Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of software we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to Scrapbooking Software.

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Ratings

Ease of Use

Scrapbooking features and instructions should be easy to find and operate—the software should be easy to use for computer beginners.

Importing

The ability to retrieve image files for scrapbooking from external sources, such as a digital camera, scanner, or other media.

Sharing

Also called exporting when performed electronically. Scrapbooking software should allow you to share scrapbook files in any forum, including online, through printed copy, by email, with slideshows and so on.

Organizing

Scrapbooking software should come with organizing tools, including the ability to view photo thumbnails quickly and should allow you to search for images with keywords. Image archiving capabilities, such as CD burning tools, also add to scrapbook organization.

Help/Support

Scrapbook support tools should be useful, complete, and easy to find. Scrapbook software technical support should be easy to understand.

Importing

Digital Photos

Allows you to import digital photos for your scrapbook directly from a camera, disc or hard drive.

Import from Scanner

Allows you to import images to your scrapbook from a scanner.

Features

Real-Time Editing

Allows you to see your scrapbook changes immediately, without saving and reopening the file.

Default Compositions

The number of predefined layout designs or templates contained within the scrapbooking program. You can use either preset templates or create your own page layouts.

Borders - Included

The number of border and frame choices available in the scrapbooking program.

Backgrounds - Included

The number of background choices available in the scrapbooking program.

Clip Art - Included

The number of clipart choices available in the scrapbooking program.

Download Additional Clipart, Backgrounds and Borders

The scrapbooking software manufacturer offers additional clipart images online.

Layers

One image can overlap others on a scrapbook page; you choose the order in which to layer the images by moving a selected layer to the back or to the front. You can delete layers you don’t like and replace them with new images.

On Screen Text Entry

Opens a text box on your scrapbook project. You can resize and move the text to a precise location on your scrapbook page.

Editable Text

Allows you to make changes to scrapbooking text, such as font style, size and color.

Create Collage

Allows you to create a mixed–image scrapbook page by compiling various pictures of any size; then you can overlay, arrange, adjust and configure the images to match your taste. (While most scrapbooking software allows you to create collage projects manually, few offer a way to create a collage automatically, with selected photos and a single click of a button.

Red Eye Removal

Removes "red eye" from your scrapbook photos easily, often with just a click or two.

Rotate, Resize, Flip Images

Rotates, resizes and flips images inside a frame.

Cropping

Allows you to trim away areas of your scrapbooking photo.

Align Frames

"Frames" on a project page are areas specifically reserved for inserting photos. ("Frames" is also a common term for graphic photo borders.) Some scrapbooking software allows you to align all the frames on a scrapbook page with a click of the mouse.

Move Frames

On a scrapbook project template page, you can rearrange the pre–set frame display.

Delete Frames

Erase a frame from your scrapbook resource files.

Stretch Frame to Fit Page

Decrease or increase frame size so it fits the scrapbook project.

Lock Frames

The ability to lock photos, images and elements in place on a page so that you don’t move them accidentally. You’ll need to unlock photos or images before removing them.

Snap to Guides

When this command is selected, design elements will match up precisely with preset vertical or horizontal guides; this helps insure precision lineup on your scrapbook page.

Page Orientation - Landscape

Sets the scrapbook project page horizontally at 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches tall. (Other scrapbook page sizes may be available, depending on the scrapbooking software.)

Page Orientation - Portrait

Sets the project scrapbook project page vertically at 8.5 inches wide by 11 inches tall. (Other scrapbook page sizes may be available, depending on the scrapbooking software.)

Filters and Border Effects

Advanced video editing tools allow you to stylize the look of scrapbooking images through the use various filters, such as a grayscale filter and a transparency filter.

Light & Color Managemanet

Allows you to edit image light and color. Some scrapbooking programs give you nearly as much control as offered in basic photo editing software packages.

Multiple Undos

Allows you to undo several recent scrapbook changes as a group.

Sample Ideas

The scrapbooking software contains sample projects for inspiration; some offer scrapbook project galleries online, and allow you to download and save new templates.

Sharing

Email Sharing

Allows you to email your finished scrapbook projects easily.

Web Photo Galleries

Your finished scrapbook project can be posted on a website for others to logon and view.

Screensaver

Use a finished scrapbook page as a screensaver.

Organizing

Archive Images to CD

Save your scrapbooking project to disc.

Create Albums

Group scrapbook pages into a virtual album file. Though most all scrapbooking software allows you to create files of related pages manually, few provide users a way to compile an entire album simply, with just a few steps

Create Single Layout

Create a single scrapbook project around a single photo.

Output Capabilities

Number of File Formats

The number of file types the scrapbooking software uses.

Save as Photo

Save your project as a single photo instead of a scrapbook page.

Set as Wallpaper

Set your finished scrapbook page as desktop wallpaper.

Send Photo via Email

Send your scrapbook projects to others through email.

Print Photo

Print your scrapbook project or photograph.

Technical Support

Telephone Support

The scrapbooking software manufacturer offers telephone technical support.

User Manual

The scrapbooking software comes with a printed instruction book.

FAQs

"Frequently Asked Questions" and answers about the scrapbooking software.

Tutorials

Support information from the scrapbooking software manufacturer that teach scrapbooking tasks through mini–lessons.

User Forum

A webpage for users to post scrapbooking questions and ideas; many use scrapbooking forums to learn tips, tricks and techniques.

Download Updates

Some scrapbook software manufacturers offer free software updates online.

Email

Manufacturer support is provided by email.

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