Caspedia Corporation was the one who originally wrote the software called StorybookCreator Plus (SB) and Memory Manager (MM). Creative Memories had the selling and branding rights for it and many Consultants sold the product in the mid 2000's.
MM allows you to organize digital images and video files into meaningful folders of events, people, holidays, etc. Software also allows you to rate the photos, edit and even journal about the photo. Files are easily viewed using a timeline based on the date the photo/video was created (so camera date is very important). You can also keep track of what has been printed, backed up and even layout an album so the 4x6 images are printed in order (at least when printing to CM photo center).
SB is a digital scrapbooking software and so much more. Great for all types of projects - invitations, flyers, posters, announcements, place cards and so much more! You can purchase digital content, use free content from the internet or create your own to make wonderful pages for your photos. Projects such as StoryBooks, calendars and photo panels were created in the software, uploaded and printed at the CM photocenter for a great finished project.
Software above was released for PCs. At some point a MAC supported digi scrapbooking software was released (SBStudio) by CM who partnered with another company - not Panstoria, but it was soon unsupported when Apple released its new OS and Creative Memories was unable to keep up with the updates/licenses (not really sure WHAT happened there). Those who had installed the MAC compatible software could continue using without issue if they didn't keep up with OS upgrades. MM & SB has been successfully used and activated on MACs who also run Windows.
Creative Memories closed the photo center in September 2013 and pretty much stopped supporting digital at that point since they went through a major reorg (this is when Ahni & Zoe was born). New software activations were only good through 12/31/2013.
Panstoria is the new Caspedia. Panstoria is currently selling and supporting these great products.
CM Memory Manager is now Panstoria Historian
CM Storybook Creator is now Panstoria Artisan
If you own and use Memory Manager you can now purchase
Historian using one of the links on this blog and get on a supported version again. If you are no longer doing Windows updates on the machine MM, it's very possible that the software is still functional. Please be sure to backup regularly and keep the backup in a safe place should you need to restore. Once (not IF, but when) your PC with MM crashes or the software stops functioning you will NOT be able to re-install on a new PC. Creative Memories digital support is not around for the software to be activated. It won't happen.
Once ready to make the switch I'm here to help you get through it. It will be as simple as purchasing Historian, downloading, activating and either pointing to the vault to open it OR doing a restore if all you have is a backup. This is the high level plan, but yes...it really is this simple IF you have a good vault or vault backup...So yes, backups are VERY important.
If you own and use Storybook Creator you can now purchase
Artisan using one of the links on this blog and get on a supported version again. If you are no longer doing Windows updates on the machine SB, it's very possible that the software is still functional. Please be sure to backup regularly and keep the backup in a safe place should you need to restore. Once (not IF, but when) your PC with SB crashes or the software stops functioning you will NOT be able to re-install on a new PC. Creative Memories digital support is not around for the software to be activated. It won't happen.
Once ready to make the switch I'm here to help you get through it. It will be as simple as purchasing Artisan, downloading, activating and either pointing to the Projects and content on your PC or external hard drive. This is the high level plan, but yes...it really is this simple IF you have a good backup of your Projects, content and activation codes...So yes, backups are VERY important.
If you don't have a backup of the activation codes and can't access SB to view them and get a new copy, hopefully you still have the emails sent by CM with all the activation codes. The path (link) to download them won't work, but Panstoria has a great new tool called Art Kit finder that will help you fill the gaps...but activation codes are KEY as they are your only proof of purchase...your license to use the content.
It's a real shame what happened with Creative Memories digital...but it's also great that we have the option to continue using the great software introduced to us thanks to Panstoria. A new CM emerged after Ahni & Zoe closed. The New CM owns the rights to Creative Memories and Ahni & Zoe selling some of their stock and releasing new products slowly (you can see those using the CM link on this blog). No mention of digital has been made by this new CM.
Panstoria Affiliate opportunities are available, and I'd be happy to have you on my team as I can't possibly be everywhere to help everyone who wants to learn how to do something great with all their digital files.
Panstoria was recently acquired by FOREVER. This has NOT changed how the software is purchased or supported at this point...it can only get better!
UPDATE AS OF 10/1/2015
Panstoria Affiliates now have to decide if they want to continue receiving commission from sales of software and content. For those who do, signing up as a FOREVER Ambassador by 10/31/2015 will be key to avoid being required to purchase the Ambassador startup kit for $149. Eventually all future sales (most likely by Jan 2016) will be done through the www.forever.com website.
Artisan5 was released on Sep 24, 2015 during FOREVER Live! The great software got even better!!
Historian update coming soon.
FOREVER projects is a great alternative to Artisan for Mac users or anyone not wanting to invest the time and effort into Historian and Artisan for organizing photos and creating projects. Be sure to enter adrianamederos in the tracking code or lookup name at checkout when purchasing projects.
Panstoria Historian is now Forever Historian
Panstoria Artisan is now Forever Artisan
UPDATE AS OF 12/29/2015
Forever has made many great changes in very little time!
Forever Ambassadors receive 15% on all sales made at www.forever.com - permanent storage, software, digital kits, digitization services and photo project printing from Artisan or Forever projects online. Signup requires the purchase of permanent storage and the Ambassador Startup Kit for $149 (on sale 20% less through 12/31)
Artisan4 is available for 32bit machines and Artisan5 for 64bit machines
Hisotrian4 will work on 32bit or 64bit machines
Panstoria Print Shop and Panstoria store will close permanently on Jan 31, 2016
ShareASale commission for Panstoria was reduced to 10% on Dec 7th
Storybook Creator and Memory Manager will no longer be supported by Forever. Any questions sent to support will have the same answer - sorry, time to upgrade.
Storybook Creator and Artisan4 (anything LOWER than 4.0.57771.24898) will print to Panstoria Print Shop so only PPS Affiliates will receive 10% commission...and the software will no longer have anything to connect to to print effective Feb 1st, 2016
UPDATE AS OF 11/8/2017
Forever continues to provide support for our beloved software and has released their own online Forever Print that allows users to create beautiful photo books online. These photo books can be completed quickly since there are less decisions to be made - once a theme is chosen, the designs cannot be changed in any way. Just choose your photos for each photo box, write your title/story in the text box (or not), add to your cart and checkout. Black Friday specials are offering a 40% savings the entire month of November...try it out
www.forever.com/ambassador/adrianamederos
Please email storybookcreator@gmail.com if you need some one on one assistance with your next step.
