saving / converting project to mp3 & hearing guitar effects

Hello,
I am completely new to recording software and have installed Cubase LE AI 8 Elements and using Forcusite Scarlet solo interface. I am looking for a help with two issues.

  1. how to save / convert project to mp3 format?

  2. when recording I can hear only a clean guitar (even when distortion is added). However, the actual record consists distorted guitar. Is there a way to hear guitar distortion (or any other effect which is a part of software) before recording starts and during recording?

I would appreciate some advise and I am sorry for bothering proffesionals with such a things.

Thank you very much!