Digital Scrapbooking Programs

[Elsie]

Hi. My name is Elsie and I'm in central North Carolina. I am a paper scrapper (or at least, I COLLECT scrap booking supplies:D...I even have a Wishblade) but have gotten interested in digital scrap booking when I realized I could make scrapbooks and have them printed out by Eckerds. I'd like to be able to do the same with individual pages and include them in other albums. (Meaning, I'd like to be able to take multiple photograph files, backgrounds, borders ect and combine them in one file, save it, and then have the entire 12x12 page printed out). I am pretty good with graphics and I realized I could have the pages printed pretty cheaply at photo places that can do the 12x18. My question is so basic I'm a little embarrassed...What software do you use to create the 12x12 pages? I have all sorts of programs, including Adobe; and I know how to create a canvas the proper size. Problem is trying to put multiple jpegs on same page. It just wants to open them as new file (didn't see how to import into current project). Any help? Thanks

[Keith]

Welcome :D

I will give you the quick answer, then later I am sure someone will post the real and easy answer :) I seem to be the king of doing everything the hard way

I would use the Adobe Photoshop program. There are others out there, but photoshop is very powerful, and for the Elements version is not very expensive either, plus it sounds like you already have it

Start with this tutorial from our website (look at the "tips" at the top of the page for more of these tutorials)

http://www.digitalscrapbookmemories.com/tips/openingNewDocuments.asp

That should get you started with a 12x12 and you can open multiple jpg files and then basically drag one on top of the other to combine them. I am not explaining it well, but others here are better at explaining things :D

[Alyson]

I think Keith did a good job explaining it. Basically, you don't import new files into one that is open. You open each file separately and then you drag each item you want onto your 12X12 canvas.

Make sure you have your screen in the mode where you can see different windows (within Photoshop) at the same time. Click on the item (like the paper) and drag it from one window to the other. This will actually drag a copy of the item; leaving the original in it's own file window.

Hope that makes sense, just wanted to give a different option for instruction.

[Elsie]

Thanks for the help! I knew there was a simple answer. I also hope I am replying in the correct area. Looking forward to making this work.

[Keith]

Yep you got it right! Let us know if the tips page and/or our answers helped you out.