I Do Not Understand the Columns

Hello Sepiana

Thank you so much for answering my post. I am finding it difficult to explain what my issue is because it is so simple, really. It makes no sense that I should be having a problem, but I do.

I will try to explain by using images. Maybe that will help.

I am creating pages for a photo book. I do not use templates; I create each page in PSE and then upload them as I finish each one. I start with a blank page that is the exact size of my photo book, 12.5 " wide by 10" high. So it looks like the following::. Notice this particular example already has 7 items listed at the top. Normally these are images/photos that I need to include. I add text as I go.


Then my problems start. I recently ended up with more than 30 photos and other images in those columns. I drag the photo from the column to the main page. Sometimes I can hardly tell where that main page is anymore and when there get to be too many images it is impossible to tell what is what up there. I know about the slider below on the column but I can only do so much with that. I need to try out various photos to see what works for the space. That is why I have so many at times. It took me many hours to get just the following: page done.





It's not much, I know, but it takes forever trying to drag or import images. Not everything works out perfectly on the first try.

I can only sum it up by asking: Is there not an easier way to add images to a page to see if it's going to fit or look right or whatever and not have to go through all this column business?

Again, my thanks for your great patience. It's hard enough when you can get a clear understanding of the problem. I am having a heck of a time trying to explain the problem.

Pat

Hi Pat,

I can only speak for myself and I have no idea what you mean when you say "wrangle photos in 35 columns into a number of photo pages".

Elements is a photo editing program. It will allow you to create images based on your knowledge of the program - it does not automatically create, it does what it is told to do by the user. Placing multiple images on a page has always been an open-drag-drop-resize and place operation. This has nothing yo do with any columns?? Is there a reason you do not have a layer stack open?

Hi Pat,

Frank has already given you some excellent advice how to tackle your project. You're in good hands!

I'm just going to add some reinforcement.

If this were my project, I would open the blank file. Then, I would do File>Place to bring each photo and Free Transform (Ctrl-/Cmmd-T) to position and resize it. If I changed my mind and didn't want a certain photo, I would just delete that layer.

I'm afraid there is more to it than just using the wrong term. Earlier in this thread, Pat said:

For a long time she used PSE 6. Tabs/Tabbed images didn't exist in this version; they were introduced in PSE 9. I believe that's the "change" she is talking about, one which is adding to the confusion.

To make matters worse, the Layout button was called Arrange and Adobe didn't use the term Columns. I can understand how this can be confusing if one is not using PSE on a regular basis; one may think of Layout as a document/page layout. Frank's explanation should clear things up.

Hi Pat
Caveat: I have not read all of the comments here. 
Just wondering of you might be able to use a program like MS Publisher here and here. 
A lot of templates are available 
Pages can be saved as PDFs and opened again in PSE. I've opened a lot of PDF pages in PSE. The need new margins added. 
Anyway, just a thought.  
Good luck. You are very ambitious. 
Clive

Thanks. Yes, but there are many similar publishing programs for Mac. Mac has always been the preferred system for graphic designers ad publishers. 
The point is that PSE is not ideal for designing complex pages with text and photos. Cost of these programs can be a factor. 

Good luck Pat

Clive