Dubi Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Hi, I'm a total newbie to digital scrapbooking. I have made several simple photo books on online sites but now I would like to dress up my next book by creating my own pages and exporting them to the photo book site. I would like to use digital page kits (embellishments and journal tags especially) designed by others with more artistic ability and better software than I have. I have several kinds of software on my computer but am not sure what will work to make great pages using digital elements from the Boutique. Can anyone help me? Do I need something other than what I have? I have a PC with Vista and the following software on it: PowerPoint 2003 MS Word 2003 ArcSoft Print Creations Paint I do my basic photo editing with HP Photosmart Essential 2.5 and Windows Photo Gallery but I don't think I can actually create layouts on them, can I? Thanks for any help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tink Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 welcome to SG! You will love the freedom to create rather than being limited by the onlines. SG has a Secrets tutorial for Word SG secrets revealed ebooks. Not sure if anyone uses that who could give you some insight. I personally would recomend to look here... SG University with helpful information I would also recommend downloading & reading the 15 things you need to know which is a free ebook. Personally if you are just starting I would recommend Photoshop Elements 6.0 or Photoshop CS3. I would get the secrets revealed for whatever you choose. It all depends on if you want to use what you have or invest in something with more functionality. Hope this helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrappinchar Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Hi Dubi! Just wanted to welcome you to ScrapGirls. Unfortunately, I don't have an answer for you. I use Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0. Which is a bit of an older version than many people have. I'm not familiar with the things you listed. I'm sure one of the knowledgeable ladies around here will come along with an answer for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lorac Posted February 28, 2008 Share Posted February 28, 2008 Hi Dubi, Welcome aboard. You will love it here. I use several different software packages for scrappin'. I use Scrapbook Max, PSE5, Creating Keepsakes, Scrapbook Plus, and Scrapbook Factory. I use PSE5 and Scrapbook Max! the most. Ro's secrets are awesome and you should purchase them when you get a chance. There is a free trial download for both PSE5 and Scrapbook Max! at their websites. So you can play with them before actually commiting to either of them. Hope this helps, and again welcome aboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherry Lynn Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Welcome to Scrap Girls Dubi - you have certainly come to the right place, everyone here is very helpful and supportive. Looking forward to seeing your layouts! I use PSE 6.0 so I can't be of help for the questions you've posted but wanted to say nice to meet you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurel Lakey Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Hi Dubi, welcome to ScrapGirls! I am not familiar with the software programs that you have listed enough to tell you how to scrapbook with them. But I will tell you that your best bet is probably to invest in Photoshop Elements. The reason being is that you will be able to find many, many more tutorials and helpful tips and tricks using this software than any others. That in itself will be worthwhile for you so that you can ask questions and get answers from those who know. So my advice would be to get Photoshop Elements. You can find the latest versioni (6.0) in stores, or if you'd like to go with version 5.0 (considered to be the best) then you might be able to find it for a lower price on eBay or something. I would look into that. Then, of course, if you do decide to purchase the software, I'd recommend Ro's Software Secrets Revealed for whichever version you buy. They are a set of video tutorials that will walk you through the making of a scrapbook page from start to finish. They're definitely the best tool to get you started and familiar with your program. If you have any other questions, feel free to post again. Hope that helps! See you around the boards! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dubi Posted February 29, 2008 Author Share Posted February 29, 2008 Thanks for your comments. I have used PhotoShop before to create a logo and some other designs and found it a little over my head. Is PSE more elementary to use than PS? Or can I just learn a few PhotoShop techniques used for scrapbooking? LOL I am looking for simple steps! In any case, the "secrets revealed" books look very helpful! Dubi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheriL Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Photoshop elements is definitely more user friendly than the full version of photoshop. Of course, photoshop has more potential, but you can do tons of stuff with elements, without as much of a learning curve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PBarnes Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Hi and welcome Dubi! I would have to go along with the Photoshop Elements recommendations. it is a great program. Another program that a lot of folks here use is Paint Shop Pro. It's about the same leaning curve as PSE but costs a little less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerryveale Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Hi Dubi! Nice to meet you! I would agree with those who recommended Photoshop Elements. It costs a lot less than Photoshop, and lots of our Scrap Girls use it and make great layouts with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burnsie Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Hi Dubi, Welcome to Scrap Girls. Adobe usually offers a 30-day free trial of Photoshop Elements. Check out their site and see if you can take advantage of it. That might help you decide what to use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginaMO Posted February 29, 2008 Share Posted February 29, 2008 Welcome to Scrap Girls, Dubi. I am not familiar with the software you mentioned, but I will reccomend a free program to you. It's called The GIMP and it is freeware. It has many of the same features as Adobe Photoshop and is compatible with many of the products designed for Photoshop. If you have any questions about it, feel free to pm me and I will help you out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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