The Print Shop 4.0 User Guide

This User Guide is designed to help you learn the software. Be sure to also check out the Video Tutorials and the Blog for additional ideas. To access the User Guide, either click on a topic to the left, choose a commonly accessed topic below, or search for a topic above.

In addition to the information available in The Print Shop 4.0 User Guide, Technical support is also available if you encounter an issue with the software. Solutions to common technical issues can be found using these links, or if necessary report a problem to our Support team.

Adding Effects to an Object

Effects are things that will alter the way your objects appear on your project.  Many object types have effects unique to them but these four effects are standard across all objects.  Shapes are used in the examples below but these effects can also be used with Headlines, Text, Images, Calendars and Tables.


Opacity

Opacity affects the object's transparency. This will make it so your object is slightly transparent and elements in the background can be seen through it.

The object on the right has a lower opacity than the object on the left.
Shape Opacity Demo

To change the opacity of your object:

  1. Click on your object.
  2. Click on the Opacity button from the object's Tab.
    Opacity Icon
  3. Use the slider to make your object more or less opaque.
    Basic Slider

Note: The lower the percent, the more transparent your image will become.


Border

Borders affect shapes and other objects slightly differently. On Shapes, the border affect the outline of the shape. Adding a border to other objects will put an outline around its bounding box.

The object on the left has a border and the object on the right does not.


Shape Border Demo

Here are some examples of other objects using Borders.

Borders

 

To apply a Border:

  1. Click on your object.
  2. Click on the Border Button from the object's Tab.
    Border Icon
  3. Each will have a drop-down menu with the following tools.
    Outline Tools
  • Use the slider tool to increase or decrease the width of the Border.
  • Use the color drop-down to change the color of the Border.

Blur

The object on the left has a blur effect and the object on the right does not.

Blurry Shape Demo

To apply a blur:

  1. Click on your object.
  2. Click on the Blur button from the object's Tab.
    Blur Icon
  3. Use the slider to make your object Blurrier.
    Basic Slider

Note: The lower the percent, the blurrier your image will become.


Drop Shadow

The Drop Shadow effect allows you to place a shadow behind your object. You can also change the drop shadow's color, direction, and blur.

The Shape on the left has a Drop Shadow and the shape on the right does not.

Shape DS Demo

To apply a drop shadow:

  1. Click on your object.
  2. Click on the Drop Shadow button from the object's Tab.
    Drop Shadow Icon
  3. A drop-down menu will appear with the following tools:
    Drop Shadow Tools
  • Use the Slider tool to increase or decrease the distance the shadow is placed away from the object.
  • The Color drop-down lets you change the color of the shadow.
  • The Direction tool controls the direction that the shadow falls away from the Shape.
  • The Blur Slider affects only the shadow.

 


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