Changing Graphics Formats

A Way to Save to an Unsupported Format

I liked your article on Graphics Programs for Crafters.

I know you mentioned that they no longer make CreataCard but do you know if the Version 8 allows projects to be saved in the JPEG format?

I have an old version of CreataCard and I really like it but it can't save in the JPEG format.

Thanks.

Gail

Version 8 was the last version Broderbund released and I don't have it.

But up through Platinum Version 7, the closed CreataCard architecture was kept intact. You can only save your CreataCard work in the program's proprietary formats. For example, a note card gets saved as a .not file and a poster as a .sig file.

However, if you have a photo editing software program like Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, you can copy your CreataCard design and paste it, make design changes not possible in CreataCard, then save it in the .jpg graphics format so you can e-mail your card to friends or print it out to mail.

How to Switch Graphics Formats

Create your design in CreataCard. If there is more than one element, lasso them with your cursor, right click and Group. Then right click and choose Copy.

Open your photo editing software. Open a new file and paste from the clipboard. When your design is complete, save as a .jpg. You may need to adjust the size first.

In the first example above. I grouped two CreataCard elements (the floral paper and the text), then copied and pasted them into Photoshop.

In the second example, I copied and pasted just the floral paper. Then I used the Photoshop Rectangle Shape tool to draw a white rectangle in the center.

By reducing the opacity, I gave the center section a vellum look which could serve to write a letter. Then I added an Inner Glow to the "vellum" and an Outer Stroke in a Purple color which I selected from the floral paper.

When saving your .jpg design, remember that 72 psi is good for e-mail and the Internet, but to print your designs, you need at least 300 dpi. [ Psi is "pixels per inch" which refers to graphics displayed on a computer screen in pixels. Dpi is "dots per inch" which refers to printed matter. ]

If you copy and paste designs from CreataCard to give yourself more design flexibility, just be careful not to violate the artists' copyright. You are allowed to use the designs in the program you purchased for your personal use, but not to sell.

It's really a shame that Broderbund discontinued this lovely user-friendly graphic program. They had some talented artists create the graphics. I still enjoy just browsing through the art gallery.

CreataCard was the program that enticed me into the world of computer graphic art and I owe a debt of gratitude to its talented programmers and graphic artists.