Who here uses CM's SBC+ for digital scrapping?

[boBQuincy]

I watched a couple of the tutorials on the CM website. I think I can do this. My questions are...How does everyone print their pages or books?? Do you use CM or Shutterfly or just print 12x12 pages??
When you are creating a new book and are not printing it through CM what option do you choose?
Thanks for the help!

I print my pages at home on a Canon Pixma Pro9000, it takes up to 13" wide paper. This is not the inexpensive option, many online services can do it for less $$$ but I feel the control of the entire process gives me better prints.

If I have to send an image off to be printed I use Mpix.

 

[mcgrawfan]

I understand templates. I think they are a great idea! The templates I see that people make for download are greyscale. How do you get the papers behind the pictures? Do you have to "cut out" areas for the pictures?

 

[quiltymom]

I understand templates. I think they are a great idea! The templates I see that people make for download are greyscale. How do you get the papers behind the pictures? Do you have to "cut out" areas for the pictures?

This makes a big difference if you're working with a template made for SBC+, or one you've copied over from a .png file. I'll first address the .png files, using a non-tilted square shape as an example.

1. One way is to highlight the area, then choose your paper and choose "fill selected shape". What will happen is the paper will fill the area, starting at the top-left corner of the paper. If you're working with a small area to fill, then only a portion of your chosen paper will be filled in the shape, as if you're cutting a square out of a piece of paper with a shape maker. If you're working with a solid paper, or something that the pattern doesn't matter to you, then this way works fine.
   
   Now if your paper has an all-over design that you wish to be seen, then you have two options. I've done both, and it depends upon the template shape.
2. Choose your paper, then the "add paper to page" selection. This will bring up a full-size paper onto your LO. Click on the paper, then holding down the shift key, click on the shape you want your paper to be. Go to the layout tab and click on the icon at the bottom left of the bar, which will resize the paper to the shape you have selected. The center the paper over the shape and move the paper in the proper placement on the elements bar on the left.
3. The next way is to copy & paste the shape, make it larger/page size, highlight then fill the paper to the shape then resize & center over the original. It's a lot of extra steps, but this option works best if you have a non-square shape that you wish to have filled.

Now, if your shape happens to be a tilted square, you have a few options. If you're using a solid paper, then use option #1 above. Say you're using a paper with a vertical stripe in it, and you want the stripe to line up with the tilt of the square. Then you'll have to choose option #2. But after you resize, you'll need to manually change the paper to the same angle as the template shape, then resize once again. It sounds strange, but SBC+ sees a tilted element as it's whole, from the top point to the bottom point, not the square itself. It's hard to explain, but if you click on a tilted element from a .png file, you'll see the white sizing squares, which will show you the total area.

I hope this helps. It's hard to explain, but once you've done it a couple of times it becomes second nature. Let me know if any of these instructions aren't easy to understand, and I'll try my best to explain it better.

 

[ivyenid]

I found this blog with a tutorial for creating templates in SBC.

Do a google search: shannoncm blogspot

The blog is named "Dabling" in digital.

There is part 1 and part 2. Look for the 1/20/09 entry.

 

[Disney Baby]

I watched a couple of the tutorials on the CM website. I think I can do this. My questions are...How does everyone print their pages or books?? Do you use CM or Shutterfly or just print 12x12 pages??
When you are creating a new book and are not printing it through CM what option do you choose?
Thanks for the help!

Hello!

I print all of my books through CM Photo Center. I don't have to worry about readjusting the pages and exporting them and importing them into the other printers books templates. I also print the books with CM because the quality is superior to the other places that I have printed (Shutterfly and Snapfish).

HOWEVER... Although I am a CMC, I print all of my individual pages at Costco. They use Fuji Crystal paper and I have printed at least a dozen pages of the same prints at both Costco and CM Photo Center and there is no difference in quality. As a matter of fact, all of my customers always pick the Costco prints over the CM Photo Center prints. I save at least $1.00/page plus shipping.

 

[raestr]

Ok, I've made a few pages and I altered some of the predesigned pages. Namely, I used a lot of paper found in different packages. However, I was looking back through my pages and on one, I decided I needed to mat a circular photo with the same yellow paper that I used as a tiny stripe on the page. The problem was, I didn't remember which package that textured yellow paper came from. I used a lot of Britt's stuff, so I looked back through all of her packages that I have. Nope, not there. So, I started going back through all of my packages and finally found it in the CM Primary Digital Power Palette kit. That kit really has some pretty textured solids. Anyway, I still haven't found the bright red paper that I matted another picture with.

Is there anyway to go back and see which package a paper or element came from? I tried clicking on the paper and then clicking the properties button, but that didn't do it. It seems like that feature should have been a given with the software, you know? I would be nice if you could just click on the item and the package automatically shows up off to the side or at least in a little box like when you run your mouse over one of the buttons at the top of this page. Ex. If you place your mouse over the 'Dining' button at the top of the page a box shows up that says "disney world florida dining."

I am so impressed with all of you who list all of the kits that you used to do a page. Do you write down everything as you go?

Rae

 

[quiltymom]

Ok, I've made a few pages and I altered some of the predesigned pages. Namely, I used a lot of paper found in different packages. However, I was looking back through my pages and on one, I decided I needed to mat a circular photo with the same yellow paper that I used as a tiny stripe on the page. The problem was, I didn't remember which package that textured yellow paper came from. I used a lot of Britt's stuff, so I looked back through all of her packages that I have. Nope, not there. So, I started going back through all of my packages and finally found it in the CM Primary Digital Power Palette kit. That kit really has some pretty textured solids. Anyway, I still haven't found the bright red paper that I matted another picture with.

Is there anyway to go back and see which package a paper or element came from? I tried clicking on the paper and then clicking the properties button, but that didn't do it. It seems like that feature should have been a given with the software, you know? I would be nice if you could just click on the item and the package automatically shows up off to the side or at least in a little box like when you run your mouse over one of the buttons at the top of this page. Ex. If you place your mouse over the 'Dining' button at the top of the page a box shows up that says "disney world florida dining."

I am so impressed with all of you who list all of the kits that you used to do a page. Do you write down everything as you go?

Rae

It would be wonderful if they had a tool to let us know which kit a paper or element came from! How I wish they would have it. But there is no other way to recall what it is you used than your own memory. Unfortunatley, the recall in my poor, tired brain doesn't remember things like it used to, so yes - I do write everything down. It's the only way I'll remember.

And the good thing about posting on the DIS and other digi-forums is that you can always go back to the gallery and check in the credits at a later date to find that ellusive thing.

 

[Disney Baby]

Unfortunatley, the recall in my poor, tired brain doesn't remember things like it used to, so yes - I do write everything down. It's the only way I'll remember.

LOL! I am with you! I find myself only using CM stuff and Britt because my brain can't handle it either!

 

[quiltymom]

I spent over an hour last night purging and rearranging my digi-files, and I'm still not done! I think that I'm going to do a category for each designer for "miscellaneous" (papers, word art, elements) that are not kits, then another one for "mini kits" that have very few papers & elements. I figure that having those things in one file will not only eliminate many categories in my "my stuff" file, but I will only have to look in one place for everything.

That's the theory, anyway!

 

[mcgrawfan]

Hello!

I print all of my books through CM Photo Center. I don't have to worry about readjusting the pages and exporting them and importing them into the other printers books templates. I also print the books with CM because the quality is superior to the other places that I have printed (Shutterfly and Snapfish).

HOWEVER... Although I am a CMC, I print all of my individual pages at Costco. They use Fuji Crystal paper and I have printed at least a dozen pages of the same prints at both Costco and CM Photo Center and there is no difference in quality. As a matter of fact, all of my customers always pick the Costco prints over the CM Photo Center prints. I save at least $1.00/page plus shipping.

Is the printing something you do yourself at Costco like at a picture maker type machine? Or does someone do it for you. I read somewhere on here that you needed to make sure to turn something off so it didn't make the pictures print funny. Where in Costco can you do this? Last time I looked around, but didnt notice a photo center. Does anyting need adjusted when making the pages to print out the single pages??

 

[Disney Baby]

Is the printing something you do yourself at Costco like at a picture maker type machine? Or does someone do it for you. I read somewhere on here that you needed to make sure to turn something off so it didn't make the pictures print funny. Where in Costco can you do this? Last time I looked around, but didnt notice a photo center. Does anyting need adjusted when making the pages to print out the single pages??

I send my page through costco.com - once I choose the pages that I want to print and I choose the location - it gives me "print options" - this is where I turn OFF auto correct.

Does that make sense?

 

[Mom2JPL]

Hi all! I'm Ellen and I'm a digi scrapbooking newbie. I've tried to use photoshop but OH MY GOSH....it was wayyyy too difficult for a goofball like me to figure out! LOL

So, this past weekend I broke down and purchased SBC+ and haven't looked back. I'm currently working on our 2008 disney album, but wanted to share what I just completed for my first challenge (the week #52 one). You guys definitely did a great job talking me into this software and thank you, thank you, thank you for doing it! I love it!!!

Thanks DisneyCruiser 2008 and LabDogs for all your great advice I've been reading and the great templates. I used one of Christy's for this layout.

elements, alpha, papers from Britt-ish designs (except a few from CM)

Nice to "meet" everyone!

 

[Disney Baby]

Hi all! I'm Ellen and I'm a digi scrapbooking newbie. I've tried to use photoshop but OH MY GOSH....it was wayyyy too difficult for a goofball like me to figure out! LOL

So, this past weekend I broke down and purchased SBC+ and haven't looked back. I'm currently working on our 2008 disney album, but wanted to share what I just completed for my first challenge (the week #52 one). You guys definitely did a great job talking me into this software and thank you, thank you, thank you for doing it! I love it!!!

Thanks DisneyCruiser 2008 and LabDogs for all your great advice I've been reading and the great templates. I used one of Christy's for this layout.

elements, alpha, papers from Britt-ish designs (except a few from CM)

Nice to "meet" everyone!

Hi Ellen!

Welcome! Beautiful layout - and beautiful daughter!!!! You will love SBC+.

 

[quiltymom]

Yes, welcome! You did a fantastic job on your layout.

 

[DisneyCruiser2008]

Welcome Ellen!!!! Beautiful LO and your daughter is adorable!!!

I have been kind if MIA lately.. Crazy busy with work and the kids... and battling a weird virus or something... I hope to do a better job keeping up with this thread....

 

[labdogs42]

I have been a little MIA, too! I'm excited to see we have some new faces and converts to SBC+! And congratulations, Christy, on becoming a Britt girl! I'm so proud that we have an SBC+ user on someone's team!!

 

[DisneyCruiser2008]

Thanks Jessica.

 

[mcgrawfan]

Happy Easter everyone!
I finally downloaded Story Book Plus just now. I have previously dowloaded some free kits and now I am trying to figure out how to get them into my StoryBook program. I am a little scared! I just got it and already can't figure something out!
Thanks for the help. I am excited to get started.

Also....I thought that the Plus came with some papers and embelishments to begin with. Am I wrong about that?? I can't find anything.


I have been messing with my folders of my downloaded stuff and now it won't let me open anything saying that it is not a valid Windows32 file.
I have no idea what I did because I was looking at the papers and embelishments before.

ETA: I unzipped the folder and was able to cut and paste into SB.

Kelsi

 

[quiltymom]

Kelsi,

Congratulations! You're going to love SBC+.

The way to get the free CM downloads into SBC+ is this. On the SBC+ homepage, click on the CM Content icon (the cardboard box). This will bring up a box that will allow you to get your stuff into the system.

Click on the "import package" button and another box will come up so you can tell it where in your computer files you've saved the downloads. You can only upload one package at a time. Just find the file and click on "open" to get them there.

Now, if you have purchased any CM content downloads, you do the same thing, but you must also enter the activation code in the box provided. Otherwise you will not be able to access the files.

If you have downloaded any non-CM files, then you'll need to upload them using the "my stuff" tab. You'll need to create a file, then using the content tab upload the papers & elements/embellishments in the appropriate files.

Were you able to access the free kits yet?

Jan

 

[mcgrawfan]

Kelsi,

Congratulations! You're going to love SBC+.

The way to get the free CM downloads into SBC+ is this. On the SBC+ homepage, click on the CM Content icon (the cardboard box). This will bring up a box that will allow you to get your stuff into the system.

Click on the "import package" button and another box will come up so you can tell it where in your computer files you've saved the downloads. You can only upload one package at a time. Just find the file and click on "open" to get them there.

Now, if you have purchased any CM content downloads, you do the same thing, but you must also enter the activation code in the box provided. Otherwise you will not be able to access the files.

If you have downloaded any non-CM files, then you'll need to upload them using the "my stuff" tab. You'll need to create a file, then using the content tab upload the papers & elements/embellishments in the appropriate files.

Were you able to access the free kits yet?

Jan

I got the non CM stuff into SBC+ no problems! Thanks. I can't quite figure out how the do the free CM downloads because I don't know where they are saved. Is this something I need to download from the CM website first?
Kelsi