- While there are several types of layouts you can do with Elements 6, start with a greeting card to get a feel for how it works. To start, Open (click "File," then "Open") a digital photo. Save (click "File," then "Save As") a copy. To the right of where the photo is displayed is the Palette Bin. This will change depending on what you are doing. It will be on Edit while you are working on a photo. When you have the image you want and have adjusted it and saved it, go to Create (click the purple "Create" button in the Palette Bin). Four buttons will appear and below them, "More Options" (click "More Options" then "Greeting Card"). The Palette Bin will change to Greeting Card.
- Next, choose a Theme. There are many you can scroll through for different occasions or effects. Some of the choices include Celebrations, Comic Books, Baby Stuff, Cork Board and others. You don't have to choose a Theme if you want a more subdued look. Instead, choose a Layout (click any "Layout" and it will pop up to show you what it will look like). Again, there are a variety of Layouts from standard landscape or portrait to tilted and others. When you have one you like, go to Done (click the "Done" button at the bottom of the Palette Bin). Elements 6 will create the card for you at the right size and incorporate the photo you have open. You can add text (click the "Type" tool in the side Toolbar) if you like. Flatten (click "Layer" then "Flatten") the image before printing.
- To create other projects, follow the same methods and the on-screen instructions. You also can use the Tell Me More (click "Tell Me More" at the bottom of the Palette Bin that appears for some layouts) that will take you directly to the Adobe Help Viewer page for that subject. While you can print your own Greeting Cards and CD/DVD labels, you can't print the Photo Books. These you can design in Elements, but then the program will give you the option of ordering the book online.
