First question....Do I need to upload brushes if I haven't downloaded any new ones? The install wizard should have already done this for me if I haven't gotten new ones, right? Also, same questions about textures and filters and anything else this might apply to that I might need to upload into my software to get the full benefits of it. Second question.....Can I apply textures and filters to any layers whether they are pictures or backgrounds or whatever? Basically, I know what textures and filters are for....but I am kind of lost as to how to choose which one and for what reason. I just keep playing around and not really getting anywhere. Sorry if all this sounds silly...I am just getting started with digital scrapbooking. Third question...What are masks? Thanks for all your help! I have gotten so much great info and help here! You guys are great!

Alright here's my crack at your questions...

1- RE: brushes: When you install a new version of PSE, all the "standard" brushes, textures, filters, bells and whistles are there. If you haven't been out collecting and using brushes etc created by other people you do NOT need to worry about loading more brushes into your new version of PSE.

2- Textures and filters: Textures and filters can be applied to any layer in your document. You might do use a filter on a picture to make it look like it was created with colored pencils. Filters can be overwhelming at first. There are a lot of choices there. Denis Gremain of eScrappers has a great filter guide that helps explain what each filter does. I still use a lot of trail and error on picking filters when I'm trying to achieve a certain look.

3: Masks - Masks are basically a way to affect how much of your picture is shown WITHOUT directly editing the picture. So at a later date you can reopen your PSD file and edit the mask and change what part of your picture is shown. For more information check out this tutorial on masks in PSE.

HTH! if I misunderstood any of your questions or you need more help, please post!

__________________
Stacy
My Gallery

avatar photo by Marja Flick-Buijs downloaded at sxc.hu