#computer crafting

Many years ago we were quite content using productivity software such as Print Artist, Create-A-Card, Hallmark and others. Fast-forward to the present and we are looking for more. We are learning to make our own graphics, rather than someone else's. With this yearning many graphic software programs are in use more than ever. Our fascination and surprise when we create a graphic urges us to learn more. When we wander down the software aisles there are many programs to choose from, each offers customization, creating graphics from scratch. Some are for printing, while others are for web pages and email. What programs do we want? Are they easy to use? Are they affordable? All these questions run through our mind and usually create complete overload.

My articles are going to focus on different programs, what they can or can't do and why. Also there are several graphic software programs available on the Internet for free. I'll be translating techno lingo to layman's terms and sharing sites and reviews about free programs, third party plug-ins, tutorials, add-on's and many other programs that will enhance and work together with graphic software. At first this may be an overwhelming experience, but the more informed you are the easier it will become to create your own graphics for personal use, web pages and for selling your creations.

I will be referring to my articles on Computer Crafting frequently as the ideas I've presented in those articles can be taken a step further by replacing already made graphics with your own.

Over the last two years of writing about Computer Crafting there has been a lot of advancement. If you did a search for computer crafting you were lucky if you found a handful of sites to get information and ideas from. Today there are hundreds of sites devoted to computer crafting.

There has been an evolution of print materials and online resources for ideas and supplies. There is now a magazine devoted to computer crafting called, "PC Create It" and another source of print material called, "Club Invent It". Both publications offer unique ideas and instructions for crafts and gifts you can make on the computer.

Software companies have evolved from card programs that had limited choices such as cards, signs or posters, business cards and a small choice of crafts. Today you can purchase software that is devoted just to crafts, T-shirts, scrap-books and elaborate cards and gifts.

There are also cd's that have clip-art specifically for computer crafting that you can personalize. Some even have graphics that you can use for commercial use - be sure to read their license and follow copyrights. This information is included with the software that you may choose to use. Most of the graphics that you find in software graphic programs are for personal use and not for selling, so being up to date on your programs copyright information is extremely important.

There has also been a growth of vendors and craft stores, both online and off that offer supplies for paper crafts and ideas to spur on your imagination.