Program comparison/switch

[MarileeRD]

This is probably a weird question - I started digital scrapbooking about 8 months ago with Creative Memories StoryBook Creator program. It is fine as far as it goes, and far more flexible than I think CM would like their users to know. Backgrounds and elements are jpegs and pngs, so nothing proprietary or weird there. However, I am thinking about switching to Adobe PS, just because there is so much more stuff out there for photoshop. Has anyone else had this same situation? Can anyone offer comparison points?

[dugarner]

That's not a weird question at all. I paper scrapped for 10 years with CM product. I was still in paper when CM tried to make the shift over to the digital market. I have briefly used StoryBook, though I've never printed a book from the software. Too expensive. What you have said applies; the jpegs and pngs can be used in other places, and I believe you can import those from any other source.

I quit using CM digital product when they started charging so much for the software and their digital packs. The biggest drawback I find is that you have to order the book through them once it's finished. They do a great job, but are prohibitively expensive for me. I've done price comparison, and I've looked at a handful of their books, and I don't think they are "better enough" than the industry leaders in printing books (Shutterfly, MyPublisher, Blurb, WHCC) to justify the inordinate cost.

I use Photoshop Elements 6.0 primarily, I got it OEM for $35. And the neat thing about PSE is you can print your book anywhere; OR you can print at home. There is so much flexibility. If you run out of $$ and want to print a page at a time, you can. Or you can make a hardback or softcover book. There are endless possibilities to using your own design software.

Also, ease of use is a big factor---if you see other product you like (like here at DD!! the best in the world!!), I don't know how hard it is to put on your computer and sneak it into StoryBook.

If you are computer-savvy enough to use PSE or PSCS without undue frustration, I would consider making the switch. If you can, compare the cost of the StoryBooks and the cost of other printers. It's a personal decision. Believe me, I get constant flak for not using StoryBook; a good friend of mine has a mother and sister who are both CM consultants and they just don't get it.

Good luck! Hope to see you around here soon.

[ValerieP]

I agree wholeheartedly- when I first started digi, I downloaded several different programs and read everything I could find about them. Finally, a coupon came up at Costco and my PSE7 was only about 40.00 and that was the clincher for me. I also spent quite a bit of time at other sites and I have found that this site best suites my tastes-the supplies here seem to be a nice blend of "traditional" scrapping supplies and the supplies that make it appear as though you have created magic on you pages! Good luck with your decision