What other programs do you use with SBM?

[srussell]

Long time Photoshop user... At Version 7.0 at the moment. Lots of great tutorials available on the web...

[mint]

I thought I had responded to this I tried photo shop and so envy all you that can use it. I stick with Microsoft my self. And i did do the template for curl paper there. it was not easy ether. but i know how to do what i wont to my photos in it.
I'm waiting for max to do one template for me to use.
I thank i have been Lucky so far i can buy most things that i need to make grate pages.
oh well another storm here so i will have to leave.

[makeyesup]

I thought I had responded to this I tried photo shop and so envy all you that can use it. I stick with Microsoft my self. And i did do the template for curl paper there. it was not easy ether. but i know how to do what i wont to my photos in it.
I'm waiting for max to do one template for me to use.
I thank i have been Lucky so far i can buy most things that i need to make grate pages.
oh well another storm here so i will have to leave.

Assume that you are referring to Microsoft Picture It, think I remember you stating that on another thread somewhere.............maybe

Have been using that and do like it; however, didn't seem like it was powerful enough. Recently purchased Photoshop Elements 5 and haven't had a chance to play with it yet.

Will probably end up using both programs.

May I ask how you did a curled paper in Microsoft - haven't figured that one out yet.

Maureen

[PHILIP WHITTAKER]

The short answer to your question is that no matter which program you use you will need to embark on a long learning curve.
My long answer is: I began by looking at a number of programs and finally choose Photoshop Elements 2(PSE2). I have since followed the upgrades to version 4 and no doubt I will move on to version 5. I have become a devotee.

I have found that most programs are similar but do not contain all of the same features.

Scrapbook Max is a program for basic editing however it has some good features in some of the 'Image Effects adjustments in the advanced menu'. Therefore sometimes I use both PSE and SBM on the same image, but do most of the adjustments in PSE.

I use a high quality TIFF setting in my digital camera. This generates files often about 15mb. I use a little program 'Photo Elf' which I downloaded at small cost for batch conversion and resizing when I need to use small JPG images. This is very useful, however you can easily resize images in PSE and use the 'save as' routine for conversion to JPG or otherformats including PNG but this is done on single images not batches.
My bigest gripe with SBM is the way it has its own mind of filing documents in obscure locations down a long path generally of its own choosing. I have not found a good way of beating this as yet.

I have become used to creating my folders winhin each application I use. But as I mentioned at the start you have to learn the package that you own.

There are some really good features in PSE when it comes to image manipulation. As well as a semi automatic routine for separating images from backgrounds, leaving the backgrounds transparent. I have noticed that some of the images on this site that have transparent backgrounds have a dark halo all the way around the edges of the images, you can usually beat this with the auto tool in PSE.

By the way I photograph my embellishment images against a white card for background, using light from a Western facing window. I usually do this in the middle of the day so that the light is soft and does not have a colour problem 'colour temperature'. However I also use a white card on the other side to reflect some of the window light into the soft shadow side of the image. I will be posting some of these images shortly you will then see what I mean when you size these images up.

PSE also has a good inbuilt catalog routine for sorting photographs. I have no doubt that if you learn to use PSE you would ultimately use almost all of its features and would be 'a happy little Vegemite' as we say down here. Dont eat the stuff myself.

[autisticwonder]

My two cents worth..LOL..I use Corel Paint Shop Pro X dominately. Got it for $55 with 3 extra dvd's of JAsC scrapbook add ons on a one day special at Amazon.com.

I also have Photoshop Elements 4 (PSE) which I purchased on ebay for $22 in the box. But had to purchase a $50 DVD TUTORIAL to understand how to use it!! I didn't like the magic lasso on it..Very unclean edges and very particular so I have stayed with PSP and am very happy with it.

I don't do layouts on either program..Layers are so difficult to work with at times. SBM makes everything so easy to manipulate. So I convert everything to png or jpg for use in SBM.I am JUST beginning to understand how to use Masks in the PSP program!! DAH..

Further, my biggy..SO many FREE plugin's for BOTH programs..I don't drop the PSE because of that. I can convert my brushes to PSP from PSE..but PSE brushes are BIGGER for larger papers than PSP..Subtle but important differences!!

BUY ON EBAY!! VERY inexpensive!! Not unhappy with anything I've purchased on ebay!!

HUGS GIRL!!!
Donna