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Designing With Digital
Review by Ramie Ahlstrom - Scrapping Deck Cruise DirectorWhen I first heard about the newest digital scrapbooking idea book from Autumn Leaves, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it! Besides being a digital scrapbooking addict, I’m an idea book addict as well! My collection is pretty small because they can get expensive, but I decided that this one HAD to be in my collection, not just something I drooled over while browsing books at the craft stores!
So, my book arrived on a Tuesday, and by Thursday I had read the entire thing (there really isn’t much text), and had started creating pages using the kits, elements and tutorials on the disk that’s included. I tell ya, I’m addicted!
The layouts displayed in the book range from the beginner style paper looking pages, to more advanced pages using brushes and photo blending. Everything in between, including how to use digital kits and elements to accent paper layouts and projects is also covered.
There are almost 80 tutorials on the disk that is included with the book. The tutorials cover pretty much all of the layouts displayed in the book, and are written for specific programs (whichever one the designer used to create the layout). The programs covered include Adobe Photoshop CS, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Corel Paint Shop Pro, Microsoft Digital Image Pro, and Ulead Photo Impact. With a little work, most can be transferred between programs also.
The disk also includes 80 custom designed brushes, 83 individual elements and templates, and 10 digital scrapbooking kits; each including multiple coordinating pieces for creating layouts easily.
Here’s the first layout I created after investigating the disks goodies.
The tutorials on the disk helped me learn to use brushes, in their PNG format, to create stamped images on my layouts. This one has a small “stamp” on the title block.
I also learned how to use different filters to alter the look of a photo. I then added the altered photo to one of the layout templates provided on the disk to complete this simple layout.
Adding different layer styles to some of the elements on the disk led to the fun neon-sign looking highlights on this layout.
I thoroughly enjoyed the layouts in the book and love all the kits and goodies provided on the disk! I’m still working my way (and very slowly, I might add) through the mass quantity of tutorials, but I’m enjoying them so far. I’ve learned several new techniques for adding dimension to my pages, as well as how to design pages that I hadn’t a clue how to create before reading the step-by-step tutorials provided in this book.
Autumn Leaves has once again proven themselves as a leader in the scrapbooking idea book world.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I have, and that you’ll share some of your layouts in our new Reader’s Gallery.
Ramie Ahlstrom
ramieahlstrom@ssreflections.com
Scrapping Deck Cruise Director
Reflections Publishing Group, LLC
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***Disclaimers - While individual techniques may vary, always follow product manufacturers' directions and cautions for safety and best results.
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