This past weekend at the Type A Mom Conference, Creative Memories gave all attendees the StoryBook Creator Plus 3.0 software plus a really cool black and pink laptop sleeve. I have been paper scrapbooking for 13 years and digital scrapbooking for 5 years so I was really anxious to try this software.
I will admit, I was disappointed that Creative Memories did not have a Mac version of the software. I was forced to drag my 50 lb (exaggeration, probably 9 lbs) HP laptop upstairs so I could try the software out.
I installed the software with no problems and downloaded the update. I discovered there are a lot of free digital templates and other goodies on their website. Since I am a real simple scrapper, I downloaded all the simple templates and decided to scrap my son’s 6th birthday party photos since I’ve been trying to get those done for months now.
The biggest problem I had was trying to remember how to use a PC since I’ve been exclusive to my Mac for over a year now. I remember now, why I hate PCs. The software itself is much easier to use the Photoshop CS or PSE (which is what I currently use for digital scrapbooking).
There was one important task that I could not figure out, even after checking the help. I have thousands and thousands (no exaggeration) of files of digital scrapbooking papers and embellishments I have purchased (non Creative Memories) and I could not figure out how to pull those into my project. But since I was creating a simple page, I wasn’t really planning to do that today, but I wanted to figure it out for the future.
I pulled in about 20 photos from the day and dragged them on top of the simple 6 photo white template until I found 6 that I liked. The frames were already set up and I just had to drop my pics into them. Then I added a background, a couple of embellishments and a title and Voila! I had a layout. All of the extras were included in the software. Here it is:
It was so simple to do and only took me about 10 minutes to put it together (although it took me 20 min to figure out which pictures I liked best).
As a Mac geek, I can not wait until they come out with this software for the Mac, then I will begin to use it much more. In the meantime I am going to install this version on my daughter’s PC because she loves digital scrapbooking and she’ll be able to do so much with this.
Creative Memories has a free version of the Storybook software available online to create your own storybooks. The version I tried out was the Storybook Creator Plus 3.0 version.
If you created a layout with your software from Type A Mom, put a link to your post in the comments below.
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Very Cool! I'm just starting to get into Digital Scrapbooking…will have to check out the freeware.
Okay you cracked me up with the 50lbs! I will definitely have to try mine out now too and see what I can create!
Nice page. I have several friends who use SBC+ on their MAC with a platform that works PC programs. One cranks out pages and Storybooks.
Note to your readers: the free version doesn't allow any manipulation or movement of elements, resizing of photos, etc. While the 3.0 or “plus” version lets everything move, resize, allows adding and deleting elements, and offers many more fun features and flexibility.
Here is a link to features list for 3.0 http://www.mycmsite.com/sites/karis/contentIncl...
in case people want to decide which way to go.
Love your page – and I agree, that sometimes deciding which pictures of cute kids is the hard part. Making a completed book is so wonderful. Everyone loves to have a published bound book about themselves to hold, read, look at again and again. Siblings book, our year in review, holiday happenings, the big trip, Baby's first year, family history, faithstories, whatever.
Have fun and good luck with the contest entry. I know CM Home office is handling all that part, but I look forward to seeing what you think of Memory Manager when you get that free $40 value software for entering.
but that is still using the PC version in a Windows environment, just
on your Mac. I want a native Mac version.
yeah, I know. I wish CM offered both, but the user friendliness of SBC has made many converts (at least for their photo projects). My friend Dawn is all things MAC, and an Iphone gal and apple everything, but she uses our software making them work together because she loves the simplisity of CM software and the beauty of the art offerings.
Wish it were pure for you too. They tell us it is coming.
Believe me, I'm so there when it is native. But I'm going to let my
daughter (10 yrs old) use the software for now because she really
wants to digiscrap, but she was so confused by Photoshop Elements. Is
it possible to pull in all the scrapbooking kits I've bought in the
past?
I think what's she's asking about is how to get all the content she purchased elsewhere into the software. She can do this through the Content Manager and creating new User Content packages.
You can move the software from your computer to your daughter's (if they differ – not sure if you are giving her the 50lb PC *LOL* or not), but it can only be installed on one computer at a time. So if you want to move it you'll have to uninstall from your computer, then reinstall on daughter's. (this is nice safeguard for us as Consultants). You'll need to call the help line for an activation code, since your serial number will show that it's already been used.
Now to your question: to get all the content you purchased elsewhere into the CM software. You can do this through the Content Manager and creating new User Content packages. I think once you get turned on to our quality of art work you will favor it, just as many have favored the software over PC/PSE just as you mention for the user friendliness of it.
I've LOVED this software. I tried several out before I decided this was the one for me. It's really user-friendly and versatile, and the Creative Memories website has lots of tutorials and recorded webinars that show different things you can do with it.
Hiya Michelle! First, GREAT page!
Secondly… rest assured – the true, native Mac version is coming 
It won't be until next year, but it is coming!
One thing of note when you're trying to pull in kits that you've previously purchased elsewhere, they will have to be in an image (.jpg, .png, etc.) format, not in .psd format… so layered photoshop files won't come into the software directly. You can, however, pick off the layers individually and save them out as .pngs from PS, then pull them into the software. It's pretty slick, albeit time consuming
Either way, it can be done – just not pulling layered .psd files in directly.
On a sidenote, we'd LOVE to see what your daughter creates with the software
If she's looking for a whole collective batch of videos to help her learn her way, she can check them out here: http://www.creativememories.com/LandingPages/Pa... We're adding new ones all the time.
Have fun!
Jenny
YEAH! I'll be in line for the Mac version. I'll show my daughter the
videos. She's been playing around with the software teaching herself
and not having any problems so far. She was LOST in PS Elements. So
that is good!! I'll probably blog some of her pages after she creates
a few more. She said she need to practice first.
I'll have to play around with pulling the images in. They are all in
either .jpg or .png.
Thanks!
That’s a great page. I love digi scrapping. I haven’t tried the CM version since Stampin’ Up! just came out with something similar, but I definitely think digital is superior to paper scrapping. It’s so nice to not have to worry about the size of your picture, or the paper or embellishment colors you have on hand. Plus I love being able to store everything right on my computer and take it where ever I go.
I’m a MAC girl, I know that I can have the software run on my mac laptop with the PC intel on it. Not a problem, but I am worried that I will have to pay another 65 dollars to get the Mac version. Anyone know the answer to that? Much thanks!