What kind of software?

[annieworm72]

I got introduced to digital scrapbooking with CM's Storybook Creator 3.0. I know there are templates and files I can't use (easily) in SBC and that kinda bugs me. But it's also not been too difficult to learn. I'm wondering what others use, how hard was it to learn and what they love (or dislike) about it.

Annie

[NeverendingJen]

I used to use Photoshop Elements, and thats probably what I would recommend for you. It's fairly easy to learn, you can do almost everything with it, and its not very expensive(under 100). I currently use Photoshop CS4, and I love it. It's definitely more costly and harder to learn, but it's been great for me.

[MamaBee]

I second, Jen. There are many tutorials on the web for photoshop elements... even many of the designers here at SSD have tutorials on their own websites.

I also believe that you can download a 30 day trial to see if you like it.

[ayaandjudah]

I started with Photoshop Elements before my Aunt bought me CS4. I love them both! good luck

[julifish]

I am going to recommend the free elements trial download too! I found it pretty easy to use. I had to print out tutorials for a few things, but once I got down how to clip a paper and a template I was good to go. Try it for 30 days if you don't like it then free trial something else. Then watch for a good sale and pick up the one you end up liking the most.

[cardinalskate]

Another suggestion for Photoshop Elements, here. It's easy to learn (there's books and tutorials everywhere) and much less expensive than Photoshop CS. I've used it for years and am really happy with it. I'll upgrade to CS someday, but I'm good with Elements for now!

[ashleywb]

Originally Posted by MamaBee

There are many tutorials on the web for photoshop elements... even many of the designers here at SSD have tutorials on their own websites.

I use Photoshop Elements as well and this is so true - for any technique that you are interested in trying there is most likely a tutorial out there.

[heathergw]

you might want to wait on downloading the trial version of PSE... I believe there is a new version coming out this weekend.


ETA: nevermind... it looks like they have the new version up... but I will add that if you do like it, you might want to see if you can get it from Costco starting in October... because there are several free mini kits that are included in the bundle and some of them are from designers here at SSD. Check out this post from Julie.

[Nettio]

I would recommend Photoshop Elements as well. It might be a little more difficult to learn at first but it'll give you the most room to grow in the long run.

[mariewilcox]

Another Photoshop Elements user here I started using it years ago for things other than scrapbooking, so I just learned with that since it was what I had at the time. I love it and have no desire to switch to anything else.

[ChristyHC]

I too use Photoshop elements and even teach classes in. I picked it because it is pretty powerful but still fairly intuitive for me. If you decide to go with PSE, send me a pm and I'll share my class info with you.

[rach3975]

Since so much of the digiscrapping community uses PSE or PS, those are the programs you'll find the most help for (tutorials and the ability to ask questions in the forums). IMO, that makes them the easiest programs to learn to scrap with, and they can do pretty much everything you'd want the ability to do. I used to use a non-Photoshop program to scrap with, but even though it did everything PSE did and was less expensive I never recommended it to people because you had to figure everything out through trial and error.

[annieworm72]

Thanks for all of the input! I'm attempting to get the free trial to download but it's giving me fits. I'm hoping to figure it out during my lunch break at school so I can play when I get home. *sigh*

[Scrapper007]

I'll be the odd (woman) out. I started digi scrapping just over a year ago, and never could get the hang of using Photoshop Elements. I have been using Memory Mixer 3 (which, IMO, is very user friendly) and recently switched to My Memories Suite because you can work on a two-page LO (pages side by side); I couldn't do that with Memory Mixer. I am very happy with the program. I am also a simple scrapper, so maybe this makes the difference (?)

[Starlight-Princess]

I've never used elements I started with PSP and then got CS4 but I recently downloaded the trail version of elements for my niece and I would highly reccomend it x

[annieworm72]

I wanted to say thanks to everyone who commented! I downloaded the trial version of Elements and was able to make my very first page last night, using a free template I got in an email. Getting started was the worst part, after that it started going much better. And I have to give a shout out to ChristyHC for her help! Now I have to figure out which program I would prefer. The fact that most scrapbookers use Photoshop has me leaning that way, and even more so when I realize how much of the content I use these days is non-CM.

Y'all rock! Thanks for the help!

Annie