Digital scrapbooker wanna be questions

[virginiamama]

I still have an empty 2005 WDW scrapbook, an incomplete 2004 DCL scrapbook, didn't bother getting a DCL 2006 scrapbook, no wedding album... So, I'm thinking it's time for me to go digital. I do quite a bit of computer graphic stuff at work, mainly banners and signs and report covers. I have to make do with the software we already have there. So what program is best to use for scrapbooking? I'd like something pretty user friendly so that I'm not getting brain drain after working and mothering all day. I see all of these layout downloads or "packs". Do those work on any program? I'd like to be able to have my pages printed, but can I use the same pages in some sort of digital slideshow with music or do I have to create these separately? How long does it take to make the average digital album for say a 1-week vacation? I want to get an idea of what kind of projects I can complete in the time that I have (i.e. finish the wedding album before my June 25th anniversary). TIA!

 

[Fran98765]

You can use any graphics program that works in layers for digital scrapbooking. The most popular to use are Photoshop, Photoshop Elements and Paint Shop Pro. You will find tutorials for learning to do digital on many digital scrapbook sites. I just posted lots of links in another post last night, so check there. Plus there's an entire thread of links that is very active now.

Yes, the downloads from digital scrapping sites work in any programs, they are just images. You will have background images and ribbon images and brad images and so forth, just like with regular scrapping pieces. You assemble the pieces in your layers just as you would attach them to your paper.

The length of time per layout really depends on your proficiency with your program, the amount of fancy things you might do to your page and how organized you are. I was very unorganized with my files and it took me forever to find a file, so that added a lot of time to my layouts. Now I'm more organized and find things much faster. I've completed nice looking layouts in 5 minutes or I can work on them (come and go) over a couple hours. If I have an idea in my head it also goes faster. Digging through pictures trying to find ideas also adds to that.

Digital scrapping has what is called quick pages. They are pages already made, where you essentially add your photo(s) and some text and you are done. You can add anything else you like as well, but not necessary. These take a couple minutes to do. They have themed quick pages available for sale on various websites, I'm sure some have wedding themes, where you can just put in several pictures and be done, if you are really in a hurry.

 

[Lisa0503]

Fran did a great job of answering your questions so I don't have much to add. I just recently learned how to digiscrap and I just finished my first album (I still have to print it). It took me about three months to complete but I was also learning the program and as I would learn how to do new things or find new great elements, I would go back and re-do pages. I ended up with 40 pages and just love it. Now I was working on a traditional scrapbook for my daughter and I completed birth - 3 months in about 3+ years....

 

[Fran98765]

This wedding themed kit is on sale for 50% off today. It includes a bunch of quick pages where you just drop in your pics and some journalling and you're done! It also has the regular kit so you can embellish the quick pages even more or make additional pages. They sell it as a whole kit but I believe you can find the pieces separately as well. Only the collection is 50% off today I think. Click the pic to go to the shop.