Skill Level: Beginner
Author: Merlene Guldager
Home Page: Gold Acres Designs
Software:PhotoImpact Version 7 or higher
This tutorial is going to have you thinking on a large scale for a change. I assume you already know how to download files and unzip them for use. I can't emphasize strongly enough the importance of having a printed calendar to refer to while you are making the grids for the months. You don't want to get the days wrong and miss an important appointment.
****Note to those using later versions of PI. You will need to be in Standard Mode, or Full Edit (or your own based on Full Edit) in order to have all the tools and attributes available to you.

What you will need:

PHOTOIMPACT v6 or higher
The Calendar Font (click here)
A printed calendar for reference

Let's Begin:

Download the Calendar Font and Unzip. Click on it to open it in your Windows Font Viewer and minimize it (or install it in your Windows/System/Fonts folder.)
Now open PhotoImpact and it will be available in your Fonts List.

About this Font:

Because it's a Dingbat font, it contains images as well as letters and numbers. The images are the numbered boxes for a Calendar grid. Things are not where you might expect them to be. Open a blank white image in PI about 500x300 pixels and experiment with the font.

To type letters hold down the SHIFT key.
Type the numbers unshifted as you normally would.
Numbered boxes begin on the letter 'q' and go across the keyboard pretty much consecutively.
For the Days of the Week, Hold the SHIFT key while typing the NUMBER keys across the top of the keyboard.
A blank or empty grid can be inserted by typing ]
Since some months need to double up days once in awhile, you will find the 24/30 and 25/31 on the SHIFTED [ ] keys

Not all keyboards are the same so I have made an image as guideline. What you see in Red are the Keys. In Blue are what is produced when you type that key. It's not where the key is on your Keyboard, but what it would normally do when you type it that matters. For example if your to get the word Monday to appear you would type the @ symbol. Mine is the shifted #2.
It's a good idea to take time to experiment with the font and see how it works. Then when you are ready go to the next step.

Let's Make a Calendar

Open a new White Image 1024x768 in RGB True color
Get your Printed Calendar and refer to and make your Grid. You don't want to get your days wrong and think it's Sunday when it's really Monday and you should be at work :)
You have a lot of space so use a size of at least 48 for the font. You'll want to set it up as follows...
Style = BOLD
Justification = Center
Size = 48 - 70
Color = any dark color will work
Begin with the Month and Year, press enter and add the days of the week if you want them. Be sure not to go over 7 boxes across. To look balanced use the Blank Box found on the ] key adding as many as your Printed calendar shows you need for the first or last weeks. DO NOT EXIT THE TEXT ENTRY UNTIL THE ENTIRE GRID IS COMPLETED so that it is a single whole object. This way you can apply presets and text styles to it. And don't forget about the double days if your month needs them.
Click anywhere outside the grid to select the base image or background. Open the image you want to use behind the grid or select one from the Easy Palette's Fill Gallery. Keeping it simple will make it easier to read the calendar. But you do want something that will tile if it's small or is slightly larger.
Using the Pick tool, click the Grid to select it. Now to fancy it up, apply a material preset from your Easy Palette. You can use both Text Attributes and Path Attributes.

While it's selected use the Icons on your Attributes toolbar to Align your grid. Remember to leave room for your Desktop Icons and Taskbar.
Now it's time to decorate it. Use Stamps or Imported Picture Tubes, or small photos to enhance your wallpaper. You might want to mark special family days, or holidays in some way. If you plan to share your Calendar with others you might want to add your watermark.
Now just Optimize and save as JPG. It's a good idea to keep the file size at around 200Kb.

That's the basics of how to make a desktop calendar. Of course you want to make it to fit your own desktop screen resolution to prevent it being distorted. You can certainly do that by just beginning with that size in step 1 above. Shown below are examples of Calendars I have made and shared through the Desktop Artists website. To see them full sized just click on the example. I happen to know they are always looking for new contributors. There's a link there you can go to that will show you how to submit a calendar.