[-Tracy-]

 Ok, I want to entice all you paper eaters to join the dark side. Mwuah haa haa haa!!!  So I'm inviting you to ask me any questions you have about Digi Scrapping.

And you gals who are already Digi Scrapping? Please, post any questions you have about techniques, or how to do something, or product questions.

You never know when the sprinkle fairy might show up either!

WOW! Loving all the response to this thread! It may take me a bit to get the answers here for everyone, so just hang tight, ok?

[beachlover]

 ok, here is the digi-tard question of the day    what supplies do I physically need in front of me to complete a digi LO?  that has been what has kept me from giving it a shot this whole time, and I have ben too afraid to ask

[Jeanne Marie's Scraps]

 O.K. Tracey I have one for you, I don't use Pse but I am Thinking About Buying It sooooo with pse How do I cut Papers into A shape like say I want a Star shape Out of A digi Paper?

[1luckymama]

 I don't even know where to BEGIN!! Completely stumped.....

[writerlady]

 My question concerns printing out digital papers and elements and then using them for hybrid projects... I sure can't cut them good enough - what the heck do you think I'm doing wrong?

[naney1952]

I am with Stacy.....I don't even know where to begin! What kind of software do you need on your computer to get started? 

[cat1393]

 Do I need photoshop?
Adobe?
Can I put paste on my computer screen!LOL

The whole digi aspect just scares the crap out of me. I don't have the patience or the attention span...dh claims I have the attention span of a gnat!

Basically how does one start?

[Flapdoodle]

 Egads. Joo gots sum 'splainin' to do, Lucy.  

[ajsmom]

 I'm with Stacy and Jane...what software do I need on my computer to get started?

[lizziej]

 What is the fastest way to make rounded corners?  And can you change the size of the rounded corner?  I have PSE 4.0

Thanks!

[-Tracy-]

 ok, here is the digi-tard question of the day    what supplies do I physically need in front of me to complete a digi LO?  that has been what has kept me from giving it a shot this whole time, and I have ben too afraid to ask

There are no digi-tards (even though I find the term hysterical). We all had to start at a "blank slate" so to speak, so don't feel bad. I had the hardest time learning to use PSE so I know how you feel about being lost.

Physical supplies you will need are: A computer, and a Photo Editing/Scrapbooking Program. That's it! It's part of what really attracted me to Digi. I don't have a dedicated scrapping space and the mess just drove me crazy. With digi, when I'm done-even if I'm in the middle of a layout, I just save, close my program and I'm done cleaning. Woot! Woot!

PSE or Photoshop Elements is a scaled back version of the original Photoshop program. PSE costs anywhere from $69-99 dollars depending on where you get it. Photoshop on the other hand is $600-800, but it does a whole lot more. PSE is just fine for digi scrapping, so don't feel like you have to get the $600 version to do this.

There is also a program called Print Shop Pro which is in the same price range as PSE. I can't tell you anything about it though, because I've never used it.

You can try PSE free for 30 days by going here: Adobe Downloads

Sara will be around later talking about GIMP which is a free program you can use for Digi Scrapping.

Now, if I scared you a bit with my story of having a hard time learning this program--feel at ease. There are now TONS of tutorials to be had out there. Kim Hill has some, I highly recommend Jessica Sprague's Photoshop Friday, and you can also find them here at ACOT.

I think the hardest thing everyone has trouble with in the beginning is understanding layers. I give you a full step by step explanation with pictures here in my Digi Templates 101. The beginning of this tutorial is geared toward the beginner and will help familarize you with where things are in PSE and what they do.

The other thing you need are some digi kits. Don't want to spend money while you try it out? No problem, there are freebies galore to be had out there in the digi community, including right here at ACOT. Check out our Freebie Section of the Digi Shop.

[-Tracy-]

 O.K. Tracey I have one for you, I don't use Pse but I am Thinking About Buying It sooooo with pse How do I cut Papers into A shape like say I want a Star shape Out of A digi Paper?

Here's the instructions for PSE. It's really easy actually.

Open your paper.



In the toolbox (this is the bar on the left hand side of your screen) Choose COOKIE CUTTER. (It is the 11th icon from the top)


There is a fly out menu with tons of shapes. Pick the one you want.



Next, click and hold the mouse button to drag your shape on the paper.



Let go, and click the GREEN CHECKMARK.



Ta-da!

[-Tracy-]

 My question concerns printing out digital papers and elements and then using them for hybrid projects... I sure can't cut them good enough - what the heck do you think I'm doing wrong?

Use your paper cutter to do the papers, then for elements, I don't recommend printing anything with really intricate details. Unless you're really good with the knife and don't mind doing that sort of thing.

[Jeanne Marie's Scraps]

 oh thanks tracey that screen shot with all those options has me sold I only have about 15 shapes I can use with the program i have now!

[-Liz-]

 If you do a search there is TONS Of free tools out there for you to download for your programs!

I have stashed my computer full of shapes and brushes and actions and scripts- YOU NAME IT! LOL

[-Tracy-]

 What is the fastest way to make rounded corners?  And can you change the size of the rounded corner?  I have PSE 4.0

Thanks!

Easy peasy. Use the Rectangle Marquee Tool. (5th icon from the top) Notice at the top left there is a box called FEATHER. I've used 50 pixels. Then draw your rectangle by clicking and dragging the mouse. Once you let go, you will see the rectangle with rounded corners. The higher the number, the more roundness your corner will have.

[Miss Daisy-NC]

 ok..... I have Photoshop Elements 6.....all the instructions are for 2,3,4,5....Do they work the same for 6......also I've seen some cute kits for brushes how do I load them in PSE 6 ?

[ScrapGoo]

 Tracy, you're doing a *fantastic* job fielding these questions!!

[-Tracy-]

 ok..... I have Photoshop Elements 6.....all the instructions are for 2,3,4,5....Do they work the same for 6......also I've seen some cute kits for brushes how do I load them in PSE 6 ?

Just like any upgrades, you may find things in different places, but the actual functions should remain the same.

What operating system do you have? I will need to know in order to answer your question about brushes.

[Miss Daisy-NC]

 ok..... I have Photoshop Elements 6.....all the instructions are for 2,3,4,5....Do they work the same for 6......also I've seen some cute kits for brushes how do I load them in PSE 6 ?

Just like any upgrades, you may find things in different places, but the actual functions should remain the same.

What operating system do you have? I will need to know in order to answer your question about brushes.




I have Window Vista