Digi Scrapping A to Z

Like paper scrapbooking, digital scrapbooking utilizes using a combination of papers, alphas, stamps, ribbons, and a variety of other embellishments. Unlike paper scrapbooking, however, digital gives you the freedom to resize, recolor, and reuse any product in your supply stash. Best of all, there's no mess to put away when you're finished!

• Kits- Digital Scrapbooking Kits are a collection of papers and embellishments all centered on a particular theme and color scheme. Kits are the best way to get started with a page since everything coordinates and is designed to work together to give your page a cohesive look.

• Paper Packs - Digital Paper Packs are exactly that, packs of papers in digital format. You use these JPEG versions of 12x12" papers to create backgrounds, photo mattes, die-cuts, etc., just as you would use a traditional piece of paper. Of course, you're able to use these papers over and over again, no longer worrying about making the "wrong cut" and wasting your supply.

• Overlays - Digital Overlays are comparable to traditional transparencies. They are also PNG files, so part of the image is transparent, allowing elements beneath it on a layout to show through.

• Stamps and Brushes - These are perhaps the most versatile product in the world of digital scrapbooking. They are ABR files that must be loaded into your photo-editing program. Once loaded, they can be used as a rubber stamp, an eraser, a paint brush, a laser cutter, a distressing tool, and more. They can be re-sized, re-colored, rotated, duplicated to create patterns, the possibilities are truly endless. Downloads also include PNG versions of the brushes that can be used if your software does not support brushes.

• Quick Pages - Digital Quick Pages are scrapbook pages that are already designed and ready for you to simply drop in your photos. These files are flattened PNG files, which mean the elements on the page can't be manipulated or changed in any way. You can, however, add additional embellishments and journaling to them.

• Actions - Actions are files that can be loaded into Adobe Photoshop (not PSE) and used to perform a variety of multi-step tasks. There are actions for adding drop shadows, inked edges, sanded edges, and more. There are also photo actions that can automatically sharpen, soften, brighten, or convert your favorite photos to black and white, sepia, etc. Once you load an action, it's ready to use with the click of a button, giving you more time to spend on other aspects of your layout.

• Layered Templates - Digital Layered Templates are similar to a paper layout "sketch," only better. These products are PSD files that include all the layers of a pre-designed layout. Unlike Quick Pages, these layers can be manipulated to suit your needs. You can remove, resize, or reposition any aspect of the layout. You use your own choice of papers and embellishments to compliment your photos and simply "clip" them to the placeholders in the file. Instructions for using these templates in PS and PSE are included in the download.

• eBooks - Digital Scrapbooking eBooks are original design and idea books created in PDF format. They are packed with wonderful tips on creating layouts, using products, and getting the most out of your digital scrapbooking experience. They are completely hot-linked to the DesignerDigitals store, allowing you to locate inspirational layouts and must-have products quickly and easily. The eBooks are PDF files, and therefore require Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing (available as a free download).

• Lesson Packs - Digital Lesson Packs are scrapbooking tutorials packaged with everything you need to create the layout being taught. They include a full-color PDF with screen shots to walk you through every step of creating your layout. All papers and embellishments required to complete the project are included and can be used over and over again in any future layouts you create.

• Fonts - Fonts are used to add journaling and titles to your layouts. There are custom fonts available in the DesignerDigitals store and at IdeaBooks4U.

Credits: some portions from DesignerDigitals.com