Note: Instructions written in PSE 3.

This tutorial is going to show you how to easily get the look for torn paper using the ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates - Layered: Tear It Up series.

Begin by opening your template. The first template we are going to cover with paper is the base template. Create a new 12x12 300 dpi document and drag the base template onto this. Drag your patterned paper onto this new document and merge the two layers. To do this, select "More" in the Layers Palette and "Merge Visible."

Now you have the background layer done. Next we are going to do the tear. So locate the gray template that has a torn edge look to it. Open a new document, then drag the template onto that new document. Now to fill this template with paper and create our first layer of the torn paper, you need to drag your patterned paper onto this new document as well. Make sure the patterned paper is on top of the template.

Now we are going to merge the two layers. Making sure your patterned paper layer is active (it should have the paint brush next to it), hold down the Ctrl key and press "G". This will clip your patterned paper onto your template. Next, choose "More" in the Layers Palette and pick "Merge Down" to merge these layers.

Drag this layer onto your background document. Now you should have the background and torn paper on the same document. But we're still missing the "white" part of the tear.

Locate the white tear document and drag this onto your new document. For this to work correctly, you need to have this white tear placed under the patterned paper that has the torn effect on it.

Once you have placed the white tear under the torn patterned paper, you can adjust the tear to your liking. You will notice I have placed mine so the white barely shows under the paper.

Once the tear layer is placed where you would like it, link the two layers. To do this while my white tear layer is active, I clicked the box next to the solid brown paper. Once you click this, you will notice a link appears in that box. This indicates to you the two layers are now linked. Select "More" in the Layers Palette, and "Merge Linked."

Once these layers have been merged, you can add your drop shadow to that paper.

Lastly, finish up your layout adding your photos and embellishments.

Layout by Angie Briggs
larger view

	Note: Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Digital Layout Templates - Layered: Tear It Up 2 and ScrapSimple Layer Your Own Brushes: Alpha are also available.

Tutorial by Angie Briggs