Zooming Tips in Fashionmaker

WORKING FAR OUTSIDE THE GARMENT WHEN ZOOMED IN IN THE FASHIONMAKER:

If you want to work far to the right or left, high past the collar or low past the hem of a garment while zoomed in, you’ll first need to place some details in the corners of the zoomed out Fashionmaker "room" so you can get to these places when zoomed in. Do this by using large bow details with the strands. Put four bows on the garment. To place two up high, pick up the bows by the very bottom of the strands, and place them as high and right/left as you can while still seeing them. Do the same for the bottom of the room, but pick up the bow by the top edge instead.

HOW TO ZOOM IN FURTHER THAN THE "ZOOM IN" BUTTON ALLOWS:

NOTE: This is very useful when you are working with small details as you can see them better for proper placement.

ZOOM IN (two ways): 

* While holding down the "Ctrl" button, click the "+" button. The more you click the "+" button, the larger your screen shot will become.
OR...
* If you have a mouse with a wheel that allows you to scroll up and down, hold down the "Ctrl" button while you move the wheel forward (away from you). The more you move the wheel forward, the larger your screen shot will become.

ZOOM OUT:

* Use the same techniques as before, but use the "-" button instead of the "+," or scroll the wheel backward (toward you) instead of forward.

* If you want to quickly get back to a "regular-sized" screen, just hold down "Ctrl" and click "0." (That's zero, not the letter O).
:) tmck18

Creating Solid-Colored Items

HOW TO MAKE SOLID-COLORED ITEMS:

(For use in making background items, floors, or even making different shapes of dresses, etc.)

1. Choose the bead detail.
2. Choose your color and size (the color will end up being the color of the outer rim of the bead, so keep this in mind).
3. Overlap many bead details (usually working from outside in works best) so that only the outer rims of the beads show. This will give you a solid color.
4. Do this until you only have a few "highlighted" (inner color of the beads) portions left.
5. Cover up the highlighted points with other details. If you don't want other details on there, and just a solid color, choose the "slash" detail in the same color as the bead. The slash detail will be the same color as the outer rim of the beads, so you can just layer these slashes over the highlighted portions of the beads to cover them up.
6. Now you have a solid-colored item!

DO NOT COPY! 

Creating Cleavage

1. Choose a top with a high neckline.
2. Change it to a flesh tone.
3. Choose the circle graphic in a medium to dark brown tone (not black, it is too harsh).
4. Change the size of the circles to the approximate size of the model's cleavage.
5. Place two circle graphics where the cleavage should be.
6. Change the color of the circle graphic to the flesh tone.
7. Overlap the previous brown circle graphics with flesh tone ones in the same size, leaving only the inner edges of the darker circles uncovered.
8. Now you have your cleavage!
 

Tips:

* You may find a tip for placing graphics using the I.E. method useful. Find tip here.
* Once you've made your cleavage, you cannot change the top of your shirt to a new design because the graphics will disappear (details stay in place, graphics don't)
* You may want to cover up the neckline of the shirt with a necklace so it isn't obvious.
* You can make cleavage on every garment if you choose, or you can also make a cleavage shirt and layer it underneath other garments. I use both methods depending on the design.
:) tmck18

 

How to Create Swimsuits (2 Methods)

First Method (easiest):

1. Choose the shirt garment with the "V" hem that covers the pelvis area.
2. If you want to create cleavage on the same garment as the suit, read how to do that above. You'll need a high neckline for that. Otherwise, choose a neckline that suits the kind of bathing suit you want to make.
3. Now you've got the shape of a one piece bathing suit! If you want it to be a bikini, use the circle graphic to create a flesh tone on the stomach.

Second Method (more difficult, but you can create a unique bottom):

1. Instead of using the V-hem shirt to cover the pelvis, choose a shirt with a shorter hem that doesn't cover it.
2. The legs and pelvis area are now exposed so you can create a unique bottom of your own (using the internet explorer glitch described earlier in this blog). I like to use bead layering for this to create a solid color, but use whatever detail you desire.
3. Cover the hem of the shirt with details so you don't see it.

:) tmck18

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 HOW TO BE FREE OF THE EVIL GRAY PANTIES SHOWING UNDER SWIMSUITS:

(Another tip for the Makeover Creator, not Fashion Maker, but still useful.)

Get the pink undies from your closet/storage (if you don't have them, they are in the store for points). They have a really high g-string type leg, and they replace the gray panties when you put them on, so they don't peak out from under bathing suits. Now your bathing suit should be free of the evil gray panties. Hooray for freedom!
:) tmck18

Creating Graphic Patterns

In this section, I'll describe how to create different graphic patterns.  Before you try them however, here's a tip you may find useful...

Tip for Placing Graphics using the Internet Explorer Glitch Technique:

The Internet Explorer Glitch Technique used for placing details off the garment does not work for placing GRAPHICS off the garment...all parts of graphics that fall outside the garment will always disappear. However, the glitch technique DOES work for easily placing graphics ON the garment where it is otherwise difficult to place them (like on the edges of the garment). Usually to place graphics on the edges of the garment, you'd have to avoid your cursor landing outside the garment when placing the graphic, or the entire graphic would disappear.  So you would have to place the graphic somewhere in the middle of the garment, pick the graphic up by the edge and inch it as far out on the edge of the garment as you could without your cursor going outside of the garment. But it's much easier with the Internet Explorer glitch technique, because you don't have to worry about your cursor being off the garment when you place the graphic! Just place it like you would a detail using the I.E. glitch as I described earlier.  Try it, it works!

 

HOW TO CREATE DIAMOND OR ARGYLE PATTERN:

 

 

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HOW TO CREATE A LOOP PATTERN: 

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HOW TO CREATE HORIZONTAL STRIPE PATTERN:

 

 

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HOW TO CREATE "V" SHAPED DIAGONAL STRIPES PATTERN:


You create this pattern with the flat-colored, solid heart graphic (the one without shine). The bottom of the heart forms the "arrow" lines (or V shape lines).

1. Choose the base color of your garment, and also the color you want your lines to be. Let's say white is your base color and black is your line color.

2. Make the heart graphic as large as you can. Turn it black (line color).

3. Starting at the bottom of the garment, place the lines at the base of the heart where you want the V-diagonal lines to start.

4. Now take another heart graphic and turn it white (base color). Layer it on top and slightly above the black one, overlapping it. Since this second heart is the same color as your garment, it disappears and leaves you with two black diagonal lines forming a "V" shape.

5. Keep layering hearts this way, alternating color, until you finish.

NOTE: Sometimes the garment is wider than the largest heart graphic. In this instance, you'll need to overlap several hearts of the line color off to the upper right and left of your first center heart so that there is a continuous straight edge (just like when you layer beads to get a solid shape and you want it to have a straight edge). Then you'll continue this sequence with your base color, then line color, etc.

Hope that makes sense! :) tmck18

 

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How to Save Pictures of Makeovers to your Computer

SAVING MAKEOVERS IN THUMBNAIL SIZE

*First, create a new folder for your makeovers on your desktop.

• On your computer desktop, right click your mouse.  A box will pop up.  Click on "New."
•  Another box will pop up. Click on "Folder."
• Title your new folder

Now that you have a folder to save your makeovers in, go to your page on DUC.   You'll see your four most recent makeovers in thumbnail size...these are the size you'll be saving your makeovers in.  Now, you have two options for saving them...

Option 1:
1. Minimize your browser window so you can see your desktop (click the first button that looks like a minus sign in the upper right corner of your Internet browser window).
2.  Move your makeover folder to the right side of your desktop.
3.  Restore your Internet window (click on it in the task bar at the bottom of your screen)
4. Now "restore down" your Internet window (click on the middle button in the upper right corner of your window).  This will make your window smaller, and you'll be able to see your desktop with your folder there.
5.  Now simply click on the makeover you want to save, and drag it into the folder on your desktop!
 *This is the fastest way of saving makeovers, but the only drawback is you don't get to title the pictures of your makeovers during the saving process.  Instead, they will just be numbered.  However, you can rename them by double clicking on the picture to view it, then click on "File" and then "Rename."

Option 2:
1. Right click on the makeover you want to save (make sure you're viewing only four makeovers at a time for the correct size).
2.  A box will pop up.  Click "Save Image As."
3. A box will open where you can find the folder you created for your makeovers.  Find that folder under "Desktop."
4.  In the "File Name" line, type in the title of your makeover.
5.  Click the "Save" button.

Now you've saved your makeover!

SAVING MAKEOVERS IN "FULL VIEW" SIZE


*First, create a folder for your makeovers on your desktop.

• On your computer desktop, right click your mouse.  A box will pop up.  Click on "New."
•  Another box will pop up. Click on "Folder."
• Title your new folder

Now that you have a folder to save your makeovers in, go to your page on DUC.  Find the makeover you want to save, then click on it so you are viewing it in "full view" (where you can kudo/comment on the makeover).  Now you have two options for saving them...

Option 1: Taking a Screenshot and Using Paint

1.  Take a screenshot of the makeover (hold down the Alt key while clicking the Print Screen key on your keyboard)
2.  Go into the Paint program on your computer (click Start or the little windows icon at the bottom left of your screen on your desktop.  A list of choices will pop up.  Choose "Paint."  If Paint is not there, type it in the Search bar at the bottom of the list to find it.)
3.  Paste the screenshot into the Paint program (click on "Edit" at the top of the screen and choose "Paste" from the dropdown box, or simply hold down the "Control" key while clicking "V" on your keyboard).
4.  Use the paint tools to crop the screenshot so only the makeover remains.
5.  Click on "File" at the top of the screen, then click "Save as" from the dropdown menu.
6.  A box will open where you can find the folder you created for your makeovers.  Find that folder under "Desktop."
7.  In the "File Name" line, type in the title of your makeover.
8.  Click the "Save" button.

Option 2: Using the Snipping Tool 

1.  Open the Snipping Tool on your computer (click Start or the little windows icon at the bottom left of your screen on your desktop.  A list of choices will pop up.  Choose "Snipping Tool."  If Snipping Tool is not there, type it in the Search bar at the bottom of the list to find it. It may ask you if you'd like to add it to your taskbar at the bottom of your screen.  Feel free to do that.). A box will pop up that looks like this:

2. Ignore the box and use the cursor to drag around the outline of the makeover you want to save.  A red outlined box will now be around your makeover. Let go of the mouse button, and the makeover will automatically pop into the Snipping Tool Window as the window expands.
3.  Now it's time to save your makeover.  Either click on the icon in the toolbar that looks like a floppy disk (if you hover over it, it will say "Save Snip"), or go to "File" and choose "Save As."  A box will open where you can find the folder you created for your makeovers.  Find that folder under "Desktop."
4.  In the "File Name" line, type in the title of your makeover.
5.  Under "File Name, there is "Save as Type." Make sure JPEG is the type selected to take up less memory.  If it's not, click on the down arrow at the end of the box, then choose "JPEG file (*JPG)."
6.  Click the "Save" button.

Now you've saved your makeover!
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*NOTE:  If you don't want your Makeover file on your desktop (it takes up more memory on your desktop), you can save it or cut/paste it to your C drive instead.  Just click on the Windows icon at the bottom left of your screen and the startup menu will pop up.  Click on "Computer" then choose "OS: (C)" to save or paste the folder there.  I like mine on the desktop for convenience, but if your computer is running slow, I'd definitely save it to your C drive.

:) tmck18

General DUC Tips and Info

NOTE:  This section will be updated as people ask basic questions about DUC or give me suggestions for general DUC tips. 


CREATING LINKS TO MAKEOVERS  

There are TWO aspects to creating working links of makeovers on DUC.  You have to post it correctly for it to "light up," allowing people to simply click on the link and be taken to your makeover.  Then, you have to make sure that the link is short enough, or a DUC bug will cut off the end of the link, and the link won't take you directly to the makeover.

GETTING THE LINK TO "LIGHT UP"  

1.  First, you'll need to copy the URL (web address) of the makeover you want to create a link to.  Click on the makeover so it takes you into "full view" (the view where you can kudo/comment on it). Now you need to copy the URL of that page.  Here's a quick tip on how to copy a URL (for thorough instruction on copying and pasting, click HERE): Take your mouse and go up to the address bar of the browser (the long white or gray box at the top of the screen). Right click on your mouse, and the URL should become highlighted and a drop-down box should appear.  Choose "Copy" from the drop-down box to copy the URL.  


2.  Now that you've copied the URL of your makeover, you'll need to paste it into the comment box you are posting the link in (right click again and choose "Paste").  Due to a DUC bug though, you'll need to also have a character before and after the URL for it to link properly.  Either put the URL in between parenthesis, or you can write a word before AND after the link with SPACES in between, or on separate lines like this:

                         (word)
                         (your link)
                         (word)
Does that make sense? Just do a word/phrase before and after the link (WITH spaces or lines in between the words and your link of course) or use parenthesis around the link WITHOUT spaces between.

SHORTENING YOUR LINK


URLs must be relatively short or another DUC bug will cut off the end of it, and the link won't work.  If your URL is too long, you'll simply need to shorten it by using the Tiny URL free service HERE or a similar application. Just paste your URL into the box provided and click the button "Make TinyURL." Then copy the smaller version of your URL it gives you and use it to create your link.  If you think you might post the same makeover again in the future, you can put a comment under your makeover with the new tiny link for future use.

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VOTING


* How to Vote for Multiple Entries on One Page

1. Click on the first entry (but do NOT unclick...keep your finger pressed on the button).
2. Quickly move to the second entry (with your finger still pressed down on the button).
3. Now that your cursor is on the second entry, release the button and click again. You've voted for both!

 *How to See an Entry Up Close Before Voting on it

1. Right click on the TITLE of the makeover.
2. When the little box pops up, click on "Open in New Window."
3. The makeover will now open up in a new window in your browser for you to get a closer look. When you're done checking it out, go back to your first window to resume voting.
   

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Layering (clothes, hair, and items)

HOW TO LAYER GARMENTS/ITEMS (including multiples of the same type):

(This is technically for Makeover Creator, not Fashion Maker, but I thought it would be useful.)

1. Put on the garment/item you want to be on top.
2. Click on the garment/item. A little box should pop up that says: "Remove, Forward, Backward."
3. Click on the word "forward." Keep repeating this until you see the garment "blink."
4. Now you should be able to put another garment/item of the same type on and it will show up underneath the first. If it doesn't work, just go back and click "forward" more; sometimes it needs a lot of clicks, but not too fast.

NOTE:
You can use this method to layer as many garments/items as you'd like!

TIP FOR LAYERING MORE THAN TWO GARMENTS:

I find it easiest to move my second garment forward until it shows up on top of the first, then click it back just enough that it goes back behind the first. Now you should be able to layer on a third without a hitch, and so on.

:) tmck18 

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 HOW TO LAYER TWO HAIRSTYLES IN THE MAKEOVER CREATOR:

NOTE: You must have a slow internet connection for this glitch to work, or the site must be lagging.

1. Choose the first hairstyle you want and put it on.
2. Quickly click on your second hairstyle of choice.
3. Quickly click back on the first hairstyle.
4. Keep clicking back and forth as quickly as you can between the two hairstyles until they stick and you are wearing both (this can take a long time).

Once you have two hairstyles on, you can change them if you like...

1. The bottom hairstyle must be changed first. So re-click on the bottom hairstyle (not on the model; click the hairstyle in the hair options box). Then click on the hairstyle you want to change it to.
2. For the top hairstyle, just click on whatever hairstyle you want it to be.

NOTE: To change the color of the hairstyles, simply click on the hairstyle you want to change and then click on your color of choice.
:) tmck18

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 TIPS FOR LAYERING HAIR WITH WIGS  (MAKEOVER CREATOR TIP)

So the Hair Doesn't Show:

*Choose the hairstyle that hugs closest to the head (no bangs).  Turn it to the color that most closely matches your wig.

* Put on your wig, then click it forward until it covers the hair.

 

So Hair DOES Show (to create very unique hairstyles):

*Put you wig on first and move it backward (yes, your head towel will still be on)

*Go back and choose the hairstyle of your choice

NOTE:  You can layer multiple wigs with hair for many different hairstyles!!

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 HOW TO BE FREE OF THE EVIL GRAY PANTIES SHOWING UNDER SWIMSUITS:

(Another tip for the Makeover Creator, not Fashion Maker, but still useful.)

Get the pink undies from your closet/storage (if you don't have them, they are in the store for points). They have a really high g-string type leg, and they replace the gray panties when you put them on, so they don't peak out from under bathing suits. Now your bathing suit should be free of the evil gray panties. Hooray for freedom!
:) tmck18

Using DUC Backgrounds (and Staying Sane)

Everybody knows those beautiful DUC backgrounds can be nightmares to deal with.  That is, unless you know how to work around their glitches.  Worry no more, divas, for I will show you how to deal with those meddlesome backgrounds!

First, the basics:

Backgrounds must be moved behind the model, but they usually won't budge unless you put the background on before any clothing or hair.  So put the background on before the clothing and hair selection, then click on the background and a box will appear.  Click "backward" on the box until the background moves completely behind the model.

Advanced Techniques:

Layering accessories when working with backgrounds

It can be difficult to layer accessories when working with backgrounds because the backgrounds get in the way of "selecting" the accessories to make the box appear where you can move items forward and back.  Here's an easy way to remedy this:

• Add the background first (don't move it back yet)
• Add your earrings (don't move them yet)
• Add all your wigs and other accessories (don't move them yet) 
• Now you should be able to click on every accessory and move them forward or backward without trouble (you may have to zoom in to click on the earrings)!  Move the background behind the model first, then follow with the other accessories.  If your earrings become hidden by a wig, click the wig forward first, then back again and the earrings will show up
• Now go put on your clothing, select your hairstyle, and do your makeup

 If you want to layer TWO sets of earrings, a background, and one or more wigs

• Add the first pair of earrings first
• Add background and click it backward behind the model
• Now you can place your earrings all the way forward and add another pair
• Add your wig or wigs (if the earrings become hidden by the wig, click the wig forward first, then back again and the earrings will show up)

There you go, divas!  Now you know how to keep those backgrounds from getting in your way.

:) tmck18

Saving Makeovers to a Second Account

HOW TO DO A MAKEOVER IN ONE ACCOUNT, AND SAVE IT TO ANOTHER

(NOTE: This does work for saving designs too, but it still takes up a design space in the account it saves in, so it's not very useful for designs.)

1. Do a makeover (MO) in account A, but don't save it yet.
2. Open a 2nd window in your internet browser.
3. Go to the DUC site in this 2nd window and sign out of account A.
4. Still in the 2nd window, sign in with account B (the one you want the MO to save in).
5. Go back to the 1st window and save your MO.
6. You may have to hit the refresh button, but the MO will now show up in account B rather than account A.

NOTE:
This is really useful when you are already at your design limit in your main account, but don't want to delete any designs. You can use another account to create a design and do a makeover with it, but save the MO to your main account.
:) tmck18

Deleting Designs Quickly

Here's a tip from Linda Thayer. I've also included another way to accomplish the task. Choose whichever one suits you best!

HOW TO DELETE FM DESIGNS QUICKER THAN FROM STORAGE:

OPTION 1 (provided by Linda Thayer):
"When we want to delete something we created: I go into my closet and move a bunch of stuff to storage then I move the items I want to delete into my closet and proceed to delete from there....it saves the hassle of being directed or sent back to your front page every time you delete an item! Plus it gives you a better view of what you want & don`t in your closet!" ~ Linda Thayer

OPTION 2 (provided by me):
I usually delete designs right from my Design Closet instead of the DUC Storage or Closet. There's no little "x" box to click anymore to delete them, but if you click on the design and then scroll to the bottom, there's a button that says "Delete Design." I find this to be quicker than deleting multiple designs from Storage.

:) tmck18