I just want to say that all the designers/stores I CT for were extremely generous with end-of-year/holiday gifts. I know that designers just trade coupons with other designers (so it's not like they're actually spending money out of pocket for these coupons), but the fact that designers are willing to give up a few sales in order to give their team some coupon code gifts is just really nice. Maybe I'll be smacked for being thankful, but I don't care. Thanks to all of you who provided coupon codes. I can't PM you all, so I'm just going to say Thanks here. Anonymously. :)
#6- DST has a blog train out. Not near as many stops, but not many I would actually download. Jan 1, 2013 11:28:00 AM
Amen to this. I didn't download anything. As usual, Trixie Scraps doesn't have hers up. I'm sure some disaster happened where she couldn't get it scheduled in the past month...
12 - Whatever the price may be out of your poor ass pocket reach, but those flowers aren't the same at all. Anyone with a remote eye for detail can tell that. Get some glasses.
I have mixed feelings on P&Co. I will say that it was kind of silly to open now, but have their grand opening NEXT month? I know they have more designers to bring on, but maybe wait until they're ready to come on before opening, then.
The prices are steep. $5 for a mini kit is a bit expensive, even if the designs are good. As expensive as paper scrapping? No. But I do digital for many reasons, cost being one of them. I can guarantee that I will shop at P&Co during sales ONLY, probably snatching up several of the $1 goodies this month, buying during any possible grand opening sale next, but never paying full price for those items. It's just steep.
I do feel like the site has a good atmosphere, and I am going to stick it out until their grand opening and see what they offer up. I was surprised that I was up almost a full two hours after they said the site would be live... yes, the kinks have to get worked out, but don't make a big to-do of your countdown if you're going to go 2 hours over that, know what I mean?
I'm mixed on the site. I see good, I see bad. My eyebrows did perk up at Ju Kneipp being a guest there so soon after starting on at SSD. Wonder if she's considering jumping ship, and if so, why take on the SSD spot? I know that guest spots don't always mean permanent ones, but it's just strange to me.
I thought I had gone to the wrong store at first PSP is for amateurs and cheap people who don't want to fork out the money (or aren't good enough to earn the money to fork it out) for PS. Use the trailer trash version of software, you'll get trailer trash version products. Nothing I'd want to use to create pages with! I thought she hit bottom with Vinnie Pearce and her cu debacle. She's hit a new all time low with Cassel.
#23.. I agree about Cassel but Vinnie Pearce? I just looked at her store (while there isn't a lot there) it looked good to me.
I have to admit to being a bit jarred when I saw the front page of SugarHillCo. It was like stepping back 7 years! I wonder if the other designers there are confused as well.
Umm... Yeah PSP and PSE are the same price - give or take. And the software is similar enough that they can both be used easily for scrapbooking. I know a lot of scrappers (good ones) that use PSP. PSP doesn't equal trash or low quality. Thinking that is just plain stupid.
(And no - I don't use PSP. Never got the hang of it - PS just made more sense to me, though there were some great tools in PSP that I used quite often until I switched to a Mac).
Vinnie Pearce had to give a shit load of refunds because her CU was shit. She gave the excuse that it was from earlier designs. Looks can be deceiving.
Scrapping with PSP or PSE is one thing. Design is another. Those serious about design don't use PSP.
I use PSP and you obviously don't know the capabilities of the product and what it can produce. I can't stand Cassel or her scripts and she doesn't do PSP any justice at all.
Unless you're a real graphic designer, PS is overkill and expensive. The fact is, PSP does almost everything PS does for a lot less.
There's a difference between using PSP for scrapping and for designing.
Speaking from a customer's point of view, PSP looks rushed and really amateurish if you want to use it for making scrapbook elements. The scripts look like something my child could do with paint. And yes, PSE is far cheaper and still able to produce decent product in comparison with PSP.
#12 - those flowers are the same. They've just been rotated to make "different" looking flowers. I believe you have "eye for detail" confused with "stupid."
I'll shop at P&Co for $1 sales only most likely. For new store owned by someone who ran a store before, you'd think they could get their shopping cart to work before opening.
30 - Even they two they have blown up are different. The flowers are also not identical yet rotated. Are some of them recolors yes. But it's not just one flower or one set of beads.
Actually I'm well verses in PSP. Idiot. I was a tagger for years before these posers started taking over. Then it was no longer art. I know full well what PSP is capable of and FULL well what it's not. Buy a clue and learn a REAL program. PSE is MILES above PSP, too.
Resizing alone is enough reason for me to stick with adobe over psp. Personally though, I prefer CS. Expensive, yes, but worth every penny in my opinion.
How about you name one GOOD designer that uses PSP. Good luck with that.
You'd have to have used PS/PSE to really understand the difference. In PSP you can't just grab a corner and resize something without it pixelating your piece. Maybe not enough for you to care, but I like my pages and creations with a bit higher quality.
Resizing is easier, styles are better and you have a wider variety to choose from. Yes you can get some similar results, but it's not the same quality. If I have to purchase a $100+ set of filters to get what I can do with a few clicks in PS then I'm not really saving all that much money am I? Also you can use more file types in PS over PSP. I've heard numerous people complain because they can't use a TIF or figure out how to work a clipping mask on a PSD.
Not to mention the tools are just higher quality all the way around. Like someone said name a good designer that uses PSP and we'll talk.
I also received coupons for the store I CT for...what a wonderful gift from all the designers..THANK YOU :) I had so much fun going to each designers store and making my choices.
#46 - There are plenty of "designers" who use PS that aren't good at all, just like PSP and any other program. Good is subjective anyway and I'm sure I could list a bunch of good designers and someone would disagree for one reason or another.
Yes, but you still can't name me ONE single PSP designer that's good. I can name several that use PS that are. You want to talk subjective that's fine, but I think most know the difference between quality and style. I may not like someone's style but I know if it's quality or not.
I was suprised when I read about Eva Kipler that she was a PSP user. So I do think it's possible to be good, and apparently so do a lot of buyers. And so called top tier stores.
I remember a few years ago there was a huge to do about PSE vs. PS, when PSE still wasn't that great. A lot of people were saying that you couldn't design anything decent in PSE and were then very surprised to learn that several top tier designers were using PSE.
I don't know which designers use which programs to design with, but I bet some of you may be surprised at what they are using.
Ok, so I also received a few coupons from designers as a CT member. Since this is a smack blog, does anyone else think it's a little stingy to only give a $5 coupon, when most of your kits are priced at $6.99?
I'd smile and say thank you, but be annoyed that it was more of a discount coupon than a giftie IYKWIM.
I think it depends on the designer...I ct for a few individuals and a store, and all gifts were large enough to buy a kit. The store I CT for (so I didn't really need the codes, but all designers gave them to all CTMs) didn't do the trading thing that my individual designers did. I think when they traded coupons they tried to make it so that the total value would be the same - people trading with a smaller ct would get a bigger coupon to share.
The store I CT at is generally very very generous to the CT as well as regular forum memberss, and it looked like each decided on a coupoon about the value of one of their kits. So, coupons varied form $5 to $8
55, all the coupons I received were at least $7. Some were $9 and some were $10. I guess if you got a $5 coupon, perhaps they thought you'd want to buy an element pack or something? IDK. It's up to the designer giving the coupon, not the designer you CT for. Tthe designer you CT for and the other designer probably decided on an amount they wanted to swap (for example, $100 total for each designer); however, if your designer has twice as many CTMs than the other designer, then you're going to get a coupon worth HALF the amount that your designer gave to the other CT. Whatever the reason, are you really complaining about a coupon? If you don't like the designer, then don't get anything (so that you don't have to spend your own money on top of the coupon). If you like the designer, then why complain? Buy something off your wish list and be happy for the coupon.
I get pissed about that "gift", too. The same way I'd be pissed if a friend gave me a gift for my birthday, but in order to actually get that gift, I had to pay $ to receive anything at all.
Not really a gift then, is it?
As a designer, the minimum gift I exchange is always enough to get at least one full sized kit at regular price. I expect the same from designers I trade with, too.
Thanks, 59. I mean, I wasn't angry or anything. All it really did was make me aware of the fact there was nothing in that designer's store I'd pay $2 for. But it just felt stingy.
It's not always the designers' fault on either end. It's almost always a $$$ in coupons to one team and a $$$ in coupons to the other team, so while one person will have say 10 ct members the other may have 20 and therefore, yes the person with 20 ct members will get less in coupons.
#61 - That would definitely be the fault of the designer (unless there is a store-imposed limit on coupon $ value). You mean to tell me a designer can't say, my kits cost $7, so I'll give you 20 coupons for that price instead of $5? Really?
I designed for three years. Each of the years, I participated in a different Christmas gift exchange with other designers (mind you, this was several years ago).
The first year, a large group of us went in on designing a pretty huge collaboration kit as a surprise to our teams. Inside was of course, the full collaboration, and then also many coupons for dollar amounts off-- almost every designer included enough of a coupon for them to get a kit for free. The collab was later sold to benefit charity.
The second year, we left it up to the designers we swapped with what exactly they wanted to contribute... some contributed a new release kit for free, others contributed a coupon for anything in their store, and others contributed a mini and a coupon.
The third year, it was coupons only, but we had pre-determined that rather exchanging a certain dollar amount (as in, I'll give you $100 total worth of coupons and you give me $100 total worth of coupons), we asked each other how many members were on the team and gave coupons for each member to get a full kit from our store or MORE. Many of the designers gave enough for a collection or a kit and an add on or alpha, but a few did "just" give enough for a kit. No one was stingy and gave less than the kit amount.
If I were on a CT, I would feel kind of cheated if I got a coupon that was less than the value of what I could purchase in their store... I don't want to spend my own money on a "gift."
If someone gives me a gc to a store and what I want costs more than what I have on the card, I don't get pissy about it and think "they might as well not had given me this 'gift' ". I pay the difference and am grateful that I didn't have to pay the full price.
66 I pay the difference and am grateful that I didn't have to pay the full price ----- Not the OP. I do understand what you're saying and I would be grateful for ANY gift I receive. Unfortunately, I'm bad-mannered enough that I would instinctively judge the giver's feelings from that gift.
If it's a birthday/Christmas/whatever gift, I would be happier with a $1 voucher to a dollar store than I would be with a $2 voucher to a Starbucks because I don't have to go to a store I don't normally frequent and spend unplanned money just for the sake of redeeming the gift. I would feel the former shows more true thought for me because to me, the purpose of gifts are to express feelings.
(However, if say, she was the Starbucks owner and was just handing out vouchers to friends, I'd smile & say sincere thanks.)
#63 - You can do whatever you want. If that other designer wont give enough for a free kit, then perhaps she's not someone to swap with. Blaming the fact you wouldn't give enough for a free kit on someone else is rich.
Maybe you end up giving a little more than that other designer, but the entire point is to thank a CTM for their hard work and it's not much thanks if they look at your store and realize your cheap coupon wont get them anything. Doesn't do much to gain a new fan, either...
I created for a designer for years before she retired (sniff). She was the most generous, giving and thankful person I've ever created for. Right before she retired, she gave out what had to be $800-1000+ in gift coupons based upon what she gave us in return.
She did it every year, but that last year, she spoiled us above and beyond. She considered us her friends and I think when you look at your CT that way, how you give reflects that. If you look at them like people who "work" for you, you give some general amount and call it a day.
#53 you are talking about PS scripts? Can you point me to some as I always hear that PS runs actions, not scripts. And even if you meant PS actions, show me some good actions for PS. I have looked around and found a lot aweful actions for PS (and some aweful scripts for PSP too), not many great ones.
I've never given a coupon for the exchange that won't at least buy a kit. I would think it was stingy if it happened to me. I don't even do that when I give away free codes on FB (which I already know I shouldn't do, but sometimes I just like making a few people happy). I've never understood the mentality behind that - it's virtual product, a couple of bucks isn't "real" anyway. It's not like you are depleting inventory, and in most cases you aren't losing a sale, either, because those CT members are new customers to me.
I have looked around and found a lot aweful actions for PS (and some aweful scripts for PSP too), not many great ones. --------------- You are right: there are some aweful (or silly) actions around. I checked at DST (since I am too lazy to visit several stores), and yes, I am shaking my head at some:
Funny to see those actions since they are obviously made by designers using Photoshop. Definite proof that Photoshop is the best program and designers using anything else cannot be as good. (thanks for the laugh)
You're deliberately missing the point...anyone can link us to a bunch of crappy photoshop stuff. We have yet to see any links to GOOD PSP stuff. Still waiting.
A point was made that someone said she googled PS scripts and found some stuff much better than the PSP scripts from Cassel. She didn't show anything better either.
Everything is a matter of opinion. If I name one good PSP designer, other might say she is not that good. If I name a bad PS designer, someone will argue that she does good work. Who cares what program one uses? The customers will only care about what they get out of it: there are good and bad designers using PSE, PS, PSP, even Gimp.
I've never seen a decent PSP script. That doesn't mean I think every designer who uses PSP sucks, since obviously I have no idea what program any designer uses. But the fact remains, I've never seen a PSP script that didn't look like garbage. I'm more than happy to be proven wrong.
If PSP scripts or PS actions look like garbage, maybe it is because they are drawn elements. Preview makers, title makers, shadow placer, cluster makers, quality check tools and others cannot "look bad" since they do not look like anything. I totally agree that most scripts (and actions) that are drawing elements are not the greatest. Look at all the scripts AND actions in the product gallery at DST for such samples but notice that there are SCRAP scripts/actions and TOOL scripts/actions. Those are two different types and there are some much better tool ones than scrap ones.
And btw, what would be considered decent as PSP script or even PS action. Can you show what you would consider not garbage?
A lot of products, even if they are not scripts, look like garbage to me, and I don't care what program the designer used. Garbage is garbage in any language (or I should say, in any program). The skill is more important than the tool in my opinion; some designers have skills, others think they do.
I have a question for the CTMs here. If you see a call for a designer you like, but you don't care for the store she's at, do you apply anyhow? In other words, does the store make a difference?
It would help to know why you dont like the shop, 86. Is it shady, gross, cliquish, "low-tier" or some other reason? If it is reputable and I like the designer, then I would do it. But if a shop is known to be shady then I would be careful about getting involved with a designer in a shop like that. How much shop involvement does the designer ask for?
I am not 86, but I think that 87 has good insight for both sides: the CT and the designer. Things to look into if a designer is not getting many (or good) answers to a call!
When I first started CTing, I didn't the store mattered and for the most part, I still don't. Unless the designer has a posts requirement, the most time I spend at a lot of stores is downloading the kit and uploading the finished page. But after doing it awhile, I really want to narrow it down to one or two stores because having so many places to keep track of is kind of a pain.
#86 - The store matters to me. I have dropped CTs in the past if they move to a store I don't like. There are just some stores I can't stand as far as owner, other designers, and general atmosphere. Scrap Orchard is one of those stores.
72: I know some designers and stores did gifts at Thanksgiving instead of Christmas, figuring that there would be Black Friday or pre-Christmas sales that CT members could take advantage of.
I guess it depends on the designer. For most designers, $5 would cover the cost of a new release on sale, and most designers have smaller kits, elements, add-ons etc. that are less than $5. There were sales last week too. At least it wasn't a % off coupon, that I would argue isn't much of a gift but a straight $ off coupon, you can probably find something you would use and like or just don't use it! I was given a coupon that was a free kit and I didn't like anything I saw at all so I just didn't use it. I'm grateful for the one that was to somewhere I love and I did spend a few more $$ with it. I think it was nice, period.
Store didn't matter to me when I started CTing, but now it does. It's convenient to have designers in the same store. It's awesome to CT somewhere that you like the forum/owners/etc
I try to participate in the forums at the stores where my designers sell. Sometimes that's hard because the forums don't move very quickly. (I don't want to talk to myself.) I steer clear of CTing for designers who require me to participate at their store's forums, though. I *hate* when I see a flood of comments from CTMs at the end of the month. They dredge up old threads just to meet their quota. Dumb. Actually, I hate when store CTMs do this, too. Especially store's Gallery Praisers. Don't dredge up my LOs from 5 months ago to meet your praise goals. Lame, especially when the gallery has more than enough LOs posted to meet your comment goal--if you actually did your job throughout the month like you should. Sorry, that got a bit off topic, but it's something I've been thinking about.
I'm 86. No, I'm not a designer. I'm apparently a selective CTM. I like to participate in the forums when I ct for a designer. I ct for one designer, though, that is in three stores, so I don't participate in all the forums. If I don't care for a store (for whatever reason), it makes it hard to participate in the forum. I've been around for several years. In those years, I've seen things happen at some stores that I don't care for. I don't shop at the stores I don't care for, so I'd feel strange going on a ct for a designer in those particular stores. (there are several stores). I see one of the designers that had a call recently changed stores after the call. I wish I had known that change was in the works before I passed up the call! (that was the reason for the question). I'm glad I'm not the only one that looks at the store before sending in those applications though. I don't send in applications to designers that require a set number of posts per month. I do comment on layouts when I see an outstanding one, but I don't just make comments for numbers.
#53 you are talking about PS scripts? Can you point me to some as I always hear that PS runs actions, not scripts. -----
Sorry, I meant PSP scripts. PS does run scripts as well as actions. However, scripts in PS are more to help the work flow than do 'pretty', even though you see a lot of work actions in PS, but I think it's because most people aren't aware of scripts in PS or don't know how to use/write them.
Curious if someone knows the 2013 CT for Mye de Leon? I heard she took on girls from previous teams but don't know if that's true As for the question about applying to a designer if you don't like the store: I would ask myself if I can move past the fact I don't like the store she sells at. If the answer is yes, I'd apply anyway. Another question: if you, as a customer, ask a designer for a spot or guestspot on their CT and they say no but later you hear from another customer they did get a guestspot. What would you think about that? This happened to a friend of mine.
Honestly, it would depend on what they said. If it was just "No" that's fine. If it was "No, I don't do guest spots" and then they did it for someone else, I would be hurt, and probably pissed off.
Saying no is one thing. Lying about why you said no is another.
TDF was disappointing this month. Usually I can find at least two things I like and make it worth the price. Not this month. --- I liked the previews but I haven't unzipped anything yet. Was the quality not good? I really like the look of Clever Monkey Graphics' kit and Julie Billingsly's kit. And the SM kit looks nice, if a bit of an overdone theme. But I was not a fan of those templates by Scrapbook Lady (never heard of her).
In regards to the psp vs ps debate and scripts or actions. It seems no one is realizing that scripts are again geared more for the tagger/scrap design community than they are the ps community. Just because some use psp doesn't mean you can't do virtually the same as you can in ps. I use them both equally, and can achieve the same results in both using different commands. Even if psp is a "poor mans" program, doesn't mean it isn't useful.
111, out of all of those, the only one that even looks decent to me is the paper snowflake one, and even that, I doubt I'd use. I'd rather cut my own snowflakes and scan them so I don't have the exact same snowflake as other people (yadda yadda, no two are alike...). Plus, it looks blurry; maybe that's just the preview, but I don't think any of those are worth the money.
It seems no one is realizing that scripts are again geared more for the tagger/scrap design community than they are the ps community. ----------------- I am puzzled by this statement. I always used PSP and I never noticed that it was geared for taggers. In fact, in the beginning, I have seen more tutorials and scripts addressing photo effects and photo editing. Where did that tagger association come from? If taggers mostly use PSP, it does not mean that PSP is geared toward taggers. Just like posers. Why are they seamingly associated with PSP since they are a totally different program in the first place?
Because Poser is only used to create the character itself, then cleaned up with PSP.
9 times out of 10, if you see a kit with a creepy Poser chick in it...the rest of the kit is PSP created. PSE is a "poor man's program" too but I don't see as much of the seemingly shiny, puffy elements most users like to create with the PSP program.
With that said, this will be one of those debates that will never end. It's a matter of preference and if you are that bothered by what you are using for a program, you're probably not well versed in the program enough to begin with. :)
I use PSP and I'm not bothered by what is said at all. I think it shows the ignorance of others if they believe it's only capable of producing poser kits and puffy elements.
I've found nothing can change an ignorant person's mind, so I don't bother to try. You can't fix stupid.
Overall Thoughts :: Not a terrible collection this month but not exactly amazing either. Compared to last month’s goodies this month seems a little lacking.. though I think if they switched out a few designer with others it might not have felt that way. So here we go.. one person’s opinion whose opinion doesn't matter. Rating scale : Thumbs Down, Shrug, Thumbs Up.
Jennifer Labre – My first impression is that the colors are too pastel to feel like a kit I could use “every day” Perhaps if I was scrapping for a baby girl? Anyway elements – Nothing terrible here but nothing stand out amazing either. The journal cards are pretty & the banner/arrow stickers are also very nice. I like the feel of them. The word art is alright. Some of the font choices are bleh. A very standard sort of alpha but one you could use with many kits since it is kraft. I wish designers would include sheets of their alphas as well. Papers – Nice.. not amazing not bad. Overall – I probably wouldn’t use this kit. It isn’t ugly but just forgettable. Overall I give this a Shrug.
Julie Billingsley – Nice standard alphas. I wish they came in sheets as well as individual files but I guess that is a personal preference. Papers are good. Soft feeling (Perhaps a bit too soft for my personal tastes) but nice. All the patterns are good. I like the gray gear paper the best. Elements are all very detailed. I didn't find any jaggies (I didn't expect to) the colors work nicely together. The word art is balanced. It is a very nice kit. Since this is my first kit from this designer it makes me want to look into her store a bit more to see if she has brighter kits. Overall I give this a thumbs up!
Scrapmatters – First impression: Ok. Elements – The polaroid frame has jaggies. Whoever “wc” is.. their ribbon also seemed like the pattern on it was off (like not filled properly or something?) There is a blue-jean butt paper. (in case you are missing one of those in your stash) “gb” papers stand out as unique. For all my knit-picking I like this kit. It is ok. The one template is nice enough. I would have liked to have seen a bit larger of a kit but really it is alright. THANK YOU for putting alpha sheets for the alpha makers at sm! I probably wouldn’t buy this kit on my own but as part of a collection it is fine. Overall I give a thumbs up.
Sugarplum Paperie – Well, hello gorgeous. First off I will start by saying I do not need 5 recolors of the same element. It does not make your kit look more fleshed out. Perhaps that isn’t the intent but moving on.. All the elements are beautiful. There really is not a bad thing to say.. and no I do know this person or feel some reason to speak highly of them.. it is just a beautiful kit. Out of all the kits this one had good font choices for their word art so kudos to this person. Papers – Wow. These papers are lush, softly grunged but not overtly so. The Paper #3 makes me want to roll around in it. Beautiful. I wish there was an alpha! (with a alpha sheet!) Overall I give this a thumbs up! (and my favorite kit of this months collection)
Scrapbook Lady – Maybe I just don’t get it? This are ultra-simple templates. I feel like anyone could make these on their own with a few shape tools within 5 minutes. Nothing exceptional here. Nothing that would make me look twice. I unzipped, looked, deleted. Overall – Thumbs Down
CD Muckosky – Winter With You – This lady is talented obviously! She excels with the doodles but has some quality issues with regular elements. For example the “books” element is blurry and not “artistically” so. There is a drop shadow on “cozy by the fire” which I also do not like since I enjoy using my own drop shadows. That being said it really is a fun set. Ink Pot – A nice smudgy sort of alpha. And.. that is all. An alpha & an element set. Perhaps this person doesn’t undersell herself but I would have liked to see at least one more set. Overall I give this a thumbs up!
Clever Monkey Graphics – Again I am unfamiliar with this designer. With the elements I like that she gave both sticker & non-sticker options. The planets look good but for some reason I felt like the Jupiter elements seemed to blurry (this was the intent I am sure but with the rest I thought it should have been a bit more defined?) Some of the font choices for the word strips are not my favorite. (reach for the stars, constellations, intergalactic being a few) Very nice template included. 2 alphas I know it is probably the intended effect but the pixeled “glow” on the first alpha is distracting. The 2nd alpha is nice. Again people – Alpha Sheets would be nice! Papers – Hit or miss. Some of the color choices seem off. (When paired together) There are some beautiful papers though, 1 star paper is really great & the solar system paper is also fantastic. Overall I give this a thumbs up.. could have been better could have been much worse.
I don't see anything wrong with those scrips. I don't use that program, but any program is better than NO program. This reminds me of the fight between paper scrappers and digi scrappers. Paper scrappers don't think digi is "real" scrapping. The argument of the digi scrappers has been "let everybody scrap the way they want to-scrapping is scrapping." Maybe that should be remembered by the PSP people and PSE people. This ongoing argument seems rather childish. If I don't like a kit, I'm not going to buy it no matter who made it, or with what program. If I like a kit, I might buy it either way too.
I know it is very much a personal preference. I'm happy designers like #122 include both. I just find it tedious to open several files and switch between them (Using CS not Elements) I'd rather just use my selection tool and grab the letters I want from 1 file.
Thank you for the reviews. I downloaded the kits but haven't unzipped them yet. I too like individual alphas. I usually just use them for titles, so only open the letters I'm going to use for the title.
123 - use the "Load files into stack" script - you can select all your letters and it will load them into a single file for you. Easier than a sheet, even.
I don't upload the sheets because they are so large. I might if a customer requested it, but I've never had anyone ask.
I use Anna Forrest's action that makes my alpha titles for me, so for me it's most important than an alpha be named in such a way that her action will recognize the letters (upper vs. lower) and import them correctly. And the action accesses the different png files, so for me I'd personally prefer the alphas separate.
I've found that having an entirely separate zip file for the alpha helps me accommodate "sheet" customers and "separated" customers. They can download the file (which is usually close to 50MB!!) and then delete what they don't want.
# 128 - Are separate alpha files always named correctly to use Anna's action? I don't have her action so I don't know what format it should be in but wonder if all the files need to be renamed by the user to be useful? (annoying task if it has to be done a certain way)
Which designers use PSP? All of them who started graphics in Windows years ago before Adobe had a PC version of PS. Most people who started with PSP use PSP. What I have learned (in chats) is that many designers use PSP, but they "have" PS, too. Or they are "trying to learn it". Mostly they (we, although I am not a designer) can't get used to the large amount of mouse movement when dealing with layers in PS, and their lack of remembering keyboard shortcuts, or keyboard shortcuts that require the right hand - the mouse hand. If they are asked publicly what program they use they feel they have to say Photoshop because PSP has such a bad rep. Do I remember who these designers are? Sorry, I don't, but I can tell you I don't go to chats featuring no-namers. They have to be top tier.
Now for the best question, which is not who uses what program, it's how many designers who use PS have a legal copy? I bet 50%.
I love Sugarplum Paperie. I went ahead and bought this month's Digi Files based on the previous poster's reviews. Thanks previous poster! I wasn't disappointed. The SPP kit is gorgeous.
What I have learned (in chats) is that many designers use PSP, but they "have" PS, too. --------------- Maybe the best (or smartest) designers have both, and use the best features of each program. But overall, the best designers just have better skills and know how to use their program.
Kimeric used to use PSP (I read that somewhere?) And her kits are always really nice.. so I agree with 133.. better designers know how to use their program.
I use Anna Forrest's action that makes my alpha titles for me, so for me it's most important than an alpha be named in such a way that her action will recognize the letters (upper vs. lower) and import them correctly. And the action accesses the different png files, so for me I'd personally prefer the alphas separate.
Have you tried the ReNamer program? You can alter the names of files using whatever convention you like and can set up multiple steps. You can remove, add, change the case, etc. Great program and it's free. It might help you with using Anna Forrest's title action.
Thank you anonymous reviewer of the Digi Files! I made up my mind to buy them last month because of the detailed reviews. Hopefully we'll have something like this every month. Since I can't resist a space-themed kit, I might just have to get this month's as well.
^ Katie the Scrapbook Lady? Like, second-in-command at TDD, and co-host of The Digi Show? ---- I'm post 105. I buy TDF, but I don't listen to the Show. I hate podcasts. And IDK who runs TDD itself. I just know I pay $5 a month to get some product. And if Katie is the Scrapbook Lady, I will continue to NOT listen to the Digi Show. There is no way that the woman who included such basic templates in TDF could possibly have anything worthwhile/groundbreaking to tell me about scrapping.
140- they typically release 1-2 products with each new release date they are a guest. I believe it is unusual for a guest to move in old todo it as load up the store before it opens . So relax chill out and check back each week
#135, thank you; no, I hadn't heard of that, but will utilize it the next time I need to batch edit. Most of the people I buy from have the alphas named in a useful way, fortunately. I love using that Anna Forrest action. Such a time saver!
Now you guys have made me google up that Anna Forrest action! Thanks for sharing, I'm snagging it up as well. I wonder if she is suddenly getting an influx of orders and wondering why the hell it happened!
On the whole sheet versus singles in alphas. I'm a designer, and I do alphas, and a couple of the stores I sell in state clearly in the contract that alphas must be in separate png files and not sheets, and even goes as far as having an alpha cutter action/script depending on the program used. I also use both psp and ps equally, and yes, I started out in psp only for awhile. But I've found I can actually do virtually the same thing psp as cs, and if I'm layering elements and need good shadowing, I can do my shadow on a separate layer and change the opacity, warp it where I need and more. It saves time quite often instead of waiting for photoshop to open.
If they are asked publicly what program they use they feel they have to say Photoshop because PSP has such a bad rep.
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If designers are confident in their ability, why would they lie about their choice of program. If they are good, they should be proud of the tools they use. Despite what program it is, the reputation of it or peoples views about it should not matter.
Good product is good product, people will buy it if they like it. Doesn't matter what program they used.
# 152 - I would say that whether designers should be worried about other's opinion on the program they use or not is probably their business. I actually heard once that a store owner would decline application of ANY designer using PSP because she felt PSP users were too often associated with pirates and would attract piracy to her store. Is it logical? Is it true? But if it is the standing of a store owner, I can understand any designer being somewhat cautious about publicly stating they are using a program that has a bad reputation (even if it is totally unfounded). One never knows who is the next person who will based a decision on such opinion.
That owner is a moron. Do a search at The Daily Digi for Paint Shop Pro and you will find several designers, some retired, some at top stores, who use PSP.
But I've found I can actually do virtually the same thing psp as cs, and if I'm layering elements and need good shadowing, I can do my shadow on a separate layer and change the opacity, warp it where I need and more. It saves time quite often instead of waiting for photoshop to open. ----- I'm a PS person learning PSP for some of its unique things, but I don't know what you mean about shadows? I tried doing a layout with PSP and hated it, the shadowing was awful. PS is so much easier, especially since I've saved my fave settings as styles and it's a one-click to apply, then a right-click to separate onto its own layer for adjustment. Do you know of a tutorial for shadowing in PSP, because clearly I'm missing something.
PS is so much easier, especially since I've saved my fave settings as styles and it's a one-click to apply, then a right-click to separate onto its own layer for adjustment ------------------- You can save your prefered settings in PSP too. You can have shadows on a separate layer in PSP too (without even a right-click). I don't see one as easier than the other.
152 - Unfortunately, there's more to it than just a designer's confidence in her ability. People make predetermined judgments based on many factors. For example, I seem to remember someone posting here pretty recently that they wouldn't even consider buying from a designer whose design name ends in a z rather than an s. Confidence in one's own ability is sometimes not enough to override public perception.
Well to be perfectly honest, anyone who spells their name with a Z instead of an S just to try to be "clever" needs to take a few business classes regardless.
Anyone who has an inkling of business sense would more than likely agree.
158 - maybe so, but business abilities and designing skills are not necessarily equivalent so would it be fair to base one's purchase of their products on that?
I have stopped myself from purchasing a product at a physical store based on crappy styled packaging or branding. If it isn't appealing, whether it's the style or branding of the package (despite how good the contents may be!) I will likely move on to something else. I can't be the only person who does this, whether it's a subconscious decision or otherwise.
People forget that just because it is a digital medium, we are still customers and consumers in the same sense we are in a physical store. I just do not understand why others do not appear to comprehend this.
did you see the request from Mye to buy to support her son's heart surgery?
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A lot of people are posting about it on Facebook...hopefully a lot will also be able to contribute to help with the surgery costs. It's so hard in this economy and with so many needing help.
I'm surprised designers haven't made a collab. That is what they usually do to help. I really love the digi community in that they do go overboard to try and help each other. Poor baby. He looks so healthy too.
160 - There are often wonderful non-digital products in what many would consider to be "poor" packaging, and they do very well. Take, for example, restaurants. Every city I've ever been to has that little hole-in-the-wall restaurant that, by appearance, people would consider a dive. Yet the food is incredible and the locals support it enthusiastically. Heck, Guy Fieri has an entire show on Food Network dedicated to just those little dives. I prefer to judge a designer's work based on her/his products, not the packaging.
Random rant. I hate store owners who also design for themselves. At one of my stores, the new-ish owner is also a designer and I'm noticing she has recently started offering products she has never sold before, that I have been doing well with for a long time. I guess it helps when one has admin access, huh? Certainly makes it easier to look and see "what sells" and then unfairly compete with your designers.
What do you all think of owners who sell under their own brand and compete with their designers? Do you agree that it would seem to fall under a conflict of interest?
167, any designer in a store can do that. If they like it, they can make their own version and sell it. I think you just need to get over it and make something new. You aren't competing with the designers in your store. Their business helps your business. Or you might just be better suited to not be in a store where the owner designs. It sounds like you don't trust their intentions.
did you see the request from Mye to buy to support her son's heart surgery?
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Poor family. I hope they get what they need.
I think it's appalling that she has to do this. It wouldn't be an issue where I live and it shouldn't be an issue anywhere else, but sadly it is. Sigh.
I know plenty of store owners who design - I think it's good - if they're good. But if they're not they shouldn't bother. I can't really think of what a store owner would design that is copying other than scripts/actions - most of the rest of the tuff is common enough
I feel sorry for Mye but I hate how this "community" picks and chooses who they help.
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That's awfully vague. It's already been said that there's a collab in the works for Mye. If you meant something else, say it. If someone else should have been helped who wasn't, in your opinion, who was it and why didn't you initiate something?
Well, sometimes people talk so "in general" no one knows what the hell they're talking about which is exactly what happened in this case. Vague generalities are very often lies which is why they are unclear and "in general."
#173- I didn't think Mye was so well liked. She gets smacked often on here.
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Her smacking on here is very likely done by the same few people who don't like her for whatever reasons. The point is her baby is very ill and needs surgery. Even if you don't "like" her, her baby STILL needs the surgery and he's not old enough to have pissed off anyone yet...
176 Im 173. i don't want to turn this into a mye bashing thing. I didn't mean it that way. I dont know her to talk about her in any way.
But there are loads of people in this community that could use help but you only see community wide collabs and interest for "popular" members.
Examples of collabs that WERE initiated but only got little response are these: http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=311353&highlight=Charity+collab
Also the Eva kipler tragedy got loads of attention but this lady who died around the same time you hardly heard about. Eva was so popular she got a digismack topic about her!
So it seems as long as you are in a top tier store, you should have nothing to worry about if you run into hard times.
180. I'm sorry to break it to you but some people have lives outside of this community and the Internet so they won't reply as fast as you want them to at times.
I'm 181 and I meant to link this thread about the designer dying around the same time Eva Kipler did. http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=312789
Both of those collabs say to email the designer in charge and one of them lists at least 10 names that are helping, I don't think that's "no response".
One is for Scrapable (her son's girlfriend lost her house in a fire) and the other is run by M&M Designs and is just for a cancer charity....without a face and with that designer's poor spelling, I'm shocked she got 10 responses honestly. Not to mention the designer forum at DST is dead, I would imagine they have a greater response in their private store forums.
180. I'm sorry to break it to you but some people have lives outside of this community and the Internet so they won't reply as fast as you want them to at times.
I feel badly for anyone having to go through hard times. People feel badly because it's a child, a baby. If it were Mye herself that needed surgery, people wouldn't feel as badly. That's what I find so disturbing, really.
I wish I could help everyone who needs help, but I can't. I get burned out trying to help everyone all the time and someone in this industry always seems to need help. I feel for them, I really, truly do. I can't be the only one who grows weary of it, though...
I don't think it's because they were "elite" designers, it's because they knew a lot of people. Eva was a designer for a long time and made lots of friends within the community over the span of many years.
I keep to myself as a designer and I wouldn't expect the same response to a collab for me (I pray that never has to happen). I wouldn't take offense to it at all when I didn't get the same outpouring of support. I'd be flattered if 10 of my fellow designers felt compelled to help me in any way.
I feel badly for anyone having to go through hard times. People feel badly because it's a child, a baby. If it were Mye herself that needed surgery, people wouldn't feel as badly. That's what I find so disturbing, really.
I wish I could help everyone who needs help, but I can't. I get burned out trying to help everyone all the time and someone in this industry always seems to need help. I feel for them, I really, truly do. I can't be the only one who grows weary of it, though...
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Oh, poor you. Get off the self-pity kick. There's no pressure on you to do squat. People give when they WANT to give. If you're over taxed at helping folks out then by all means, go do something for yourself..while you're at it, do something for us, GO AWAY!
I agree with #194. If you don't want to contribute, don't. If you're so weary of people needing help, don't read anything, watch t.v., converse with anyone, etc. I hope you are never in the position Mye is and have people with the same attitude as yours. Thank goodness, there's really good people out there and they outnumber people like you.
I guess you're all the kind of people who always give to every Salvation Army bell ringer stand, every time, every shop, every location. You must also give to every coin can for every cause and you most definitely give to every charity that calls and mails you.
You must have been quite generous every single time someone asked you to donate this past holiday season at every register in every store. $1 here, $5 there. How wonderful not a single one of you ever felt weary at being asked to help donate to every cause out there.
With all this energy and generosity, it's amazing cancer still exists.
When you do a drop shadow in psp, there is a little check box in the lower right corner, says make shadow on a separate layer. Check than and adjust your shadow the way you want in the settings, then apply, once you do, you can then use the programs warp feature to warp the shadow the same as you do in cs or ps, plus you can lower the opacity in the layers section as well, and even erase portions of the shadow you don't want on your element. If you have a layered flower and you only want the edges with depth and the centers to stay normal, then simply fix your shadow using the settings above, then erase the parts near the center. Once you play with the drop shadow and features enough, it is very easy to do anytime.
Random rant. I hate store owners who also design for themselves. At one of my stores, the new-ish owner is also a designer and I'm noticing she has recently started offering products she has never sold before, that I have been doing well with for a long time. I guess it helps when one has admin access, huh? Certainly makes it easier to look and see "what sells" and then unfairly compete with your designers.
What do you all think of owners who sell under their own brand and compete with their designers? Do you agree that it would seem to fall under a conflict of interest?
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Someone has their panties in a wad. Jealous much? Do the designers products have better quality than yours? Better style maybe? get over yourself. It's a big digi world out there and maybe, just maybe, some designers/owners want to expand themselves creatively based on what sells digi world wide...or they could just want to piss you off, lol
2881 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 1 – 200 of 2881 Newer› Newest»Happy New Year Smackers!
Happy New Year!!!
I just want to say that all the designers/stores I CT for were extremely generous with end-of-year/holiday gifts. I know that designers just trade coupons with other designers (so it's not like they're actually spending money out of pocket for these coupons), but the fact that designers are willing to give up a few sales in order to give their team some coupon code gifts is just really nice.
Maybe I'll be smacked for being thankful, but I don't care. Thanks to all of you who provided coupon codes. I can't PM you all, so I'm just going to say Thanks here. Anonymously. :)
I agree with #3! Thanks to all designers providing CT coupons, it is very appreciated!
You're welcome. :)
DST has a blog train out. Not near as many stops, but not many I would actually download.
Where are Simon and/or Piers with the P&Co reviews? :)
P&Co for all their hype, have no sale?
3-I appreciate the designers thoughtfulness also. Thank you all!
BARF SHC just took on Cassel of all people. YUCK! Tina must be getting desperate.
#3 - None of the designers or stores I CT for did anything for their CTs this year. I'm glad you were part of some generous teams, though.
P&Co is a joke. Same, recycled freebies from DHD designers and lots of overpriced junk.
$5 for a set of tags? http://pixelsandcompany.com/shop/product.php?productid=580&cat=&page=
$3 for 1 flower recolored several times? http://pixelsandcompany.com/shop/product.php?productid=583&cat=&page=
That was just on the first page. I stopped looking.
#6- DST has a blog train out. Not near as many stops, but not many I would actually download.
Jan 1, 2013 11:28:00 AM
Amen to this. I didn't download anything. As usual, Trixie Scraps doesn't have hers up. I'm sure some disaster happened where she couldn't get it scheduled in the past month...
12 - Whatever the price may be out of your poor ass pocket reach, but those flowers aren't the same at all. Anyone with a remote eye for detail can tell that. Get some glasses.
10 - I agree. Very disappointed to see Cassel there.
I actually like what I saw on p&co.
There's only one way to describe this -- GROSS.
http://www.sugarhillco.com/shop/Bow-3-PSP-Script/
#3, I agree. Thanks Designers!
I have mixed feelings on P&Co. I will say that it was kind of silly to open now, but have their grand opening NEXT month? I know they have more designers to bring on, but maybe wait until they're ready to come on before opening, then.
The prices are steep. $5 for a mini kit is a bit expensive, even if the designs are good. As expensive as paper scrapping? No. But I do digital for many reasons, cost being one of them. I can guarantee that I will shop at P&Co during sales ONLY, probably snatching up several of the $1 goodies this month, buying during any possible grand opening sale next, but never paying full price for those items. It's just steep.
I do feel like the site has a good atmosphere, and I am going to stick it out until their grand opening and see what they offer up. I was surprised that I was up almost a full two hours after they said the site would be live... yes, the kinks have to get worked out, but don't make a big to-do of your countdown if you're going to go 2 hours over that, know what I mean?
I'm mixed on the site. I see good, I see bad. My eyebrows did perk up at Ju Kneipp being a guest there so soon after starting on at SSD. Wonder if she's considering jumping ship, and if so, why take on the SSD spot? I know that guest spots don't always mean permanent ones, but it's just strange to me.
17 Omg ew. I thought SHC was better than that.
I always thought those scripts were pretty pathetic, which is probably why I choose to use Photoshop for my creative abilities.
I'm not even a designer (digital scrapbooking that is). PSP is a joke unless you want to end up in a Poser-lover store.
I just looked through Cassel's store and I am virtually speechless. Has Tina been hitting the holiday brew?
I thought I had gone to the wrong store at first PSP is for amateurs and cheap people who don't want to fork out the money (or aren't good enough to earn the money to fork it out) for PS. Use the trailer trash version of software, you'll get trailer trash version products. Nothing I'd want to use to create pages with! I thought she hit bottom with Vinnie Pearce and her cu debacle. She's hit a new all time low with Cassel.
#23.. I agree about Cassel but Vinnie Pearce? I just looked at her store (while there isn't a lot there) it looked good to me.
I have to admit to being a bit jarred when I saw the front page of SugarHillCo. It was like stepping back 7 years! I wonder if the other designers there are confused as well.
Umm... Yeah PSP and PSE are the same price - give or take. And the software is similar enough that they can both be used easily for scrapbooking. I know a lot of scrappers (good ones) that use PSP. PSP doesn't equal trash or low quality. Thinking that is just plain stupid.
(And no - I don't use PSP. Never got the hang of it - PS just made more sense to me, though there were some great tools in PSP that I used quite often until I switched to a Mac).
Vinnie Pearce had to give a shit load of refunds because her CU was shit. She gave the excuse that it was from earlier designs. Looks can be deceiving.
Scrapping with PSP or PSE is one thing. Design is another. Those serious about design don't use PSP.
I'm sure PSP folks have money to spend and Tina's ready to take it. Can't say I'm a fan of having to sort through it when I shop, though.
I use PSP and you obviously don't know the capabilities of the product and what it can produce. I can't stand Cassel or her scripts and she doesn't do PSP any justice at all.
Unless you're a real graphic designer, PS is overkill and expensive. The fact is, PSP does almost everything PS does for a lot less.
There's a difference between using PSP for scrapping and for designing.
Speaking from a customer's point of view, PSP looks rushed and really amateurish if you want to use it for making scrapbook elements. The scripts look like something my child could do with paint. And yes, PSE is far cheaper and still able to produce decent product in comparison with PSP.
#12 - those flowers are the same. They've just been rotated to make "different" looking flowers. I believe you have "eye for detail" confused with "stupid."
I'll shop at P&Co for $1 sales only most likely. For new store owned by someone who ran a store before, you'd think they could get their shopping cart to work before opening.
You would think. At first I thought it was just me who couldn't get the cart to work.
30 - Even they two they have blown up are different. The flowers are also not identical yet rotated. Are some of them recolors yes. But it's not just one flower or one set of beads.
Actually I'm well verses in PSP. Idiot. I was a tagger for years before these posers started taking over. Then it was no longer art. I know full well what PSP is capable of and FULL well what it's not. Buy a clue and learn a REAL program. PSE is MILES above PSP, too.
^versed not verses.
#34- Do you like PSP or PSE better?
PSE
I can't believe P&Co isn't having an actual sale. $1.00 for certain items. No thanks.
#37- Have you tried CS at all yet? I find it alot better than PSE. I had issues with installing the styles to PSE.
370-It's very easy to install styles in the new version.
#34 - How about you give us a list of 10 useful things PSE can do that PSP can't. Put up or shut up.
The cart thing at P&Co makes me laugh. Good thing Gennifer was holding DHD together...
Resizing alone is enough reason for me to stick with adobe over psp. Personally though, I prefer CS. Expensive, yes, but worth every penny in my opinion.
How about you name one GOOD designer that uses PSP. Good luck with that.
#42- It's fixed now. I had issues with it also.
PSP resizes just fine. What exactly do you mean?
You'd have to have used PS/PSE to really understand the difference. In PSP you can't just grab a corner and resize something without it pixelating your piece. Maybe not enough for you to care, but I like my pages and creations with a bit higher quality.
Resizing is easier, styles are better and you have a wider variety to choose from. Yes you can get some similar results, but it's not the same quality. If I have to purchase a $100+ set of filters to get what I can do with a few clicks in PS then I'm not really saving all that much money am I? Also you can use more file types in PS over PSP. I've heard numerous people complain because they can't use a TIF or figure out how to work a clipping mask on a PSD.
Not to mention the tools are just higher quality all the way around. Like someone said name a good designer that uses PSP and we'll talk.
I also received coupons for the store I CT for...what a wonderful gift from all the designers..THANK YOU :) I had so much fun going to each designers store and making my choices.
#46 - There are plenty of "designers" who use PS that aren't good at all, just like PSP and any other program. Good is subjective anyway and I'm sure I could list a bunch of good designers and someone would disagree for one reason or another.
Pointless.
Yes, but you still can't name me ONE single PSP designer that's good. I can name several that use PS that are. You want to talk subjective that's fine, but I think most know the difference between quality and style. I may not like someone's style but I know if it's quality or not.
I don't claim to know which program every designer uses. My only point is that it isn't the program that makes someone good or bad.
I was suprised when I read about Eva Kipler that she was a PSP user. So I do think it's possible to be good, and apparently so do a lot of buyers. And so called top tier stores.
I remember a few years ago there was a huge to do about PSE vs. PS, when PSE still wasn't that great. A lot of people were saying that you couldn't design anything decent in PSE and were then very surprised to learn that several top tier designers were using PSE.
I don't know which designers use which programs to design with, but I bet some of you may be surprised at what they are using.
I just Googled PS scripts and was surprised at some of the really nice things out there, much nicer than what Cassel has on offer.
Wasn't one of the designers in TDF in December a PSP user?
I liked the December kits a lot...just saying...
Ok, so I also received a few coupons from designers as a CT member. Since this is a smack blog, does anyone else think it's a little stingy to only give a $5 coupon, when most of your kits are priced at $6.99?
I think you just got a $6.99 kit for $1.99. I'd smile, say thank you.
I'd smile and say thank you, but be annoyed that it was more of a discount coupon than a giftie IYKWIM.
I think it depends on the designer...I ct for a few individuals and a store, and all gifts were large enough to buy a kit. The store I CT for (so I didn't really need the codes, but all designers gave them to all CTMs) didn't do the trading thing that my individual designers did. I think when they traded coupons they tried to make it so that the total value would be the same - people trading with a smaller ct would get a bigger coupon to share.
The store I CT at is generally very very generous to the CT as well as regular forum memberss, and it looked like each decided on a coupoon about the value of one of their kits. So, coupons varied form $5 to $8
55, all the coupons I received were at least $7. Some were $9 and some were $10. I guess if you got a $5 coupon, perhaps they thought you'd want to buy an element pack or something? IDK.
It's up to the designer giving the coupon, not the designer you CT for. Tthe designer you CT for and the other designer probably decided on an amount they wanted to swap (for example, $100 total for each designer); however, if your designer has twice as many CTMs than the other designer, then you're going to get a coupon worth HALF the amount that your designer gave to the other CT.
Whatever the reason, are you really complaining about a coupon? If you don't like the designer, then don't get anything (so that you don't have to spend your own money on top of the coupon). If you like the designer, then why complain? Buy something off your wish list and be happy for the coupon.
I get pissed about that "gift", too. The same way I'd be pissed if a friend gave me a gift for my birthday, but in order to actually get that gift, I had to pay $ to receive anything at all.
Not really a gift then, is it?
As a designer, the minimum gift I exchange is always enough to get at least one full sized kit at regular price. I expect the same from designers I trade with, too.
Thanks, 59. I mean, I wasn't angry or anything. All it really did was make me aware of the fact there was nothing in that designer's store I'd pay $2 for. But it just felt stingy.
It's not always the designers' fault on either end. It's almost always a $$$ in coupons to one team and a $$$ in coupons to the other team, so while one person will have say 10 ct members the other may have 20 and therefore, yes the person with 20 ct members will get less in coupons.
#61 - That would definitely be the fault of the designer (unless there is a store-imposed limit on coupon $ value). You mean to tell me a designer can't say, my kits cost $7, so I'll give you 20 coupons for that price instead of $5? Really?
Boy you guys are thick.
Not if the other designer doesn't want to do the same, no. They don't have to give you anything extra at all.
I designed for three years. Each of the years, I participated in a different Christmas gift exchange with other designers (mind you, this was several years ago).
The first year, a large group of us went in on designing a pretty huge collaboration kit as a surprise to our teams. Inside was of course, the full collaboration, and then also many coupons for dollar amounts off-- almost every designer included enough of a coupon for them to get a kit for free. The collab was later sold to benefit charity.
The second year, we left it up to the designers we swapped with what exactly they wanted to contribute... some contributed a new release kit for free, others contributed a coupon for anything in their store, and others contributed a mini and a coupon.
The third year, it was coupons only, but we had pre-determined that rather exchanging a certain dollar amount (as in, I'll give you $100 total worth of coupons and you give me $100 total worth of coupons), we asked each other how many members were on the team and gave coupons for each member to get a full kit from our store or MORE. Many of the designers gave enough for a collection or a kit and an add on or alpha, but a few did "just" give enough for a kit. No one was stingy and gave less than the kit amount.
If I were on a CT, I would feel kind of cheated if I got a coupon that was less than the value of what I could purchase in their store... I don't want to spend my own money on a "gift."
I remember that collab.
If someone gives me a gc to a store and what I want costs more than what I have on the card, I don't get pissy about it and think "they might as well not had given me this 'gift' ". I pay the difference and am grateful that I didn't have to pay the full price.
66 I pay the difference and am grateful that I didn't have to pay the full price
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Not the OP. I do understand what you're saying and I would be grateful for ANY gift I receive. Unfortunately, I'm bad-mannered enough that I would instinctively judge the giver's feelings from that gift.
If it's a birthday/Christmas/whatever gift, I would be happier with a $1 voucher to a dollar store than I would be with a $2 voucher to a Starbucks because I don't have to go to a store I don't normally frequent and spend unplanned money just for the sake of redeeming the gift. I would feel the former shows more true thought for me because to me, the purpose of gifts are to express feelings.
(However, if say, she was the Starbucks owner and was just handing out vouchers to friends, I'd smile & say sincere thanks.)
#63 - You can do whatever you want. If that other designer wont give enough for a free kit, then perhaps she's not someone to swap with. Blaming the fact you wouldn't give enough for a free kit on someone else is rich.
Maybe you end up giving a little more than that other designer, but the entire point is to thank a CTM for their hard work and it's not much thanks if they look at your store and realize your cheap coupon wont get them anything. Doesn't do much to gain a new fan, either...
I created for a designer for years before she retired (sniff). She was the most generous, giving and thankful person I've ever created for. Right before she retired, she gave out what had to be $800-1000+ in gift coupons based upon what she gave us in return.
She did it every year, but that last year, she spoiled us above and beyond. She considered us her friends and I think when you look at your CT that way, how you give reflects that. If you look at them like people who "work" for you, you give some general amount and call it a day.
I got coupons too but let a few expire but mostly because I didn't see anything I liked enough to spend my own money on.
I'm curious who gave out coupons and who you would consider to be generous designers.
I'm more surprised to hear stores and designers didn't do any gifts. Really??
The designer I ct for gives us cash. Now that's a gift ;)
#53 you are talking about PS scripts? Can you point me to some as I always hear that PS runs actions, not scripts. And even if you meant PS actions, show me some good actions for PS. I have looked around and found a lot aweful actions for PS (and some aweful scripts for PSP too), not many great ones.
I've never given a coupon for the exchange that won't at least buy a kit. I would think it was stingy if it happened to me. I don't even do that when I give away free codes on FB (which I already know I shouldn't do, but sometimes I just like making a few people happy). I've never understood the mentality behind that - it's virtual product, a couple of bucks isn't "real" anyway. It's not like you are depleting inventory, and in most cases you aren't losing a sale, either, because those CT members are new customers to me.
So it's not really a gift at all no matter how much it is, is it? Since it's just virtual and no one is really losing anything.
I suppose you could look at it that way, 76. But the CT member gets access to the kit, which they didn't have before. So it's something :)
I have looked around and found a lot aweful actions for PS (and some aweful scripts for PSP too), not many great ones.
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You are right: there are some aweful (or silly) actions around. I checked at DST (since I am too lazy to visit several stores), and yes, I am shaking my head at some:
http://www.digishoptalk.com/products/showphoto.php?photo=104929&title=apple-photoshop-action&cat=537
Maybe ok painted, but how many different kinds of apples can you make and how often will you use the exact same kind of apple?
http://www.digishoptalk.com/products/showphoto.php?photo=114332&title=action-pati-araujo&cat=537
Do I need an action to place 3 papers in such a unique arrangement?
http://www.digishoptalk.com/products/showphoto.php?photo=101660&title=bow-and-sash-photo-shop-action&cat=537
Hum... what can I say?
Funny to see those actions since they are obviously made by designers using Photoshop. Definite proof that Photoshop is the best program and designers using anything else cannot be as good.
(thanks for the laugh)
You're deliberately missing the point...anyone can link us to a bunch of crappy photoshop stuff. We have yet to see any links to GOOD PSP stuff. Still waiting.
80 - THIS
A point was made that someone said she googled PS scripts and found some stuff much better than the PSP scripts from Cassel. She didn't show anything better either.
Everything is a matter of opinion. If I name one good PSP designer, other might say she is not that good. If I name a bad PS designer, someone will argue that she does good work. Who cares what program one uses? The customers will only care about what they get out of it: there are good and bad designers using PSE, PS, PSP, even Gimp.
I've never seen a decent PSP script. That doesn't mean I think every designer who uses PSP sucks, since obviously I have no idea what program any designer uses. But the fact remains, I've never seen a PSP script that didn't look like garbage. I'm more than happy to be proven wrong.
If PSP scripts or PS actions look like garbage, maybe it is because they are drawn elements. Preview makers, title makers, shadow placer, cluster makers, quality check tools and others cannot "look bad" since they do not look like anything. I totally agree that most scripts (and actions) that are drawing elements are not the greatest. Look at all the scripts AND actions in the product gallery at DST for such samples but notice that there are SCRAP scripts/actions and TOOL scripts/actions. Those are two different types and there are some much better tool ones than scrap ones.
And btw, what would be considered decent as PSP script or even PS action. Can you show what you would consider not garbage?
A lot of products, even if they are not scripts, look like garbage to me, and I don't care what program the designer used. Garbage is garbage in any language (or I should say, in any program). The skill is more important than the tool in my opinion; some designers have skills, others think they do.
I have a question for the CTMs here. If you see a call for a designer you like, but you don't care for the store she's at, do you apply anyhow? In other words, does the store make a difference?
It would help to know why you dont like the shop, 86. Is it shady, gross, cliquish, "low-tier" or some other reason? If it is reputable and I like the designer, then I would do it. But if a shop is known to be shady then I would be careful about getting involved with a designer in a shop like that. How much shop involvement does the designer ask for?
I'm 87. As I re read your post, I realized you might be the designer and not the CTM.
I am not 86, but I think that 87 has good insight for both sides: the CT and the designer. Things to look into if a designer is not getting many (or good) answers to a call!
When I first started CTing, I didn't the store mattered and for the most part, I still don't. Unless the designer has a posts requirement, the most time I spend at a lot of stores is downloading the kit and uploading the finished page. But after doing it awhile, I really want to narrow it down to one or two stores because having so many places to keep track of is kind of a pain.
#86 - The store matters to me. I have dropped CTs in the past if they move to a store I don't like. There are just some stores I can't stand as far as owner, other designers, and general atmosphere. Scrap Orchard is one of those stores.
72: I know some designers and stores did gifts at Thanksgiving instead of Christmas, figuring that there would be Black Friday or pre-Christmas sales that CT members could take advantage of.
I guess it depends on the designer. For most designers, $5 would cover the cost of a new release on sale, and most designers have smaller kits, elements, add-ons etc. that are less than $5. There were sales last week too. At least it wasn't a % off coupon, that I would argue isn't much of a gift but a straight $ off coupon, you can probably find something you would use and like or just don't use it! I was given a coupon that was a free kit and I didn't like anything I saw at all so I just didn't use it. I'm grateful for the one that was to somewhere I love and I did spend a few more $$ with it. I think it was nice, period.
Why can't SO get their shit together and quit sending out broken links in their newsletter or posting on their FB wall? How hard can it be?
Store didn't matter to me when I started CTing, but now it does. It's convenient to have designers in the same store. It's awesome to CT somewhere that you like the forum/owners/etc
I try to participate in the forums at the stores where my designers sell. Sometimes that's hard because the forums don't move very quickly. (I don't want to talk to myself.) I steer clear of CTing for designers who require me to participate at their store's forums, though. I *hate* when I see a flood of comments from CTMs at the end of the month. They dredge up old threads just to meet their quota. Dumb. Actually, I hate when store CTMs do this, too. Especially store's Gallery Praisers. Don't dredge up my LOs from 5 months ago to meet your praise goals. Lame, especially when the gallery has more than enough LOs posted to meet your comment goal--if you actually did your job throughout the month like you should.
Sorry, that got a bit off topic, but it's something I've been thinking about.
I'm 86. No, I'm not a designer. I'm apparently a selective CTM. I like to participate in the forums when I ct for a designer. I ct for one designer, though, that is in three stores, so I don't participate in all the forums. If I don't care for a store (for whatever reason), it makes it hard to participate in the forum. I've been around for several years. In those years, I've seen things happen at some stores that I don't care for. I don't shop at the stores I don't care for, so I'd feel strange going on a ct for a designer in those particular stores. (there are several stores). I see one of the designers that had a call recently changed stores after the call. I wish I had known that change was in the works before I passed up the call! (that was the reason for the question). I'm glad I'm not the only one that looks at the store before sending in those applications though. I don't send in applications to designers that require a set number of posts per month. I do comment on layouts when I see an outstanding one, but I don't just make comments for numbers.
#53 you are talking about PS scripts? Can you point me to some as I always hear that PS runs actions, not scripts.
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Sorry, I meant PSP scripts. PS does run scripts as well as actions. However, scripts in PS are more to help the work flow than do 'pretty', even though you see a lot of work actions in PS, but I think it's because most people aren't aware of scripts in PS or don't know how to use/write them.
Curious if someone knows the 2013 CT for Mye de Leon? I heard she took on girls from previous teams but don't know if that's true
As for the question about applying to a designer if you don't like the store: I would ask myself if I can move past the fact I don't like the store she sells at. If the answer is yes, I'd apply anyway.
Another question: if you, as a customer, ask a designer for a spot or guestspot on their CT and they say no but later you hear from another customer they did get a guestspot. What would you think about that? This happened to a friend of mine.
They're allowed to say no to whomever they please.
Honestly, it would depend on what they said. If it was just "No" that's fine. If it was "No, I don't do guest spots" and then they did it for someone else, I would be hurt, and probably pissed off.
Saying no is one thing. Lying about why you said no is another.
TDF was disappointing this month. Usually I can find at least two things I like and make it worth the price. Not this month.
Some PSP scripts. It is hit or miss, but all of it is better than Cassel's.
http://digitalscrapworld.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=125_78&sort=20a&page=1
They're allowed to say no to whomever they please.
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No one said they weren't.
To the OP, I'd agree with #101, except I wouldn't be hurt but I would be annoyed and probably write that designer off my shopping list.
TDF was disappointing this month. Usually I can find at least two things I like and make it worth the price. Not this month.
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I liked the previews but I haven't unzipped anything yet. Was the quality not good? I really like the look of Clever Monkey Graphics' kit and Julie Billingsly's kit. And the SM kit looks nice, if a bit of an overdone theme. But I was not a fan of those templates by Scrapbook Lady (never heard of her).
^ Katie the Scrapbook Lady? Like, second-in-command at TDD, and co-host of The Digi Show?
I agree - NOT crazy about TDD this month at ALL... LOVED Mommyish last month, definitely made it worth it to me...
Have seen a couple people guesting at different shops this month, click on their name only to find ONE product... WTH?
It's only the beginning of January, what do you expect #108?
In regards to the psp vs ps debate and scripts or actions. It seems no one is realizing that scripts are again geared more for the tagger/scrap design community than they are the ps community. Just because some use psp doesn't mean you can't do virtually the same as you can in ps. I use them both equally, and can achieve the same results in both using different commands. Even if psp is a "poor mans" program, doesn't mean it isn't useful.
I found these scripts, not bad, I'd use them, dress them up a little.
Could be nice added to layouts, behind photos.
http://scriptzrus.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4_67&products_id=4325
Very useful, endless possibilities
http://scriptzrus.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4_67&products_id=5485
Nice set
http://scriptzrus.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4_67&products_id=4623
Simple but pretty
http://scriptzrus.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4_50&products_id=5831
111, out of all of those, the only one that even looks decent to me is the paper snowflake one, and even that, I doubt I'd use. I'd rather cut my own snowflakes and scan them so I don't have the exact same snowflake as other people (yadda yadda, no two are alike...). Plus, it looks blurry; maybe that's just the preview, but I don't think any of those are worth the money.
It seems no one is realizing that scripts are again geared more for the tagger/scrap design community than they are the ps community.
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I am puzzled by this statement. I always used PSP and I never noticed that it was geared for taggers. In fact, in the beginning, I have seen more tutorials and scripts addressing photo effects and photo editing. Where did that tagger association come from? If taggers mostly use PSP, it does not mean that PSP is geared toward taggers. Just like posers. Why are they seamingly associated with PSP since they are a totally different program in the first place?
Saying PSP is geared for taggers is as enlightened as saying fried chicken is geared towards black people.
Because Poser is only used to create the character itself, then cleaned up with PSP.
9 times out of 10, if you see a kit with a creepy Poser chick in it...the rest of the kit is PSP created. PSE is a "poor man's program" too but I don't see as much of the seemingly shiny, puffy elements most users like to create with the PSP program.
With that said, this will be one of those debates that will never end. It's a matter of preference and if you are that bothered by what you are using for a program, you're probably not well versed in the program enough to begin with. :)
I use PSP and I'm not bothered by what is said at all. I think it shows the ignorance of others if they believe it's only capable of producing poser kits and puffy elements.
I've found nothing can change an ignorant person's mind, so I don't bother to try. You can't fix stupid.
The Digi Files January 2013
Overall Thoughts :: Not a terrible collection this month but not exactly amazing either. Compared to last month’s goodies this month seems a little lacking.. though I think if they switched out a few designer with others it might not have felt that way. So here we go.. one person’s opinion whose opinion doesn't matter. Rating scale : Thumbs Down, Shrug, Thumbs Up.
Jennifer Labre – My first impression is that the colors are too pastel to feel like a kit I could use “every day” Perhaps if I was scrapping for a baby girl? Anyway elements – Nothing terrible here but nothing stand out amazing either. The journal cards are pretty & the banner/arrow stickers are also very nice. I like the feel of them. The word art is alright. Some of the font choices are bleh. A very standard sort of alpha but one you could use with many kits since it is kraft. I wish designers would include sheets of their alphas as well. Papers – Nice.. not amazing not bad. Overall – I probably wouldn’t use this kit. It isn’t ugly but just forgettable. Overall I give this a Shrug.
Julie Billingsley – Nice standard alphas. I wish they came in sheets as well as individual files but I guess that is a personal preference. Papers are good. Soft feeling (Perhaps a bit too soft for my personal tastes) but nice. All the patterns are good. I like the gray gear paper the best. Elements are all very detailed. I didn't find any jaggies (I didn't expect to) the colors work nicely together. The word art is balanced. It is a very nice kit. Since this is my first kit from this designer it makes me want to look into her store a bit more to see if she has brighter kits. Overall I give this a thumbs up!
Scrapmatters – First impression: Ok. Elements – The polaroid frame has jaggies. Whoever “wc” is.. their ribbon also seemed like the pattern on it was off (like not filled properly or something?) There is a blue-jean butt paper. (in case you are missing one of those in your stash) “gb” papers stand out as unique. For all my knit-picking I like this kit. It is ok. The one template is nice enough. I would have liked to have seen a bit larger of a kit but really it is alright. THANK YOU for putting alpha sheets for the alpha makers at sm! I probably wouldn’t buy this kit on my own but as part of a collection it is fine. Overall I give a thumbs up.
Sugarplum Paperie – Well, hello gorgeous. First off I will start by saying I do not need 5 recolors of the same element. It does not make your kit look more fleshed out. Perhaps that isn’t the intent but moving on.. All the elements are beautiful. There really is not a bad thing to say.. and no I do know this person or feel some reason to speak highly of them.. it is just a beautiful kit. Out of all the kits this one had good font choices for their word art so kudos to this person. Papers – Wow. These papers are lush, softly grunged but not overtly so. The Paper #3 makes me want to roll around in it. Beautiful. I wish there was an alpha! (with a alpha sheet!) Overall I give this a thumbs up! (and my favorite kit of this months collection)
Scrapbook Lady – Maybe I just don’t get it? This are ultra-simple templates. I feel like anyone could make these on their own with a few shape tools within 5 minutes. Nothing exceptional here. Nothing that would make me look twice. I unzipped, looked, deleted. Overall – Thumbs Down
CD Muckosky – Winter With You – This lady is talented obviously! She excels with the doodles but has some quality issues with regular elements. For example the “books” element is blurry and not “artistically” so. There is a drop shadow on “cozy by the fire” which I also do not like since I enjoy using my own drop shadows. That being said it really is a fun set. Ink Pot – A nice smudgy sort of alpha. And.. that is all. An alpha & an element set. Perhaps this person doesn’t undersell herself but I would have liked to see at least one more set. Overall I give this a thumbs up!
Clever Monkey Graphics – Again I am unfamiliar with this designer. With the elements I like that she gave both sticker & non-sticker options. The planets look good but for some reason I felt like the Jupiter elements seemed to blurry (this was the intent I am sure but with the rest I thought it should have been a bit more defined?) Some of the font choices for the word strips are not my favorite. (reach for the stars, constellations, intergalactic being a few) Very nice template included. 2 alphas I know it is probably the intended effect but the pixeled “glow” on the first alpha is distracting. The 2nd alpha is nice. Again people – Alpha Sheets would be nice! Papers – Hit or miss. Some of the color choices seem off. (When paired together) There are some beautiful papers though, 1 star paper is really great & the solar system paper is also fantastic. Overall I give this a thumbs up.. could have been better could have been much worse.
I don't see anything wrong with those scrips. I don't use that program, but any program is better than NO program. This reminds me of the fight between paper scrappers and digi scrappers. Paper scrappers don't think digi is "real" scrapping. The argument of the digi scrappers has been "let everybody scrap the way they want to-scrapping is scrapping." Maybe that should be remembered by the PSP people and PSE people. This ongoing argument seems rather childish. If I don't like a kit, I'm not going to buy it no matter who made it, or with what program. If I like a kit, I might buy it either way too.
I'd rather have individual alphas, not the sheets in a kit. I like a kit to include both though, to appease both types of scrappers.
(I'm the reviewer post person)
I know it is very much a personal preference. I'm happy designers like #122 include both. I just find it tedious to open several files and switch between them (Using CS not Elements) I'd rather just use my selection tool and grab the letters I want from 1 file.
Thank you for the reviews. I downloaded the kits but haven't unzipped them yet. I too like individual alphas. I usually just use them for titles, so only open the letters I'm going to use for the title.
I'd rather have individual alphas, not the sheets in a kit. I like a kit to include both though, to appease both types of scrappers.
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People with data/bandwidth limits complain about this. It's hard to make everyone happy.
http://www.created.bychristin.com/8/post/2013/01/how-to-create-mask-layer-in-psp.html
Remember her? She has been smacked quite a few times here, but now she came back again.
It's now clear to me that good designers use only PSP.
Bazinga!!!!! :)
123 - use the "Load files into stack" script - you can select all your letters and it will load them into a single file for you. Easier than a sheet, even.
I don't upload the sheets because they are so large. I might if a customer requested it, but I've never had anyone ask.
I use Anna Forrest's action that makes my alpha titles for me, so for me it's most important than an alpha be named in such a way that her action will recognize the letters (upper vs. lower) and import them correctly. And the action accesses the different png files, so for me I'd personally prefer the alphas separate.
I've found that having an entirely separate zip file for the alpha helps me accommodate "sheet" customers and "separated" customers. They can download the file (which is usually close to 50MB!!) and then delete what they don't want.
# 128 - Are separate alpha files always named correctly to use Anna's action? I don't have her action so I don't know what format it should be in but wonder if all the files need to be renamed by the user to be useful? (annoying task if it has to be done a certain way)
Which designers use PSP? All of them who started graphics in Windows years ago before Adobe had a PC version of PS. Most people who started with PSP use PSP. What I have learned (in chats) is that many designers use PSP, but they "have" PS, too. Or they are "trying to learn it". Mostly they (we, although I am not a designer) can't get used to the large amount of mouse movement when dealing with layers in PS, and their lack of remembering keyboard shortcuts, or keyboard shortcuts that require the right hand - the mouse hand. If they are asked publicly what program they use they feel they have to say Photoshop because PSP has such a bad rep. Do I remember who these designers are? Sorry, I don't, but I can tell you I don't go to chats featuring no-namers. They have to be top tier.
Now for the best question, which is not who uses what program, it's how many designers who use PS have a legal copy? I bet 50%.
I love Sugarplum Paperie. I went ahead and bought this month's Digi Files based on the previous poster's reviews. Thanks previous poster! I wasn't disappointed. The SPP kit is gorgeous.
What I have learned (in chats) is that many designers use PSP, but they "have" PS, too.
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Maybe the best (or smartest) designers have both, and use the best features of each program. But overall, the best designers just have better skills and know how to use their program.
Kimeric used to use PSP (I read that somewhere?) And her kits are always really nice.. so I agree with 133.. better designers know how to use their program.
I use Anna Forrest's action that makes my alpha titles for me, so for me it's most important than an alpha be named in such a way that her action will recognize the letters (upper vs. lower) and import them correctly. And the action accesses the different png files, so for me I'd personally prefer the alphas separate.
Have you tried the ReNamer program? You can alter the names of files using whatever convention you like and can set up multiple steps. You can remove, add, change the case, etc. Great program and it's free. It might help you with using Anna Forrest's title action.
Thank you anonymous reviewer of the Digi Files! I made up my mind to buy them last month because of the detailed reviews. Hopefully we'll have something like this every month. Since I can't resist a space-themed kit, I might just have to get this month's as well.
I searched for previews of the digi files but couldn't find them. Are they a "surprise" type purchase? I'm new to this, sorry.
^ Katie the Scrapbook Lady? Like, second-in-command at TDD, and co-host of The Digi Show?
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I'm post 105. I buy TDF, but I don't listen to the Show. I hate podcasts. And IDK who runs TDD itself. I just know I pay $5 a month to get some product. And if Katie is the Scrapbook Lady, I will continue to NOT listen to the Digi Show. There is no way that the woman who included such basic templates in TDF could possibly have anything worthwhile/groundbreaking to tell me about scrapping.
#137 - You get to see everything if you buy the month. If you do not you see as they do each interview.
Well #109 - I would EXPECT to see more than ONE product from a guest designer... who wouldn't?
140- they typically release 1-2 products with each new release date they are a guest. I believe it is unusual for a guest to move in old todo it as load up the store before it opens .
So relax chill out and check back each week
#138 made me laugh
#135, thank you; no, I hadn't heard of that, but will utilize it the next time I need to batch edit. Most of the people I buy from have the alphas named in a useful way, fortunately. I love using that Anna Forrest action. Such a time saver!
Well #109 - I would EXPECT to see more than ONE product from a guest designer... who wouldn't?
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I wouldn't. Especially near the beginning of the month and especially in January or December.
#111 - not bad but the ones that #103 shared were nicer.
Now you guys have made me google up that Anna Forrest action! Thanks for sharing, I'm snagging it up as well. I wonder if she is suddenly getting an influx of orders and wondering why the hell it happened!
Of course it would be difficult to get an influx of orders if you are retired... which she is. Oh well!
Maybe she still sells on her own site?
Darn. Someone needs to get on making another action since Anna's is retired.
On the whole sheet versus singles in alphas. I'm a designer, and I do alphas, and a couple of the stores I sell in state clearly in the contract that alphas must be in separate png files and not sheets, and even goes as far as having an alpha cutter action/script depending on the program used. I also use both psp and ps equally, and yes, I started out in psp only for awhile. But I've found I can actually do virtually the same thing psp as cs, and if I'm layering elements and need good shadowing, I can do my shadow on a separate layer and change the opacity, warp it where I need and more. It saves time quite often instead of waiting for photoshop to open.
I think if you contact Anna you can still buy her actions directly from her.
If they are asked publicly what program they use they feel they have to say Photoshop because PSP has such a bad rep.
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If designers are confident in their ability, why would they lie about their choice of program. If they are good, they should be proud of the tools they use. Despite what program it is, the reputation of it or peoples views about it should not matter.
Good product is good product, people will buy it if they like it. Doesn't matter what program they used.
# 152 - I would say that whether designers should be worried about other's opinion on the program they use or not is probably their business. I actually heard once that a store owner would decline application of ANY designer using PSP because she felt PSP users were too often associated with pirates and would attract piracy to her store. Is it logical? Is it true? But if it is the standing of a store owner, I can understand any designer being somewhat cautious about publicly stating they are using a program that has a bad reputation (even if it is totally unfounded). One never knows who is the next person who will based a decision on such opinion.
That owner is a moron. Do a search at The Daily Digi for Paint Shop Pro and you will find several designers, some retired, some at top stores, who use PSP.
But I've found I can actually do virtually the same thing psp as cs, and if I'm layering elements and need good shadowing, I can do my shadow on a separate layer and change the opacity, warp it where I need and more. It saves time quite often instead of waiting for photoshop to open.
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I'm a PS person learning PSP for some of its unique things, but I don't know what you mean about shadows? I tried doing a layout with PSP and hated it, the shadowing was awful. PS is so much easier, especially since I've saved my fave settings as styles and it's a one-click to apply, then a right-click to separate onto its own layer for adjustment. Do you know of a tutorial for shadowing in PSP, because clearly I'm missing something.
PS is so much easier, especially since I've saved my fave settings as styles and it's a one-click to apply, then a right-click to separate onto its own layer for adjustment
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You can save your prefered settings in PSP too. You can have shadows on a separate layer in PSP too (without even a right-click). I don't see one as easier than the other.
152 - Unfortunately, there's more to it than just a designer's confidence in her ability. People make predetermined judgments based on many factors. For example, I seem to remember someone posting here pretty recently that they wouldn't even consider buying from a designer whose design name ends in a z rather than an s. Confidence in one's own ability is sometimes not enough to override public perception.
Well to be perfectly honest, anyone who spells their name with a Z instead of an S just to try to be "clever" needs to take a few business classes regardless.
Anyone who has an inkling of business sense would more than likely agree.
158 - maybe so, but business abilities and designing skills are not necessarily equivalent so would it be fair to base one's purchase of their products on that?
I have stopped myself from purchasing a product at a physical store based on crappy styled packaging or branding. If it isn't appealing, whether it's the style or branding of the package (despite how good the contents may be!) I will likely move on to something else. I can't be the only person who does this, whether it's a subconscious decision or otherwise.
People forget that just because it is a digital medium, we are still customers and consumers in the same sense we are in a physical store. I just do not understand why others do not appear to comprehend this.
did you see the request from Mye to buy to support her son's heart surgery?
did you see the request from Mye to buy to support her son's heart surgery?
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Yes, poor little guy. He's adorable and my heart goes out to Mye and her family.
did you see the request from Mye to buy to support her son's heart surgery?
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A lot of people are posting about it on Facebook...hopefully a lot will also be able to contribute to help with the surgery costs. It's so hard in this economy and with so many needing help.
I'm surprised designers haven't made a collab. That is what they usually do to help. I really love the digi community in that they do go overboard to try and help each other. Poor baby. He looks so healthy too.
160 - There are often wonderful non-digital products in what many would consider to be "poor" packaging, and they do very well. Take, for example, restaurants. Every city I've ever been to has that little hole-in-the-wall restaurant that, by appearance, people would consider a dive. Yet the food is incredible and the locals support it enthusiastically. Heck, Guy Fieri has an entire show on Food Network dedicated to just those little dives. I prefer to judge a designer's work based on her/his products, not the packaging.
164 there is one in the works.
Random rant. I hate store owners who also design for themselves. At one of my stores, the new-ish owner is also a designer and I'm noticing she has recently started offering products she has never sold before, that I have been doing well with for a long time. I guess it helps when one has admin access, huh? Certainly makes it easier to look and see "what sells" and then unfairly compete with your designers.
What do you all think of owners who sell under their own brand and compete with their designers? Do you agree that it would seem to fall under a conflict of interest?
Don't many store owners also design? What stores have owners who do not design?
167, any designer in a store can do that. If they like it, they can make their own version and sell it. I think you just need to get over it and make something new. You aren't competing with the designers in your store. Their business helps your business. Or you might just be better suited to not be in a store where the owner designs. It sounds like you don't trust their intentions.
I don't know many stores where the owner doesn't also design and sell.
Even Robin at SSD used to sell and I think it's a shame she doesn't anymore, as I liked her product.
did you see the request from Mye to buy to support her son's heart surgery?
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Poor family. I hope they get what they need.
I think it's appalling that she has to do this. It wouldn't be an issue where I live and it shouldn't be an issue anywhere else, but sadly it is. Sigh.
I know plenty of store owners who design - I think it's good - if they're good. But if they're not they shouldn't bother. I can't really think of what a store owner would design that is copying other than scripts/actions - most of the rest of the tuff is common enough
I feel sorry for Mye but I hate how this "community" picks and chooses who they help.
#173 - example?
I feel sorry for Mye but I hate how this "community" picks and chooses who they help.
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That's awfully vague. It's already been said that there's a collab in the works for Mye. If you meant something else, say it. If someone else should have been helped who wasn't, in your opinion, who was it and why didn't you initiate something?
#173- I didn't think Mye was so well liked. She gets smacked often on here.
I think #173 was talking in general.
I think #173 was talking in general.
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Well, sometimes people talk so "in general" no one knows what the hell they're talking about which is exactly what happened in this case. Vague generalities are very often lies which is why they are unclear and "in general."
#173- I didn't think Mye was so well liked. She gets smacked often on here.
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Her smacking on here is very likely done by the same few people who don't like her for whatever reasons. The point is her baby is very ill and needs surgery. Even if you don't "like" her, her baby STILL needs the surgery and he's not old enough to have pissed off anyone yet...
#173 - example?
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You'll never be given an example and my guess is that's because there isn't one.
176 Im 173. i don't want to turn this into a mye bashing thing. I didn't mean it that way. I dont know her to talk about her in any way.
But there are loads of people in this community that could use help but you only see community wide collabs and interest for "popular" members.
Examples of collabs that WERE initiated but only got little response are these:
http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=311353&highlight=Charity+collab
http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=312791&highlight=Charity+collab
Also the Eva kipler tragedy got loads of attention but this lady who died around the same time you hardly heard about. Eva was so popular she got a digismack topic about her!
So it seems as long as you are in a top tier store, you should have nothing to worry about if you run into hard times.
180. I'm sorry to break it to you but some people have lives outside of this community and the Internet so they won't reply as fast as you want them to at times.
I can't see those threads but I would like to know more.
I'm 181 and I meant to link this thread about the designer dying around the same time Eva Kipler did.
http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=312789
I can't see those topics either. Too bad - I was curious who the collabs were for.
None of those links work.
Both of those collabs say to email the designer in charge and one of them lists at least 10 names that are helping, I don't think that's "no response".
One is for Scrapable (her son's girlfriend lost her house in a fire) and the other is run by M&M Designs and is just for a cancer charity....without a face and with that designer's poor spelling, I'm shocked she got 10 responses honestly. Not to mention the designer forum at DST is dead, I would imagine they have a greater response in their private store forums.
180. I'm sorry to break it to you but some people have lives outside of this community and the Internet so they won't reply as fast as you want them to at times.
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Well, obviously, you are on here now...examples?
I feel badly for anyone having to go through hard times. People feel badly because it's a child, a baby. If it were Mye herself that needed surgery, people wouldn't feel as badly. That's what I find so disturbing, really.
I wish I could help everyone who needs help, but I can't. I get burned out trying to help everyone all the time and someone in this industry always seems to need help. I feel for them, I really, truly do. I can't be the only one who grows weary of it, though...
One was put together by Bev the owner of scrapble for her son's gf who's house burnt down and lost everything.
The other is put together by melaniedesigns for a ct member who is battling cancer treatment.
The third link is Anne Fischer who died in November the same month as Eva Kipler.
My guess is because they aren't "elite" designers...not much attention or effort was made for their attempts at charity collabs.
188 I'm not the one who bought it up! I was just saying to have some patience. People have lives!
187 no one said "no one gave a response". They said they didn't get as much interest as the "popular" designers.
I don't think it's because they were "elite" designers, it's because they knew a lot of people. Eva was a designer for a long time and made lots of friends within the community over the span of many years.
I keep to myself as a designer and I wouldn't expect the same response to a collab for me (I pray that never has to happen). I wouldn't take offense to it at all when I didn't get the same outpouring of support. I'd be flattered if 10 of my fellow designers felt compelled to help me in any way.
I feel badly for anyone having to go through hard times. People feel badly because it's a child, a baby. If it were Mye herself that needed surgery, people wouldn't feel as badly. That's what I find so disturbing, really.
I wish I could help everyone who needs help, but I can't. I get burned out trying to help everyone all the time and someone in this industry always seems to need help. I feel for them, I really, truly do. I can't be the only one who grows weary of it, though...
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Oh, poor you. Get off the self-pity kick. There's no pressure on you to do squat. People give when they WANT to give. If you're over taxed at helping folks out then by all means, go do something for yourself..while you're at it, do something for us, GO AWAY!
194 Someone's in a bad mood. You're bashing her because she likes to help people? YOU Go away.
I agree with #194. If you don't want to contribute, don't. If you're so weary of people needing help, don't read anything, watch t.v., converse with anyone, etc. I hope you are never in the position Mye is and have people with the same attitude as yours. Thank goodness, there's really good people out there and they outnumber people like you.
Weird. That Melanie Designs girl tried a Charity collab for cancer "fonds" last january too for her "aunt".
194 Someone's in a bad mood. You're bashing her because she likes to help people? YOU Go away.
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And YOU can't read.
I guess you're all the kind of people who always give to every Salvation Army bell ringer stand, every time, every shop, every location. You must also give to every coin can for every cause and you most definitely give to every charity that calls and mails you.
You must have been quite generous every single time someone asked you to donate this past holiday season at every register in every store. $1 here, $5 there. How wonderful not a single one of you ever felt weary at being asked to help donate to every cause out there.
With all this energy and generosity, it's amazing cancer still exists.
155 I'm the OP on 150.
When you do a drop shadow in psp, there is a little check box in the lower right corner, says make shadow on a separate layer. Check than and adjust your shadow the way you want in the settings, then apply, once you do, you can then use the programs warp feature to warp the shadow the same as you do in cs or ps, plus you can lower the opacity in the layers section as well, and even erase portions of the shadow you don't want on your element. If you have a layered flower and you only want the edges with depth and the centers to stay normal, then simply fix your shadow using the settings above, then erase the parts near the center. Once you play with the drop shadow and features enough, it is very easy to do anytime.
Random rant. I hate store owners who also design for themselves. At one of my stores, the new-ish owner is also a designer and I'm noticing she has recently started offering products she has never sold before, that I have been doing well with for a long time. I guess it helps when one has admin access, huh? Certainly makes it easier to look and see "what sells" and then unfairly compete with your designers.
What do you all think of owners who sell under their own brand and compete with their designers? Do you agree that it would seem to fall under a conflict of interest?
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Someone has their panties in a wad. Jealous much? Do the designers products have better quality than yours? Better style maybe? get over yourself. It's a big digi world out there and maybe, just maybe, some designers/owners want to expand themselves creatively based on what sells digi world wide...or they could just want to piss you off, lol
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