Too many layers a problem?

[gaf]

I am *very* new to photo manipulation. I have a .jpg of a "map" (probably Google) of my subdivision.[The guy who use to produce the subdivision map died & didn't leave his process/software for anyone to continue.] 120 lots. Background layer is blank map, white lots with black boundary lines for each lot & streets in gray/green. #2 layer is lot numbers 1->120; & street names (which will never change). #3 layer is 1st street w/house numbers, #4 2nd street house numbers, etc. Those also won't change. What will change is owner name & phone number, sometimes just phone or both. I have a lot of questions so any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

1)Is there another program I should be using to put a lot of text in not-straight lines/columns (darn curvy streets)?

 

2)Should or can I use a different layer for each individual lot, so another 120 layers? Or fewer layers, knowing I'll have to make changes as time goes on (55+ community so we lose 4-5 owners each year)?

 

3) Here's my routine: click Text, type, click Selection, highlight text, click Move Pixels, right mouse button to drag & angle text to fit lot lines. In between, I have to Control+D to clear/deselect & get things working again when they seem to not be doing what my brain wants it to do. I rotate the map as much as possible but there is still a lot of angling to do & I haven't even started to add names & phone yet. Is there an easier/better way to do this?

 

Final product will be sent to all home owners as .pdf they can save or print out. Thanks very much for any help you can provide. I should mention that I found the tutorials very helpful & I wouldn't be this far along without them. I know I'm sort of jumping in with 2 feet right into the middle of a vast ocean of technology.....and I'm clueless.

 

Gail

 

[Rick Brewster]

Wait ... you have 4 layers? Or 120 layers?

[gaf]

Wait ... you have 4 layers? Or 120 layers?

I've got 6 now. Asking about adding 120 more? Is that dumb?

[Ego Eram Reputo]

I think 120 would be overkill.  

 

The original layout seems fine so long as each layer has room for the text it needs to hold.  I'd add one layer for the owner name & phone number.

 

If you can retype and move the text into position easily then you're fine space wise.  If it is all too much of a squeeze then you might try a street by street approach (one layer per street).

 

Remember it's critical to name your layers appropriately so you can find the correct layer quickly (press F4 to open the layer dialog & type over the layer name).

[gaf]

Thanks for your help. I've finished this project & it actually looks pretty good. I only hope I can remember what I did & where I did it when it comes time to make changes. I ended up with the 6 layers labeled by street. I might even tackle another photo edit project. This program did exactly what I needed it to do, so much thanks to those who developed it & continue to maintain it.

 

Gail

[Visual]

Thanks for your help. I've finished this project & it actually looks pretty good. I only hope I can remember what I did & where I did it when it comes time to make changes. I ended up with the 6 layers labeled by street. I might even tackle another photo edit project. This program did exactly what I needed it to do, so much thanks to those who developed it & continue to maintain it.

 

Gail

For the future. Just add a layer for text. Write hints on what you did for each effect or adjustment. You just uncheck it when you need an image with your changes. When you do a lot of works, it's impossible to remember it all.

[david.atwell]

Thanks for your help. I've finished this project & it actually looks pretty good. I only hope I can remember what I did & where I did it when it comes time to make changes. I ended up with the 6 layers labeled by street. I might even tackle another photo edit project. This program did exactly what I needed it to do, so much thanks to those who developed it & continue to maintain it.

 

Gail

Good to hear!  That seems to happen a lot:  people download Paint.NET for a specific reason, and decide to keep using it long after they've finished that single project.  It's what happened to me, and it changed the course of my life.  I probably wouldn't be a web developer now if Paint.NET hadn't showed me, eight years ago, that I could actually do what I enjoyed doing as more than just a hobby.

[gaf]

For the future. Just add a layer for text. Write hints on what you did for each effect or adjustment. You just uncheck it when you need an image with your changes. When you do a lot of works, it's impossible to remember it all.

Why didn't I think of that? Duh. Great idea. Thanks very much.

 

Gail

Edited October 26, 2013 by gaf