Computer and Software Requirements

Layout by Pat Bowman
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Tools of the Digital Scrapbooking Trade

An artist has canvases, oils, a palette, and brushes. Traditional paper scrapbookers have cardstock, adhesive, paper cutters, and embellishments. But what are the tools of a digital scrapbooker?

Anyone who is considering dabbling in digital scrapbooking should have access to a newer-version computer with adequate storage and memory, a CD or DVD burner, and a good quality color printer.

• Storage is important because digital scrapbook pages (which are layered images) create large file sizes. In order maintain working room on your hard drive, you will need someplace to transfer and permanently store your layouts, once created. A CD or DVD burner is indispensable for this task.

• Memory (which is often expressed in the computer-geek term "RAM") gives your computer the ability to do a lot of things at the same time. If you have an older-model computer that is slim on memory, you’ll find that it locks up, crashes or gives you the “blue screen of death” at the very moment when you are having the most fun creating.

If you have the right type of computer, you’re in luck! All that you need now is the right software, and there are several excellent options, many of them allowing free trial periods. You can download those that interest you and experiment with them to see which you prefer.

Once you have the software installed, you can create your own backgrounds, alphabets, and embellishments, or you can purchase some of the great digital products that are available on the Internet. The learning curve for creating great layouts is shorter if you choose to start with purchased collections (or kits), because they have everything you will need, including coordinating backgrounds, alphabets, and embellishments.

Digital scrapbooking products are cost effective because not only can they be used repeatedly in your digital scrapbooking layouts, but you can also print them out and use them in traditional scrapbooking, card making, or paper crafting projects.

Software

Here’s a list of some of the top software contenders for digital scrapbooking that offer free trial periods.

• Adobe Photoshop Elements: Graphic artists prefer Adobe products and they have become the print standard throughout the world. Photoshop Elements is an entry level product, as it is fairly easy to learn, there are many tutorials available and it is freely packaged with many scanners and computers. If you must purchase it, it is fairly easy to find a good bargain.

• Adobe Photoshop: This is the program that graphic artists actually use. Once you have learned to use Photoshop Elements, it is not hard to transition Photoshop. It is fairly expensive and you won’t want to purchase it if you are a casual user. The most recent version has been named Photoshop Creative Suite 3.

• Paint Shop Pro: PSP users are loyal and they love this program. You’ll find nearly as many PSP digital scrapbookers as Photoshop users.

- Tutorial by Rozanne Paxman, Scrap Girls CEO

Above layout uses:

	Note: Commercial license versions of ScrapSimple Photo Templates: Grasses 3201 Mini, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Lifted Photos2 Biggie, ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Yesterday, ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Peeled Paint 5701, ScrapSimple Tools - Actions: Photos That Pop 1801 Mini and Paint Stroke Brush Set are also available.

Digital scrapbooking is...

• Fast.
• Creative.
• Fun.
• And it saves you money.*

Let Scrap Girls show you how surprisingly simple it can be to become a great digital scrapbooker.

* Digital supplies are less expensive to purchase and can be used over and over and over again...

NEW! Discover your hidden scrapbooking talent today! MORE Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop (for versions 6, 7, CS, CS2, CS3) will have you doing the same tricks and knowing the same tips as the professionals! With MORE Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop, you will be creating your own digital elements and enjoying advanced techniques on your digital scrapbooking layouts in no time!

Have a blast doing the more advanced tricks that you see other people and professional digital scrapbookers doing. Learn how with MORE Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop Elements (2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0).

Learn how easy it is to create digital scrapbooking layouts in PSE 6.0 with these easy-to-understand tutorial movies in Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop Elements 6.0.

PSE 5.0 version available here.

PSE 4.0 version available here.

PSE 3.0 (works for 2.0) version available here.

Find out how easy it is to use Photoshop to create digital scrapbooking layouts and edit your photos! Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop. (Versions 6, 7, CS, CS2 and CS3).

Learn how easy it is to create digital scrapbooking layouts with these easy-to-understand tutorial movies for Paint Shop Pro X. (Can be used for PSP XI, too!)

PSP 9 version here.

This great eBook will take digital scrapbookers photos to a new layer. Diane Miller's photographs are amazing and her Photography Simplified eBook shows you how you can get fabulous shots, too!

If you're at all curious about using filters and plug-ins in digital scrapbooking , then The Beginners Guide to Filters and Plug-ins for Photoshop and Photoshop Elements (Windows) is what you need!

Paint Shop Pro version available here.

This ebook was created from the popular online class Creative Brushwork. It is perfect for the scrapbooker who want to go above and beyond basic brushing techniques taught in Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop Elements. Make your layouts shine with the polish that advanced brushwork can bring!

Photoshop version available here.

If you want to take some beginner steps towards improving the type on your layouts, and thereby improving the overall look of your layouts, then this eBook is perfect for you. It's written in a very simple style, focusing on one digitally scrapbooked layout while walking you through ten tips that take type from mundane and awkward to eye-catching and cohesive.

Start to Finish eBooklet - PSE: How to Make a Birthday Scrapbook Page

Nothing could be simpler than learning to scrapbook digitally with Scrap Girls Start to Finish eBooklets. Step by step written guidelines and detailed screenshots will help you learn new digital scrapbooking skills. Included with the eBooklet are the actual digital files you need to create a finished project!

Start to Finish eBooklet - PS: How to Combine ScrapSimple Paper & Photo Templates also available!

Start to Finish eBooklet - PS: How to use ScrapSimple Tools: Custom Shapes & Patterns also available!

Start to Finish eBooklet - PS: The Beauty of Blending Modes: Using them with ScrapSimple Products also available!

Start to Finish eBooklet - PSE: How to Emboss & Texturize with ScrapSimple Templates also available!

Start to Finish eBooklet - PSE: Making a Just Because Card Using ScrapSimple Card Templates also available!

Start to Finish eBooklet - PSE: How to Combine ScrapSimple Paper & Photo Templates also available!

Start to Finish eBooklet - PSE: The Beauty of Blending Modes: Using them with ScrapSimple Products also available!