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 scrapbooking software programs are the same, you'll want to keep a few important points in mind when selecting your program.
1. A good digital scrapbooking program should be easy-to-use, and yet offer creative features that can make your pages shine.
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 scrapbooking 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 scrapbooking even if it's 2 in the morning!
Once you have found an easy-to-use program that lets you make great looking pages, it's time to start learning and creating. The best programs out there are intuitive and quick to learn, and you can easily begin making pages and figuring out the features by playing around. However, here are the 3 most important tips to follow when learning how to use your digital scrapbooking software:
1. The "User's Guide" is a great place to start, especially if you're an "instruction junkie"! A good digital scrapbooking program will include this documentation in electronic PDF format (no wasted trees!), preferably from the Help menu within the software.
2. Visit the digital scrapbooking software program's website. The company should offer free easy-to-follow, visual tutorials to help you learn the features.
3. See if your program has an online scrapbooking forum. An active scrapbooking 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 scrapbooking 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 scrapbooking experiences? With your digital scrapbooking software, you'll be able to create scrapbook pages that are as creative as you are!
But what if you're the kind of person who admires other people's scrapbook projects, but don't know where to begin in creating your own digital scrapbooking pages? Once again, here is where a great online digital scrapbooking community comes in handy! Look for one that has a free members layout gallery, where you can not only post your own pages when you're ready, but you can view other people's work, too. Taking a look at the way other scrapbookers lay out their pages is a terrific way to inspire your own creativity (in fact, "scraplifting" - basing the layout of your page on someone else' page - is a time-honoured practice among scrapbookers! - just make sure you give credit where credit is due!).
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!
Getting into digital scrapbooking is a lot easier than most people think it is. If you pick good quality scrapbooking software, it certainly is - plus it's tons of fun! Remember to look for a downloadable trial version, a comprehensive User's Guide, online tutorials, a large online community forum, and templates that can be easily customized. Don't worry - you'll be a pro in no time!
Author Resource:
Want to find out more about digital scrapbooking ? Visit Gracie Madsen's site on how to choose the best digital scrapbooking software for your needs.
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