Whether you're a paper scrapbooker who has decided to make the move from traditional scrapbooking to digital, or you're completely new to the concept of digital scrapbooking, there are a few things you should know before you get started.
First, you need to find a good digital scrapbooking software program to use for your projects. Not all digital scrapbooking software programs are created equal, so you should definitely keep a few important points in mind when selecting a program.
1. A good digital scrapbooking program should be easy-to-use, and yet offer creative features that can make your pages shine.
2. The product you choose should be affordable. There are great digital scrapbooking software products for under $50 if you look around. You don't need to pay more than that! On the other hand, don't be taken in my "free" software either. How many times have you learned that free isn't actually "free" in the end?
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 pre-made templates should be fully-editable, and it should be expandable with other digital scrapbooking content so you never get bored.
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. 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. Look for digital scrapbooking tutorials on the company's website. The best products have both scrapbooking videos and instructional articles available to help you master the software's 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!
Once you get the hang of the different features included in your software, it's time to get creative and make beautiful pages. Maybe you have a lot of great ideas from your previous scrapbooking experiences. If you've chosen the one of the best digital scrapbooking software programs, you'll be able to lay out your pages exactly as you wish!
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 digital scrapbooking 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! - 30452
First, you need to find a good digital scrapbooking software program to use for your projects. Not all digital scrapbooking software programs are created equal, so you should definitely keep a few important points in mind when selecting a program.
1. A good digital scrapbooking program should be easy-to-use, and yet offer creative features that can make your pages shine.
2. The product you choose should be affordable. There are great digital scrapbooking software products for under $50 if you look around. You don't need to pay more than that! On the other hand, don't be taken in my "free" software either. How many times have you learned that free isn't actually "free" in the end?
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 pre-made templates should be fully-editable, and it should be expandable with other digital scrapbooking content so you never get bored.
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. 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. Look for digital scrapbooking tutorials on the company's website. The best products have both scrapbooking videos and instructional articles available to help you master the software's 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!
Once you get the hang of the different features included in your software, it's time to get creative and make beautiful pages. Maybe you have a lot of great ideas from your previous scrapbooking experiences. If you've chosen the one of the best digital scrapbooking software programs, you'll be able to lay out your pages exactly as you wish!
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 digital scrapbooking 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! - 30452
About the Author:
Learn more about digital scrapbooking. Stop by Gracie Madsen's site where you can find out all about digital scrapbooking software and what it can do for you.
