Fast, Easy and Inexpensive?

[michelle1008]

I have many years of digital photos on my computer that need a permanent printed home. I have used Shutterfly (great) and Picaboo (not so great) to have the same book printed of our family's first trip to Disney World. I would use Shutterfly again or I'm thinking of trying Viovio because of the reviews I've read here.

I need advice on what program to use to get all these pictures into layouts quickly and easily. Ideally, I'd like something where I could make a basic collage with a background, journaling, and captions. I will not make my own elements or get very creative with layers and designs - I wish I had that time! :) I like Shutterfly's online interface, but it is limiting as to where I can put text. I would also like to be able to save it on my computer.

This is what I've tried so far:

Scrapbook Flair - free, but the process to add photos or elements can be time consuming. I like drag and drop. Also, can't copy and paste.

Scrapbook Factory Deluxe - older version. I used this for my Disney World book layouts. I don't like the graphics that came with it (too clip artish). I also think the quality of the photos get lost.

Shutterfly Studio - Has an awesome collage function. Limited text/captions. No backgrounds (except solid colors).

I've combined some of these too. Ex: make a collage in Shutterfly Studio, save as a jpg and use that image in Scrapbook Flair with a nice background and text. I'm worried that I'm loosing some image quality with this many steps.

I can see that most people here are serious scrappers and right now I don't fit that profile. But I'm hoping there might be a suggestion for a software that could get all my kiddo's pictures into a nice memory book. Thanks!

Michelle

PS. I just downloaded the ACDsee Photo Editor Beta to test out. Has anyone tried that out?

[natenstormsmom]

Hi michelle,

I'm not familiar with the other programs you mentioned, but I use Scrapbook MAX! because it's easy for laying out my pages. (I don't make my own elements either, although if and when I do :pray: , I still plan to use Scrapbook MAx for laying out the pages). You can drag and drop elements onto your pages. They have a free trial for about a month. I've been using the templates that come with the program quite a bit lately, then I might add in a caption, or switch out or add in an embellishment or two to make it look just right (but you can make stuff from scratch too if you want and have time.) I've uploaded my Scrapbook MAX! pages to Shutterfly and made a really cool book with vacation layouts.

I know what you mean about everyone here being serious scrappers - the layouts in the gallery are awesome! Lots of inspiration, and lots of encouragement here too.

Have fun and hope to "see you around"!

natenstormsmom :love3:

[michelle1008]

Thanks, natenstormsmom!
I will have try out Scrapbook MAX. When you upload your pages to Shutterfly, do you know the dpi? (is it at least 300?) I was looking at Lumapix (scrapbook version), but the highest resolution is 200 and that won't do. The upgraded version is out of my price range (>$100).

Michelle

[libbysmommy1]

Michelle,

Hello! I also use Scrapbook Max. I'm fairly new to digi scrapping and was overwhelmed at the more advanced programs. I'd recommend using the free trial of Scrapbook Max and if you decide to purchase it, it's under $40. You can set your dpi right inside Scrapbook Max, by a page by page basis if you wish. I always print in 300dpi. HTH.

[natenstormsmom]

hi michelle!

Ditto Libbysmommy1 - you can adjust the dpi in Scrapbook MAX!. The default page is 8 x 8, and 200 dpi, but you can change the size to 12 x 12 or 4 x 6 (or whatever) and change the dpi to 300 under Page - Settings.

The Shutterfly book that I made was 12 x 12 at 200 dpi, and I was pleased with the results.I've printed invitations and cards at home on photo paper (4 x 6 ) at 200 dpi and I've been happy with that, too. So, I guess the dpi is a matter of taste.

But nonetheless, you can choose your dpi level in Scrapbook MAX!.
Hope that helps!

natenstormsmom :love3:

[Lauren]

Thanks, natenstormsmom!
I will have try out Scrapbook MAX. When you upload your pages to Shutterfly, do you know the dpi? (is it at least 300?) I was looking at Lumapix (scrapbook version), but the highest resolution is 200 and that won't do. The upgraded version is out of my price range (>$100).

Michelle
Just fyi 200ppi is absolutely fine for digital scrapbooking - there is quite a lot of literature on this subject around the place including from such knowledgable people as Scott Kelby.
300ppi is needed for CMYK print press purposes but not for photo reproduction or ink jet printing.
I have no recent experience with Fotofusion to tell you if its the sort of software that you are looking for but if it offers 200ppi then that will be perfect.

[happybeingamom]

I just printed a book with Winkflash. I used 200ppi and it came out perfect.

You can see photos of the book in my gallery.

[Tina]

I print all my pages at 200ppi!

[michelle1008]

Hi Ladies,
Thanks so much for all the feedback. I'm testing out Scrapbook Max and Fotofusion. I'm really loving Fotofusion for it's easy drag and drop and auto-collage features.

However, I'm really confused about resolution now. PPI, DPI, 2000x2000 ???? :confused:

Shutterfly gives 2 different recommendations. In the section Printing Your Digital Scrapbook FAQ, the recommended resolution: "For best results, design and save your layouts at 300 DPI." Then in the Help section for Photo Book Resolution Recommendation: "8.5x11 Hard Cover Classic Book – 1600 x 1200 for a full bleed image." I'm planning on using this size and I'd assume if I save my LO as a 1600 x 1200 jpg image then it would be the same? This equals DPI of 160 (according to Fotofusion).

Fotofusion's product specs say: Max. export size is 2000x2000 pixels. FotoFusion allows home printing at up to 12"x12"@300DPI.

I see that the standard according to DSP is 200ppi and that you have had excellent results printing your layouts. Does dpi=ppi?
Overall, I think if I export to 1600 x 1200 the quality should be good for printing in an 8 1/2 x 11 photo book. Am I anywhere close to understanding this??? :help:

Thanks!
Michelle

[Emma]

try www.paint.net

it's free and gets great reviews

[Lauren]

Hi Ladies,
Thanks so much for all the feedback. I'm testing out Scrapbook Max and Fotofusion. I'm really loving Fotofusion for it's easy drag and drop and auto-collage features.

However, I'm really confused about resolution now. PPI, DPI, 2000x2000 ???? :confused:

Shutterfly gives 2 different recommendations. In the section Printing Your Digital Scrapbook FAQ, the recommended resolution: "For best results, design and save your layouts at 300 DPI." Then in the Help section for Photo Book Resolution Recommendation: "8.5x11 Hard Cover Classic Book – 1600 x 1200 for a full bleed image." I'm planning on using this size and I'd assume if I save my LO as a 1600 x 1200 jpg image then it would be the same? This equals DPI of 160 (according to Fotofusion).

Fotofusion's product specs say: Max. export size is 2000x2000 pixels. FotoFusion allows home printing at up to 12"x12"@300DPI.

I see that the standard according to DSP is 200ppi and that you have had excellent results printing your layouts. Does dpi=ppi?
Overall, I think if I export to 1600 x 1200 the quality should be good for printing in an 8 1/2 x 11 photo book. Am I anywhere close to understanding this??? :help:

Thanks!
Michelle
PPI and DPI in this instance mean the same thing - actually PPI is the correct term ( Pixels Per Inch) but its commonly referred to as DPI ( dots per inch) which is actually a measure of how ink is projected onto paper and so really is a completely different concept but the 2 terms are often misused.

The concept is really just maths - PPI measure how squished up your pixels are - if you have a layout that starts out with 2400px and you print it at 8 inches by 8 inches you are printing it with a resolution of 300PPI ( thats 300 pixels per inch ( 2400 divided by 8 = 300 ) if you print it at 12 inches x12 inches you are printing it at 200PPI ( 2400 divided by 12 =2 )
1600x2000 will print an 8x10 image at 200PPI so you should be fine there - if you want to pring 8.5 x11 then you will need to create an image 1700x 2200 to get a 200PPI image