what software would you recommend to a new digital scrapper?

[Marla in KY]

I am thinking of going with the adobe software (not the $600, one, the step down) and I was wondering if anyone has experience with it, and if it would be a good program to start out with?

thanks in advance!! Marla

[Margie]

it's a great program for scrapping. the expensive photoshop has so many things you'll never need (though it's awesome to have), but photoshop elements has all you'll need (and probably more too!). so yes, elements will be great. and many of the tutorials here in the university section work with elements and are marked as such. :)

[elizabethlmccoy]

marla,
I use Photoshop Elements (which it seems you will be purchasing) it is great!! I absolutely love the capabilities it has. It is a great investment...it will really take you far with your digital scrapbooking. I am getting the full version of photoshop but I'll be keeping Photoshop Elements on my laptop b/c it is a more compact program.

[Emma]

I think PSE is a great choice for the price. It really depends on what you want to do. If you're gung ho about making all your own elements, PSE is a good place to start, but you'll probably need to upgrade to a more professional grade program later. PS has LOT of stuff, and like Margie said, most of us don't use the full capabilities. What I like about it is that I can grow into it for a long time, and the more I learn, well...suddenly things I never knew existed I can't live without!

PSE has a lot of capabilities to make elements, so don't think you won't be able to do it. There are really basic programs designed to just assemble premade elements, and difficult software designed to make everything from scratch. PSE is a nice combo.

I also happen to teach a class on PSE and PS :D You can purchase it at Wal-mart for $58, or I hear Amazon has a rebate right now making PSE about $30: GREAT price!

Download a free trial of PS CS and PSE at http://www.adobe.com/products/tryadobe/main.jsp

Many of my students download the 30-day trial, take my class, then download the other and take the other class to see which works best for them.

Not to muddy the waters with too much info, but there's also a free 90-day trial of Paintshop Pro 9 at http://www.jasc.com/products/? I also teach the intro PSP class

Let us know what you want to do and we'll help you decide!

[susan]

Marla, I used PSE until just recently when I upgraded to PSCS... I highly recommend PSE and still use it a lot while I'm getting over the learning curve to PSCS.

I also highly recommend Emma's class. I was having problems learning how to do some of the stuff here until I took her class. Here lessons are so comprehensive and the written instructions and pictures so helpful. She really breaks things down for you and makes it so easy to understand.

Whatever you do, ENJOY.