Discovering Digital Scrapbooking Software: 5 Important Tips For Success
Whether you're completely new to the concept of digital scrapbooking
, or you're a traditional paper scrapbooker wanting to make the move to digital, you'll want to know a few things before you jump right in.
First of all, you need to look for a good digital scrapbooking software program to help you create your layouts. Since not all digital scrapbook software programs are the same, you'll want to keep a few important points in mind when selecting your program.
1. A great digital scrapbooking software program should include a variety of creative features, but it should also be very easy to use.
2. It should be a good value. Beware of products that are too cheap - in fact, "free" isn't necessarily a good thing either. As a rule, you should be able to find an excellent product for less than $50 on sale. Anything less than $40 is likely a warning sign that the product is being "cleared out".
3. It should include a good variety of high-quality scrapbooking kits. The quality of the embellishments and papers is definitely more important than quantity. Thousands of pieces of generic clipart isn't the same thing!
4. Its included page templates should be editable and customizable. You don't want to get locked into a page you can't change! Also make sure your can expand your software with more digital scrapbook content - that way you'll always have fresh inspiration.
5. A good digital scrapbooking software program should offer a free, full-featured downloadable trial so that you can take it for a "test drive" and try everything out before you buy. Plus, you should be able to purchase and download the full product immediately, so you can start scrapping even if it's 2 in the morning!
Once you've done your research and found the perfect program, it's time to start creating those layouts! The best digital programs are intuitive and easy to learn. You should be able to start making pages just by starting it up and playing around. But, to get the most out of your digital scrapbooking software, follow these important tips:
1. If you are an "instruction junkie", begin by reading the program's User's Guide. A good program will always include this important documentation - ideally in PDF digital format so it's always available from the Help menu.
2. Check out the program's website. You should find free and easy to follow tutorials. A combination of video tutorials and lessons will help you learn to use the software very quickly.
3. See if your program has an online scrapbooking forum. An active discussion forum is a great resource for learning about your software. Digital scrapbookers from all over the world will be there and you can advice around the clock, plus you'll find great tips and inspirational ideas!
Informed with the basics, you can begin experimenting! Start by selecting a pre-made template, then add in your photos to personalize the page. Hopefully you picked a digital scrapbook program that features fully-editable template pages (plus the option to create a page from "scratch")! Use your mouse to edit your layout - simply point and click to add embellishments, delete paper scraps, move objects, and even resize and rotate photos. Don't worry about making a mistake! Simply choose "undo" if you make a change that you don't like. That's big advantage over paper and scissors and glue!
After you get the hang of it, you can start to use the more advance features included in your software. This is where you can really get creative. Perhaps you have some great ideas from your paper scrapbook experiences? With your computer scrapbooking software, you'll be able to create scrapbook pages that are as creative as you are!
But what if you are someone who admires other people's scrapbooks, but don't really know where to begin creating your own pages? Once again, here is where an online forum comes in very handy! It's a great place to look for inspiration. In particular, find one with a free members layout gallery. That's where you can post your pages, plus also view pages by other people. Seeing how other scrapbookers design their layouts is a great way to learn and increase your confidence.
Another way to hone your digital scrapbooking skills is to participate in the fun challenges offered in some online communities. These challenges often center around a technique or scrapbooking program feature, and are a great way to learn. Plus, look for challenges that offer freebies; it's a fun way to develop your skills and get free stuff for your projects!
Don't be intimidated by digital scrapbooking! It's much easier to get started with than people think. Just find a program that offers a free trial download, online tutorials, a helpful community forum, and fully-customizable templates to help you get started. You'll be making amazing digital scrapbooks in no time!
by: Rhonda Doran-Neil
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