Create Your Own Visual Planner for Instagram

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−	Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (given 1, expected 2)Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (given 1, expected 2)In today’s article, you will learn how to create a visual planner of Instagram using Adobe Photoshop. There are several applications and websites, both online and for mobile devices, that function to do this. However, the majority of these applications and services cost money and are subscription-based. So to avoid having yet another subscription added to your monthly overhead and one more bill to cause you angst. You will learn how to create a template in roughly 10 minutes, instead. Let's begin.	+	Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (given 1, expected 2)Liquid error: wrong number of arguments (given 1, expected 2)In today’s article, we will show you how to create a visual planner for Instagram using Adobe Photoshop. There are several applications and websites, both online and for mobile devices, that function to do this. However, the majority of these applications and services cost money and are subscription-based. So to avoid having yet another subscription added to your monthly overhead and one more bill to cause you angst. We will show you how to create your own in roughly 10 minutes. Let’s begin.
	[[Category:Instagram]]		[[Category:Instagram]]
	[[Category:Adobe Photoshop]]		[[Category:Adobe Photoshop]]
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	== Steps ==		== Steps ==
−	# Getting the reference Instagram Image.	+	# Before going into Photoshop, we must first get the reference image of Instagram. We do this by navigating to Instagram and going to our homepage feed through your web browser. Our browser of choice is Safari. The reason we do this is we’re going to take a screenshot of a real Instagram feed to ensure our Photoshop template has the correct size and dimensions.
−	#*  Before going into Photoshop, you must first get the reference image of Instagram. To do this, navigate to Instagram and go to your homepage feed through your web browser. This step is critical, as you will need to take a screenshot of the real Instagram feed to ensure the Photoshop template has the correct sizing and dimensions.	+	# By default, Photoshop will open the "New Documents" panel, which asks you how you'd like to set up your documents. At this point, go to the Photo Tab - select Default Photoshop Size. From here, we're going to configure the measurements. Change the measurement from centimeters to pixels. Now, set the width and height both to 3000 pixels, so we get a perfectly even square document. Next, change the resolution to 300 pixels/inch. Now, lastly, click "Create," and now we have our working Photoshop document ready to work.
−	#* Once there, take a screenshot. On Mac, the shortcut is "Command + Shift + Number 3" on windows, use the "Grab/Snip Tool." By default, the screenshot saves to your desktop on Mac, and the pictures folder on Windows. Be sure to locate this image, as you will need it for the following steps.	+	# The next step is for us to place the Instagram screen into Photoshop. We do this by going to File - Place Embedded. Navigate to the location on your computer where the screenshot is then hit Place. At this point, the screen loads as a new layer in Photoshop.
−	# Opening & Setting Up Adobe Photoshop	+	# In the layers tab, hit "Create New Layer." From this point, we're ready to create the first rectangle, which we will use to create the exact dimension Instagram uses for our image. To do this, in the Main Tool Panel, open the Rectangle Tool or use the shortcut "U" on the keyboard to open it. At this point, we're going to create a rectangle that's the identical size of the top left-most post on our Instagram screenshot. This rectangle is what we will use as our reference to create our uploadable post as well as create the remainder of the template. Once in the rectangle tool, click anywhere on the photoshop window, at which point Photoshop prompts you to create a rectangle. In this dialog box, set both the width and height to 860 pixels. Next, position the rectangle over the left-most image. We do this by using the Move Tool (shortcut key: V) found in the tools panel, then dragging to rectangle to position it. Tip: you can fine-tune the positioning by using the directional keys on your keyboard. Perfect, now we have our first square in position and ready for the next step.
−	#* Open Adobe Photoshop. By default, Photoshop will open the "New Documents" panel, which asks you how you'd like to set up your documents. At this point, go to the Photo Tab - select Default Photoshop Size. The next is to configure the measurements. Change the measurement from centimeters to pixels. Now, set the width and height both to 3000 pixels, which creates a perfectly square document. Next, change the resolution to 300 pixels/inch. Now, lastly, click "Create," now your working Photoshop document is ready.	+	# The next thing is for us to create the first post from the rectangle we made previously. To do this, we need to convert this rectangle into a Smart Object. In the main Photoshop menu, select Layer - Smart Object - Convert to Smart Object. Smart objects use the existing properties of a layer as their own separate photoshop documents to allow us to have an individual document virtually within our larger workspace. Congrats! We just completed the first uploaded post of the template.
−	# Placing The Instagram Feed Screenshot	+	# At this point, we need to duplicate the Smart Object rectangle we created previously to make the first row of the template. To do this, select the main rectangle layer in the Layers Panel then Right Click - New Smart Object Via Copy. What this does is: it duplicates the layer while also making it a separate Smart Object, so it doesn't have the identical properties of the original layer.
−	#* The next step is to place the Instagram screenshot into Adobe Photoshop. Do this by going to File - Place Embedded. Navigate to the location on your computer where the screenshot saves. Then hit "Place." At this point, the screenshot loads as a new layer.	+	# At this point, we need to group our Smart Objects, so we can easily duplicate the group to create the remaining two rows. To do this, hold "Shift" then click the bottom-most rectangle in the Layers Panel then the top-most rectangle, this will select all three rectangles simultaneously. Next, right-click - Group From Layers - hit OK in the prompted Layers Dialog Box. Great, we now have the top row completed!
−	# Positioning the First Post	+	# The next thing is to duplicate these groups, so we have the remaining two rows of our template. We do this by right-clicking on the group we create previously - Duplicate Group - hit OK in the Duplicate Group dialogue box. Next, we need to use the Move Tool to position this group to the second row. Select the Group in the Layers Panel, and using the Move Tool, place the second group over the middle row of the Instagram screenshot.
−	#* In the layers tab, hit "Create New Layer." From this point, you're ready to create the first rectangle, which you will use to create the exact dimension Instagram uses. To do this, in the Main Tool Panel, open the Rectangle Tool or use the shortcut "U" on the keyboard to open it. At this point, create a rectangle that's the identical size of the top left-most post on the Instagram screenshot. This rectangle is the reference to develop the first post as well as create the remainder of the template.	+	# Lastly, how do we start importing photos into this template? You do so by opening any of these groups, then double-clicking on the individual smart object rectangles. When you double-click, Photoshop opens the smart object as a separate tab or workspace. All we need to do is important and place our image in this new document, resizing it as required. We do this by File - Place Embedded - selecting the desired image - hitting enter to confirm the selection. Next, all we need to do is close this working document and save it. File - Close - and hit Save when Photoshop prompts you with the Save Changes dialogue box. We realize this is a little bit of a technical article and one that takes a little bit of effort to set up. But considering how much value it adds when structuring your Instagram feed, it's worthwhile.
−	#* Once in the rectangle tool, click anywhere on the photoshop window, at which point Photoshop prompts you to create a rectangle. In this dialog box, set both the width and height to 860 pixels. Next, position the rectangle over the left-most image. Do this by using the Move Tool (shortcut key: V) found in the tools panel, then dragging to rectangle to position it.
−	#* Perfect, the first square is in position and ready for the next step.
−	# Creating the First Post
−	#* The next thing is to create the first post from the rectangle made previously. To do this, you need first to convert this rectangle into a Smart Object. In the main Photoshop menu, select Layer - Smart Object - Convert to Smart Object. Smart objects use the existing properties of a layer as their own separate photoshop documents to allow an individual document virtually within our larger workspace.
−	#* Congrats! You just completed the first uploaded post of the template.
−	# Duplicating the Upload to Create the First Row
−	#* At this point, the next step is to duplicate the Smart Object rectangle created previously to make the first row of the template. To do this, select the main rectangle layer in the Layers Panel then Right Click - New Smart Object Via Copy. What this does is: it duplicates the layer while also making it a separate Smart Object, so it doesn't have the identical properties of the original layer.
−	#* Next, use the Move Tool and reposition the second square over the middle-most image. Once you get the positioning to your liking, hit Enter on your keyboard to confirm the move.
−	#* In the Layers Panel, right-click the second rectangle and hit "New Smart Object via Copy" again. Then use the Move Tool to position this rectangle over the last topmost image.
−	# Grouping the First Row
−	#* At this point, you need to group our Smart Objects, so you can easily duplicate the group to create the remaining two rows. To do this, hold "Shift" then click the bottom-most rectangle in the Layers Panel then the top-most rectangle, this will select all three rectangles simultaneously. Next, right-click - Group From Layers - hit OK in the prompted Layers Dialog Box. Great, you now have the top row completed!
−	# Duplicating the Group to Create Remaining Rows
−	#* The next thing is to duplicate these groups, so you have the remaining two rows of the template. Do this by right-clicking on the group create previously - Duplicate Group - hit OK in the Duplicate Group dialogue box.
−	#* Next, you need to use the Move Tool to position this group over the second row. Select the Group in the Layers Panel, and using the Move Tool, place the second group over the middle row of the Instagram screenshot.
−	#* Once you've done this for the middlemost row, repeat these steps to create the final bottommost row.
−	#* And there you have it, and there's your Instagram visual template.
−	# Importing Photos and Creating your Feed
−	#* Lastly, how do you start importing photos into this template? You do so by opening any of these groups, then double-clicking on the individual smart object rectangles. When you double-click, Photoshop opens the smart object as a separate tab or workspace. All you need to do is import and place your image in this new document, resizing it as required. Do this by pressing File - Place Embedded - selecting the desired image - hitting enter to confirm the selection. Next, all you need to do is exit this working document, which saves it. File - Close - and hit Save when Photoshop prompts you with the Save Changes dialogue box.
−	#* And there's your completed Instagram Planner.
	== Tips ==		== Tips ==
−	* Here are some tips for taking this screenshot to get the best results. Make sure your browser is in fullscreen. You want to make sure you can see three rows of images. With that, you will need to zoom in or out to make sure the images are correctly displayed. To change the zoom settings of your browser, press and hold "command" or "control," then press the plus or minus keys on your keyboard. It's essential to make sure you can only see the three rows as well and nothing else.	+	* Here are some tips for taking this screenshot to get the best results. Make sure your browser is in fullscreen. You want to make sure you can see three rows of images. With that, you will need to zoom in or out to make sure the images are correctly displayed. To change the zoom settings of your browser, press and hold “command” or “control,” then press the plus or minus keys on your keyboard. It’s essential to make sure you can only see the three rows as well and nothing else. Once there, take a screenshot. On Mac, the shortcut is “Command + Shift + Number 3” on windows, use the “Grab/Snip Tool.” By default, the screenshot saves to your desktop on Mac, and the pictures folder on Windows. Be sure to locate this image, as we will need it for the following steps.
−	* If you want to shortcut this process, here are the settings you can type into the size panel. X: 1500 pixels, Y: 1250 pixels, W: 94%, and H: 94%.
−	* Next hit "Enter" on your keyboard, and now you're ready to begin.
−	* You can fine-tune the positioning of a rectangle when using the Move Tool by pressing the directional keys on your keyboard.
	== Warnings ==		== Warnings ==
−	* Before pressing enter and loading in this image, first, take the time to resize it properly. To do this, you drag the anchor markers while holding "Shift" to resize the image. The goal is to resize the image to make it larger to encompass the entire document while also cropping out any unnecessary information.	+	* before pressing enter and loading in this image, we must first take the time to resize it properly. To do this, you drag the anchor markers while holding "Shift" to resize the image. Our goal is to resize the image to make it larger to encompass the entire document while also cropping out any unnecessary information.
−	* This is a critical step that you can't overlook because if missed, all of the posts in the template will have the same properties. Why is that important? Well, if they have the same properties, the moment you upload an image into one of the posts, it will update the image in all of the posts that have the same properties. Simply duplicating the layer will cause this exact problem. So to avoid this, make a new smart object instead. By converting the layer into a new smart object, it individualizes each of the objects while still retaining the sizing.
−	* Since this second group is a duplicate from the first, it has identical properties and characteristics as the group initially used. So you must take the time to convert the rectangles in this new group to individual Smart Objects.  Do this by selecting each of the three rectangles then right-clicking - New Smart Object via Copy. Then afterward, delete the original copy by pressing Delete on our keyboard. If you skip this step, as soon as you place any of the images from the top row, it will simultaneously replace images in the bottom rows. That's not what you want.
	== References ==		== References ==
	* https://ift.tt/34VnAn8		* https://ift.tt/34VnAn8

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