and the text 2014 instead of December

More info about my text effects can be found in the New neon silhouette figures effects and more.. topic I wrote.

[andrewb2012 Profile]

Hi Arwin,

So pleased you were able to put my master templates to such creative use. I like coming up with new ideas, but I like it most when people take the ideas and develop them. You have illustrated how easy it is to adapt the ideas and make them your own. Your spooky choice of font is brilliant and your neon effects come into their own. Great Calendar - so pleased that you put into practice this new approach so quickly. Thanks for taking the time to explore the possibilities and sharing your results.

Out of this idea has come other ideas - so watch this space, because I think I've got something in store that you will find appealing - but you'll need to wait a while longer before all is revealed!

Thanks for your kind comments and recommendation - hope others find the approach useful too!

Keep well my friend and have a good week!

Regards,

Andrew

[Arwin Profile]

Thanks Andrew,

It was my pleasure to try them out and to see how my text effects would do in a new area of use!
As always, I just like to inspire and if I have inspired at least one to use or think about text effects in SPE, I'm happy

It's just that there is so much possible in SPE, that there is always room to explore!

I'm very curious you will conjure up out of your magic hat, we will see!

Thanks again Andrew, your effort, knowledge, time and your creativity you put in the community is indispensable!


Keep well my friend and have a good week too!

Arwin