Notes from a Newbie: How to download a digital kit
True confession: I suffer from a technology phobia.
Blame it on being old—I did go to school in the days of big perms and “typing” class. Blame it on being country—I do live at the end of a dirt road with no cell phone service. Blame it on being organic—I do live for sensory experiences and getting down and dirty in the smells, tastes, and touches of life.
I’m not really comfortable with the idea of being a “techie”.
Honestly, I’m more than just a little bit scared to leave my firm and stable desktop for the intangible world of digital downloads. But I’m no shrinking violet! Time to stare the cyberworld right in the face and download a digikit.
Everybody who digi scraps has to have a first download sometime. Here’s mine. And if it’s your first time too, hold my virtual hand, we can do this together.
Let’s go shopping. This is something I’m not new at, especially in the Design House Digital shop. I always check out what’s new first, but then I love to browse by designer. You can also browse by category or price.
But Remember, we’re not window shopping anymore! This is what I’ve picked out… those vintage typewriters are calling to me. So I’ll click on the “add to cart” button. I can keep adding whatever I want, until I’m finished shopping, or out of money.
It’s time to click on the “checkout” button. Checking out is easy. I agreed to the terms of use, confirmed my order, and then paid for my purchase. With a PayPal account I can use a credit card, a checking account, or my PayPal balance. It couldn’t be safer or easier!
Hooray! My purchase was successful and I’m now looking at a page with my download. Since I want to start scrapping right away, I’ll click on the “Download Now” button at the bottom of the page.
Now I need to choose a destination file. This may be the hardest part—deciding how to organize my digital files. Some people organize by store, some by product type, some by designer. Since I’m just getting started, I know I can change my mind once I find a system that works for me. But after talking to my favorite digiscrappers and getting their advice, I’ve decided to start organizing by designer. In “My Documents” I create a “Digital” folder. Inside that folder I create a folder called “Audrey Neal.” Then I click “Save.”
After about a millisecond my download is complete! But remember, these files are still zipped. To use my new kit, I have to unzip it. Your operating system may have file extraction software built in, but if not, you can download Unzip Them All for free. I open my “Unzip Them All” software, click on my “Digital” folder where my zipped file is located, make sure all the zipped files are selected, then click on “Start”.
That’s it! I’m done! And I didn’t even get sucked into some black hole vortex in cyberspace. My bank account is safe, my identity is secure, and my computer isn’t melting into a puddle of sparks and smoke. Here we all sit—my firm and stable desktop, my computer, my new playthings, and me—feeling brave, smart, and just a little more technologically savvy. 
No, I’m not ready to set up the airport for your wireless network (I don’t even know what that means). But I can start using these papers and elements right away in my photo editing software. And thanks to all the great tutorials here at Design House Digital, I know just what to do next.
Now, if I could just figure out how to take my cell phone off of speaker.
Quick Album Tutorial
Here’s a easy 7 minute tutorial if you want to see how to use any of the quick albums here at DHD. This shows you how to drag and drop photos on pre-made quickpages, how to size and crop photos, and shows you some general use instructions for using albums. The video is 7 minutes long and is demonstrated in Photoshop CS3. If you are interested in the products used in this tutorial, the links are here:
I hope this tutorial helps you so that you can make pages quickly when you are in a pinch! Want to watch it bigger? Go here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3VGn8Jlxow
So, I’ve finished my first digital layout…Now what?
So, I’ve finished my first digital layout…Now what?
I know that’s what you’re thinking, don’t even deny it.
Just like with digital scrapbooking, the possibilities are many, so we’ll touch on a few.
1) Print it yourself. This one is pretty obvious, I know, but there are many benefits to printing at home. Instant gratification, anyone?
2) Have it printed, by page. Obviously, a nice feature of our digital age. You can upload, have it printed, and shipped right to your door. Perfect for those hectic times when we get a bit behind. Or those lazy times, when you’re vegging in your pajamas all day.
3) Have it printed, by the book. That’s right. You can upload all of your pages and have them printed in a single, bound book. How cool is that? Again, delivery to home is a nice benefit.
4) Don’t print it. No one says you HAVE to print your layouts. (I have a friend who has never printed a single one, because she likes the way they look in her monitor!) Display them in a digital frame, post them to your blog, or carry them around on your iPod or cell phone. And don’t forget to share them in our Gallery at Design House Digital!
Of course, this can still raise a lot of questions. Can I really print it at home? Do I need a special (super expensive) printer? What company is the best? What if I drop my iPod in a puddle?
Don’t worry, we’ll address all of these (in more detail) in upcoming posts. For now, just realize that one of the coolest things about digital is that you’re not locked into ANYTHING. You can print twenty of the same layout, without having to buy twenty packs of embellishments. You can print it now, and have it printed into a book later. And then blog it.
Ain’t digital grand?
Why Switch to Digital?
WHY? That’s the question I keep hearing.
-From all those people who’ve scrapped with me in my work room busting at the seams with paper scrapping supplies.
-From my hubby who, I think is secretly wondering if this means I’ll throw out all those paper scrapping supplies and leave the work room open for his home office so he can actually *gasp* work in it.
-From my own mind, which is trying not to calculate the millions of dollars I’ve spent building up my paper scrapping supplies (okay, I might exaggerate…a little.)
WHY?…why switch to digital scrapbooking?
Well, it’s something new to me and I looooove new. Hence, the endless supply of paper supplies! And while we’re on the topic (sort of), does anyone know of a 12-step program for people who can’t stop buying new packs of Crayolas…I need to join.
It’s compact. I really am running out of storage room for all those paper supplies. Not to mention my albums, which are falling apart from trying to stuff so many multi-dimensional pages inside. All that’s required is a computer, which I have. So I don’t need to add any stacking storage containers, pretty glass jars, or fancy hanging systems…well, at least not for digital supplies.
And, despite its apparent superiority, digital scrapbooking still plays well with others. Some of the best pages I’ve ever seen are hybrid. So, “Sorry Chef-Boy-Ar-Lee, you can’t take over the work room just yet. I’m gonna be working like a mad woman.”
But the biggest selling point for me today is that it’s mess free. Three kids, two dogs, and a preschool in my basement…I really need mess free.
I am in love with the idea of being able to close up a folder nice and neat on my computer when I’m interrupted in the middle of a creative moment by a paper that needs to be signed, or a dog that needs to be walked, or a child who needs to be fed RIGHT NOW!!! Then when I finally get a chance to return, it’s just as I left it…no wandering brads, no flowers sucked down the air vents, no trampled photographs…just that cute little yellow folder on my desktop that says “work in progress”. It’s the only thing I know of that doesn’t whine for attention when it’s being ignored.
I love you little yellow folder. I plan to be seeing a lot more of you.
Digital Scrapbook Terminology
If you are brand new to digital scrapbooking, there is some basic terminology that you might find helpful. Here is a little compilation that I’m sure we’ll keep adding to. Let me know if there is anything that you’ve been wanting to know!
Technical terms:
.JPG: Digital Elements that do not need transparent areas. Most commonly papers and rectangular cards/elements.
.PNG: Digital Elements that need to have transparent areas are PNG files. This can be stamps, stickers, or even quick pages where the photo slot needs to be clear so you can place your photo behind it.
Canvas: The area of your page in PS/PSE. This is where you build your layout.
DPI: This is the resolution or quality of a file based on the pixel to size ratio. When creating a file, you must look at the both the size and the DPI of your document. For best results, stick with 300 DPI at a size you want to print at. So for a standard 12×12, you want the image size to be 12×12 and the quality to be 300 DPI.
