DIP Chat???

[vanillalatte]

Hey all! I know that there really aren't any program specific classes for DIP anywhere here. I wondered if anyone would be interested in meeting up in the chatrooms for a DIP chat? We could share ideas, ask questions, etc. I know that there are ways to get some of the great effects that you can get in the bigger programs, and I can usually figure them out, but sometimes I get stuck and would love to have others to work with. And I'll share what I know, too!

Post here if you'd be interested. I don't know anything about hosting a chat, but I'd sure find out if there were enough people interested.

[KittyDog]

I would love to learn more about DIP. I have only been scrapping now for a little over a month though so I don't think I can give much advice. :)

[Carma]

Yes, I would love to attend chats with people using DIP

[peepsmama]

I would be interested. PM me with more info if you decide on somthing :)

Great idea!

[Jeanrx]

You can count me in.

Jean

[jpysgrl]

Yes, I would be interested. I just started using it myself. I've learned most of what I do know from 'playing' and I look inside the book and ahhhhh don't comprehend... I learn mostly by hands on... So if you're willing to get the ball rolling I'm game, just let me know. I don't know much about getting a chat started but I guess we could just find a time and day that doesn't interfer with the other chats and just meet up in the chat room.

[brayn]

Actually yes, I would be interested! Please let me know if it happens and I'll try to attend - I'd love to learn more and share whatever I've learned (by trial and error).

[dax]

yes I would also love to do this! I've been using DIP for a couple of years and everything I've learned has been by playing, except at the very first there was a kind of "mentoring" program here at DSP and I did learn a lot there. If we put all of our "expertise" together it should be really good!

let me know what you decide -

dax

[Freda]

yes this sounds interesting. I would try to attend if you have a chat, mostly I've just figured out how to do things myself. Thanks.

[fabfive]

Great idea, count me in!!!

[vanillalatte]

Wow! Awesome! Let me check around and find out what we need to do to get a chat group started. I'll post back here in a day or so when I find out how to do it!

[sempson]

:D Oh Yes that would be terrific. I just just just got this new computer and just started using DIP Suite. I have done two of the tutorials but still have loads of questions. That would be fantastic. Count me in! :D

[KokoNut's Mom]

Well, this is a busy time for me since I'm going out of town soon, but I think I might be able to help out here. I've been useing DIP forever! Now this doesn't mean I'm a good teacher... I am soooo forgetful. I also get lost in time and space when I get creative! But I'm willing to give it a go to share what I know. So let me know when and where, and Ill be there! This could be FUN!

Judy aka Koko

[KY Bumpkin]

I'm in!!

[saritad95]

I too, like many of the others have done layouts by playing around. I would love to learn more on using DIP Suite, but sadly, do not have the time to join chats.
I would be interested to know how to post a clear picture in the gallery. Can't seem to get the right resolution.

[fabfive]

I too, like many of the others have done layouts by playing around. I would love to learn more on using DIP Suite, but sadly, do not have the time to join chats.
I would be interested to know how to post a clear picture in the gallery. Can't seem to get the right resolution.

I have been having that same problem. I am doing a class with Suzanne and she is going to work with me on it. She doesn't use DIP so she is going to find out. I will post when I hear back from her

[Terrydeb]

I love this program!! I would be interested in chat about DIP and I know a bit about it... I have been using it for a couple of years now and then Picture It! before that... please keep me posted on any plans!!

Deb

[KY Bumpkin]

Saritad and fabfive have you tried Screen Hunter? It really does a great job at getting a nice clear jpg to post to your gallery! It's free, and super easy to use!

Theres a tutorial to it in the tutorial section here. I'll go get a link and post it here for you...

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/university/tutorials/screenhunter_ew.shtml

[Carma]

Hi, I use DIP and get pretty good gallery pictures. Vanillalatte is the one who taught me how to do it. Then I found another person, sorry don't remember who it was that told me a few other pointers..then I fooled around with the program and this is how I do it. I scrap 8X8, after you have saved your LO in png, then you go to save as in jpg, then go up to format on the menu bar and click on format,go down to resize press that and a window will come up unlock the image size box and change the 8.00 to 4.63 in each of the boxes marked height and width. Then go down to the resolution box and put in 300, I have done 200 but like 300 best. Down at the bottom click on done. Now go up to the top to file, go down to save copy as, it will open up a box go down to email or web, click on that and wait...another few seconds it will open up email or web and in the middle of the box it will say no print or picture go to the bottom and move the bottom slider to the right until you see your LO click on it and it will show up in the center box. You are done and ready to upload it into the gallery of your choice. After a couple of times doing this you will just do it automatic and it is quick. Good luck. It works.
If you like the clarity of the samples below this of 4 of my LOs that is how I did them. I have only been doing digi scrapping since January.

[Carma]

Tina Chambers uses DIP also and has helped me with a few things. Everyone seems to be happy to help. We just need to keep asking and getting together. I just love the program and I do video's using the video program, I did one on the WWII memorial that people could not believe that I had done, it was my 2nd one. I am now doing a big one for my grandson's graduation, I can narrate it and put music to etc. it was as easy as going 1 2 3 Just love it. Don't give upon it. I still have a lot to learn too.

[saritad95]

Thanks to all who've helped me with my resolution question. DIP Suite is really a fantastic program. Does any one know if page kits can be created in DIP or is it only possible in PSP? As I've been doing digital scrapping for only about 5 months, and never really done traditional scrapping, I was wondering if you need to fill a page or 'less is more'? - I mean is it necesarry to put a whole lot of emblishments and 'papers' on each LO. Thanks

[bsneely]

I've been using dip since it began ... as "picture it!" I think "playing around" is part of its charm. I don't make elements, though. Just pages of stuff. I would love to join and come to chat ... depending on when it is. Evenings are next to impossible for me. Let us know

[bsneely]

Saritad95: Often "less is more" ... the impulse is to load a page up with photos and decor. Then it becomes cluttered. I particularly like to "mix and match" page kits or change the colors in a page kit to make them lighter or darker or more colorful ... dip makes that so easy to do. I can't leave anything alone and am always experimenting, but I save them under different names by adding a, b, or c etc after the name so then I can take a look to see what I like best. I really can't see me using a different program. I love it!

[vanillalatte]

OK, I'm looking for a time to chat. For me, I like to set aside my Sunday afternoons to scrap, so I wondered if a Sunday chat at 6:00pm ET would work for everyone? That would 3:00pm PT so I thought that might be a good time to catch both coasts. Let me know what you all think.

ETA: I'm thinking twice a month for now. We can increase or decrease as we get going :)

[Carma]

Hi, I don't get home from Church until about 4:30 so it it could be moved a little later that would work. whatever the rest of the group is ok with.

[Carma]

Saratad95, you can use the kits from DSP and a lot of them are free, it is easy to use...if you haven't done a tutorial yet, go there and see how it is done in DIP, Like bseneely and vanillalatte, I mix and match kit pages and elements. Go to our gallerys and check out the work we have done with the kits etc. I really see no need to ever change and not use DIP, I had down loaded another brand and thought I wanted to use it but it is not as user friendly as the DIP. There are more tutorials now for DIP on DSP and you can do a lot more than you realize. Your gonna love it, just keep trying new things.

[vanillalatte]

Here's the steps I sent to Carma on how to resize your images for posting:

First of all, I always scrap in 8x8 at 300 dpi. You can do 8x10, but 300 dpi as a starting point will get you good print quality. To resize, here's what I do:

1. Save your original. Just click File>Save. It will save to the native PNG format preserving your layers for editing later.

2. Now, do your resizing. Go to Format>Resize Image. In the wizard on the left, click the bullet next to Pixel Dimensions (if it's not already clicked) and then change the Image Size, Height to 5.5. Width will automatically recalculate when you click away.

3. Click the bullet next to Image Size to lock it and then change the Resolution to 150 Pixels per inch. Click Done.

4. In the File menu, click Save As. At the bottom of the Save As window, next to Save As Type, click the dropdown and choose JPEG Interchange Format. (This will save as a .JPG file. It's more compressed but still maintains quality.) Then click Save.

When I use these steps my 8x8 layouts are resized to 5.5x5.5. I usually come in around 100 to 110 KB. Some of my duotone LOs are under 100 because there are only limited colors to save. If you scrap in 8x10, you might even be able to push the height to 6.00 and still be under the size limit.

The trick here is between steps 1 and 2. Do your resizing before you save as the compressed format. I'm not sure why it works, I think it has something to do with the way it saves each of the resized elements, but I'm not sure. Anyway, so far I've never had it fail on me.

[KY Bumpkin]

Saritad95 yes, DIP can be used to create page kits. I've done several myself...

[Carma]

Thanks LaDonna for sending your steps to the group. It really helped me in figureing this out. You were a life saver with your instructions to me, thanks so much again.
The reason that I now use a resolution of 300 is one of the ladies on another chat told us that she does that in case the person on the other end wants to print it out it will print out better. So I have been doing that to send in emails...and it worked for the web pages too.

[vanillalatte]

Ok! Things are moving along and I'm working on getting us a date and time in the chat rooms.

Next question for you all: Format

I'm thinking of coming up with a specific technique, method of scrapping, or just a frequently asked question for each chat. We'll discuss and learn about that topic, then we have until the next chat to post layouts around that topic.

What I'm wondering is what are some of the areas where you struggle?

For me, it's using brushes. I know we can't use brushes specifically like some of the other programs, but I've found some workarounds. I just can't get the hang of how to use them.

So, I'd love it if you all would give me some ideas of the kinds of things you would like to discuss.

I can see from the rest of this thread, methods of reducing size is an issue for many of us. What else?

[Carma]

Brushes would really be a help for me, I think using hues is one I could use some help on also.

[vanillalatte]

I just thought of another one: Plugins, what are they and why use them?

[vanillalatte]

Oh, and one other thing, I was considering calling it "DIPers Chat" and we would be the "DIPers". What do you think?

[Ann Maree]

Im so pleased to see this getting off the ground - In the past there has not been much response. Ive been a mad user of DIP coming thru the ranks of Picture It - DIP 7/9/10 and now 2006 - love the program. Ive written a number tutorials for DIP here at DSP. I use filters etc to compliment the program. Im sure many of you know but Im more than Happy to be contacted at any time for help. I will keep an eye out on what time the chat is being held and see if I can come up with a little supprise for all attendees at the chat -

Good luck wonderful idea and great to see everyone supporting each other!

[KittyDog]

Love the name for chat. You already put plugins as an area of help. I have read the tutorial but I still don't get it. LOL The old brain just doesn't function sometimes. Shadows is an area I am not sure about. I would love to know what is the best settings to use for most scrapbooking pages. I read lots about what others use for those...other programs but not DIP. I guess anything else would be great too.

[KittyDog]

Oh I would love to figure out how to make blinkies!!

[Ann Maree]

In DIP there are many ways to do the same thing - you just find the way that suits you!!!


File>Save a copy for > Save a copy for web or email…
Choose Medium Web View this will automatically set the default pixel size which you can adjust manually if you wish.

Click Options to change the compression factor of the file to get the best results with minimum distortion. Move the slider to 100:Higher Quality Larger File.

Look in my gallery for the results - they are all done and saved in DIP.

[Ann Maree]

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/university/articles/ppi.shtml

Very interesting articles. I personally use 200dpi. Most designers here at DSP use 200dpi - I print all my layouts at home using a hp printer/hp inks/hp paper - the results are store bought quality prints - One of the best designers here at dsp - lauren bavin also uses 200dpi - her layouts - ROCK!!!

Hope this helps.

[KittyDog]

I am glad you brought that up. That is the exact way I say my LO. Well except I have been saving them as 400 x 400. I am not sure what dpi it is saying at though. I don't think they look like poor quality at all.

My HP 7900 printer also looks just like a store picture.

[Carma]

DIPers Chat is a great name for our group. I also like the idea of learning more about plug ins...that has me in the dark. Ann Maree I have been doing your tutorials and learning so much I am thrilled that you will join us and give us some help. Every bit of help does so much in teaching us what to do with our programs.

[Carma]

Ann Maree, The reason the other person told me to save it at 300 resolution was she said that if you send it in a email when they print it off it will print out better. Now, I have no idea, but it sounded good to me, so I have been doing that. Do you think there is any merit to doing it at 300? Always before I had done 200. I send most of my LOs to my daughters or friends ouside of the area.
I also print all of my LOs at home I used a Epson Stylus Photo RX600 and the ink that is recommended for it. I get beautiful Pictures as well doing it at home. I like the convenience of doing them myself.
I scrap at 8x8. I have not found frames for that size, but I love the album size 8x8. Any ideas about frame places that have 8x8?

[mercerph]

Hi, just found this thread. I'm interested in any DI discussions, I'm using Suite 2006. I feel like I've mastered the basics and done most of the tuts here, but would love more ideas on creating papers/elements/brushes etc. I'd love to know of the chat if it's happening. Thanks!

[bsneely]

Wow! I'm getting excited ... this is sounding great. I started with Picture It and every other year, I'd check out the newest version. Then it disappeared. It wasn't till I went to the tutorial section that I found that Picture It had a name change and I ran out and bought it.... Digital Image Suite 2006. I'm not sure how to make anything ... brushes, plugins, elements. I just use what the creative minds here have done. It would be wonderful to learn how!!

[vanillalatte]

Hey all, it's me again! I'm having a little trouble with my own personal schedule with Sundays. If that works best for everyone else, I think I can make it work, but I wondered about Mondays. I thought 9:00 ET/6:00 PT. For those outside of the US, I'll figure out how to save a transcript and post the challenges in a thread after every chat.

But what is your personal preference: Sunday or Monday?

[Tina]

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/university/articles/ppi.shtml

Very interesting articles. I personally use 200dpi. Most designers here at DSP use 200dpi - I print all my layouts at home using a hp printer/hp inks/hp paper - the results are store bought quality prints - One of the best designers here at dsp - lauren bavin also uses 200dpi - her layouts - ROCK!!!

Hope this helps.

Yes, I use 200ppi as well and my layouts are all crystal clear when printed :)

As for saving for web I do this> Save copy for email or web>600x600 pixels>Options>move the slider to about 85.

[KittyDog]

Either day is fine with me.

[brayn]

My vote is for Monday...

[mercerph]

Was that Monday time 9:00 (ET) AM or PM?? PM would suit me better, or any day after 8:30PM. I've never been to a chat before but I would definitely like to give this one a go.

[Freda]

Monday works for me.

[Carma]

LaDonna, I am thinking you mean 9:00 P.M. Eastern Standard time, that would make it 7:00 Mountain time, on Monday evening. That would be wonderful for me, I wouldn't be able to make the Sunday one as I don't get home from Church until 4:30 p.m. Also, want to thank you for the help you have given me with sizing and some other things along the way. I keep going to your gallery and seeing what you have been doing. One of your LOs in the NKOTB when I was doing it sure left an impression on me.

Tina, thanks for your info on saving LO's too... I am going to give it a try. I just love the Microsoft Digital Image 2006 Plus, we are becoming best friends. You had a lot to do with my decision when I was trying to deciede which one I wanted and contacted you.

I am so excited that we are going to get this off of the ground.
Ann Maree, thanks for your tutorials, they are really great.

[KY Bumpkin]

Sunday or Monday either one. That's bedtime for the kids, so I'll be spotty but try to be there when I can!!

I would LOVE help with getting a good shadow! Also dodging and burning would be a great topic I think...

[Carma]

What is dodging and burning? I must need help with it as I don't know what it is...LOLI also would like help in extracting a object from a picture.

[vanillalatte]

LOL!! Yes, I meant PM! Sorry about that :) I'm at work in the AM and I think my boss would frown on me holding chat on company time! :D

[sempson]

Works for me too! :p

[mercerph]

Monday 9PM EST is great for me. I'm looking forward to it. I'll try to think of some questions I need help with, dodge and burn would probably be good for me, since I've seen it mentioned but haven't used it at all.. but whatever topic you choose will be fine, I'm sure I'll learn something! Thanks for organising this, I've felt like such a lonely little DIPer and I LOVE the software.

[sempson]

Are we starting THIS monday! June 19th! :)

[Carma]

I have been to the chat room and none of our people are ther where is the chat at?

[Carma]

Stephanie are you there? I see your light on. LOL

[sempson]

I am here Carma! I was in the chat room. I tried to catch ya but you left to quick for me....they are having a borders chat at this time with Lisa....I don't think this time is going to work. I am going to PM vanillalatte.

[Carma]

Just went again and no one is in the chat room for DIP

[Carma]

Ok, I will wait and see what you have found out.

[sempson]

I PMed Vanillalatte .....now I guess we just wait till she post to the forums or PMs me back!

[Carma]

ok

[Carma]

So what have you been up to? we may as well have our own chat. LOL

[Carma]

I am getting ready to take a class in July DSU295 I am looking forward to that.

[Carma]

Well, this doens't look like it is going to happen tonight, I went back and read all the thread but nothing was said about not having the chat.

[Ann Maree]

Check out my sig line - reloaded an old blinkie of mine

[Tina]

if you guys want to chat, feel free. There is stuff in the main room, but the travel chat room is empty.

[Carma]

No one there so I will go watch TV.

[Carma]

Thanks for the Blinkie Ann Maree very nice....

[sempson]

Oops Sorry Carma got lost in the Gimme More Forum...LOL! OH I LOVE THAT BLINKIE! I want one! LOL! Well guys....hmmmm...still nothing from Vanillalatte.......I think I will go work on my heritage page for this week! :p

[vanillalatte]

OK, sorry for the delay everyone! Hubby surprised me and took me out of town this weekend. When I got back to work on Monday, I had visitors from another one of our sites, so I've had to spend my evenings entertaining. So a HUGE I'm sorry to all of you for leaving you hanging on this!

OK, here's what's going on. I've taken a look at the calendar for the rest of June and chat schedules are REALLY full! Every week night is taken, I can't do Saturdays and several have said Sunday is not good for them.

SOOOOOOO...

I took a look at July. It looks like there are more openings and I was able to get Mondays at 9:00pm. Since the first Monday of the month is the 3rd (and I will be basking in the sun at the lake) I've set our first chat for Monday July 10. I know it's a few weeks out, but it will resolve our schedule conflicts and give us some time to advertise.

Ann Marie has already gotten us a blinkie, I'll check if we're too late for the July newsletter, and we can all mention it in our chats.

I hope this hasn't discouraged anyone! I really want to get this going as soon as we can! Let me know if you have any questions.

[Tina]

Hey! I thought I would let you all know that a Chat Room #2 has been set up. So, you can put the chats on the calendar, just be sure to say 'in chat room 2'. :) Well, you can get it chat room one IF you can find an opening. lol.

[vanillalatte]

Oh, perfect!!! I'll set up for Chat Room 2 next Monday, then we'll be in Chat room 1 after that!

[vanillalatte]

OK, looks like Borders chat was cancelled for next week so we'll get Chat 1 next Monday.

[Carma]

Ok...9:00 in chat room 1 is that where you are planing on next Monday night?
I will plan on being there.

[sempson]

Okay so Monday 9:00? Is the eastern standard time? ....and did you see Ann Marie's blinkie....DIP DIVA....it is TO CUTE!

[bsneely]

I'm getting lost here .... So far I have 9 pm eastern ... this Monday coming up .... chat room #1 .... all in the Jolly month of June ... not the Jovial month of July. YIKES!!!

[Tina]

its on the calendar

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/calendar.php?

:)

[vanillalatte]

Thanks Tina! Yes, I got it on the calendar!

So yes, our first meeting is 9:00pm ET Monday June 26 in Chat Room 1.

See you all there! And I DO have a freebie for those attending!

[bsneely]

Thank you both!

[Carma]

Yes, Thanks to you both of getting it set up... looking forward to the chat.

[Ann Maree]

Looks like i will miss this one - I will be at work - But all have a good time - and if there is anything i can be of help with - please ask!!!!

[Carma]

We will miss you Ann Maree

[vanillalatte]

I'm so sorry you will have to miss it Ann Marie! Especially after you were so sweet to create the blinkie AND provided the FREEBIE for this week's chat!

By the way, I've created a thread for our chat in the Chats area of the forum. Let's move any discussion to that board so that we can keep the thread toward the top :)

Edited to add the link to the chat.

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15048

[vanillalatte]

I thought I'd post back here one more time just to be sure everyone who was on this thread saw....

We are meeting at 9:00pm ET tonight (Monday, June 26) for our first DIP Chat!)

[Freda]

I posted my layout, in the main gallery right? http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=109346&cat=500&ppuser=29161

[KittyDog]

Darn I did not see this post until today. I wonder why I did not get an email saying new reply to post. Oh well. I hope to be there for the next one.:D

[Carma]

HOpe you make the next one Abby, it was a real fast one but we learned a lot.

[brayn]

Is it on for EVERY Monday for sure? I can't make it until Monday after next, but I'm really interested to come.

[Minniewannabe]

Thanks LaDonna for checking on this. I'll join if I'm off work during the chat. It's nice to see so many DIS and DIP users. I always feel so left out. The bookstore doesn't offer any books on DIS, but over 100 on Photoshop! By the way, I just checked out your gallery and you're awesome! Lots of interesting photos as well as creative LOs. I'm glad they call it "lifting" and not "plagerizing" around here, because I'd love to lift a few of yours.

[Ann Maree]

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=2752

Up and running!!! Post your homework here!

[mercerph]

Thanks Ann Maree, I've just moved mine.
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=109622&page=0

[vanillalatte]

Hey all! I just got back from vacation...I've been gone since last Friday, spent 4th of July weekend at the family lake cabin in central ND. And what do I come back to???? TONS of new DIPers LOs to look at!! It might take me some time to get throught them but I'll be looking! Love the mini-challenges Ann Maree set up for you all!

Next chat is this coming Monday, July 10! Hope to see you all there!

[bsneely]

Here is my quick click layout ....

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=111776&cat=2752

[Carma]

Here is another Lo for the selective coloration LO's.
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=138033&cat=2752