I have never used photoshop, I use paint shop pro 7. I am getting photoshop for christmas and had a question about brushes. I have seen the beautiful brushes at truly-sarah.com and seen a few LOs in the gallery that mention that they used brushes for the background. So, what exactly do the brushes do? From what I have seen, it seems that they create a pattern over an existing background. But, I don't know b/c I/m not familiar with photoshop although I want to be. Are brushes difficult to use or is it easy to pick up. I guess I'll find out, but I thought that I might would start downloading a few to have ready for when I get photoshop. A little off topic from my original question, but how different is photoshop from paint shop pro? Is it worlds apart or similar. Curious.

__________________
Ali Folendore
Designer for Scrapbook-Bytes and Inspiration-Lane

Can't comment on the Paint Shop Pro/PS comparison but I can tell you brushes are a lot of fun, and very simple to use. The program comes with a load of them ranging from faux finishes, to basic, to special effects. You've already discovered you can download a gizillion of them and you can even create your own. I tend to use the more standard brushes as painting tools but the fancy schmancy ones as stamps. Coordinated you can create some really great backgrounds. Here's a simple background I created with the womens apparel brush set from Truly Sarah

http://www.scrapbook-bytes.com/galle...cat=500&page=1

The possiblities are really endless. I haven't used them nearly as much as I should!

Anna

I love your LO! I can't wait to be able to use brushes. Thank you for you help!

__________________
Ali Folendore
Designer for Scrapbook-Bytes and Inspiration-Lane

You can use them with your eraser tool as well and leave a cut-out in the shape/design of your brush. I agree they are lots of fun and there are lots of them out there. It is also very simple to create your own -- to get that "perfect" look.

KS Maggie

I didn't realize that you could make your own. Well, I knew that they could be made, but not without special software and all that. That is so awesome. I am so ready to get into the brushes. I plan on creating a heritage type album, and the soft look that the different brushes create would be perfect!

__________________
Ali Folendore
Designer for Scrapbook-Bytes and Inspiration-Lane

I use DIP, just to help me understand it, does anyone know if there is anything similar in DIP, or is it possible to use brush in DIP at all? I love your LO Anna!

Thanks! As far as know you can't use brushes in DIP. You have the Paint Brush under Effects which gives you several options for DIP type brushes, although they're not nearly as extensive. That said the stamp option allows you to create your own stamps really easily. If you want to explore this further I would ask Shelleyrae as she knows this program inside out.

Anna