Need help from digital scrappers out there!

[esquared221]

I cant believe I didnt see this group before now!! What a dummy- Im a scrap-fanatic!

Ive been manually scrapbooking for a few years now and am getting more proficient these days and looking to take my layouts into new territory. Im looking for good photo editing software that I can build layout collages with and then print for FREE. I do not want a trial product and I cant afford to buy Adobe Photoshop or its like. I dont need something with all the bells and whistles, just something easy to use for building layouts, adding text and printing. Does such a free program exist?

Im not willing to give up the pleasure of working with pretty paper and stickers (Im also a proud Cricut owner ) but I love how clean a layout looks when crafted on the computer. Ive been looking around online myself and downloaded something I thought would work good just to find out there's no easy way to print what you have created. Time to call in the experts!

Thanks in advance

 

[PrincessNancy96]

I use Creative Memories... creativememories.com
I am not a consultant just a consumer that likes this product...
I am still a paper and cricut girl..but I do dabble in the digital from time to time..

 

[sdwrdt]

When you say you can't afford Adobe Photoshop, have you checked out Adobe Photoshop ELEMENTS? They are 2 different products. Elements is less than $100. Doesn't have all the capabilities, but it does have A LOT. I really love it! I now also own Premiere for videos. Only mention that because it's cheaper if you get both of them together.

 

[esquared221]

Elements is less than $100. Doesn't have all the capabilities, but it does have A LOT. I really love it!

Is it good for doing collages and printing? Looks like there probably isnt a free program out there but I suppose if there is something that I really like that is reasonably priced I could wait for xmas I recently left my soul-sucking but well paying 9-5 to stay at home full time with my kids, which I love but requires some drastic changes to our spending habits Especially since we're going back to WDW in October!

 

[rlovew]

Is it good for doing collages and printing? Looks like there probably isnt a free program out there but I suppose if there is something that I really like that is reasonably priced I could wait for xmas I recently left my soul-sucking but well paying 9-5 to stay at home full time with my kids, which I love but requires some drastic changes to our spending habits Especially since we're going back to WDW in October!

If you want to find out more about photoshop and elements jessica sprauge is offering a free class on them at her site this week. You would learn basic photo editing and a few other things. You can download a free trial of the program for 30 days and see if you like it. I believe she has links to that on her site as well: www.jessicasprauge.com

Rebecca

 

[Memaw2Wm]

Picasa is free and can be used to scrapbook with.

http://picasa.google.com
http://www.persnicketyprints.com/tip/picasa-for-layouts

I use SBC+ from CM ... cost less than $100 and is super simple to use.

 

[Memaw2Wm]

http://blog.persnicketyprints.com/p/picasa.html

Okay, PP used to have a link to Sarah's blog post on scrapping with Picasa, but I don't see it anymore, so here's a direct link:

http://www.memoriesoncloverlane.com/search/label/Scrapbooking With Picasa

 

[labdogs42]

I was going to suggest Picasa to get started, then Panstoria Artisan which is the same as the Cm software, only cheaper.

 

[jrsmom]

I was going to suggest Picasa to get started, then Panstoria Artisan which is the same as the Cm software, only cheaper.

Just checked out your album...awesome! I bought the cm software a few years ago, but it was installed on the other computer that crashed. It doesn't recognize the software anymore. Can I put it onto the new computer that I use now?

 

[labdogs42]

Just checked out your album...awesome! I bought the cm software a few years ago, but it was installed on the other computer that crashed. It doesn't recognize the software anymore. Can I put it onto the new computer that I use now?

Thanks! I think you can probably do that. Call CM tech support and they can help you if it doesn't go smoothly.

 

[blmcdowell]

I do not want a trial product and I cant afford to buy Adobe Photoshop or its like. I dont need something with all the bells and whistles, just something easy to use for building layouts, adding text and printing. Does such a free program exist?

Before you say you can't afford Photoshop - do you have a child in your house that's in school? I found out that Photoshop has a student and teacher option that makes it MUCH more affordable.

Now, GIMP is an option that a lot of people like that is free. Paint Shop is cheaper than Photoshop, as is Photoshop Elements, and I know that Close to my Heart and Creative Memories both have digital software.

 

[tchk]

I do both paper and digital. I have two digital programs: Creative Memories and My Memories Suite. I like both of them, a lot. Each offers somethings that the other doesn't, so I decide which to use depending on what I want to do.

Creative Memories had a contract with Disney and there were several content kits available for the CM software that were "real" licensed Disney. The contract is not currently active, but you might be able to find the content on eBay or somewhere like that. The Disney content was my primary reason for buying the CM software at the time, but I have to say that I really like it very much now as a program. Not sure if the contract will be renewed, so no guarantee on future Disney content from CM.

Most digi scrappers seem to prefer using Photoshop or Elements, but I have tried them and like the dedicated programs better- just more my style.

HTH

 

[labdogs42]

Most digi scrappers seem to prefer using Photoshop or Elements, but I have tried them and like the dedicated programs better- just more my style.

HTH

That's how I feel, too. I like both CM's program and My Memories Suite, too! I think they both have free trials, so give them a whirl!

 

[n3rdgrl]

I have not used any of the software specifically designed for digital scrapbooking but have used photoshop and photoshop elements. I took advantage of my student status and bought all the software I could before I was no longer a student I will say that if you can get the photoshop elements software you won't regret. Besides just scrapbooking pages you can do all sorts of things and also edit the photos (white balance, corrections). Basically you really get your moneys worth. You can go to their site and get a free trial and see if it's somthing you are interested in, you won't be able to tell fully (IMO) because there's so much you can do it would be overwhelming.

The site is here and the link to try is to the right buy the price, and right now its only 80 bucks.... Good luck deciding

 

[esquared221]

Thanks for everyone's input. In light of many suggestions to do so I broke down and tried the free 30 day trial of PS Elements, loved it (after a somewhat rocky learning curve) and purchased a few months later on sale for $45!

Now if my Photopass pics would come in I could start scrapbooking my last trip!!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I use elements too. It was a bit of a learning curve for me, but I love it.