Another dumb question...

[threeboysmom]

Sorry ladies, but I am STILL trying to figure out this whole "digital scrapbooking" thing. Yes, I'm computer illiterate so maybe this is not such a good idea? I just like the "no mess" factor of it....

Anyways, what is the purpose of the photo editing software? Is it REALLY necessary for digital scrapbooking?

This is how I envision it to go for me. I want to design my layout on the computer and print it on 12 x 12 paper. Then I would like to take my actual photos (not on the computer) and adhere them to my printed page.

Does anyone do digital scrapbooking that way? Or is the entire thing done online, pictures included?

If I do it "my way", is the software still necessary or can I get away with using the multiple free downloads that I've seen in my googling...

Thanks!

 

[Queenie]

You'll still need the software (there's loads of prefectly good ones out there for free so you don't need to spend a fortune.) You need the software to put the different elements you've downloaded together as a page. The only way you wouldn't need it is if you printed off each individual element, vut it out and used them normally.

Sorry I can't be of more help, I'm terrible at explaining things!

 

[Fran98765]

You will still need some sort of program to slap the embellishments on with. If you go to Google, you can download a free program there called Picassa, which will work, or you can buy one at a store like Best Buy, like Photoshop, Photoshop Elements or Paint Shop Pro.

You don't actually use the photo program to work with the photo in scrapbooking (as you should have fixed or modified your pic to your liking already). More advanced users may manipulate their photos more in their layouts, but not beginners. You use the program to layer on the different elements. You make your image in layers, which is really like paper scrapping.

First you create a blank image of the size you want. Then you either create your own or open up a background image that you've downloaded. AKA your cardstock. Then you copy your background image and paste it into your blank page as a new layer. This way you can change your background if you desire later on easily. Then you open up your photo(s) and any embellishments you want to use: ribbons, tags, buttons, mats, just about anything and you copy them and paste them (individually) as new layers also. Now you have each element as a separate layer, so you can go back and change them or delete just that element if you desire. It's so great to go back and resize things or move them around until you are satisfied.

Also, after you get a bit more comfortable doing things, you can recolor items and so much more. I was desperate for a blue tag and didn't have one in the shape I wanted, so I took a pink one and turned it blue in seconds.

I know it feels very daunting and intimidating when you first decide to try it, but it is so addicting and so much fun! There are several sites with lots of tutorials on making your first page. My two faves are Digital Scrapbook Place and Scrap Girls. Both have lots of free tutorials. They both also have classes in their "universities", but they have a fee, so you will want to start out with the tutorials. They also have forums, so they will be happy to help you out with any questions that you will have.

HTH! Let me know if you have more questions.

 

[threeboysmom]

Thanks so for much for the information! I'm processing it little by little, LOL!

OK, I was thinking you needed the software strictly for the photos. I found out that I have Paint Shop Pro so I've been playing with that lately. I downloaded a free pack from twopeasinabucket and was able to figure out how to load the background paper and then put a couple embellishments on. Woot!

BUT I can't figure out the matting or the cropping.... If I want to place a "mat" under one of my pics to frame it, how do I figure out what size it should be? I guess that would be next step after the background paper, the mats for the pics? Then I add the pictures next after cropping them and then the embellishments as the last layer?

Sorry for all the questions, but I really really am out of my element here. But I'm determined to learn

I'm going off now to look at one of those tutorials you recommended, Fran. Thanks!

Edited to add: I just tried to do one of the tutorials and it looks like it is a restricted area where you need a username and password. Otherwise, the pictures (which I really need!) do not show up....

 

[Fran98765]

You might have to register to use the tutorials. I haven't paid a dime for anything yet and I've used many tutorials, esp at www.digitalscrapbookplace.com.

Many kits have picture mats included, or you can use a corresponding background paper and just shrink it down to the size you need. In PSPX it's the arrow icon on the list (2nd from top) and then when you move the mouse over the corners it will change to a different looking arrow, then click and drag to the size you need. You can also do the sides and tops in the middles of each area to change sizes just one direction.

You can really place things in any order you like, or go back and change things after doing other things. You can drag and drop the layers on the list on the right and move things on top or below other items. I find it helpful to rename the "raster #"s to descriptive titles, so it's easier to find things when I go back to modify things later. I usually start with the photo or an idea of a group of photos (ie fireworks) and start from there, looking for corresponding backgrounds, embellishments, etc.

Fireworks is in my brain, since I did a fireworks LO today:

 

[threeboysmom]

Wow, Fran!! That fireworks is page is AWESOME! I just completed 2 summer pages yesterday (woot), but I'd be embarrassed to show them here. I'm still learning the very basics.... BUT I did learn how to crop yesterday and I learned how to tilt the pics at an angle, so little by little I am getting there. Thanks for your help!!

But now that I have 3 pages done, where do I have them printed? Will a place like Kinkos be able to print 12 x 12 size? Or is there a place online that someone can recommend? What kind of paper do you recommend having the layouts printed on?

My goal today is to learn how to cut ovals or circles out of my pictures or papers....

Thanks again!!

 

[Fran98765]

I'm sure your pages look great, would love to see them.

There are several options for printing digital pages. I have not printed any yet, but have read up about it quite a bit. They do have printers that can print 12x12 pages, but they are quite expensive, ~$500-$600. Many people (and this is what I plan to do), is create at 12x12 and then reduce the image to 8x8 and print at that size. Make sure you have a good photo printer, they aren't too expensive. There are several places online that you can send your pictures to for printing via mail. If you have a Kinko's or Costco, they also do printing and have good reports of the quality and price. Other stores like Sam's Club and Walmart may do it too, you will have to look around your local stores.

I learned to do circles recently and practiced them on an AK page. In PSP, I drew a circle with the ellipse button and then created a nice big circle and then 4 smaller ones of the same size. Then, what you do to crop the picture to that shape, is to have both the circle and the picture open as layers in your project. You will want to fade the opacity on the circle some, so you can see through to the picture. Place the circle and picture in the location that you want it. With the circle as the active layer, use the magic wand and click on the circle. Then choose Selections > Invert from the top menu and then make the picture the active layer. Hit the delete key and voila! It's cropped to a circle. Then go back and delete the circle layer, leaving your neat picture.

Here it is:

 

[threeboysmom]

Thank you SO MUCH, Fran! I was able to crop some circles yesterday in my Christmas layout! WOOT! I NEVER would have figured that out on my own no matter how much I "played" around. LOL!

Another great layout by Fran! May I ask how you got those "curlie q" embellishments? They look great.

I'm off to google now. I need more downloads!!

 

[Fran98765]

Those are called doodles, and they are so much fun, and I have so few of them! They have them on several different sites, but it's hard to find freebies for doodles, which is why I don't have too many.

I recolored the heart doodle, it was originally some other color of which I can't remember LOL! And the white doodle was originally an entire frame/square which I cropped to just one side.