What should I go for ?

[chudleigh]

I am not very technical minded !!! But I would like to have a go at a digital Lo , are there any programmes that are really easy to use ? I might try to get a free trial first . Any suggestions ? Any freebies out there ? thanks Val

[pixie dust]

I use paint shop pro 8 but you cant get a trial for that any more.
You can get a trial of PSP X though at www.corel.com

I'm only a kid and not as experianced as the adults so I'm sure one of them can point you in the right direction :)

[scrumpy66]

I use photoshop elements 4. Also have PSP7, but prefer elements. You can get a free 40 day trial if you go to the Adobe website. Would also recommend downloading some good tutorials, as any editing software can seem really daunting when you first look at it. There are links to good tutorials on here, I also found the ones from www.digitalscrapbookplace.com really useful.

[Jules1960]

Val,

I would definitely download the trial version before buying.

All the major software companies have this option. PSP used to give you a 60 day trial (now Corel owns it I am sure it is only 30 days) and this was excellent for getting to know your way around.

Adobe offers a 30 day trial for PSE and PSCS2 - if you haven't used this type of software before, 30 days may not be enough.

The three of these programmes all allow the use of brushes and plug-ins - which may not interest you right now but if you stick at digi you will want this option for the future.

Getting to know your toolbar and what each icon stands for and does is a huge part of the battle to learn to digi scrapping. I would do a Print Screen of your software when you get it and then print it and make notes for each icon - keeping this by your side will speed up the learning process.

Jules

[smurfie]

hi val

there are a few freebie programs out there that allow the use of layers....

PhotoPlus 6 is a Serif product and fully functional, it has all sorts of onboard tools and allows the use of photoshop plugins etc. download it here (http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/)

Paint.Net is another very good freeware program that allows layers, find it here (http://www.eecs.wsu.edu/paint.net/)

The Gimp is my personal favourite freeware choice... it does need a bit of getting used to and is aimed at linux/unix users, so may miss the friendly frontend windows users are so used to.. but it is very versatile and certainly copes with digital scrapbooking.. find it here (http://www.gimp.org/windows/)

[chudleigh]

This has been a great help to me , I have someone sending me something to try !!!! And with your help , Im gonna try out all the freebie trials that you have recommended , so this should keep me busy for awhile . Many thanks for all your help . Oh , just one more question , do you put your Lo's on the main gallery or is there a seperate site , I would like to have a look , Cheers Val

[Jules1960]

Hi Val,

I personally don't have many layouts on this site and just post them in the normal gallery stating that it is a digital layout - never thought that it might go somewhere else.

My digi layouts from the past two years are all posted on another site. If you want the details pm me.

Jules

[chudleigh]

jules , your Lo's are wonderful , what a skill you have , thanks for sharing them with me , Val