Never used MS DIP9 but in Corel PhotoPaint I would create a new file 3 times the width of the original. Then copy and paste them in. Continuing on with melding the images with the clone tool. What ever method you use it is always wise to create a second set of images and use those to re-work so the original is always available if you mess up.

Check for tutorials on stitching photos together.

Many of the digital camera's come software that does photo stitching.

Usually you would want to shoot the pictures overlaping by a third or so.

I havent used this one... but it seems to be free.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://hugin.sourceforge.net/

I have microsoft Digital Image Starter that I rarely use.
After you open it go to File - New - Close - Insert Tab -
My Computer - Find your picture and click Open -
Go to Insert Tab - My computer - Find your picture and click
Open. Do this for the number of pictures you want.
Ounce you have the picture you will have to resize them using
your mouseand left click and draging the corners.
Go back to File and click Save.
Sample below.

4 images that I put together using Digital Image Suite 2006 - basically the same program you are using.
{{gwi:1446040}}

I use the newest edition MS Digital Image Suite 2006 Anniversary - LOVE IT!

I have DIP 9 still installed on an older laptop - so I check with that to make sure I was giving you the right directions.. DIP 9 does not do panoramic stitching, but you can do it manually (which usually works best anyway)

First - start with a blank canvas that is large, and have your STACK and FILES panes viewable - click on VIEW in the tool bar and select them if you haven't already. I also have my rulers viewable:

1. Click on FILE->NEW->8x10 - click on "landscape button below that to open a blank 8x10 canvas.

2. Open your pictures that you want together if you haven't already done so. You can select more than one a time to open by holding down the CTRL (control) key while you select.

3. Click on the blank 8x10 canvas that is in the FILES pane so it is in your work area..

4. Click and drag (do not relase the click, just hold down the click and drag) the picture onto the blank canvas - repeat with all the pictures you want on the canvas. It may take a moment if you don't have a lot of RAM.

5. Move the pictures around until you have them layed out as you like.

6. Select CROP and crop around the image.

I am very familiar with this program and can do SO many neat things with it.

I would be glad to help you out more (I can post some screen shots if you need a visual aid) I also have some websites that have some fantastic instructions for more advanced photo editing using this program

DIP is a super easy, but super powerful editing program. So much easier than Photoshop Elements, but will do nearly everything that PSe does.

Please let me know if this was helpful! :)

Owbist,
I had nooo idea it was called "stitching" --- no wonder I wasn't finding any information! LOL
Oh my gosh, Thank you sooo much!!!

Mikie,
My camera is a 3 year old Kodak Easy Share with basics.
I was looking last night at some newer cameras and boy, have they come a long way in just three years!
I went to the SourceForge link and the program sounds so easy but I also browsed around at other programs that were there and oh my, I could use a few of them also. lol
Thank you so much for that link!

CBoy,
I will follow your instructions to the letter.
They were clear and I understood them.
For me, that was step one --- understanding the instructions. LOL
Thank you so very much!

IowaGirl2006,
Wow, no way I would have known those were separate photos --what a great job you do!
Thank you so very much for going through the trouble of checking your older version of DIP -- your instructions are perfect!

I love my DP9 and I ordered the Anniversary Edition last month because I was informed the Anniversary Ed is the last one and only one that will work on my Vista machine (whenever it gets done).

Right now I am playing musical computers --- sons', husband's, daughters'-- but can hardly wait for the machine with Vista to get here so I can load my Anniversary Edition DP.

Love the DP program! I know it will take practice to get anywhere near as good as you but just the little I've learned from playing around on my own has helped me and others around me so much with all our photos.
The most requested? "Can you remove this huge zit on my face?"

Right now I only have DP on this computer (son's) so I wanted to try and practice doing the 'stitching' (what a neat word for it! lol) for a couple days before the music stops and I have to find another chair...errr....I mean, computer without the DP.

You guys are the greatest -- Thank you all so very much!

I bet you all know what I'll be doing all night long, huh? -- Practice stitching my little heart out. LOL

LOL! That program is so addictive! I have DIS 2006 Anniversary installed on my XP machine.

It is basically the same as DIP 9 & 10, but things have been tweaked and work just a bit better. Also, the panoramic stitching is new in DIS 2006.

I have attached a link to the DIP/DIS section of Tutorials at Scrapbook-bytes. I learned so many neat techniques from these tutorials - they are put together very well. Just make sure you stay on the DIP Tuts, as they have them also for PSP, Photoshop, and others.

You will start taking pictures in a different way - when you realize what you can do with them! LOL
Before:

After

Here is a link that might be useful: DIP/DIS Tutorials @ Scrapbook-bytes

Autostich is a program I have used. You can download a demo version at the link below. It is extremely simple and practically automatic. Just follow the simple steps and it will produce a nice panorama, crop it and you are done.

Here is a link that might be useful: Autostich

A sample of Autostich work.

DIS 2006 has autostitch built in.

That is a neat picture Arkie! Do you use a tripod when you take your pictures? I have a monopod and I find that helpful.

Normally I would use a tripod, but this was one of those spur-of-the-moment things and strictly hand held.

iowagirl2006,

Amazing, simply amazing!
I didn't think there would be any more responses to my question as I felt everyone had been so kind to respond with excellent info, I didn't think anyone would have anything else to add and no need to check for more responses.

Imagine my surprise when I came here to ask another question and saw more responses and this gorgeous before/after flower you posted---I'm in awe!

And here I thought I was all big-n-bad because I could remove zits from family/friends photos. Oh, do I EVER have a long way to go! LOL

arkie62,

Oh myyyyy, beautiful stitching! (I'm loving that word! lol)
When I tried some of the suggestions posted earlier, mine didn't come out looking anything like yours! *sigh*
I'll keep pluggin' along though -- practice, practice, practice.

I put the earlier linked Sourceforge on one computer and now I'll put this Autostitch on this computer.

I had been very patient waiting for my own computer but now that I see these pics you all have posted I'm way, way too anxious/excited to get my computer so I can install my DIP Anniversary program and play! ---errr----I mean, Practice! LOL

Everyone,
You've all been so generous with your help --- Thank you all!

Amity, don't despair about the quality. Practise will soon having you creating things you will be proud of. Photo editing can be a long and complex learning curve.

Try Googling for tutorials on any aspect you feel you need a little help, these can be a valuable resource.