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Digital Scrapping Terminology
Ramie Ahlstrom - Scrapping Deck Cruise DirectorWelcome to the newest deck on board S.S. Reflections! I hope you'll enjoy the new Digital Deck as much as we do. Here, you'll get to see some of your old favorites from the Digital Suite, Dyan, Bill, Tonya and Tara, as well as some new arrivals! I'm crossing over to the "digital (aka dark) side" in my scrapbooking, so am making the transition with S.S. Reflections as well. We also have two new digital scrappers on board! A big welcome to Tricia and Elizabeth!
Since you're here, and still reading (or at least I hope) let's talk digital scrapbooking terminology! I started using my computer to aid in my paper scrapping over 5 years ago. I used it mainly for printing text boxes for my titles and journaling. The terminology I needed to know then was simple-Word, font, font color and font size-all very easy to know, and to use! Then, about 3 years ago, photo editing software worked its way onto my computer (how does it do that, anyways?). I started scanning, resizing and changing photos to black and white, and sepia tones. The terms started getting a bit more complicated-dots per inch, resolution, stitch (not the silly sewing kind), saturation, and the infamous crop. The times were definitely a-changin'!
Now, here we are in 2005, and the digital scrapbooking bug has bitten me. It wasn't hard for the bug to get me…I was headed here eventually anyways! When Cap'n Dawn mentioned having digital scrapbooking tutorials on the magazine over a year ago, I was intrigued, but didn't know anything about digi-scrapping. So I started doing some research, and fell in love with what I found!!!
In October 2004, I took the plunge, and started digi-scrapping, in addition to my paper scrapping hobby! The terminology used on the net, in tutorials, software programs and books about digital scrapping seemed to be similar to paper scrapping terms, but there are definitely some obvious differences. Here's a brief rundown of some of the terms you'll see in upcoming articles here on the Digital Deck, as well as in the supply lists and instructions for layouts created digitally and featured on S.S. Reflections.
Alphas (or Alphabets): Elements with letters of the alphabet on them. Can be used for titles, journaling, or as embellishments.
Backgrounds: Digital version of cardstock, or patterned papers, used for the background of a layout.
CD: Compact disk, used mainly for backup. Can be purchased with elements on them from some designers.
Designer: Digital scrapbooker who creates elements, and/or backgrounds
Elements: Digital scrapbooking pieces (digital version of papers, die cuts, ribbons, fibers, eyelets & brads, ephemera, etc.)
External Hard Drive: A storage medium that holds files in much the same way as the hard drive on your computer. These are available in larger memory sizes, and are perfect for storing digital scrapbooking software, layouts, backgrounds and elements.
JPEG, GIF, & PNG: Common file formats for photos, elements and backgrounds for digi-scrapping.
Page Kit: A group of files, including backgrounds, and elements, that all match with one another. Can be used to create coordinating layouts easily.
Plopper "™" , Quick Page, etc: A digital scrapping page that is already assembled. All you do is add a photo and text. (Is also known by a few other names, depending on the designer.) (Plopper is trademarked by Digital Scrapbook Place.)
Software: Program used to digi-scrap. Some of the most common are Digital Image Pro, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Elements, FotoFusion, Jasc Paint Shop Pro and HP Creative Scrapbook Assistant. (There are several other titles available also.)
Tutorials: Detailed instructions for creating elements, using digital scrapping software.
Word Art: The use of one or more fonts to create an artistic looking title or quote block. Check out Dyan's Fontasy Island this month as she'll show you how to make your own Word Art.
As you can see, some of these terms are straight cross-overs from other paper crafts, as well as general computer terminology, while others are exclusive to digital scrapbooking. I hope that these definitions will help you to understand the happenings here on the Digital Deck! Hope to see you around soon!
In parting, let me just say a quick Happy Birthday to my dear husband (who's finally caught up to me in age again) and to my darling daughter! I can't believe she's two already!!
Ramie Ahlstrom
ramieahlstrom@ssreflections.com
Scrapping Deck Cruise Director
S.S. Reflections, Inc.
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