Software

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Permalink Reply by ComfyMom~Stacey on November 9, 2008 at 7:51am

I use Paint Shop Pro X2. I've been with PSP since version 5 though. It's currently $35 at Amazon(regularly around $80) because they just released PSPX2 Ultimate. It is very easy to use and there are a decent amount of tutorials specifically for digi scrapping with it out there

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Permalink Reply by Jenn White on November 9, 2008 at 9:28am

I always recommend my students get PSE. Photoshop is the photo industry standard, and sooner or later you will want to use it. If you start with PSE because it's WAY cheaper, everything you learn is translatable to PS when you get there. That way you will not have to relearn how to do things. There are lots of tuts, styles, brushes, etc out there for PSE, and if you eventually move to PS, they will work with that too. The new PSE7 is amazingly strong, with just about every feature you could want as a scrapper. Should you get into design work, you will most likely want PS for it's vector capabilities, but if you're not drawing your own graphics, you won't miss that.

I like PSE5, and you can get it cheap still some places still have copies. PSE7 is the newest, retail about $99, but worth every penny.

I can't speak to PSP, I have it and have only poked around on it. I DO see a lot of my students coming from PSP to PS though, and it's always hard to have to relearn everything differently. That's why I tell newbies to just start with PSE, saves you time later!!
HTH :)

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Permalink Reply by Cindy (aka PaintChip) on November 9, 2008 at 11:09am

I would agree with Jen on this one. PSE is great for beginners with tons of tutorials around to help you get started. Then when/if you decide to advance to PSCS it's an easier transition.

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Permalink Reply by Hummie on November 9, 2008 at 11:13am

I agree about Photoshop Elements.

I have tutorials and videos at my site to help you learn---it's the focus of my site....teaching and learning.

The second most used (of the less expensive programs) is Paint Shop Pro. However, I am seeing more and more PSP users converting to PSE.

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Permalink Reply by Noreen on November 9, 2008 at 12:05pm

Ditto on PSE! I'm new to the whole process and found tutorials on youtube and various other sites that made it easier to comprehend how to use the program.

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Permalink Reply by Laurie Mapp on November 11, 2008 at 9:25pm

Thanks everyone - it looks like I better buy PSE! Shopping tomorrow maybe!

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Permalink Reply by Hummie on November 12, 2008 at 10:38am

Whoo hooo! Another digital scrapper is soon to be born!

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Permalink Reply by Daniluwho on November 12, 2008 at 2:16pm

Photoshop is not intuitive. It took me hours and hours of tutorials, just to learn the basics. Still, I don't scrapbook everyday, so I have to relearn lessons every time I start again.

I had a much easier time working with the "Scrapbook Factory Deluxe" software-- they let you import your own pages and accent pieces from your files. Then it is extremely easy to manipulate them in the program. I still use photoshop to cut-out images, create funky images, and to fix pictures. But the scrapbook page design process is faster and easier with this software.

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Permalink Reply by Dominique Goh on December 15, 2008 at 5:50am

I too can't afford photoshop so I use a variety of online freebies- Photobie/ Photoscape/ Gimp.. have still to get around to learning all their functions though:)

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Permalink Reply by chrisy bates on June 2, 2009 at 11:41pm

I have tried so many software programs, that I cant remember, and I honestly think the very best I have found is Creative Memories Storybook Creator Plus. I love this progam so much that it is the sole reason I decided to become a consultant.

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Permalink Reply by Michelina Hall on June 11, 2009 at 8:00pm

I use photoshop element mainly to retouch pictures and create some cute effects, sometimes I use the online piknik too, but I am in love with the free online Studio Software offered by Heritage Makers. It is so intuitive, you are not dealing with layers and can simply add shades, crop,create borders, round edges, B/W, sepia and so much more! For a minimum monthly fee, I have access to over 38000 digital scrapbooking embellishments/backgrounds and over 1400 completely customizable templates.
The add more all the time!
You don't need to be a pro to create a page or an entire book with this software!
Since I discovered Heritage Makers, I haven't felt the need to look any further, and I am now a Personal Publishing Consultant, inspiring people to preserve their memories through Storybooking

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