trying them out...

[robes]

Hi. I am very new to digital scrapbooking and pretty smart but-as of yet-not very software savvy. I started the trial of Corel PSPX and was a little overwhelmed. I could see how to edit pics but couldn't see how I would be able to do a scrapbook page layout. Now I am trying the Corel Photo Album and find it VERY easy but pretty limited (very few options for layouts and backgrounds and no ability to format your own layouts or add embellishments). Am I missing something, or do I need to purchase additional software to use with the photo album? Any recommendations will be helpful. Essentially I would love to have many options for backgrounds, framing, and "stickers" and be able to set my own layout (I don't really care to alter my pictures much or draw my own graphics)... is that possible?? Thanks for your help.

[Emma]

Album is really not for scrapping, it's more for viewing your photos and making very simple changes to them like a border or something.

PSP is all you'll ever need. Try this tutorial to get started:
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/university/tutorials/PSP_BasicPageEP.shtml
then this one
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/university/tutorials/psp_basicpage_graphic.shtml

After that, you'll have 2 finished layouts, and you'll see how PSP can be used to make scrapbook layouts. If you like what you see, then keep doing more PSP tutorials, keep asking questions.

Then if you'd lik eyou can download another trial of MS DIP or Adobe PSE and do the same First Page tutorials for them, see which you prefer. Wait until one trial is expired before moving on to the next, to give yourself adequate time with each.

For using premade graphics with no photo retouching, HP Creative Scrapbook Assistant is perfect, but no trial available. If you like MS DIP then you'll be able to do some nice photo retouching. If you prefer something even easier/more basic, then the free Picasa album allows some simple corrections like rotating and red eye reduction, or the Corel Album may do those simple additions as well, working with something like HP CSA to assemble the layouts.

So have a stab at the PSP tutorials, give it a good try, ask lots of questions. When I first started, I called my sister and said, "What software do I use?" And she said, "Don't you have photoshop?" I said, "Yes, but I am done retouching my photos and want to make the scrapbook page now!" She just laughed and pointed me to a First Page tutorial, LOL! I had NO IDEA these graphics programs could do ANY of this stuff!

keep us updated how you do with those tutorials

[robes]

Thanks Emma, that was very helpful and I'll try the tutorials. You mentioned that you have Photo Shop and can use it for everything... but I read another reply of yours to someone else in which you said you really prefer to use HP CSA for your layouts. I already have some simple programs for cropping, redeye, sepia/bw, etc (I have a kodak easyshare 5.0)... so would HP CSA suffice, or do you still recommend a combination of the two? I'll still take a look at the tutorial, but I just wondered if I needed everything that photo shop has (I tried some of the free hand edit options and really stunk at it!!) Thanks again!

[Emma]

you need EITHER a graphics program, and assembly program, or BOTH. It's up to you.

if you have only an assembly program, you cannot do photo retouching or make your own graphics (some have very simple retouching, but HP does not, but it does far more scrapping than simple programs with retouching options, it's a trade off). You use premade graphics or create very simple pages. Perfect for many scrappers.

if you have only a graphics program, you can retouch, make your own graphics, use someone else's, anything you want, it's all you need. Perfect for the do-it-yourselfer who wants more power and doesn't mind spending the time to learn the software, but can also be used for premade graphcis or very simple pages. Just not as easily as an assembly program.

If you have both, you enjoy the best of both worlds. I can create all my own grahpics, retouch my photos to amazing extents, plus make all my own layout super FAST if I assemble things in a more basic program. When I make layouts in Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro, I tend to mess around and fuss and fiddle with every option, in Photoshop Elements I use more presets to make my graphics and hence can't fiddle as much and scrap faster. In HP I can't fiddle with graphics at all, and get things put together quickly. Especially when doing a bunch of matching layouts, HP is wonderful (drag and drop my matching graphics, arrange, type, move on to the next one!)

[serena812]

I never thought about using the various programs the way you suggest Emma. Since I design, I always reach for PSCS2 but using the "simpler" programs for everything else makes alot of sense. Like you, I tend to fiddle with stuff in CS2 much more than anything else.

I will most definitely try to make myself use the others to help make more layouts.

[kristiefox]

Ok - I think I'm not quite following what you mean by assembly program. I am somewhat new to Digital Scrapbooking, but have found the need for two programs. A program to design scrapbook pages and a program to organize my photos. I am using Photoshop for the scrapbooking pages, but am still undecided about an organizing program. I have been using Jasc Paint Shop Photo Album, but have also looked at Creative Memories new program memory manager. Any suggestions on advantages &/or disadvantages for these programs or other programs that work best?
Thanks.

[Lisa Carter]

I am using Photoshop for the scrapbooking pages, but am still undecided about an organizing program. I have been using Jasc Paint Shop Photo Album, but have also looked at Creative Memories new program memory manager. Any suggestions on advantages &/or disadvantages for these programs or other programs that work best?
Thanks.

If you have the FULL new version of Photoshop (not Elements) you can use the Bridge. I don't use that much. I use ACDsee. It is FANTASTIC, for me. Good luck

[Emma]

an assembly program is a very simple graphics program where you make layouts using premade graphics. Drag and drop the photos and elements onto a layout, very easy and fast, not a lot of power.

If you use Photoshop, then I love Bridge. Versions previous to PS CS 2 use File Browser which is horrible. I used to use ACDSee, and I liked it, but started using the free organizers that came with my software instead, like PSE Organizer or PS Bridge. Picasa is also free and a lot of us use that.

So we all use a lot of software: a graphics program for making elements, retouching photos, making layouts; an assembly program for putting layouts together simply and quickly; an organizer/album for image files; a font organizer; a brushes organizer; there are more, but these are the main ones that we find useful.

The graphics vs assembly program is limited to making layouts, not for organizing.

Welcome, hope this helps! A good question

[scrapalongsadie]

I found one that I think works well for layouts, organizing and editing....FxFoto. I have used Elements and PSP in the past but found them confusing. Used Creative Asst too and it is great for quick LO. And since I am not making my own elements Fx works pretty well - lets me keep my photos organized, completely flexible LO (or at least I have been alble to do whatever I wanted to) and loads of filters and stuff to do neat photo things! You might want to take a look at it too.

[newsolution]

I found one that I think works well for layouts, organizing and editing....FxFoto. I have used Elements and PSP in the past but found them confusing. Used Creative Asst too and it is great for quick LO. And since I am not making my own elements Fx works pretty well - lets me keep my photos organized, completely flexible LO (or at least I have been alble to do whatever I wanted to) and loads of filters and stuff to do neat photo things! You might want to take a look at it too.



Hi,
I went to fxFoto site, and I don't find free 30 day trial version. Do they offer this? Do you use Deluxe or Standard version?

[Emma]

trial versions

Digital Image Pro, 60 days from Install
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=f3ba983b-8c10-44f6-9044-2bb1464937dc&displaylang=en

Adobe, 30 days from Install, Photoshop and Photoshop Elements
http://www.adobe.com/products/tryadobe/main.jsp

Lumapix FotoFusion, basic version, no time limit (puts lumapix all over the images, so can't use them, just a trial)
http://lumapix.com/pages/downloads/Download.shtml

Triscape FXFoto
http://www.triscape.com/fxdownload.htm

Corel Paint Shop Pro, 30 days from install
http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=Corel3/Downloads/Trials

HP Creative Scrapbook Assistant has no trial, but I recommend it to everyone because if you're using premade graphics (downloaded or made yourself) or making a simple layout or big album project, it's super fast and easy, and a great price. For assembly line layouts (Power Scrapping) it just ROCKS!

For trials, I recommend starting with the easiest one (FXFoto, FotoFusion, MS DIP, PSE, PSP, PS) and using JUST that one for the time limit. Don't download all of them at once, you'll never have time to play before time runs out. Choose a month when you're "euphoric" about scrapping and will spend a lot of time on it, then when the trial runs out download the next one. Do the First Page tutorial here for each one, or the one included in the program. Then do all the tutorials on this site and Google tutorials. Don't worry about creating a bunch of layouts, your intention is software shopping and not scrapping at this point. Figure out which one suits your needs best by doing lots of fun tutorials and a few layouts, playing around and experimenting a lot.

After each trial expires, the next time you load the program it'll ask you to buy it, so either click OK or just go to the site and purchase a download or boxed version. I like my original software boxed with the instruction manual. Use the site or a reputable dealer to purchase like Amazon. Don't be fooled by OEM software or sites and emails sayinig they can get it cheap: it's almost always pirated. Used software is a good option, but make SURE they have the original items with it, like the manual and serial number so you can activate/upgrade it later.

always ask a ton of questions as you're starting the new trial, we're all here to help. Don't get frustrated, it's supposed to be fun! If you hate something enough to be really discouraged, ditch it and move on to the next trial. Unless it's just hard, then you'll have to be patient and learn slowly. The hard ones are the most powerful. If the easy ones are too limiting, analyze if it'll be useful in conjunction with a more powerful program, or just ditch it.

have fun!

[ThatChickisHip]

you need EITHER a graphics program, and assembly program, or BOTH. It's up to you.

if you have only an assembly program, you cannot do photo retouching or make your own graphics (some have very simple retouching, but HP does not, but it does far more scrapping than simple programs with retouching options, it's a trade off). You use premade graphics or create very simple pages. Perfect for many scrappers.

if you have only a graphics program, you can retouch, make your own graphics, use someone else's, anything you want, it's all you need. Perfect for the do-it-yourselfer who wants more power and doesn't mind spending the time to learn the software, but can also be used for premade graphcis or very simple pages. Just not as easily as an assembly program.

If you have both, you enjoy the best of both worlds. I can create all my own grahpics, retouch my photos to amazing extents, plus make all my own layout super FAST if I assemble things in a more basic program. When I make layouts in Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro, I tend to mess around and fuss and fiddle with every option, in Photoshop Elements I use more presets to make my graphics and hence can't fiddle as much and scrap faster. In HP I can't fiddle with graphics at all, and get things put together quickly. Especially when doing a bunch of matching layouts, HP is wonderful (drag and drop my matching graphics, arrange, type, move on to the next one!)

I read this and it looks like I need both..I don't mind paying for it..I just want something that will last long with so many updates/versions.

[jtaubman]

Just to a my 5p, (or 5cents). I use FotoFusion all the time and am now doing Emma's PSE Intro course. I suspect I will continue to use FF for layouts using kits and use PSE for complex graphic style layouts and for creating elements for my FF layouts. Most of my gallery is done with FF if you are interested.

[scrapalongsadie]

There is a nice review of FxFoto on the UKScappers website. I don't make my own kits (ummm....no talent that way....) so I didn't have to worry about that. I can do all my photo editing including all sorts of filters and adjustements and all my LO with it. The reviewere called it intermediate so maybe she means it is in-between a LO and editing program?

[Emma]

be sure to let us know what you bought! We'll steer you to great ways to get started: ask a ton of questions. I find I get the most frustrated when first starting something new. After that, it becomes a challenge to do harder stuff, but at first I just want to arrive, LOL!

[ThatChickisHip]

Good Morning..well I didn't buy anything..I was little overwhelmed by it all. Still don’t know what to do..Headsmack!!!

[Emma]

I'll make this easy for you ;) :D

Go to the store and order HP CSA, a safe bet. Easy to use. Then go download the trial version of Adobe Photoshop Elements and do the First Page tutorial a couple of times.

Gotta start somewhere, sounds like you're suffering from temporary paralysis by analysis! Go for it!

[rusty11480]

Emma,
I just posted a request for info about my PSCS File Browser in a new thread. You have mentioned the Bridge in PSCS2. What is that about? You liked it better than the browser. I'm okay with the browser, but I don't like my whole hard drive on the browser. Seem to clutter and waste space. Could you tell me something about the Bridge that you mentioned? I've been thinking of upgrading and organizing my DSP files by keywords, etc in the browser. But maybe the Bridge would work better. Thanks for any info from anyone.
Anne

[ThatChickisHip]

Can you buy HP in a store? Or is it only available on online?

[ThatChickisHip]

Yes..I'm still thinking on what to get..I know, I know..I can't make up my mind..
I downloaded Adobe PS4 trial version..and wow..it's a little intimidating!

[Emma]

Adobe Bridge is the album that comes with the Creative Suite, in order to make opening/editing things amongst the various CS programs easier. You can drag and drop the thumb from Bridge into any CS software, or edit in any CS software. I think there are five. Mostly I just use PS so the Bridge is just an album for me, I just really like how intuitive it is to use. PSE Organizer is also great, but it doesn't make as much sense to me, maybe not as user friendly...

You can buy HP CSA in the DSP Store, or some hard stores sell it; I think Best Buy or CompUSA, but call first.

Do the First Page tutorial for PSE, and holler with any questions. Don't get frustrated, just ask, because even if you figure it out first there are people behind you that will learn from your questions, and it helps me to improve the tutorial on revisions

[ThatChickisHip]

I bought Adobe PSE4 today...finally!!!!!

[AlisaV]

Hello, I am new to digital scrappin' and was wondering how flexible the HP software is. Can I use the downloaded kits with it or am I limited to the artwork that comes with the software? Thanks for any help you can give!:)

[Amanda]

You can definitely use other graphics with it. :)