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Power Cropping Tutorial

www.tipsquirrel.com
I've released a new tutorial over at the TipSquirrel.com website. Learn all bout how to crop your photos. Before you think you know all about cropping, consider these points.

  • Cropping to a specific size
  • Cropping for print and web
  • Using Smart Objects for scaling
  • Non-destructive cropping
  • Perspective cropping

Here's a link to the tutorial.
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Smart Objects -140 Understanding Adobe Photoshop 140



Instructor Richard Harrington shows you how to use smart objects in Photoshop CS4 to re-scale an object without losing clarity.

Like the podcast? Then be sure to check out the companion book.

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Quick Mask Mode - Understanding Adobe Photoshop 142



Instructor Richard Harrington shows you how to refine a selection in Photoshop CS4 with paint brush tools & quick mask mode.

Like the podcast? Then be sure to
check out the companion book.

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Refining Edges - Understanding Adobe Photoshop 144



Instructor Richard Harrington shows you how to easily modify selections with the refine edges command in Photoshop CS4.

Like the podcast? Then be sure to
check out the companion book.

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Shadows/Highlights - Understanding Adobe Photoshop 163



Instructor Richard Harrington shows you how to use the shadow/highlight adjustment in Photoshop CS4 to repair images with exposure problems.

Like the podcast? Then be sure to check out the companion book.


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Last Chance to Save on Photoshop World

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The last chance to save $100 on Photoshop World is tomorrow. The Early Bird offer is a great deal. I'll be teaching several classes, including a pre-conference session on DSLR Video as well several motion graphics classes. Here’s the link.

If you're new to Photoshop World, here's the Top 10 Reasons to Attend

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Chroma Key is Everywhere



Here's two free resources to help you out

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Crop and Straighten Photos Command in Photoshop

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When scanning images, it’s often possible to fit more than one image on the scanner bed. Scanning multiple images at once can save input time when loading images into Photoshop. Fortunately, the Crop And Straighten Photos command picks up and keeps the efficiency going.

  1. Scan several images at one time. For best results, you need to keep 1/8 inch between the images in your scan.
    2 If you’re working in a multilayered image, select the layer that contains the images.
  2. Choose File > Automate > Crop And Straighten Photos.
  3. Each image should be cropped, straightened, and moved into its own document window.
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Startup Memories of Adobe Photoshop



In this documentary, the founders of Adobe Photoshop - John Knoll, Thomas Knoll, Russell Brown, and Steve Guttman - tell the story of how an amazing coincidence of circumstances, that came together at just the right time 20 years ago, spawned a cultural paradigm shift unparalleled in our lifetime.

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NAPP Helps Celebrate Photoshop's 20th Anniversary

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The fine folks over at the National Association of Photoshop Professionals offer up two great things to celebrate Photoshop's 20th anniversary.

First, take their (tough) quiz on Photoshop history.

"The quiz is just for fun, of course, but it’s harder than you might think."
If you’ve got a couple of minutes,
click this link to take the quiz and see how you do.
Second, You can virtually attend the Live Webcast of the big party/presentation/Photoshop love-fest happening this Thursday night (the 18th) in San Francisco celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Photoshop.

(1) You sign up here (it’s free):
http://www.photoshopuser.com/photoshop20th
(2) The Live Webcast starts at 7:30 pm Pacific Time (10:30 EST).
(3) There are some VERY special guests making an appearance that night.

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20 Years of Adobe Photoshop – with Visuals

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Photoshop is about to turn 20 years old... yet it seems like yesterday when I had to run it off a floppy disc. The fine folks over at Webdesigner Depot offer 20 Years of Adobe Photoshop with some great tidbits and history.

"The first version of the Photoshop splash screen features just four Photoshop programmers. In subsequent versions, more and more names are added to the list. In more recent versions, a limited number of Adobe VIP’s appear in the splash screen."

You should also check out this great interview with John Knoll, one of the two inventors of the application.






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Want to Learn DSLR Video? Come to Photoshop World.

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Just a heads up, I am teaching a Photoshop World pre-conference class on DSLR video. The workshop is March 23 in Orlando, FL.

Here's a short video about the class –
http://www.scottkelby.com/blog/2010/archives/8465
Register today and save! There's only 2 weeks left to save $100 on the Photoshop World Conference

"OK, it’s two weeks and one day, but you get the idea. The $100 early bird registration deadline is coming up, and if you want to join us in Orlando on March 24-26 for the world’s largest Photoshop training event, (and do it on the cheap) you can sign up or just get more details right here (By the way: if you’re a NAPP member, you can get a full conference pass for only $499 using that early bird discount)."

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Want to Save Your Processor and Battery from Flash?

So... like many I've been pretty frustrated with Flash video lately. When you visit a site (like this blog) with several Flash players, you can see a huge performance hot. Turns out that Flash can' t hand over that H.264 processing to the graphics card, so it becomes a HUGE processor suck (and RAM.. and battery). You've probably heard about Steve Jobs railing on it being a hog and not allowed on the iPhone.
clicktoflash

Well... here's a cool plugin thats free for Mac users... it's called ClicktoFlash and its a plugin that keeps Flash files from auto-loading on Safari.

"Ever wanted to get rid of the scourge of the web that is Adobe Flash, but still retain the ability to view Flash whenever you want? With ClickToFlash, you can! Using ClickToFlash, all of those icky Flash bits that have infected most webpages on the internets are replaced with a nice, smooth gradient and the word "Flash" set in a nice, pleasing font. When you want to view the Flash, just click on it!
The advantages of ClickToFlash are numerous. Since Flash isn't loaded until you specifically ask for it, your CPU usage will stay at normal levels when browsing the web. This has tons of benefits: web browsing stays speedy, your Mac laptop won't get as hot, and your Mac's fan won't come on as often. In fact, we guarantee* that ClickToFlash will quintuple your battery life and that it will protect those precious parts of your body on which you rest your laptop! (*note: not actually guaranteed)"


Be sure to read the rest of the instructions and download here –
http://rentzsch.github.com/clicktoflash/

You can even use the plugin to force YouTube videos to use the QuickTIme player for H.264 playback. Just click the Gear icon and tweak the preferences.


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Continuum Cartoon Look

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I recently wrote a review for a new filter called Continuum Cartoon Look for Layers Magazine. Here it is.

Everywhere you turn, you’ll spot the “look”: video footage transformed to look like a cartoon. In a traditional workflow, the process involves rotoscoping. An artist literally traces animation frame by frame over the original source. The technique was invented by Max Fleischer around 1915, and has been used by animators on classic films such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and Cinderella, as well as modern movies such as Titan A.E. and Waking Life.

The process is very tedious, however, so many video pros and motion graphics artists have been on a quest for an easier solution. These days you’ll find several products on the market to transform your video footage to look like it’s a cartoon. Early options such as Studio Artist ($379;
www.synthetik.com) and market leaders like ToonIt ($399; www.redgiantsoftware.com) have all seen heavy use.

While they’re not new to the plug-in market, Boris FX has released their own take on cartoon filters. The Boris Continuum Unit: Cartoon Look breaks out four filters from the larger plug-in package Continuum Complete. The set is only $199 (significantly less than competitors) and runs in several host applications including Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro, as well as Apple Final Cut Pro and Motion. The four filters for stylizing your footage include:


Read More...
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Using Premiere Pro to Organize Video for After Effects

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There are lots of reasons to use Premiere Pro (even if you’re a Final Cut Pro editor). One of the most compelling is to organize After Effects projects.

  1. Create a new Premiere Pro project and match its settings to your primary footage format.
    2 Import a folder of QuickTime movies into a Premiere Pro project. You can even import a Final Cut Pro XML file to bring a sequence in without needed to do anymore media management.
  2. Edit the clips as needed into sequences.
  3. After your clips are edited, just select them and press Command+C to copy them to your clipboard.
    5 Switch to an open After Effects project and press Command+V to paste the clips using Dynamic Link. The clips (with handles) will move from Premiere Pro to After Effects.

For more tips like this, check out the book
Video Made on a Mac.



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Shooting JPEG vs. Raw

When digital cameras became commercially available, the memory cards used to store pictures were very expensive. Photographers could not afford multiple or high-capacity cards, so they wanted more images to fit on a single, smaller card. Smaller file sizes would also enable consumers who lacked an understanding of digital imaging to attach photos to email with minimum technical headaches.

With these two scenarios in place, manufacturers turned to an Internet-friendly format, JPEG. It was a proven technology, and one that was familiar to many users. A JPEG file looks for areas where pixel detail is repeated, such as the color white on every key of your computer keyboard. The file then discards repeated information and tells the computer to repeat certain color values or data to re-create the image. The drawback is that a JPEG file is lossy, so every time you modify it and re-save, additional compression is applied to the image.

Newer digital cameras, generally the pro models, offer newer formats, usually called raw. These raw (or native) formats have several benefits over shooting to JPEG. The images are usually captured at a higher bit depth, which means that the pixels contain more information about the color values in the image. Most raw files have a depth of 10, 12, or even 16-bits per channel instead of the 8 used by JPEG. This raw format also has a greater tonal range, resulting in better exposure for shadows and highlights.

Figure_09_10

The image on the left is how the camera captured a JPEG. Making adjustments to the image is possible, but will lead to more degradation in image quality. The image on the right is a properly developed raw file. Working with raw files gives you access to greater control over an image.

The raw file captures the unprocessed data from the camera’s image sensor. While your camera may contain settings for sharpness, exposure, or lighting conditions, the raw file stores that info as modifiable information and captures the original (unmodified) data that came through your camera’s sensors. Each manufacturer treats the format differently, using a proprietary format. Fortunately, Photoshop and Aperture frequently update their raw technology to support the newest cameras on the market.

Because the raw data is unprocessed, you must essentially “develop” the image data within Photoshop or Aperture. You can choose to adjust several options related to the image, as well as the lens and lighting conditions. You can “tweak” the image after shooting it (as opposed to JPEG, which is limited to the settings you had when shooting).

For more tips like this, check out the book Video Made on a Mac.


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Creating Lower-Third Graphics with Data Sets in Photoshop

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Starting with Photoshop CS2, Adobe introduced a new feature called data sets. This allows you to create a set of data that applies variable text, variable visibility settings, or pixel replacement for art layers. This is a great feature for use with templates, especially those for lower-third titles.

By harnessing the power of data sets, you can dramatically speed up the production of repetitive graphics. In fact, by feeding in a text file, hundreds of lower-third graphics can be generated in a few clicks. The advantage of this method is that a producer or production assistant can gather all of the needed names and titles into a single text file (easily created with any word processor). This file can then be loaded to generate as many graphics as needed. While the process is a little tricky at first, it’s pretty easy to get the hang of.

Read the complete article over at Layer Magazine for free...

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Tips for Creating Better Photoshop Actions

  • Pasted Graphic 2
    Brush strokes, cloning, and most manual tools from the toolbox do not record properly with actions. Instead, use an alternative, such as a Gradient Fill layer (Layer > New Fill Layer > Gradient) instead of the Gradient tool.
    • To play a single step of an action, double-click it.
    • If you make a mistake in an action, click Stop. Delete the incorrect steps by dragging them into the Actions panel’s trashcan. Choose Edit > Step Backward as many times as needed. Then click Record and start again from the last good point.
    • Button mode lets you launch actions quickly—just click an action and it runs. You can access the command from the Actions panel submenu. You’ll need to disable Button mode to access recording and editing features.
    • Choose Playback Options from the Actions panel submenu. Specify that you want the actions to play back an action accelerated. Photoshop can process faster than it can redraw the screen.
    • Be sure to back up your custom actions to two locations: the default location and a secondary backup location. This way, a reinstall or upgrade won’t blow away your custom actions.
    • To create an action that will work better on all files, set the rulers set to measure using percentage.
    • Use File > Automate > Fit Image to resize an image for a specific height or width.
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DPI vs. Resolution

One misperception we hear time and time again is about resolution. For the record, video graphics are not 72 dpi. First off, dpi stands for dots per inch (as in printing). Photoshop measures graphics using pixels per inch (ppi).

Figure_09_01

The resolution of this photo has been reassigned from 300 ppi to 72 ppi. The Document Size (in inches) has changed for printed output. The pixel dimensions and file size remain unchanged at 1920 x 1080 pixels (for a 1080 HD video project).

When dealing with video graphics, resolution doesn't matter. The same HD video file can play back on a laptop, a television, or on a digital projector, and the total number of pixels won't change. To see this clearly, stand really close to a big-screen HD TV; the picture looks soft. Now find a smaller display with an HD signal; the picture looks clearer. This is because HD is HD; the bigger the screen the larger each pixel is displayed, but again resolution doesn't change.

Figure_09_02

Figure 9.2 The enlarged area shows the individual pixels that make up the butterfly image.

Setting Photoshop to Measure in Pixels
Out of the box, Photoshop is set up for a print workflow (biased isn't it?). This is easy to fix with a simple preference change. You can set rulers and other tools to measure using pixels by default (which will make designing for the video screen easy).
  1. Launch Adobe Photoshop.
  2. Press Command+K to call up your Photoshop preferences.
  3. Click the Units & Rulers preference tab.
  4. Click the Rulers menu and set it to pixels.
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Five Uses for Adobe Bridge

Adobe Bridge has lots of uses; this video looks at five of its best: Contact Sheets, Web Galleries, Ranking, Reviewing, and Browsing Animation Presets. You can also visit the website www.peachpit.com/videomac in order to download sample files.


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Sneak Peek at new Adobe Tech

I have seen this first person.. and it is AWESOME. Tons of real-time performance in Premiere Pro and 64-bit Operating Systems. It can also be tied to a really fast graphics card for better performance. The app runs INSANELY great and will hopefully propagate through other Adobe apps like Photoshop and After Effects.



for more information on hardware, check out these blogs:   http://blogs.adobe.com/VideoRoad/2009/11/three_words_youll_be_hearing_a.html   http://blogs.adobe.com/VideoRoad/2009/11/more_on_the_mercury_engine.html   http://blogs.adobe.com/genesisproject/2009/11/technology_sneek_peek_adobe_me.html#more

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Photoshop World Schedule

richharrington
Some Photoshop World news for you.

  • Early bird registration is $100 off (it expires February 26)
  • I am teaching a DSLR Video Pre-conference session
  • I am teaching 3 Motion Graphics classes
  • I will be showing pre-release copies of the new From Still to Motion book at Peachpit's booth
  • I hope to catch up with many of you at show.

"You've never seen a training camp like this! Photoshop World is the ONLY Photoshop and digital photography conference designed to put you at the top of your game with fast and furious classes from the world's leading experts. Photoshop World is where Photoshop users go to learn hard and play even harder!"



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Image Processor – Understanding Adobe Photoshop 177

Instructor Richard Harrington shows you how to use Photoshops image processor script to batch process a folder of images.  




Like the podcast? Then be sure to check out the companion book.
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Special Video Book and Content Deal

ShowCover.aspx
Our friends at the Peachpit User Group Program are making a special offer for all Mac User Groups who are interested delivering both great information on video production and a great price on a Peachpit book to their members.

Peachpit would like to give your group a unique opportunity to provide your members with high-quality articles and video instruction from Richard Harrington and Robbie Carman’s critically acclaimed Peachpit book, Video Made on a Mac: Production and Postproduction using Apple Final Cut Studio and Adobe Creative Suite absolutely free.
Get more information – 
here


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Photo Effects – Understanding Adobe Photoshop 174



Instructor Richard Harrington shows you how to use layer styles to create image effects in Photoshop CS4.

Like the podcast? Then be sure to
check out the companion book.

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An Interview About my New Book

Richard Harrington and Robbie Carman are both Apple Certified Trainers and have an extensive background in video production. They talk with publisher Nancy Aldrich-Ruenzel about their new book Video Made on a Mac: Production and Postproduction Using Apple Final Cut Studio and Adobe Creative Suite, explain who it is written for, and reveal why the Mac is their platform of choice for professional endeavors.



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Fading Filters - Understanding Adobe Photoshop 176

Instructor Richard Harrington shows you how to use the fade command to get more out of your Photoshop filters. Distributed by Tubemogul.



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Type Effects – Understanding Adobe Photoshop 173



Instructor Richard Harrington shows you how to create text effects with layer styles in Photoshop CS4.

Like the podcast? Then be sure to
check out the companion book.

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Capturing Video for After Effects



You can capture video for an After Effects project using Premiere Pro. Learn how to quickly switch applications to pull in new footage from tape. To download sample files, visit
www.peachpit.com/videomac.

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Motion Control with After Effects - PixelPerfect Favorite

Learn about Motion Control with Photoshop and After Effects. Plus check out Bert Monroy's cool show.
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Sizing Digital Images in Adobe Photoshop CS4

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Once you’ve acquired your digital images, you’ll need to size them for your project (as well as ultimate output). For many Photoshop users, such as photographers, this may be as straightforward as cropping and sizing. This chapter explores several techniques for sizing your images. You’ll learn about the concept of resampling, which addresses how the computer adds or subtracts information from a digital image while trying to retain detail and clarity.

The second part of the image-sizing puzzle is a clear understanding of these output requirements. What resolution does your printer need? Are you sending the image to a service provider such as a developer or commercial printer? You’ll need to make lots of choices, but they should be based on where the image needs to end up. Do not make assumptions when starting a project. Know the destination of your image so you’ll know which path to take.

KEEP READING AT PEACHPIT.com

Get the Book


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Color Correction and Enhancement with Adobe Photoshop CS4

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Photoshop offers a wide range of features for rescuing washed-out faces, teasing subjects out of the shadows, and adding richness and depth to images. Rich Harrington explores some of the most useful Photoshop options for bringing life-giving color to your photos.

Learning how to spot problems and then choosing the right correction technique is an essential part of mastering Photoshop. Several different tools are available, some more useful than others. By analyzing the most important tools and determining in which situations they might help you, a more thorough understanding of color correction is possible.

The primary purpose of Photoshop is to act as a digital darkroom, where images can be corrected, enhanced, and refined. How do you know an image needs touch-up? You can pretty much assume that every image can look a little (or even a lot) better than how the camera captured it. Whether it's adjusting the exposure, increasing contrast, or boosting saturation, Photoshop is the place to improve an image.

KEEP READING AT PEACHPIT.com

Get the Book


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Creating Transparent Video with Adobe After Effects CS4

figure_04_01
Transparency plays a key role in the success of animation and interactivity. By embedding transparency into graphic elements, you can composite together different elements created at different times, allowing for true flexibility.

The alpha channel is the technology behind transparency in computer graphics. It first evolved in the late 1970s at the New York Institute of Technology and then continued to be refined at Lucasfilm and at Pixar. When you employ alpha channels embedded into footage layers, transparency data can travel seamlessly between After Effects and Flash.

You can create alpha channels in several ways. One common technique you can use for video footage is chroma key technology. By shooting elements against a blue or green screen, you can easily remove the background. This technology is hardly new, making its first appearance at RKO Radio Pictures in the 1930s. The popularity of chroma key technology has grown immensely, bringing the technology and tools within reach of most content creators.

KEEP READING AT PEACHPIT.com

Get the Book

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Working with Type in After Effects


Looking for a quick overview on how to control text animation in After Effects? This video will get you up and running quickly. You can also visit the website
www.peachpit.com/videomac in order to download sample files.
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Video Improvements – Photoshop CS4 Sneak Peak



Richard Harrington shows you how to size pictures for video and work with video files in Photoshop CS4.

Check out our Photoshop Books
Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS4 & Photoshop for Video

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Auto-Blend – Photoshop CS4 Sneak Peak



Richard Harrington shows you how to use auto-blend to combine multiple exposures in Photoshop CS4 .

Check out our Photoshop Books
Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS4 & Photoshop for Video

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Dodge, Burn, and Sponge – Photoshop CS4 Sneak Peak



Richard Harrington shows you the improvements that Photoshop CS4 brings to the dodge, burn and sponge tools.

Check out our Photoshop Books
Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS4 & Photoshop for Video

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Layers Magazine Design Contest

cc.cfm

Layers Magazine is running a great contest:

“How would you like a chance to win a 1.5-TB Guardian MAXimus quad interface hard drive and $200 dollars in Fotolia credits, both courtesy of Fotolia? We thought so. Just show us your killer design skills, and before you know it, it could be you downloading a ton of awesome images from Fotolia to your brand-new hard drive. And as an added perk, we'll publish the winning entry in the January/February 2010 issue of Layers magazine. So how do you win these great prizes? All you have to do is enter the Layers Back Page Design Contest.”


Here’s the official rules
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Little Things – Photoshop CS4 Sneak Peak



Richard Harrington shows you the small but important updates and features new to Photoshop CS4.

Check out our Photoshop Books
Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS4 & Photoshop for Video

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Three Free After Effects CS4 Tutorials

Here are a few free After Effects tutorials from Layers Magazine.



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Vibrance Adjustment – Photoshop CS4 Sneak Peak



Richard Harrington shows you how to use the new vibrance adjustments in Photoshop CS4 to boost the saturation of a scene without affecting skin tones.

Check out our Photoshop Books
Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS4 & Photoshop for Video

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Enhanced Panormaic Photomerge – Photoshop CS4 Sneak Peak



Richard Harrington shows you the new photomerge features in Photoshop CS4 that can take your panoramic photography to the next level.


Want to know even more abut panoramic photos? Check out our iPhone training app.

Check out our Photoshop Books
Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS4 & Photoshop for Video

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Enhanced Smart Objects– Photoshop CS4 Sneak Peak



Richard Harrington shows you how to use smart objects and how they have been improved in Photoshop CS4

Check out our Photoshop Books
Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS4 & Photoshop for Video

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Color Range Command – Photoshop CS4 Sneak Peak



Richard Harrington shows you how to use the color range command and how CS4 makes it even easier to make a localized selection.

Check out our Photoshop Books
Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS4 & Photoshop for Video

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Adjustments Panel – Photoshop CS4 Sneak Peak



Richard Harrington shows you how to use the new adjustments panel in Photoshop CS4 to speed up your workflow.

Check out our Photoshop Books
Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS4 & Photoshop for Video

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Masks Panel – Photoshop CS4 Sneak Peak



Richard Harrington shows you what’s new with masks in Photoshop CS4 and how to use them to non-destructively add transparency to an image.

Check out our Photoshop Books
Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS4 & Photoshop for Video

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Adobe About Module – Photoshop CS4 Sneak Peak



Richard Harrington shows you how to use the Adobe output module in Bridge CS4 to make PDF slideshows and web galleries of your images.

Check out our Photoshop Books
Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS4 & Photoshop for Video

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Interface Changes – Photoshop CS4 Sneak Peak



Learn about important changes to the Photoshop CS4 user interface such as refined workspaces, freely rotatable canvas, greater zoom levels, enhanced controls with panels, and tabbed documents.

Check out our Photoshop Books
Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS4 & Photoshop for Video

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Refining Edges – 144 Understanding Adobe Photoshop

Instructor Richard Harrington shows you how to easily modify selections with the refine edges command in Photoshop CS4.


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Great New App to Learn Photoshop

CSappLoading
The extraordinary trainer, Terry White has released an iPhone app called "Learn Adobe Creative with Terry White" which gives you access to nearly 300 Video Tutorials. Terry is a great podcaster and trainer with a lot of passion for Adobe software.

You also get access to bonus content that won't be posted anywhere else. The app also lets you download the videos to your iTunes library so you can watch when you are not online.

The "Learn the Creative Suite with Terry White" app is available for both the iPhone and the iPod touch. You can
get it from the App Store for $1.99.



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Get More Out of Your Mac

product.aspx
Have you seen our new book? Be sure to check out the Facebook group for more resources.

We've also got a new podcast series too with free tips and practice files.
Web or iTunes for free.

"On a Mac, the sky's the limit for creating professional video. With all the tools available though, it can be a daunting task to decide which ones offer the best solutions for combined efficiency and high-level results. How can you effectively communicate your vision to clients and crew? How should you calibrate your camera for multi-camera and green screen shoots? Is it better to do your keying in After Effects, Motion, or Final Cut? How should you set up your edit suite for efficiency and accuracy? How do you manage large amounts of media and a multitude of formats for multiple software applications?

In Video Made on a Mac, you'll learn the answers and much more. Chock-full of practical advice and step-by-step instructions, each chapter provides insight on the critical components of production and postproduction that can make all the difference when you're up against a tight budget and schedule. The accompanying DVD supplies you with project files and high-definition footage so you can follow along with the examples, as well as 50 training videos. Whether you're an advanced Mac user or just beginning to incorporate Adobe Creative Suite into your Final Cut Studio workflow, you'll learn to apply best-practice techniques to all your video projects."


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Calculations Command — 145 Understanding Adobe Photoshop

Instructor Richard Harrington shows you how to use Photoshop CS4s calculations command to select parts of an image based on color details



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Editors Retreat

Recharge Your Creativity and Craft • January 13 - 16 • Miami Beach, Florida

er2010
Now in its fourth year, the Editors Retreat has become an annual gathering for the post-production elite. Highly experienced editors from the worlds of film, TV and video gather to network, exchange ideas, share tips and of course, have fun!

Past keynotes and attendees have included such names as Alan Heim, Sally Menke, Stuart Bass, Chris Franklin and David Helfand as well as Apple, Adobe and Avid experts and industry power users. Attendees have included representatives from HBO, FRONTLINE, MTV, Lockheed Martin, Harpo Productions and Telemundo.

Running for 4 days and 3 nights, the Retreat offers advanced sessions on post visual and audio techniques and features valuable insight into emerging trends and technologies. An equal amount of time will be devoted to discussing the creativity, craft and business practices of successful editors.

To ensure that only the best of the best attend, participation is subject to an application and screening process. Visit
www.EditorsRetreat.com for the full schedule and more details.

Attendees all receive a huge goodie bag! Right now its valued at over $4500 in gifts:
  • Megasuite from Digieffects $799
  • Plug-in from Automatic Duck $495
  • Plug-in Collection from CGM $199
  • Adobe Premiere Pro CS4 $799
  • Free Training Course from FMC $1,500
  • NAB Post Production Conference Pass $895
  • Music License from Free Play Music $100
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Spot Color Channels — 146 Understanding Adobe Photoshop

Instructor Richard Harrington shows you how to use spot color channels in Photoshop CS4 to achieve precise color for printing.




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Designing with Kuler – 147 Understanding Adobe Photoshop

Instructor Richard Harrington shows you how to use Kuler, an interactive color panel in Photoshop CS4.

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New Versions of Adobe Software to be 64-Bit

adobe-logo-survey
Adobe has announced that the next version of the software will run on 64-bit Operating Systems only. It's not all the apps in their suite, but the apps that will most benefit.

"It’s common knowledge among post-production pros that 64-bit operating systems are the best choice for top-of-the-line performance, especially when producing HD or higher-resolution content. After 3 versions of simultaneous 64 bit and 32 bit support for After Effects and Premiere Pro, we wanted to let you know today that CS4 will be the last version of Adobe’s leading video applications to support 32 bit operating systems."

Simon Hayhurst – The Senior Director of Product Management for Dynamic Media

Check out the news here.
 
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New Podcast Featured on iTunes

featured

Our new podcast, Video Made on a Mac, is in the New and Notable section of iTunes.

Richard Harrington and Robbie Carman show you how to create professional video on the Mac. In this series, they share videos and project files using real world examples in Final Cut Studio and Adobe Creative Suite. From pre-production to post, and accomplishing it all within a tight schedule, this podcast series gives you a sample of what you can learn using their book, Video Made on the a Mac.

Be sure to visit the site to get the
free downloadable files or order the book. Be sure to use the code VMMBOOK at checkout to receive a discount.

The new podcast is brought to you by the fine folks at Peachpit Press.
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My New iPhone Apps are Released

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We've just released two very cool new applications for the iPhone and iPod touch. These applictons take full advantage of the iPhone and iPod technology.
  • Includes training videos edited specifically for the iPhone or iPod Touch.
  • Offers easily viewable screens, with zooms and close-ups of the action.
  • Every lesson includes hands-on files that you download to your computer. There’s no need to merely watch, you can try out every technique on your own.
  • Test your knowledge with interactive quizzes. Score yourself as well as check your answers with video responses.
  • Search throughout the application by keyword and your own bookmarks.
  • A quick reference guide is also included to help you build your Photoshop knowledge.
  • Interact with the trainer with comments and a Twitter client.


Understanding Photoshop: Quick Fixes

Learn
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how to quickly solve common problems with color and tone using Adobe Photoshop®. This innovative learning application combines the latest in knowledge and technology to accelerate your learning. The application contains video tutorials that cover a variety of tips and tricks that will help you get the best out of Photoshop. From learning how to manipulate colors in your images to erasing unwanted blemishes and even an entire person from your photographs, these tutorials offer it all. Whether you're new to Photoshop or even an advanced user, you’ll find useful techniques and powerful shortcuts to get your work done faster.
Click here to visit the iTunes store



Understanding Photoshop: Creating Panoramic Photos

Learn
148-understanding-photoshop-creating-panoramic-photos
how to create breathtaking panoramic photographs using Adobe Photoshop® and your digital camera. This innovative application combines the latest in knowledge and technology to accelerate your learning. The application contains video tutorials that illustrate beginner to advanced techniques for creating seamless panoramic images. You’ll learn what gear you need for shooting panoramic photos and how to use it. You’ll also merge several complex photos together, prepare panoramic photos for printing, and create an interactive 360˚ panoramic movie. Whether your a novice photographer or an advanced Photoshop user, these easy to follow videos will help you gain the skills you need to make amazing panoramic photos.
Click here to visit the iTunes store


availableinapp
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So You Think You Can Teach Photoshop Contest

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The fine folks over at NAPP are running a great contest to find more Photoshop instructors.

"Anyone with a desire to teach others how to make cool Photoshop effects can enter this contest. No matter if you are a graphic designer, photographer, teacher, student, or hobbyist. If you’ve got the chops, the creativity and the personality, this contest is for you. You may enter up to 3 video tutorials for judging."

The deadline for the contest is October 31, 2009.

The prizes look great!

One Grand Prize: $2,500 (USD value)

  • National Association of Photoshop Professionals – one-year membership
  • GridIron Flow software
  • Kelby Training Online Classes – one-year subscription
  • Layers magazine – one-year subscription
  • Kelby Training Books & DVDs
  • Photoshop World Conference & Expo Admission (plus flight and hotel expenses)
  • And Tons of Fame & Exposure
  • Plus, as the grand prize winner you get the opportunity to teach millions with a special guest spot on PhotoshopUser TV and Layers TV podcasts, in the pages of Photoshop User magazine, in an instructor’s chair at an upcoming Photoshop World Conference & Expo, on the PlanetPhotoshop.com and of course, visibility within NAPP to 71,000 members worldwide.

5 Honorable Mention Prizes: $500 (USD value)

  • National Association of Photoshop Professionals – one-year membership
  • GridIron Flow software
  • Kelby Training Online Classes – one-year subscription
  • Layers magazine – one-year subscription
  • Kelby Training Books & DVDs
Give it a shot – You just might win

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Creating Custom Brushes – 148 Understanding Adobe Photoshop



Instructor Richard Harrington shows you how to create your own custom brushes in Photoshop CS4.

Like the podcast? Then be sure to
check out the companion book.

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Peachpit Launches Video Made on a Mac Podcast Series


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Check out our new podcast series. Join Richard Harrington and Robbie Carman as we show you how to create professional video on the Mac. We share videos and project files using real world examples in Final Cut Studio and Adobe Creative Suite. From pre-production to post, these podcasts gives you a sample of what you can learn using their book, Video Made on the a Mac. You can use the code MACVIDEO for 35% off and free shipping.

Watch the latest FREE episodes:
Organizing Images with Bridge
Prepping Storyboards for Animation


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Custom Gradients – 150 Understanding Adobe Photoshop




Instructor Richard Harrington shows you how to design and use Photoshop CS4 gradients to enhance the sky in a photo.

Like the podcast? Then be sure to check out the companion book.

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Keying with After Effects

Looking for another way to key? Be sure to check out this video for a detailed demonstration of keying with Keylight in After Effects. You’ll also learn a few advanced tricks to finalize the shot.



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Layer Organization – 153 Understanding Adobe Photoshop



Instructor Richard Harrington shows you how to keep your layers organized in Photoshop CS4.

Like the podcast? Then be sure to check out the companion book.

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Creating Panoramas – 154 Understanding Adobe Photoshop



Instructor Richard Harrington shows you how to create a panoramic image in Photoshop CS4.

Like the podcast? Then be sure to check out the companion book.

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Layer Comps – 155 Understanding Adobe Photoshop



Instructor Richard Harrington shows you how to store multiple designs inside of one Photoshop document with layer comps.

Like the podcast? Then be sure to check out the companion book.

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Blending Modes – 156 Understanding Adobe Photoshop



Instructor Richard Harrington shows you how to use blending modes in Photoshop CS4 for a variety of effects.

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Filters & Blending Modes – 157 Understanding Adobe Photoshop



Instructor Richard Harrington shows you how to combine filters with blending modes to achieve even more effects
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Stealing Sunsets – 162 Understanding Adobe Photoshop 162 Understanding Adobe Photoshop



Instructor Richard Harrington shows you how to “steal” a sunset by taking the colors from one image and mapping them to another with Photoshop CS4.
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Creative Sepiatones — 161 Understanding Adobe Photoshop



Instructor Richard Harrington shows you how to make creative use of sepiatones in Photoshop CS4 to achieve a precise look.
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Vibrancy – 160 Understanding Adobe Photoshop


Instructor Richard Harrington shows you how to use the vibrancy adjustment in Photoshop CS4 to adjust saturation with more precise control.

Read More...
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Using Levels | 159 Understanding Adobe Photoshop



Instructor Richard Harrington shows you how to use the levels adjustment on a per-channel basis for color correction tool in Photoshop CS4.
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Overlooked Photoshop Commands – Part Four (The Layer Menu)

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Group and Ungroup – Similar to using a track matte. Apply a layer to its downstairs neighbor, but only in areas where there is opacity. This is often used to constrain a fill layer to a lower text layer for a Paste Into effect. It is also used internally by many layer styles to create proper clipping for bevel effects.
Group: Cmd+G (Ctrl+G)
Ungroup: Cmd+Shift+G (Ctrl+Shift+G)

Arrange Layers – You can move layers around from the keyboard.
Bring to Front Cmd + Shift + [ (Ctrl + Shift + [)
Bring Forward Cmd + [ (Ctrl + [)
Send Backward Cmd + ] (Ctrl + ])
Send to Back Cmd + Shift + ] (Ctrl + Shift + ])

Align Linked and Distribute Linked – Because your eyes aren’t that good. Link the layers together and access these controls from the menu (or use the Move tool and Options bar for a graphical interface). Want something centered on the screen? Link to the background layer and highlight it. The highlighted layer is the basis for all centering and distribution.

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Overlooked Photoshop Commands – Part Three (The Image Menu)

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Adjustments > Black and White – A poweful new command in the Adjustments category that creates believable black and white conversions. With CS3 Extended, you can run it on footage too.

Adjustments > Shadow/Highlight – This powerful command makes fixing dark shadows and overblown highlights a snap. Be sure to check the More Options box for extra power.

Adjustments > Invert – Useful for swapping transparent areas on a mask or channel.

Calculations – This is truly a powerful way to create an alpha channel.

Variables – These allow you to define variables in a template, then quickly input new data to create additional graphics.

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Overlooked Photoshop Commands – Part Two (The Edit Menu)

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Step Forward and Step Backward – Multiple undos.

Fade
– Not happy with the results of a filter or an adjustment? Choose this immediately after running the filter. By the way, did I mention this adds blending modes to all filters? Your filter collection just grew 2100%. Try it now! Give your filters new life! Remember: you must choose this immediately after running a filter. This is quite possibly Photoshop’s most underused feature. (Shift+Cmd+F/Shift+Ctrl+F)

Copy Merged – Copy multiple layers into one layer on your clipboard. Why flatten unnecessarily? (Shift+Cmd+C/Shift+Ctrl+C)

Check Spelling & Find and Replace Text – Because spelling errors are generally nonbillable.

Free Transform – This tool does it all. Access every layer transformation by Ctrl+clicking (right-clicking) while in free transform mode. Cut downs on image degradation by applying all your sizing, warping, and perspective changes at once. Cmd+T (Ctrl+T)

Purge – Free up space by deleting undos, clipboards, history! This will enable you to save and close when you get the dreaded “Scratch Disks Are Full” message.
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Overlooked Photoshop Commands – Part One (The File Menu)

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Close All – Cmd+Option+W (Ctrl+Alt+W)

Save As... – Choose from 20+ formats (more through special plugins). Photoshop is the ultimate graphic converter. Shift+Cmd+S (Shift+Ctrl+S)

Save for Web & Devices – It doesn’t get any more intuitive. Choose the two-up window, resize and compress your image for the web or e-mail. Now you can safely send the client an approval copy without having to worry about messing up your original. Shift+Option+Cmd+S (Shift+Alt+Ctrl+S)

Place – Can’t open it? Try placing it. This is how you can bring in EPS, AI, or PDF files. It allows you to position and scale an image (via a bounding box). When you click OK, Photoshop will add it at the proper size, position, and resolution (plus newer versions of Photoshop will insert it as a useful Smart Object).

Automate Submenu – These are some of the most useful tools for preparing client comps. Whether for print, web, or e-mail, the Automate options take boring tasks and make them quick and easy. Think of this menu as Photoshop’s batch rendering option. (Think of batch rendering as the only chance you may get for caffeine, nicotine, or vending machine—the vices for a media pro.)
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Color Correction: Levels | 158 Understanding Adobe Photoshop



Instructor Richard Harrington shows you how to adjust brightness, contrast and exposure with levels in Photoshop CS4.
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Finish the Sentence – Check Out Dave Cross's website

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[never mind the music, cue the video intro] "It's time once again to ask a well-known photographer, instructor or otherwise interesting person the same 10 questions and ask them to Finish the Sentence! This week the sentences are finished by.... ...

Richard Harrington

Check out this fun interview at Dave’s blog.
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Use After Effects to Transcode your HD material to 50 Formats

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I wanted to share a little work in progress file.  I find After Effects tremendously useful for resizing video.  In fact I use it often to pre-process footage before applying additional codecs.

What I’ve put together here is a Resizer project.  It allows you to quickly convert an HD file (720 or 1080) to 50 different output formats.  The file is quite simple to use, and covers output sizes ranging from SD, to Presentation Software, to Web, to iPhone.

This is a work in progress… but I’d love to get your feedback.  To learn how to use it (and get the file) keep reading....

First off… download the resizer template from here (
Resizer_Template.zip). It is an After Effects CS4 project. There are two files, both are identical.  The .aep is a project file, the .aet is a template file that will create a copy automatically when you open it.

Read More...
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Learn Flash and After Effects for Free

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Two totally free resources to learn Flash and After Effects. These come from the new book After Effects for Flash / Flash for After Effects: Dynamic Animation and Video with Adobe After Effects CS4 and Adobe Flash CS4 Professional. This book is really great and I hope you enjoy the first two chapters.

After Effects Essentials for Flash Users

Flash Essentials for After Effects Users


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Searchable Video with Creative Suite 4

Adobe has a great new technology that makes video searchable. I’ve written a detailed tutorial available at ProVideoCoalition.com.

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“With the proliferation of video on the Web, access to information is getting easier to find and understand (for most).  The challenge is twofold: first is getting people to find and search your video for the right information and second is if the individual has an auditory impairment, so much information is only available in the audio track.  This is why there has been such a big push to make video searchable online and more accessible. In this article you’ll use Adobe’s tool set to set up your video content for both goals.”

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Alpha Channels - Photoshop for Video



In this Adobe Photoshop podcast tutorial, Richard Harrington teaches how to make an alpha channel based upon the luminance of an image.
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Content Aware Scaling - Photoshop for Video



In this Photoshop tutorial, Richard Harrington takes a look at content aware scaling, a new feature in Photoshop CS4, which gives the ability to stretch a part of a picture based on the subject matter.
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Adding Depth of Field - Photoshop for Video



In this episode of Photoshop for Video, Richard Harrington takes a look at a depth of field blurring technique that allows you to simulate the depth of field look inside of Photoshop.
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New Camera Raw Updates

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Adobe has released a new version of Camera Raw – Version 5.4 . Note that Camera Raw 5 and later is not compatible with Photoshop CS3.
Read More...
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Masks Panel - Photoshop for Video



In this episode of the Photoshop for Video podcast, Richard Harrington discusses his favorite addition to Photoshop CS4, the masks panel which gives you precise control over the masks on a layer.
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Auto Blend Command - Photoshop for Video



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Balancing Images - Photoshop for Video



In this Photoshop podcast tutorial, Richard Harrington gives some free tips to help balance out exposure issues in a photo. When lighting issues arise with a photo, with parts of a graphic that are too light or too dark this podcast can help.


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Dodge, Blur, Burn and Sharpen in Photoshop CS4

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Adobe Creative Suite $200 Off

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Just thought I’d share that Adobe extended their discount offer on Creative Suite 4.

UPGRADE TO ADOBE CREATIVE SUITE AND SAVE UP TO US$200.
For a limited time, your version of Adobe® Creative Suite® 2, Creative Suite 1, Macromedia® Studio 8, Studio MX 2004, or Production Studio software qualifies you for up to US$200 off on eligible upgrades to Adobe Creative Suite 4 software. Don't hesitate, this
offer ends April 30, 2009.
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Perspective Cropping

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Color Range Command in Photoshop

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Crop and Straighten Command in Photoshop

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When scanning images, it’s often possible to fit more than one image on the scanner bed. Scanning multiple images at once can save input time when loading images into Photoshop. Fortunately, the Crop And Straighten Photos command picks up and keeps the efficiency going.

  1. Place multiple photos on your scanner. For best results, you need to keep 1/8 inch between the images in your scan. If the Crop And Straighten Photos command does not succeed (which is rare), you should process the individual images using the Crop tool.
  2. If you’re working in a multilayered image, select the layer that contains the images. If you only want some of the images, draw a selection border around one or more images.
  3. Choose File > Automate > Crop And Straighten Photos.

Each image should be cropped, straightened, and moved into its own document window.


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Powering Audio Search for Video

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“Across the Production Premium toolset, Adobe has provided increased support for metadata… [pause for audience applause]. What? You didn’t clap? Well metadata is pretty dang important—it can speed up your editing, improve collaboration, or even make your videos more accessible on the Web. Sure, it’s not as enticing as yet another tutorial on making things glow, but give it a shot.”

Continue to the
Layers Magazine website to see the full tutorial for free.
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New Book for After Effects and Flash Users

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I have literally just sent the last changes to the last chapter in. The brand new book After Effects for Flash | Flash for After Effects is going to print. I am quite proud of the book and it explores some amazing things. The book is designed for Flash and After Effects users, and is meant to teach them how to use both programs together (along with Creative Suite 4). The book explores some pretty revolutionary things, but also has great primers to get new users up to speed fast (you can’t put a race car on your cover if the book doesn’t cover serious ground).

The official blurb
Adobe Creative Suite 4 brings together two powerful animation tools, each of which has its own specialized features and workflow. Learning to integrate Adobe After Effects and Adobe Flash Professional gives you more options for your animations and effects and the power to integrate video and motion graphics into a richer user experience. In this book, authors Richard Harrington and Marcus Geduld lead both types of users, those who are more familiar with either Flash or with After Effects, on using the programs together for maximum efficiency and creativity.

After walking you through the core features of both programs, the authors then explore advanced uses for each application. Each chapter focuses on a particular function of the program, teaching you how to create content for Flash with After Effects, enhance your projects using 3D environments, create professional-looking video with Adobe Media Encoder, and add interactivity, accessibility, and searchability to your video. You’ll also get hands-on experience using the project files on the accompanying DVD.

Within these easy-to-follow, step-by-step lessons, you’ll learn to:
  • Seamlessly exchange projects and assets between After Effects and Flash
  • Shoot green screen material correctly, work with Keylight, and utilize embedded alpha channels
  • Create dynamic text, vector-based animations, and “animated” video using the tools in Adobe Creative Suite 4
  • Work with 3D cameras and lights and create 3D environments
  • Convert Flash to broadcast and DVD standards with After Effects
  • Use Adobe Media Encoder for professional results
  • Create interactive controls and use cue points in your video
  • Optimize video for accessibility and use Adobe® Soundbooth® for video transcription
  • Use ActionScript in your projects for more innovative animations


Get your copy now.... it really has some fun projects and cool things in it.


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Free Expo Hall Pass for Photoshop World

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Join us at the
Photoshop World Expo
March 26 - 27

If you are going to be in the Boston area in March but can't attend Photoshop World, you can still come join us at the Photoshop World Expo absolutely FREE!
The Expo portion of Photoshop World is a showcase of the latest cutting-edge digital imaging, computer- and design-related technologies, products, and services. You can also take advantage of free classes and product demos, as well as special discounts on the latest books and DVDs at the Official Photoshop World/Peachpit Bookstore!
Get your FREE, downloadable EXPO PASS ($40 value)
Photoshop World: The Eastern Conference Expo Hours: Thursday, March 26, 2009 - 1:00pm to 5:00pm Friday, March 27, 2009 - 9:00am to 1:00pm Hynes Convention Center 900 Boylston Street Boston, MA 02115 Hall C
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Free Photoshop and After Effects CS4 Tutorials

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The fine folks at Focal Press have decided to release two free updates. The popular books Photoshop for Video and Creating Motion Graphics both have free updates for the Creative Suite 4 release.

Even if you don’t have these two books (which I’d really suggest you check them out)... the CS4 updates are absolutely free.

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Photoshop Brush Shortcuts

I often see people struggling with brushes in Photoshop. Brush control is essential for many tasks besides painting, you’ll need precise control for masking, retouching, and creating selections. With this in mind, here are my favorite shortcuts for getting things done.
brushes

For more on Photoshop, check out the latest book: Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS4
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Two Important Updates from Adobe

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I’m a big fan of what’s possible with Adobe Bridge. The latest edition has added great web galleries and contact sheets. Adobe has tweaked Bridge CS4 and added headers and footers to PDF contact sheets and slideshows. The web galleries are also tweaked to offer smaller file sizes. You can download the update for Mac and Windows from Adobe.com.

Additionally, Camera Raw for Photoshop CS4 (
Mac|Win) adds some much-requested improvements
  • Targeted Adjustment Tool (TAT) for on-image adjustments
  • Output sharpening for print or screen output
  • "Snapshots" for saving multiple sets of settings per file
  • You can find out more here. Thanks to John Nack for pointing these out.
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New Photoshop Book is Shipping

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I am proud to announce that my new book, Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS4 is now shipping. This is the second edition of the book and it is fully updated for CS4 (even if you’re using CS3, you’ll find it a big help.) The book covers all sorts of great new features in Photoshop and I significantly revised it with nearly 100 new photos.

The book is on sale at
Amazon for 30% off, and adds some great new stuff.
The book is on sale at
Peachpit’s website for 35% off. If ordering from Peachpit, use the discount code UAPTWO at checkout.


We’ve made our podcast series totally interactive for our book readers (more in a few days).

You can access a free chapter on Automation
here.
You can view an excerpt from a chapter on color correction
here.

The books are in my hands and shipping from both
Peachpit and Amazon.

If you like the book... PLEASE
write a review (I’d really appreciate it).

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Scott Kelby's Holiday Gift Guide is Great

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Noted author Scott Kelby has released his annual gift guide. What’s great about the list is that there are some really cool tools on there for photogs and even hobbyists. It’s nothing but the coolest photography and Photoshop gear.

“Since many of you are new to the gear guide, I wanted to let you know how I make my picks each year, and why I think it’s different than most other guides you’ll find out there these days. Put simply, every item in here is stuff I actually use, it’s stuff I’m crazy about, and now it’s become stuff I can’t live without (which is sad, in a way), and it’s the same stuff I recommend to my friends (well, my friends with room on their Visa cards).”

I agree with several of his picks, already using things like the Hoodman Loupe and Boda Bag myself. Be sure to check it out.
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Exposure Blending with Photoshop

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Looking for a great article on mixing exposures? Then be sure to check out this great article by Sean Duggan.

“One classic technique that digital cameras make very easy is blending more than one exposure together for contrast control, increased dynamic range, or creative purposes. A variation on this technique is to apply different RAW-conversion settings to a single RAW file and then combine the files into a single image. Let’s explore both approaches and look at the proper camera technique behind the scenes.”

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Photoshop CS4 – Color Range Command



Richard Harrington shows you how to use the color range command and how CS4 makes it even easier to make a localized selection.

Want the videos in HD?  Then check out our
iTunes version.
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Photoshop CS4 – Little Things



Richard Harrington shows you the small but important updates and features new to Photoshop CS4 .

Want the videos in HD?  Then check out our
iTunes version.
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Photoshop CS4 – Video Improvements



Richard Harrington shows you how to size pictures for video and work with video files in Photoshop CS4 .

Want the videos in HD?  Then check out our
iTunes version.
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Photoshop CS4 – Printing

Richard Harrington shows you new printing features in Photoshop CS4 , including the ability to do 16-bit printing.

Want the videos in HD?  Then check out our
iTunes version.
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Dodge, Blur, Burn, and Sharpen in Photoshop CS4



Richard Harrington shares tips on the new, subtly refined tools in Photoshop CS4 to help get the results you want with your images.
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Photoshop CS4 – Dodge, Burn & Sponge

Richard Harrington shows you the improvements that Photoshop CS4 brings to the dodge, burn and sponge tools.

Want the videos in HD?  Then check out our
iTunes version.
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Photoshop CS4 – 3D Features



Richard Harrington shows you how to use 3D layers and 3D models in Photoshop CS4 .

Want the videos in HD?  Then check out our iTunes version.
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Need a Little Help?

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Adobe has unveiled the help menu for Photoshop CS4 online... so if you want to check out some of the new features in-depth just head on over to their site – http://help.adobe.com/en_US/Photoshop/11.0/

You’ll find that the help system is still coming online fully... but there’s some great stuff to check out. Think of it as an appetizer until the real thing ships later this month.

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Want to Win Photoshop CS4 or Other Cool Prizes?

So... we’ve been running a contest to win free stuff (we’ll be drawing in late November).

So far we’ve got three copies of
Adobe Photoshop, an assortment of Joby Gorillapods, and copies of Nik Software and Digital Anarchy plug-ins.

Cool right? Its easy to win (and your chances are very good). Simply watch the videos at
CSFour.com or any of our embedded players.
survey
With each video you’ll see a pencil shaped button. Click it to take a short (and I mean :45 seconds or less) survey.

You can take a survey one time only, that’s one time per video. Each survey counts as one entry. This means you have up to 15 chances to win prizes.

What are you waiting for? Free stuff is pretty cool.

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Photoshop CS4 – Enhanced Panoramic Photomerge


Richard Harrington shows you how to use smart objects and how they have been improved in Photoshop CS4 .

Here is the action mentioned in the video.

Want the videos in HD?  Then check out our iTunes version.
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Free Filter Guide from Peachpit Press

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My new book, Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS4 is off to the presses. I’ve gotten permission to release a chapter to you early (and for free). Here is our comprehensive guide to every filter in Photoshop as well as tips on how to get more out of your filter collection.

To download the free guide –
Click Here.

To order from Peachpit.com
CLICK TO ORDER – DISCOUNT CODE – UAP TWO - 35% OFF (Enter Code at Step 3 of checkout)
To order from Amazon.com
CLICK TO ORDER – 17% OFF





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Photoshop CS4 – Enhanced Smart Objects


Richard Harrington shows you how to use smart objects and how they have been improved in Photoshop CS4 .

Want the videos in HD?  Then check out our iTunes version.
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Ready for the Upgrade?

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Layers Magazine has a great artivle on their blog about what you’ll need to make sure your computer is ready for CS4. One important note for mac users.... many of the applications require that you have an Intel processor... so keep that in mind.

“Working in tech, you almost take for granted being a gear junkie and having the most newfangled computer out there, but I’m sure there are a lot of you who want to make the jump that are unsure of what is technically needed, as well as other people out there that are ‘taking the plunge’ and getting the CS4 Suite in addition to a new computer to be able to hold it.”

Read more
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Photoshop CS4 – Vibrance Adjustment



Richard Harrington shows you how to use the new vibrance adjustments in Photoshop CS4 to boost the saturation of a scene without affecting skin tones.

Want the videos in HD?  Then check out our iTunes version.
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Photoshop CS4 – Camera Raw 5.0




Richard Harrington shows you how to develop your camera raw files with Camera Raw 5.0 and CS4.

Want the videos in HD?  Then check out our iTunes version.
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More Free Photoshop Tutorials I've Done

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Looking for some more, free Photoshop training? Here are a few more tutorials I’ve done... these are from Peachpit.com. Enjoy!


Refining Edges in Photoshop CS4
Cropping in Photoshop CS4
Dodge, Blur, Burn, and Sharpen in Photoshop CS4
Aligning Images in Photoshop CS

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Photoshop CS4 – Auto-Blend


Richard Harrington shows you how to use auto-blend to combine multiple exposures or layers in Photoshop CS4.

Want the videos in HD?  Then check out our iTunes version.
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Photoshop CS4 – Masks Panel




Richard Harrington shows you what’s new with masks in Photoshop CS4 and how to use them to non-destructivly add transparency to an image.

Want the videos in HD?  Then check out our iTunes version.
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Short List of New Features for Photoshop CS4

Here’s an overview list of new features in Photoshop CS4. We’ll be offering tutorials on these topics in the coming weeks.

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Increased Productivity
  • Fluid canvas rotation
  • Enhanced Pan, Zoom, and large image navigation
  • More refined, natural results with Dodge, Burn, and Sponge
  • Next generation Adobe Bridge
  • Tighter integration with Photoshop Lightroom
  • Kuler for color harmony creation and sharing
  • N-up and multiple document view
  • More powerful printing options
  • Superior performance on very large images*
  • Extensibility with SWF panels
  • Unified tabbed interface with self-adjusting panels

Unrivaled Editing
  • Live, nondestructive corrections with the Adjustments panel
  • Re-editable, feathered, density-controlled masks
  • Enhanced Auto-Blend with seamless tones and colors
  • 360° panoramas
  • Extended depth of field
  • Camera Raw with localized adjustments
  • Enhanced Smart Objects
  • On-image controls for Curves, Hue/Saturation adjustments
  • Clone Stamp and Healing Brush preview cursor

Breakthrough 3D, Motion Graphics, and Image Analysis (Extended only)
  • Direct painting on 3D objects
  • Easy conversion from 2D to 3D
  • Editable 3D properties (scene, materials, meshes, lights)
  • New high quality interactive ray tracer
  • Create 3D composites with 2D images or other 3D objects
  • New, high-performance, non-modal 3D engine
  • Volume Rendering
  • Keyboard shortcuts enabled for the Animation panel
  • Enhanced preview of non-square-pixel images
  • Preview and export audio content and frame comments
  • Animate 3D objects and their textures
  • Enhanced Count tool
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Photoshop CS4 – Adjustments Panel


Richard Harrington shows you how to use the new adjustments panel in Photoshop CS4 to speed up your workflow.

Want the videos in HD?  Then check out our iTunes version.

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Photoshop CS4 – Adobe Output Module


Richard Harrington shows you how to use the Adobe output module in Bridge CS4 to make websites, PDF slideshows and web galleries of your images. This technology is slick and easy to use.

Want the videos in HD?  Then check out our iTunes version.
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Like Your Photoshop Videos in HD?

Would you like to watch our new Photoshop CS4 Sneak Peek videos in HD? You’ve got two options to choose from.

#1 iTunes Store
You can subscribe to or download all our videos absolutely free by visiting the iTunes store. By clicking subscribe, you’ll pay nothing, but get over two hours of free Photoshop CS4 Training. New episodes are released daily.

itunes

#2 Apple TV
Our show is also available on Apple TV in HD. A quick search for CS4 and you’ll find us.

I hope you enjoy... comments are very welcome (and encouraging).

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Photoshop CS4 Online Learning Center from NAPP

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The fine folks over at the National Association of Photoshop Professionals have an online learning center with some great resources.

Here are my favorites to check out.


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Using the Color Range Command

Sometimes, a color (or range of colors) will be very present in your image. These colors can be used to quickly create an accurate Layer Mask. Even if the color cannot be used to select the object entirely, you can always harness the Brush tool to clean up stray areas.
1. Open an image with an area of continuous color you’d like to select.
Color_Range1

2. Turn the Background layer into a floating layer by double-clicking its name in the Layers panel.
3. Choose Select > Color Range to make a selection based on a range of colors. Check the Localized Color Clusters option to reduce the selection area to just the chosen colors.
4. With the Eyedropper, click within the yellow area of the flower to make an initial selection. Hold down the Shift key and drag through other areas of the flower to add to the selection.
5. Leave the Fuzziness set to a low value (30-40). When most of the flower is selected, click OK to create an active selection.
Color_Range2
6. Click the Add layer mask button for the layer. The petals will show well, but parts of the flower will be missing.
7. Add a solid color layer to make it easier to see your edges. Choose Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color. A purple layer will help things stand out nicely. Click OK and drag the solid layer below the masked flower.
8. Examine the masked layer closely. You will need to paint in part of the center of the flower. Additionally, some of the petals contain unwanted transparency. You may also have some leaves or stems that bled through. We can fix all of these problems quickly using the Brush tool.
9. Press D to load the default colors of black and white.
10. Select the Layer Mask attached to the layer.
11. Press B to activate the Brush tool. Adjust the size of the brush and its hardness settings so you have a smaller brush with a gentle edge (an 80-pixel brush with a hardness of 75% is a good place to start).
12. Paint in spotted or missing areas with white. You can remove any unwanted areas by painting with black.
13. When finished, you can save the image as a layered file such as a TIFF or PSD formatted file.
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Photoshop CS4 – User Interface Changes

Learn about important changes to the Photoshop CS4 user interface.
- Refined workspaces
– Freely rotatable canvas
– Greater zoom levels
- Enhanced controls with panels
- Tabbed documents

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Photoshop CS4 – Free Training Starts Tuesday 9/23

Check out our free training series – Photoshop CS4 Sneak Peek that starts Tuesday 9/23.

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Photoshop CS4 Just Around the Corner

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Want to find out everything new in Adobe Creative Suite 4? Trust me... there’s some really cool things coming. Adobe has an invitation out to view their Web broadcast on September 23rd. But you do need to go to the sign-up page at www.adobe.com/go/somethingbrilliant.

By the way... we are going to be releasing something very special on the 23rd as well as a “thank you” to all our viewers. Be sure to stick around and keep an eye out.

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PeachpitTV: Quick Selection Using Color Range in Photoshop



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Great Black and White Conversion Resource

  • Julieanne Kost from Adobe has posted a great resource for converting color images to grayscale using Photoshop.
PSCS3 Black and White Options via Smart Objects (20MB PSD file)
  • To use this template, first open and crop your desired image to 540 x 366 pixels at 72 ppi. Note: you can crop the entire image, or focus in on a smaller, more important part of it.
  • Flatten your cropped file and select "Save As" to save the cropped file as "FileNameFlatLowRes.psd"
  • Then open the template, click on any one of the smart object layers in the layers palette. Select Layer > Smart Object > Replace Contents, and navigate to select your cropped, low resolution, flattened file.
  • After the images are replaced, choose the best looking conversion, open your original high resolution file, and drag and drop the adjustment layer from the template to the high res file. Voila!

Be sure to check out
her great site for more resources.
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Avoid Import Blues for After Effects

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It’s very common to use Photoshop and Illustrator to prepare content for import into Adobe After Effects. Here are some practical tips to avoid problems when merging the software.

Import Tips

  • Double-Click in the AE Project Window
  • Shift-Click Multiple Items
  • Organize in Folder and Option+Drag (Alt+Drag) from Desktop
  • Keep file names less than 27 characters long

Photoshop

  • Assign unique names to each layer
  • Avoid using layer sets unless you want the layers to come in as a nested composition
  • If layers are not needed, reduce your render burden by importing as a flattened file such as a PICT, TIFF or TARGA
  • If you have applied an adjustment layer in Photoshop such as Levels, consider applying the effect directly to the individual layers in Photoshop instead

Illustrator

  • Be sure to use layers in Adobe Illustrator to split up elements
  • Change AI preferences to use AICB format (not PDF) for proper Copy/Paste
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Great Photoshop Actions for Video

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Here are a few of my favorite resources for Photoshop Actions. These save time and make you look good.

Tools for Television – Want to automate standard video graphics production tasks? Then check out Tools for Television’s Photoshop Toolbox for video-friendly actions at http://www.toolsfortelevision.com.

Action FX – For complex text and special effects, check out the excellent site http://www.actionfx.com. There are several free actions as well as some to purchase.

Photoshop Video Actions – Upgraded to CS2 or CS3? Then be sure to check out the built in Video Actions that I authored with
Dan Brown for some timesaving automation tools.

PanosFX – A newer site that is really becoming one to watch isPanosFX (http://www.panosfx.com). This site has some incredible free actions as well as some very affordable and powerful tools for sale.

Adobe Exchange – If you’re not in a position to purchase add-ons to your system, there’s one incredible free resource worth mentioning. With the release of Photoshop 5.5, Adobe launched a Web site originally called Action Xchange where users could share their actions; see http://www.adobe.com/exchange.




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Saving Time with the Image Processor

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The Image Processor command is an extremely useful production tool that will allow you to quickly reformat and size images to meet your workflow. The Image Processor script made its official debut in Photoshop CS2, but you can find also find it online under the name Dr. Brown’s Image Processor.

The Image Processor script can be used to convert and process multiple images. It differs from the Batch command in that you don’t need to first create an action. The image processor can be used for any of the following tasks:

  • To convert a images to JPEG, PSD, or TIFF format. You can also convert files simultaneously to all three formats.
  • To process a set of camera raw files using the same camera raw options.
  • To resize images to fit within a specified pixel dimension.
  • To embed a color profile into images or convert files to sRGB and save them as JPEG images for the web.
  • To include copyright metadata into the processed images.
  • The Image Processor can be used with PSD, TIFF, JPEG, or camera raw files.

Step 1: Choose>File>Scripts>Image Processor.

Step 2: Select the images that you want to process. You can use the open images or navigate to a folder to select images.

Step 3: Select a location to save the processed images. You can choose the Exports folder you created previously on your Desktop.

Step 4: Select the file types and options you wish to convert to.
  • Save As JPEG – This sets the JPEG quality between 0 and 12. You can also choose to resize the image and convert it to sRGB color profile.
  • Save As PSD – This sets the PSD options. You can also resize the image and choose to Maximize Compatibility.
  • Save As TIFF – This saves images in the TIFF format with LZW compression. You can also resize the image.

Step 5: You can choose from other processing options.
  • Run Action – If an action is loaded into your Actions palette, you can run it on the image during the process.
  • Copyright Info – You can add copyright metadata to the image.

Step 6: Click Run to process the multiple images.


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Special Episode of Layers TV

corey
I recently got a chance to cohost Layers TV with Corey Barker. The show is a great podcast that comes out each week on all things Adobe. They do a really great job with it and they had me on as a guest host to cover Adobe Production Premium.

“Corey is joined by guest co-host Richard Harrington to discuss working with video in Photoshop Extended, Premiere, and After Effects.
  • When working in Premiere, don't forget about the search menu that you can use to locate the effects you want
  • Change Color is a useful effect that you can use to target and adjust one color region of your video clip
  • There are also Shadow/Highlight adjustment options in Premiere
  • You can bring your video clips into Photoshop Extended and apply Photoshop effects to them
  • Make video clips into smart objects so that Photoshop will treat them as a single layer
  • After you have finished editing the video clip in Photoshop, go under the Export command and render the finished video
  • Get more information from Richard at Photoshop For Video.com
  • Use After Effects to make speed changes to your video clips. Remember, time is just another keyframe
  • If you want further video training from Richard, you can watch his classes at Kelby Training.com, or see him live at Photoshop World this September in Las Vegas”

DOWNLOAD THE EPISODE


WATCH ONLINE
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DVD Menu Design in Photoshop CS3 Extended

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Layers Magazine just released my tutorial on DVD Menus with Photoshop CS3 Extended. Love the intro they give (hah!).
“Now up is the incomparable Richard Harrington. Richard has a tutorial for making a DVD menu in Photoshop CS3 Extended that will have you creating great DVD design with little fuss. Richard will also be doing stuff in Layers TV very soon, so be sure that you check that out as well. Click on the link below to get to the tutorial.”
Richard Harrington - DVD design using Photoshop CS3 Extended

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Photoshop for Video Featured on Photoshop User TV

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Watch each week as “The Photoshop Guys” (Dave Cross, Matt Kloskowski, and Scott Kelby) from the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) share the hottest Adobe Photoshop tutorials, the latest insider tricks, and the coolest timesaving, job-saving shortcuts to make your time in Photoshop more productive, more efficient, and more fun.

Be sure to check out this week’s epsiode of Photoshop User TV. Scott Kelby had me on the show for an interview and a couple of quick tips.

Watch Episode Online
Download Episode 138

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PSV#81 Age a Photo - Photoshop for Video

Instructor Richard Harrington shares some techniques on how to age a photograph in Photoshop.





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Scanning Advice

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Seems like a lot of folks have forgotten (or never learned) how to scan photos. With this is mind, I offer some practical scanning advice. Several problems can be introduced by those using antiquated scanners with a distinct lack of skill. To get the best results, try the following:

  • Before scanning an image, ensure you have the latest software needed by your scanner. You can always check their websites or use Version Tracker. Having problems with a lack of support on the OSX side for older scanners. I recommend checking out VueScan from Hamrick Software.


Read More...
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PSV#80 Distressing Text Edges - Photoshop for Video

Instructor Richard Harrington shows you how to use a patterned image to degrade the edges of your text for a unique text effect in Photoshop.












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Photoshop Disasters: Laugh & Learn

PSDissasters
One of my favorite sites that I like to check out on a regular basis is Photoshop Disasters. The site is a freakshow gallery of Photoshop gone wrong. The site is driven by user submission and acts as both entertainment and education. There mission:

“Have you seen a truly awful piece of Photoshop work? Clumsy manipulation, senseless comping, lazy cloning and thoughtless retouching are our bread and butter. And yes, deep down, we love Photoshop.”

Be sure to check the site out, it’ll make you look at things a little differently.

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What is Photoshop World?

In case you’ve neverr had a chance to go, here’s a quick look at all things Photoshop World. The event is a ton of fun and a chcne to get some of the best instruction available.


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Soundbooth Beta Open to Public from Adobe

sbbeta
Adobe Soundbooth is a great tool to fix everyday audio problems and production workflows. It works well for video or Flash workflows and is built around a fairly intuitive set of task-based tools. Adobe is giving its customers a chance to play with Soundbooth CS4. If you are already a CS3 owner, the beta works until after CS4 is released. If you don't own CS3.... then it only works for 48 hours.

Here are some of the core features worth checking out:
  • Arranging audio files on multiple tracks
  • Making quick edits and applying fades
  • Matching volume levels with a single command
  • Removing unwanted noises and background sounds
  • Adjusting tempo and pitch
  • Recording and polishing voice-overs
  • Adding effects and filters
  • Previewing MP3 compression quality
  • Easily creating customized music — without musical expertise
  • With the new Adobe Sound Document file format you can take “snapshots” of your work-in-progress and undo changes made to your audio assets.


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New Online Class – Photoshop and After Effects for Event Photographers

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I've launched a new course over at Kelby Training called Photoshop and After Effects for Event Photographers. It's designed to help teach you new ways to show your images to clients? Learn how to quickly prepare images for use in video and on-screen. In this interactive lesson you'll learn how to prepare photos for PowerPoint, Keynote, and DVD slideshows as well as how to create attractive pans and zooms of your image.

You can watch the first three parts of the lesson for free and find out more on their site. The tutorial touches upon most of the Production Premium suite. You'll learn a bit about Photoshop, After Effects, Encore, Premiere Pro, Soundbooth, and the Adobe Media Encoder

I hope you enjoy it.


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Photoshop World Schedule Announced

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The schedule for the new Photoshop World has been announced and I am very excited.. I'll be teaching four brand new classes that I hop you all will enjoy.

Building an Electronic Portfolio (Using DVD, Presentation Software, and Web Galleries)
Looking to expand your photography or design portfolio? This in-depth class will teach you how to create dynamic electronic portfolios to showcase your work. Learn how to prepare your images for the screen, then take them to new places such as the Internet, DVD, and Presentation software.  This session will help you show your portfolio to more people with less expense.  If your looking for easy and innovative ways to showcase your work, don't miss this important pre-conference session.

Creative Animation with the Puppet Tool
Looking to create animation from photos?  Learn how to combine layered Photoshop files with After Effects Puppet Tool to  quickly add natural motion.  You can bend, warp, and animate both raster images and vector graphics, including still images, shapes, and text characters.  In this session, you'll learn creative possibilities for creating animated elements for use in video and multimedia projects.  

Advanced Motion Control 3D
Clients, Producers, and After Effects Artists alike have fallen in love with bringing pictures to life. Want to learn how to create movement "within" a photo?  This popular class has been fully updated to show you even more techniques for using Photoshop files for creative story telling.  Learn how to use 3D cameras, lights, particles, and the Vanishing Point feature to create exciting animations that capture the imagine and engage your audience.

Creative Chromakeying
The use of green-screen and blue-screen is a popular technique for both video and film special effects.  In this informative session you'll learn how to create virtual environments from photos, then key your video using Photoshop or After Effects.  A special emphasis will be placed upon using After Effects' powerful keying technology like Keylight as well as strategies to help with the production of the chromakey shoot.

The conference is September 3-6 in Las Vegas... be sure to check it out!



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Great Tutorial on Vanishing Point Exchange

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Steve Holmes has a great tutorial over at Layers Magazine on using the Vanishing Point features in Adobe Photoshop and After Effects. The tutorial is totally free and Steve does a great job.

“Without a doubt, the best new feature in After Effects CS3 is the Vanishing Point Exchange with Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended. Creating very believable 3D movements from quite simple 2D digital photographs has to be seen to be believed, and the best thing is it’s a pretty easy process. However, there are a few caveats to keep an eye out for, so let’s take a trip into the world of two-dee three-dee!”

Check the whole thing out
here.


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PSV#76 Making Selections: Calculations - Photoshop for Video

Instructor Richard Harrington shows you how to make great selections using channels in Photoshop.












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Review of Premiere Elements 4 (4.5 out of 5)

AMAZINGLY CAPABLE VIDEO SOFTWARE FOR WINDOWS
“You might be thinking, “What’s consumer software doing in a pro magazine?” The short answer is that if you aren’t using the Adobe Master Collection or the Production Premium suite, you probably need Adobe Premiere Elements 4. Whether you work as an advertiser, designer, developer, or photographer, you most likely have an interest in making videos or DVDs.
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Sure, Adobe offers the very capable video applications found in the Creative Suite product line but for many users, it’s hard to spring for the “whole enchilada.” When I sat down with Premiere Elements, I was immediately impressed. The product offers an easy-to-use toolset that addresses the needs of many users.

Here’s the lowdown: Premiere Elements only runs on Windows machines. If you’re a Mac user, you should be looking to iMovie and iDVD ’08 to fill the same needs. On the PC side, the market has been woefully underserved by offerings from Adaptec and Microsoft. With version 4 of Premiere Elements, Adobe clearly steps up to offer a dramatic redesign, combining power with ease of use (an Adobe trademark).”

You can read the rest of the review
here...


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Adobe TV at NAB 2008 – Photoshop CS3 Extended for Video

Want 30 minutes of free training on Adobe Photoshop CS3? Adobe had me in their theater at NAB giving lessons. Here's a recording from one of the days so you can see what was taught.



If you want more free classes... visit the
Adobe TV site.



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Adobe Demos Future Technology at NAB

Following up on my "Really Cool Adobe Announcements" post...

Adobe has actually posted their "secret" presentation from NAB. Hart Shafer talks about four cool things Adobe has up their sleeve.