How to Digital Scrapbook

Create scrapbook layouts on your computer

This is an introduction to Digital Scrapbooking and a quick guide to what you need to get started from Karen Bellamy, the founder of www.StepByStepDigitalScrapbook.com the web site that's designed especially to help beginners learn how to digital scrapbook.

What is Digital Scrapbooking?

Digital Scrapbooking or Computer Scrapbooking, as its sometimes known, is the creation of scrapbook layouts using a graphics editing software program. The beauty of it is you can view your creations on your computer, print them out and frame them or put them into an album, or share them with family and friends around the world via email.

You can create stunning displays of your treasured moments; showcasing your stories for now and future generations.

Effectively you are taking the presentation qualities of a scrapbooking layout and creating them on your computer.
Except the huge advantage with Digital Scrapbooking is theres no mess, no special workspace and no need to buy lots of supplies to get fabulous results.

For people with busy lifestyles or with small children who still want a creative hobby, digital scrapbooking can be an absolute boon. Because everything is done on your computer, you don't need to set up or clear away yours work. And there are no half finished projects lying around the house. You can jump on your computer and grab your me-time whenever you have a half hour available. Ideal for the lifestyles of the Now Age.

What do you need to get started?

All you need to begin Digital Scrapbooking are the following three things:

• A computer with 256MB of RAM (512MB recommended) and 1.5GB of available hard-disk space)
• An Internet connection
• A good graphics editing software program

Digital Scrapbooking Software

Template Style Software

Graphics Editing Software

Digital Scrapbooking Elements

Unlike with paper scrapbooking supplies that need to be constantly replenished as you use them on your scrapbook layouts, Digital scrapbooking elements can be used over and over again.

Even better.. how about getting your digital scrapbooking elements for free?

Many scrapbook designers offer Freebies to showcase their talents and to tempt prospective customers to check out their store. And many design and give away their creations out of the goodness of their hearts.

So once you have your graphics editing loaded on your computer you can actually create digital scrapbook layouts for years and years without needing to purchase another thing.

And one of the great attractions of digital scrapbooking is that you can modify your elements to coordinate them with each layout you make. You might change the color or size of the element or you might blend two or more elements together to create a look that's unique to your layout. So you can use your elements over and over again and they'll look different on each layout.

Just be aware of the Copyright laws when you do modify elements. Each digital scrapbook kit that you download will usually come with a Terms or Use document which outlines what you may or may not do with the elements. And this applies to freebies as well as to those that you purchase.

How to create a Digital Scrapbook Layout?

1. Click on File in the top menu bar and select Open. You can now browse through your Windows Folders until you find the Digital Scrapbook elements that you want to use for your layout.

2. Click on the Open button and each file will open into your workspace. You will be able to see them all in the Photo Bucket at the bottom of your Workspace.

3. Now create a new file by clicking on File>New>Blank File in the top menu bar. A dialog box will open allowing you to change the dimensions of your file. Click on the down arrows next to the width and height and change them to inches. Type in 12 inches for each. Make sure the resolution says 300 pixels per inch and the Color Mode says RGB Color.

4. Now with the Move tool selected (found at the top left of the vertical tool bar on the left of the screen), you can click on each element and, holding the mouse button down, you can drag it onto your layout.

5. The power of Photoshop Elements as a digital scrapbooking tool is in its layers. Each of the elements that you have dragged into your layout file is sitting on its own layer and you can see them in the Layers Palette on the right hand side. You can drag these layers up and down the stack to change their position relative to the other layers and this will enable you to position elements on top of other elements as you design your layout file sitting in the Photo Bucket under the main workspace.

6. You can resize your elements by clicking on an element or its layer and positioning your mouse cursor over the bounding box around it. You will see little square handles. Click on these with your mouse and drag them inwards or outwards to change the size of your element.

7. Hover your mouse over the handles and they will change to little curved arrows. You can then hold your mouse button down on the arrows and tilt your element if you choose.

8. Click on the Type tool (shown as a T in the vertical tool bar) to create text boxes for your journaling or your title. You can modify the font and its size in the options at the top of the screen.

9. Then you can add a shadow to your elements to give them a three dimensional look by clicking on them and selecting a shadow from the Drop Shadows Menu in the Styles and Effects palette and your layout is complete.

10. Finally, save your digital scrapbook layout as a PSD file to keep all the layers separate, in case you want to go back and make any changes. And then choose the save for the web option from the File menu and save it as a JPEG so you can email it to your family and friends.

Digital Scrapbooking gives you the Freedom to be Creative!

Many people start scrapbooking to preserve their family memories in words and pictures, which can be enjoyed by all in years to come.

Digital Scrapbooking is a wonderful way to achieve that. And it also unlocks your creativity as well.

Unlike with paper scrapbooking, you cant ruin your digital scrapbooking supplies by an accidental slip of the scissors or by gluing something in the wrong place.

Creating your scrapbook layouts in Photoshop Elements means that any step that you make that youre not happy with you can back out of by using the Control+Z keyboard command (Command+Z if youre on a Mac). So theres no need to be afraid to try anything.

Control+Z is your get out of jail free card. And it totally liberates your creativity.

Try it and see. But be warned...digital scrapbooking is addictive.