Macbook Pro Help

[Jeanne Lynn]

I have been a scrapbooker for about 3 or 4 years now. I know the basics but still run up against block walls occasionally. I love creating pages with my pictures for family and friends. I use Memory Mixer. I recently received a Macbook Pro and can't figure out how to download and install embellishments. I have been trying to get the freebies from the daily newsletters downloaded and it says that it is not recognized. Does anyone know how to do this. Scrapgirls has so many wonderful embellishments and I don't want to miss any. I wouldn't know how to do a kit that I would purchase either. HELP!

 

Thanks

Jeanne

[CRS]

Welcome to Scrap Girls! I'm not a Mac user, but I know there are several on here who can help answer your question. We also have Mac Forum that may help. I'm looking forward to getting to know you!

[April Showers]

You should just need to download them and put them in a folder. That is the same for Mac or PC.

The supplies don't need installing since they are just files. Your software may require them to be in a special folder or you may need to direct your software to the correct folder.

[MariJ]

Hi Jeanne

I am a Mac user and here's what I do. When I go to a freebie page, I click "download" and it automatically downloads right into my "Downloads" folder on my dashboard. Usually the folder will give a little "jump" to tell you it's finished. On Macs, we don't have to unzip - it's automatically done and the zip file thrown in the trash.

If you look in your downloads folder you should be able to find the file. What I do is then store it in a folder in my Documents file that I named "Scrapbook Freebies". Does that help at all?

Keep asking and we'll figure it out for you and I"m sure others will be along, too.

[ValerieT]

Hi Jeanne,

 

I don't use a Mac but wanted to welcome you. I hope Marilyn has helped, if not keep asking.

[KnotDreams]

I used to use Memory Mixer, so I'm familiar with the software - and I'm a Mac user too!

Marilyn gave good advice about downloading and putting the downloaded files into a folder. I think what you're asking though, is how to get them into the layout you're making in Memory Mixer. If you've downloaded a background paper, you can add it to the layout like you would a photograph. The software doesn't know the difference between a paper or a photo - they're both jpg files. I think you can also do that with an embellishment .png file, though I haven't tried it.

 

If you want to install the freebies into the software so they appear in your paper and embellishment drawers its a bit more complicated, but quite doable. You can access the software components using finder, following the paths below through the folders in its file system. First close the Memory Mixer program.

For an embellishment: finder>applications>MemoryMixer(the folder, not the icon that starts the program)>components>embellishments. There you'll find lots of folders with names like "circles" and "corners". Make a new folder here and label it something like Freebies or Misc. Drag your freebies in your new folder. You can add more files to that same folder over time as you download more.

For a free paper you'll do the same thing, but this time your path is: finder>applications>MemoryMixer>components>backgrounds>paper.

When you re-open the program, they should be there ready to add to a layout like any other paper or embellishment.

 

If you download a kit from ScrapGirls, you'll want to file it by designer and kit name. This is a bit more complicated. Before you do this, look carefully how they've done it with their pre-installed kits. In my (older) version, the paper and embellishments are filed separately. These are the paths through the folders and sub-folders.

For paper: components>backgrounds>paper>paper packs>designers>(designer name)>(kit name). Papers go inside the folder labeled with the kit name.

For embellishments: components>themes>designers>square>embellishments>(designer name)> (kit name)>objects. Embellishment files go in the objects folder.

 

This sounds a bit intimidating, but its really pretty easy once you do a little exploring and begin to understand the filing system. I found the easiest way to deal with the kits was to build the folders and subfolders on my desktop, then install them using the paths above. If you use a color label on your outside folder, you can easily see which ones you've added and which came with the program.

 

I'm sure you know that with Memory Mixer there are limitations to the program, so be careful as you shop through the boutique. You will not be able to use the layout templates, layer masks, brushes, actions, styles, or Scrap Simple products sold by ScrapGirls. (These limitations are why I eventually gave up on MM and started using Photo Shop Elements, but that's a totally different story...)

 

Hope this is helpful. If you need more info or a better explanation of something, you can sent me a private message through the forum. Good luck!

[MariJ]

Wow, Karen to the rescue! How cool is THAT that you are both a Mac user AND familiar with Memory Mixer!
This is great info.

[alsoarty]

Yes welcome! All above info is correct. I love my MacBook Pro and all my downloads go into my downloads folder. I then remove them from there and I place them in a folder so all my scrapbook stuff is in one place. Keep posting, we're excited to see your LO's.

[Smiles]

Just wanted to add my Welcome to ScrapGirls! We're really glad you joined in.

If you decide after a while that your program is too limiting, we're a really helpful bunch when it comes to learning Photoshop Elements.

[kerryveale]

Welcome to Scrap Girls! I have had my MacBook Pro for about six months now and am still learning, as I was on the PC for most of my adult life! Good luck, and I am sure you will find lots of help here!