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Jane71
PeaNut
PeaNut 490,206
December 2010
Posts: 116
Layouts: 0
 |  Posted: 2/17/2013 2:55:19 PM
I am very overwhelmed. Years ago I did Creative Memories digital scrapbooking, which I liked. However, now I have a MAC and with IPhoto CM would be redundant, plus I ended up sort of losing lots of pictures because of the way memory manager stored them on the computer (very unorganized) Anyway, I really want to digital scrap because my pictures are on-line and I don't want to print them and then scrapbook them. Anyway, I don't think I want photoshop, seems very complicated to me. I need EASY nad CHEAP/ What are my options with a Mac? Is there software the works with iPhoto (which I love) I have just started to look around here, but I feel very dumb with all of this stuff. Help for a newbie please!!!
Thanks! | |
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lizj
2Ps Digital Creative Team
PeaNut 242,431
January 2006
Posts: 9,895
Layouts: 539
Loc: Los Angeles
 | Posted: 2/17/2013 4:57:17 PM
Well, there are some limited editing and printing options directly within iPhoto, but I really wouldn't recommend them for digi-scrapping.
Although you said you don't want Photoshop, I'd still suggest Photoshop Elements (PSE). PSE is a watered-down version of the full version of Photoshop, and it's the software most (but certainly not all) digi-scrappers use. It's really easier to learn than you'd think, and very versatile. There are lots of tutorials (including some here at 2Peas), and classes available too. Plus, you can download a trial version of PSE for 30 days to see if you like it before purchasing. PSE is about 1/4 of the cost of the full version of the program, and very affordable.
You can always come back and ask questions as you're learning. We're a helpful bunch! | |
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Jane71
PeaNut
PeaNut 490,206
December 2010
Posts: 116
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 2/17/2013 9:14:47 PM
Thanks! Where can I get the free 30 day download? I went to adobe and don't see it.
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lizj
2Ps Digital Creative Team
PeaNut 242,431
January 2006
Posts: 9,895
Layouts: 539
Loc: Los Angeles
| Posted: 2/17/2013 9:31:32 PM
They do hide it, don't they! I found it with an Adobe>Photoshop Elements>trial google search, but it took a couple of tries!
PSE 11 trial | |
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Beatrice
2Ps Digital Creative Team
PeaNut 5,096
June 2000
Posts: 733
Layouts: 93
 | Posted: 2/18/2013 6:52:38 AM
PSE 11 download is on sale today for 59.99 at Amazon. Still I would try the trial first. It typically goes on sale fairly regularly. Someone on this board will definitely help you if you have any questions.
PSE 11 Sale | |
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pinkpandastamps
PeaNut
PeaNut 581,074
February 2013
Posts: 22
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 2/21/2013 2:24:51 PM
You can try Studio J. There are ready-made Express Collections, featuring 10 themed layouts each (plus cover and back pages), to customized pages where you can make beautiful layouts with embellishments, My Stickease accents, and unique papers and color combinations. You create your personally designed layouts or Express Collections layouts and CTMH professionally prints them and mails them directly to your door.
Benefits of Studio J
* Creating your account is free.
* It is $6.95 per two page layout- $3.50 a page! February and March 2pg layouts are on sale for $5 - that is $2.50 a page!!
* Professionally designed kits and patterns
* Exclusive colors, My Stickease assorments, and patterned papers available
* Free laout JPG files with purchase of printed layouts
* Standalone JPG files are only $2.95 each
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megascraper
BucketHead
PeaNut 304,112
March 2007
Posts: 521
Layouts: 10
Loc: Utah
 | Posted: 2/23/2013 12:12:57 PM
If you don't want to learn a program, you can make very simple books at Shutterfly and other sites that have ready-made templates where all you do is drag and drop your photos. They even have a limited choice of elements you can add to make it look more "scrapbooky." My sister-in-law and neighbor both do this, and their books look nice and professional. THey don't have a lot of creative license to do what they want, but they'd rather get them done quickly and they still look great. You have to pay to print the book, but you'd have to pay that anyway whether you use their program or just Photoshop it yourself.
That said, I still recommend Photoshop. The freedom to create ANYTHING is totally worth it, and it's also a skill you can use in other areas of your life. Knowing Photoshop has made me a far more valuable employee, and I use those skills all the time at work. AND it CAN be simple. There are really only five things you need to know how to do in Photoshop to get started--I have a whole article about it on my blog and step by step instructions if you want to read it. I hope it helps! The Five Things | |
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