Help!! How do I get started? Please!!

[mickey4ever111]

Hi all you fab designers!!!!

I would love to learn how to do this!! How do I get started!! We try to go to WDW every year and I think I would be great to learn how to do this so I don't need to bother you awesome people!! I am not very computer savvy but can learn very quickly with the right tools!! Plus, my daughter (who is very knowledgeable) will help me!! Which would be a great mother/daughter project!! So, What do I do to get started? Do I have to buy a certain program? Where do I find all the awesome disney stuff? Thanks in advance for your help!!

Laurie

 

[Poohtigeey]

There's a sticky thread at the top that gives great info. I'm fairly new at this. I bought Photo Shop Elements. I just waited for a sale, and got it for about $70. There are lots of tutorials. I am NOT computer savy either, but I figured it out pretty quick. It is so addictive!!! I like Disneyclips.com. Also, you can find good images if you do an image search in google and msn. Just watch the size. They need to be at least 300 pixels. Good luck!

 

[Dom13]

I've been using Photoshop Elements (PSE) for several years now to do all sorts of art work. I do use other programs, including Paint, but ultimately put everything together in PSE. I've used a few other programs, including Ulead's PhotoImpact, but they don't seem as intuitive to me. I am very computer literate, and have used many different programs (including Ulead's Excellent GIF ANimator 5!), but like PSE the best. Seriously thinking about getting the full version but $600 is a bit pricey!

As for Disney artwork...searching the 'net with either Google's or Yahoo's Image search usually works well. I'd also suggest coloring books/pages as often they are a good size. I just color them and crop out the parts I don't want.

I you do end up getting PSE feel free to ask me any questions. I can even send you a file or 2 that might help you get started.

 

[LUV2DZNEE]

I'm not the OP, but wanted to thank everyone for the advice. All of the great designs have given me the bug to try also. I have PaintShop Pro, but haven't been able to get very far with it. I'm hoping PSE is easier and more user friendly.

 

[Poohtigeey]

I think it is user friendly. I used the help alot the first week, and definitely watch the tutorials. Alot of it is going to be just playing around with it. I'm still figuring things out. I also like to look at the designs on here, and it helps me figure out how to do a certain technique. You can do so much more with it than tee shirt designs. You can fix pictures (you can erase facial flaws like pimples, etc!). I'm making my son's bday party invites with it. I LOVE IT!

 

[yndygo]

I'm not the OP, but wanted to thank everyone for the advice. All of the great designs have given me the bug to try also. I have PaintShop Pro, but haven't been able to get very far with it. I'm hoping PSE is easier and more user friendly.

I love PSP personally, but if you're having issues with it? You can always do a Google search with whatever you are trying to do and the words "PSP" and "tutorial" in it and you will find a zillion step-by-step how-tos out there