Confused

[Corrine]

Reading all these posts has me sooo confused. I'm looking for a good software but you all talk about photo enhancing softwares and not so much about designs, cliparts, backgrounds and framing. I have all the scrapbook softwares available and mpicture it but it's not enough. I am switching back and forth between half a dozen programs at one time to get one page to print out for scrapbook. What am I doing wrong, what program do I get that does all of it for printable scrapbook pages? I'm not that interested in enhancing photos with corrections just crops and fancy edges, decorating I guess you could say. thanks Corrine

[Lauren]

Sounds like something like the HP software would be good for you - it does shaped crops and you can add clip art and elements , frames etc - You probably dont want the more advanced software for manipulation and graphic creation -

[Emma]

I'm confused too: do you mean you're looking for a program that does graphic creation and not just photo-enhancement? I used Adobe Photoshop for years and had NO idea it could make graphics until I got into scrapbooking recently. Photoshop, Elements, Paintshop Pro are typically photo editing software, but they can do amazing graphics creation.

Is that what you mean, or that you're looking for something easy to use for assembling premade elements?

[LAW]

Corrine, I have Photoshop and MS Picture It! Photoshop does everything! I sometimes use clip art from Picture It in my Layouts that I create in Photoshop. I don't use Picture It as my primary because it lacks versatility. When creating layouts, I use a lot of freebies from the web and DSP. I also buy downloadable "papers" and elements sold as kits. Occasionally when I can't find what I'm seeing in my minds eye I dedicate time to photoshop and create the element or "paper" myself. The team here does incredible things with PaintShopPro and Photoshop. The biggest thing in choosing a program is being willing to spend time to learn it. That means spending time doing things other that creating layouts and editing pictures. I started using Photoshop stricktly for Layouts and elements, I'm just now learning how to edit my photos with it :D

[Corrine]

I just installed photoshop 7.0 on my computer and boy am I intimidated. Thanks for the replys. I am looking for something to assemble premade elements because I don't think I'm ready to make them myself, haven't got the first clue on how to go about making them myself. I print out my pages (have been using computer for everything but picture printouts but now have the need to scan pictures and make printable pages) making books for four grown kids from birth and need to duplicate photos. Am I missing something about computer scrapbooking when it comes to making your own elements like cool backgrounds, frames and such? For instance can you use photoshop to place a digital image of a ribbon going across your scrapbook page with a shadow? Make it yourself or cut and paste (which I haven't figured out how to do yet (just installed photoshop last night)? Hope I'm making myself clear, thanks Corrine

[Emma]

Whoa, GIRL! Are you IN for a treat. Go shopping in the store: EVERY one of those kits was made with Photoshop, Paintshop Pro, Photoshop Elements, and Tina makes them in Digital Image Pro. There are no photos, JUST elements. Check out my gallery or anyone else's and under software you'll see what everyone uses.

Photoshop is EVERYWHERE! Look in any magazine, any billboard, any web site, any graphic and 99% of them are MADE right in Photoshop.

Methinks you need some tutorials to get you started. I started scrapping with PS too, and was very confused until someone pointed me to a tutorial. Here are some to help you out:
Completing your first pages:
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/university/tutorials/qc1.shtml
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/university/tutorials/qc4.shtml

All about Layers:
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/university/tutorials/ep_layers_PS.shtml

AND check out the PSE/PSP first page tutorials for the downloads button and mesh used in the PS tutorial (have to update the PS one)
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/university/tutorials/pse_basicpageep.shtml

Step-be-STEP, and all your questions you could ever dream of answered right here, just ask. You will LOVE this, don't be intimidated. PS does everything from the very easy to the very hard. Don't "look" at all the options, just look at the easy stuff, it's there. Don't get overwhelmed with everything you don't understand. Focus on what makes sense and learn one tiny thing at a time. None of us are graphic designers: we learned the software ourselves.

Also, sign up for the DSU 110 class: Intro to Scrapping with PS. Click the link in my sig line to see the list or click here and sign up
http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=361
Starts in a few days, Jan 3

I hope you're excited, I am! Welcome to DSP!!!! Ask away, that's why we're all here

[Corrine]

I'll sign up tomorrow for the class, need to get in the shower and to bed, 5 comes too early for me. Thank you so much I can't wait. I love the excitment you show through your words about digital scrapbooking. I'm ready to learn. Corrine

[gardengirl1382]

Ladies,

I also am new to the computer scrapping. From what I have learned from different sites, is that Photoshop is the preferred program. Is this true? My main purpose for computer scrapping is to assemble a Heritage Album for family members. Are there any suggestions to sites that specialize in "Heritage". Also other than this site are there any other tutorials for creating embellishments. Thanks in advance, Christina.

[Kristen]

Photoshop is the preferred choice of designers who are creating elements (although even that isn't universal - we have more than one designer here who uses Paint Shop Pro.) If you're new to digital scrapbooking, it could be too much - like trying to drive a race car to buy groceries.

If you already own it, I'd say it's worth working through the tutorials - both the ones that come with Photoshop and the scrapbook-specific ones here.

If you don't already own it, but think you will want to design elements in the future, I'd recommend getting Adobe Photoshop Elements. It's Adobe's consumer graphics program - simpler and way less expensive. But if and when you decide you *do* want Photoshop, the tools and menus will be familiar.

Paint Shop Pro falls in between the two Adobe products - it's inexpensive like Elements but powerful and a bit more complicated like Photoshop. There are things that PSP can do that PS can't, and vice-versa.

Digital Image Pro and PhotoImpact are two other graphics programs that people use here. I haven't worked much with either one, but they both have the reputation of being easy to use.

There are some beautiful Heritage-style kits in the store (http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.com) Also check in the Freebies (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/index.php?cat=738) gallery. I'm not working on Heritage layouts right now, so I don't know who else other than DSP has any.

As for tutorials - there are lots of digital scrapbooking tutorials on the web. Most of them are arranged by program - and most of them are for Photoshop and Paint Shop Pro. We have a list under Links (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/university/links.shtml) in the University section.

Welcome, good luck, and do ask if (when?<g>) you have more questions.

[Angie]

Photoshop CS is a very powerful program. But it also comes with a big price tag. The little brother of Photoshop CS is Photoshop Elements 3 which comes with a better price tag :). But if you just want a simple program to plop pictures into and add text you may want to check our HP's scrapbook assistant.

Here is a link to a bunch of Tutorials around the Web (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/university/links.shtml) my fave is Janee's tutorials (http://myjanee.home.insightbb.com/tutorials.htm) .

Best of luck with your Heritage Album.

~Happy New Year

[Emma]

I love this discussion :)

What software do you already have? I chose Photoshop because it's the professional standard, but I have an art background and knew I'd not be happy unless my software could take me wherever I wanted. But then I learned Paint Shop Pro and Photoshop Elements and really see the benefits of the other software. You could say I hit for too many teams, but I think it's important to match software with the user depending on what you want to do. So tell us about what inspires you and what draws you to digital, and we'll help you choose software to get you there!

There aren't any heritage scrapbook sites, the principles are the same: we have all styles here, and the store has many kits available for purchase and inspiration to create a nice, vintage look

Let us know what software you choose, and check out all the tutorials in the U section.
Welcome, both of you!

[valeri]

That big price tag is why I don't have PS, lol. Most times I am more then satisfied with PSP because It does everything I need it to do. Sometimes I get a bit envious about the brushes and layer styles, but then I remember how much I paid for my program as opposed to how much they paid and I am ok for the moment and deal with the very few limitations of my software. That being said.. if someone ever gave me PS, I would most definately use it. I am not software loyal! lol

[Emma]

Ways to get PS for cheap (legally!)

Buy an old version on ebay and then pay $169 to upgrade. Make sure the old version has the registration numbers because you can't upgrade without proving the old copy is legal

Use an educational discount: I got TEN Adobe programs for $400 from my husband's school, University of Phoenix. The whole Creative Suite for video editing, web design, vector grahics, raster graphics (Photoshop), desktop publishing, and more. $400 is a big price tag, but it's cheaper than PS alone, and I got a LOT for my money.

[valeri]

well that might be an option at tax time. I might be able to swing a couple hundred, but I know there is no way I will get a $400 program! lol Thanks Emma!

[gardengirl1382]

I have not purchased any software yet. I want to make sure I buy the right one for what I want to do. I want to both create embellishments (sp) and edit photos. I have downloaded several demos but of course they will not let me do what I want without buying it first. I certainly cannot afford to buy a program with a $400 price tag. I have never done any computer scrapbooking before so I am at a loss. You have all been so helpful. thanks :)

[valeri]

I don't know about PS or PSE, but PSP's trial version is fully functional for 30 (or is it 60 days?), anyway, more then enough time to see if it is what you want. I edit photos, make layouts and create elements and it works fine. You might want to give it a shot especially if you can't afford the bigger price tag.

[Lauren]

I have not purchased any software yet. I want to make sure I buy the right one for what I want to do. I want to both create embellishments (sp) and edit photos. I have downloaded several demos but of course they will not let me do what I want without buying it first. I certainly cannot afford to buy a program with a $400 price tag. I have never done any computer scrapbooking before so I am at a loss. You have all been so helpful. thanks :)
Both PSE and PSP have fully functional trial versions - I think from memory PSE's is limited to 30 days and PSP maybe as much as 60 days - both are around the $US100 mark but you can find cheaper on the net quite often

[Emma]

If you want to create your own elements and edit photos, I think making elements is a little easier in PSE...bear in mind that PSP users smoked the Software Wars last time. I just think that PSE is easier/faster to make elements. I'm going to take the upcoming element creation class for PSP, so I may have different views after taking that!

But I recommend PSE for your needs. It's about $75.

And the $400 was for TEN programs, not just one. Alone, PS is around $700!

Click here to purchase PSE from Amazon with a rebate:
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/place/PSE3.shtml

Or I think it might be cheaper to get it at Wal-Mart, about the same price at CompUSA or Fry's. Depends if you're a store shopper or online shopper

[txmusicmom]

I'm happy with PSE 2 -- I haven't upgraded yet!

It does everything I have needed it to do so far--

Now I haven't created any elements..........

I got mine at Sam's Wholesale around $50 !

Just my thoughts,

Donna

[Diginellie]

I have a quote stuck on my fridge with a magnet - its from a very famous man called Theodore Roosevelt and it says:

"Do what you can with what you have where you are"

So thats what I am doing and its working well for me, if you have the passion for this great hobby of digital scrapbooking you are 99% there already. :)

[Emma]

Just checking in with those who posted in this thread about needing software suggestions, help, etc to see how you're doing.

Corrine? Gardengirl?

[Corrine]

Hi Emma, I've been playing with PS every day and have learned alot on my own and with tutorials at this site. I've made about 15 LO's so far. I feel so addicted but I'm trying to get scrapbooks done for my kids from birth to now. 23 y/o is done now I have 3 more kids to go from 15 to 22 y/o. Some I scrap the old fashion way and some I can't help but to scan the old pictures and digital scrap. Found alot of real nice brushes on internet that are real fun to work with but I have yet to make too many of my own elements but am working at it. I've made a few things like backgrounds and elements with scanning. I'll try to post some of my LO to this site later today. Thanks for asking, just been sooo busy with LO's havn't checked this site lately. Corrine