Scrapbook Software for Beginners?

[wpearl03]

I am looking for a beginner Digital Scrapbook program for my sister-in-law. I use Photoshop and she loves my scrapbook pages and layouts but she's not very good with computers so I'm looking for something basic and easy to use but that still has enough options that she can create great looking pages. Anyone have any recommendations?

[guitargirl]

Scrapbook Max has a free trial that she can download and try. I tried it and found it too limiting, but it may be good for someone who just wants to put pages together. I use Photoshop Elements - it's fairly easy to put a page together, but it also lets me do lots of things the basic programs don't.

[Jeanet]

I would probably chose something like Elements as well. The scrapbooking programmes gets too limiting too fast and with a little help Elements is a great place to start even if you are not a computer freak.

[Jeanet]

Or perhaps Paint.NET - it's free and it works very similar to Elements.

[debbers]

Paint Shop Pro is also an excellent choice for an entry level budget. It'll do more than PSE - and the user interface is a bit more intuitive than Photoshop. I've never used PSE, so don't know whether it's got a bear of a learning curve on it or not.

But both of them can grow with her. She could learn to use it like a basic layout program first, then tweedle around with things to do more complex things as she becomes more experienced.

deb

[allsmilz61772]

scrapblog.com you're supposed to be able to make your own creations. I dont know how versitile it is, I havent used it yet.

[idtwinmom]

Well, I am going to chime in! PSP (Paint Shop Pro) is easier than Photoshop, but not Photoshop Elements. Elements has a lot more presets. At least it used to be that way. Plus, since you use PS you will find it easier to help her as the tools are much the same.

[furbydaphneosca]

lurker--I am a beginner and use Polaroid My Memories Suite! I love it! It comes with designer templates that you can just drop your photos into or you can design your own pages. The programs comes with quite a few backgrounds, embellishments, ribbons, ricrac, buttons, ect.

The software also allows you to use outside items as well--it supports png files and tif files and maybe some other files. There is a custom option for backgrounds, so you can use any papers. You are able to drag elements on to the page from outside the program. I have designed pages with downloaded freebies as well as with the items that came with the software.

pinktoque.com has some tutorials on how to use the software, which were so helpful, and after watching the first one, I was ready to go.

If you are interested in seeing the types of pages a beginner can do with this software, email me at kristinekeatesroche@cox.net and I will send you some.