Customer Reviews

Picture Yourself Creating Digital Scrapbooks

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a wonderful book for those wanting to learn how to do digital scrapbooking, but it is not just for beginners! There are techniques and discussions that can advance your skills even if you have been digital scrapbooking awhile. One of the best things in the book that I love is the use of multiple programs (i.e., PhotoShop, PaintShopPro, PhotoShop Elements, and more!) While so many tutorials or books concentrate on one program (mostly PhotoShop), this book shows examples created in different programs. And while the book is worth the cost by itself, the DVD is a fantastic bonus! The kits included are by well-known digital scrapbook designers; the fonts are unique and fun; and the filters (shareware, trial use, or free) allow you to take your layouts to new levels!

I've been sitting on the sidelines for several months, trying to start digital scrapbooking but spent most of my time looking at other people's layouts and chasing down "freebies" that I haven't even used! This book helped me get on the road. I bought Paint Shop Pro (PSP), on the advice of PCWorld's digital photo editor a few years ago (he since has switched to Photoshop as it is more popular with his readers) but I like PSP for the very reasons he suggested and don't want to switch just because Adobe is better at marketing their product. I've been searching for a scrapbooking book that focused on PSP. While this book gives equal measure to PSP and Photoshop, it fit the bill for me. This book does not give step-by-step instructions, only general guidelines. I found the format to be helpful although I don't think a reader is able to replicate the complex layouts illustrated in the book just from reading it. The DVD is a great feature, making this book a very useful tool for the digital scrapper!

I am a fairly advanced digital scrapper and I found a lot of new and helpful instructions in this book. At the same time I found the instruction clear enough for a beginner - I sure wish this book was around back when I started. The kits provided would all cost more retail than the book costs and the kits are very top quality - from some of the best designers out there. This is a must have for anyone contemplating or already addicted to digi scrapping.

A very comprehensive introduction to the world of digital scrapbooking. The authors cover subjects much wider than just how to put a page together, including general information on scrapbooking itself and equipment like scanners, printers and tablets. Both Photoshop Elements 6 and Paint Shop Pro techniques are discussed. There is instruction for many techniques, but this is a more generalised text than a straight "how to do it" book. The book comes with a CD containing digital scrapbook supplies from leading designers and a section containing sample pages using those items (very useful for a beginner to see the different ways people can use the same supplies). I found the book easy to read but there were some areas that could have done with more detail. For example, it discusses how to use Gaussian Blur to simulate depth of field but uses a selection to choose the area to blur instead of a new layer which I feel is less flexible and more prone to risk. Sharpening is discussed and High Pass Sharpening mentioned - but we are never told what it is. It is also a shame that the authors demonstrated the Magic extractor tool instead of the excellent and easy to use Quick Selection Tool in Photoshop Elements to demonstrate extracting a background. However, these are pretty minor quibbles in the scheme of things. I think this book would be useful to anyone starting out with digital scrapbooking (especially if they are new to the tools). It will provide you with all the information you need to start making your own pages.

Duh.

Now you'd think that somewhere in this book they would mention that the CD or DVD was totally incompatible with a Mac. I could not find the info anywhere so I tried it. A white screen came up. My drive started churning and the computer got extremely hot.

I tried another CD that I often use and had problems. I cooled down the machine and it returned to normal but it seemed to be able to seriously mess up the drive.

I was lucky to be able to unmount the CD

Also the authors' websites are just plain crummy.

It does look like a terrific book just if you want to use the extras and own a Mac, don't try the CD!

I've settled on Photoshop Elements 6 and this book was written for 5. Since I'm a newbie the info in this book was still very informative. I also found a newer book that is specifically for Photoshop Elements 6 which has been a great refereance tool to my webinars with Michellle @ National Association of Digital Scrapbookers. It's finally starting to make some sense to this 50 yr. old Grandma who's going to WOW! her Family @ Christmas! I would read this book to get some good backgrond and basic information and the DVD w. freebies and lessons helps a lot. It will stay in my reference library! Reccomend!Linda in Indiana

I bought this book because it shows you how to use differnt programs, one of them being PSPx2, which is the progam I have. I love the book and have skimmed throught it several times and highlighted a lot of stuff. It has been very useful to me.

Unfortunately this was not written for PE 7 so some of the commands were outdated. The content, however, was very comprehsive and I learnt huge amounts from going through this book. There was alot of background details and explanation of things that really allowed me to fully understand all the aspects of digital scrapbooking in my mind

If you are a digital scrapbooker this is a book to have. It expains everything in easy to do steps. The "kits" on the DVD are worth more than the price of the book. It is totally awesome. A "must have" book if yo are into digital scrapbooking.

An excellent text book for those who are serious about digital scrapping. Lots of good flow from one concept to another and good photos. It's easy to follow, although, at times, it seems like a bit too much information and too many rules can bog the reader down. Good if you stick with it.