Digital Scrapbooking Sites

[SqueakyMouse]

I have only been digital scrapbooking for a little over a month (paper scrapbooking for years and years), I am really enjoying it. It was on www.twopeasinabucket.com (which now has a digital section) that I first got interested in digiscrapping. From there, I learned of the new site www.digishoptalk.com, which has links in its digital directory to many more fantastic sites, blogs, etc. On a side note, you may have noticed that www.scrapbookingtop50.com, a list of the most visited scrapbooking sites, is filled with digital scrapbooking sites. Also, there is now a http://www.scrapbookingtop50.com.au/digitaltopsites/ and http://topdigiblogs.fishscraps.com/.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Thanks for sharing. I'm interested in trying it out, but didn't know where to begin. I'm going to save up for PSE. Will I need another scrapbooking software, or will PSE be enough?

 

[Fran98765]

Any graphics program with layers will work. The 3 most popular software for digital is Photoshop (very expensive $600~), Photoshop Elements around $100 and Print Shop Pro, which I just got at Best Buy last weekend for $33 after rebate. You will not need any other program besides the graphics program of choice. You can browse different digital scrapping sites for free kits and pay kits with papers and embellishments. You can Google "free digital scrapbooking" and will get a lot of hits!

 

[Nik's Mom]

Darn! Sounds like I missed a good sale last week. I'll have to keep my eyes open for another sale. Do you like the software that you are using?

 

[Lisa0503]

Thanks for posting this. I am trying to learn how to digiscrap but am having a hard time getting started. I got the Print Shop Pro program but then I was told I should have gotten Paint Shop X so I have that too now. I am having a tough time learning how to use it though... All the 'layers' are so confusing...

 

[Fran98765]

Lisa, I felt that way at first too. Several of the digital sites have tutorials, including making a first page. Try one of those, it should help. Once you get the hang of it, it is super fun. I have the basics down and am trying to learn new techniques and styles.

 

[15minfromOGDL]

I use a program called Fotofusion to create my digital layouts. It's a lot easier to use than Photoshop and PSE. There's a free trial download on their site so you can test it out to see if you like it before you buy.

This is the link for Fotofusion/Lumapix free trial

They have 3 different versions ranging from $39.95 to $299.95. I bought the Pro version which was $89.95 and it's worked well for me. One of the things I like about the program is this feature called "auto collage." You pick the pictures you want to put on the page and the program will automatically arrange the pictures to give you a starting point. It's also very easy to crop and zoom in on pictures...pretty much click and drag.

 

[rsjj]

just subscribing to this thread! do i purchase these programs at a scrapbook store? or best buys/circut city type stores? and pse...is that photoshop elements?

 

[Fran98765]

Best Buy has all the software you need, the graphics programs and even scrapbook specific programs. And yes, PSE is Photoshop Elements.

 

[rsjj]

Best Buy has all the software you need, the graphics programs and even scrapbook specific programs. And yes, PSE is Photoshop Elements.

thank you! would you know which type of program you'd recommend for a beginner who want to try digital scrapping? i have been scrapping traditionally for maybe a year or two. but would like to get into digital scrapping...

seems like i'd need photoshop elements, and a regular photoshop? any version? or something else?

again, thanx for you help & time!!

 

[SpectroMouse]

I have wanted to start a digital scrapbook, thank for the info!

 

[Fran98765]

Photoshop Elements is basically a small version of Photoshop. It is more then sufficient for your needs (PSE). You can also use any graphics program that has layers. Photoshop, PSE and Paint Shop Pro are the 3 most popular programs. Photoshop full is about $600, so not really a good idea for a beginning scrapper. PSE and PSP are much lower in price (under $100). All three of these programs have free 30 day trials that you can download before making your choice. Both Photoshop and PSE trials are found at: http://www.adobe.com/downloads/ and the PSP trial is at: http://www.paintshoppro.com.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

Although my dh uses PS CS/2, I am still digiscrapping in PSE 4.0. It's more than sufficient for my needs right now. If your having a rough start with PSE, I would suggest finding a how to book with a tutorial on CD. I wish I could remember the name of the one I got from my local library. This made PSE so EASY!!! I had bought several books, but just reading about how to manipulate things was not enough for me at first.