Hi,
I am new to a digital camera, old to CM scrapbooking . I have been looking a the SB software out there and not sure what to get. after looking a some of the program I saw used here, I downloaded PSP8 and it was way over my head, probably would take me longer per page than paper! I am now looking at the dedicated scrapbook programs and narrowed down to the following:
Scrapbook Factory - My Scrapbook - Boderband CK Scrapbook Designer?
Does anyone have a opinion on them? TIA - I want to spend less time per page not more and I never want to run out of "a's" or some other sticker again.
Brenda

We do not recommend any of those programs at SBB as they are very elementary and you will quickly outgrow their usefulness and need to invest again in another program.

If you are serious abt pursuing digital scrapping (which I'm going to guess you are since you are a CM scrapper), you should look at Ulead PhotoImpact or Microsoft Digital Image Pro (the newest version of Picture It!) in order to be able to do the things we do on our pages here.

I believe DIP has the easiest learning curve, but you can still do some amazing things with the program. Our DTMs Gina and Shelleyrae both use DIP.

PSP *is* a program many of the scrappers here use and find great success with, so I wouldn't give up on it so easily.

HTH!

__________________
><> LeeAndra <><
CREATING FOR
Miss Hunibuni :: Rachael Giallongo :: Mandabean
Two Little Pixels :: Chirpi Creative
April guest for Kelly Thompson and Scarletheels

I appreciate your advice. I am also an old MS Office user too so maybe the lingo would be easier with DIP. I am just so ignorant of graphics and images! I am soo.... excited about the possibilities of going digital though.. Thanks again!
Brenda

Brenda,

As a PSP user, I can sympathize with the learning curve issue. I agree with Leeandra, either Microsoft DIP or PhotoImpact are easier to use and still are powerful enough that you won't outgrow them soon. They are both very popular with SBB users.

I started out doing digital image editing with PictureIt and believe that DIP would follow the same, more intuitive, workflow. PSP is a good program, but without good tutorials (like what you can find on SBB) and a good introductory book it can be a difficult program to figure out. It took me forever just to figure out how to modify the size of a selection once I had selected an area on the image. That being said, I have "stuck with it" and it is my program of choice.

Which ever you choose of these programs, there will be people here on SBB who will be willing and able to answer you questions as you learn.

__________________
Scott

"Help, my creativity is being held captive!"
My Gallery

Brenda! I too can sympathize - People never believe me when I tell them I am hopeless with computers, but it's the absolute truth - Ask my husband! Nevertheless I am creative and when I wanted to learn CG scrapping 18 months ago I invested in DIgital Image Pro which is my choice program for beginners. At the end of the day it depends on your style. If you like the traditionally scrapped pages then I would say Digital Image Pro would be the best choice, however if you're looking to porducing pages more graphical in nature like montages and collages I would go with Photoshop or Paintshop Pro. The learning curve is steeper on the latter two but you won't regret it. A little perceverence and determination combined with the tutorials and assistance by fellow members on this site will get you going in no time.

Good luck!

__________________
Anna


OUT NOW! The Visual Emotion Collection

My Gallery
Email me
Fotoscrapix

Hi, Brenda:

Just my two cents: (so you'll know what its worth, I am brand new to scrapbooking, but an old hand with computer software).

If you want to stay in the price range of the programs you mentioned, I have used a number of Broderbund programs and find them very user-friendly and generally including higher quality elements than other programs in the same range.

That said, I just found this group recently and have been BLOWN AWAY by some of the exquisite LOs and I can't duplicate half of it with Broderbund PrintMaster. I'm thinking about trying to find a deal on higher quality program through EBay... have you thought about that?

In any case, happy scrapbooking. Whatever program you choose, you're going to find great ideas here.

Ange

Hi Brenda,

If you're looking for a user friendly product that doesn't require a long learning curve, I'd like to suggest your looking at Microsoft Picture It. It offers the capability of photo editiing (cropping, coloring, etc), the ability to work in layers (visually easier than in some of the more advanced programs), different special effects, textures, etc. I'm even going to upgrade to the new Premium 10 version.

I've used it for all my posted layouts to date and love working in it. As I get more graphic knowledge (plus courage & patience ), I'll move on to higher end products.

Good Luck

Hi,

I was new to any graphics software and computers less than a year ago. I bought PSP 8.0 in late October 2003 but only started using it successfully when I received the updated 8.1 CD from Jasc (mid January) this year. Initially I sat and looked in horror as I hadn't a clue where to start. Familiarise yourself with the tools and what they do - this goes for any programme. By doing the tutorials on this site and others on the net you will soon be creating pages. Don't give up, no matter what programme you decide to buy it's tough at first. And if in doubt holler, someone here will answer you!

Good luck
Jules