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.