alternatives to CD's

[sheilaj]

Has anyone who buys the paper and topper type CD's thought about spending their dosh on an image manipulation software program and downloads instead?
I guess if you want the specific images, there is no way around it, but there are LOADS of free and cheap downloads out there. Once you have got cropping, resizing and recolouring nailed (really easy honest) then you can do what you like. Another good cheapo program for its images is print artist...thousands of them all copyright free.

I just wondered why the CD's are so popular when IMHO, they are a bit limited?? Or am i missing something?

[budgie]

I like the cds. Some of them you can't do much to change them within the program it comes with, but a lot of them you can take into your own graphics package and change them, or even easier, take them into my craft studio, which i find really easy to use. I have taken images into MCS from other cds, as I find the quality of the printout is better when i have done that rather than printing direct from some cds. Other cds print out in excellent quality. I like to be able to change things, to create my own backgrounds etc.

I do occassionally look for specific images on the internet if i haven't got just what I want, but I find it very time consuming, and I would rather be crafting than searching for images. A lot of times when I find images that I would like to use, they have warnings about copyright, so I don't bother. I know a lot of people would probably not mind searching for their images, but I am lazy and I prefer someone else to do it for me!

[fabyon]

I have my own image manipulation software: Vince 1.0 apparently it's still in beta but the new version 1.1 should be out soon ! LOL

[sheilaj]

I have my own image manipulation software: Vince 1.0 apparently it's still in beta but the new version 1.1 should be out soon ! LOL

:clapping::clapping::clapping::clapping:

[Phree]

LOL @ Vince v1.0! Fab how come you are the only person working as a de-bugger on that programme.... tis taking far to long for the beta testing to complete:p

[fabyon]

LOL @ Vince v1.0! Fab how come you are the only person working as a de-bugger on that programme.... tis taking far to long for the beta testing to complete:p

I won't rest until all the bugs are out in the open ! :grin:

[Phree]

.... and now for the serious reply ...... CD's are a fast click n print fix. Most folks don't have the desire and often don't have the time to put themselves through the steep learning curve for programmes such as Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro etc.

[sheilaj]

I know about the steep curve, but its like any other crafting activity IMO, mastering the technique is worth it!

[Alice3_2009]

I vote you PSP Queen Sheila!

Pls give us tips on how to use it!

I check out the tuts on the web, bought PSP for dummies but they never seem to tell you how to finish it off.

It all melds into Charlie Brown's teacher...Blah,blah,blah

[LoobyLou]

I use PhotoImpact and love it. Took me a while to work it out, but it's great. There is still so much more to the program that I have yet to discover.

Lin

[sheilaj]

I vote you PSP Queen Sheila!

Pls give us tips on how to use it!

I check out the tuts on the web, bought PSP for dummies but they never seem to tell you how to finish it off.

It all melds into Charlie Brown's teacher...Blah,blah,blah


well I am not all knowing but happy to help if I can, just post what you want to know. I bought a video e book from Scrapgirls which was great for the basics, also a book called Paintshop pro photo XI for photographers by a guy called McMahon which is really good for an overview.

[Alice3_2009]

You may be sorry!:cheeky:

I've got PSPX2. Have tried out all the tanning, white teeth, thinify stuff (can only look thin with a peanut head). Have made patterns for background papers, but even with background remover I can't do it... or I learn something, then next time forget what I did.

I did use some alphabet templates and colour them in with the paint fill, so hope I can use this with "Snowflakes" as I'm rubbish at colouring.

Perhaps Graham might let us have a section for this?

[sheilaj]

that would be good!