I've released
anew tutorialover at the
TipSquirrel.com website. Learn all bout how to
crop your photos. Before you think you know
all about cropping, consider these points.
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.
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.
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.
Choose File
> Automate > Crop And Straighten
Photos.
Each image
should be cropped, straightened, and moved into
its own document window.
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.
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 linkto 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.
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
offer20 Years of Adobe
Photoshopwith 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.
"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)."
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.
Well...here's a cool pluginthats 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)"
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.
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:
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.
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.
Edit the
clips as needed into sequences.
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.
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.
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).
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...
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.
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).
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 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).
Launch Adobe Photoshop.
Press Command+K to call up your Photoshop
preferences.
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 websitewww.peachpit.com/videomacin order to
download sample files.
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.
"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!"
Our friends
atthe Peachpit User Group
Programare 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.
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.
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, visitwww.peachpit.com/videomac.
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
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
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
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 websitewww.peachpit.com/videomacin order to
download sample files.
“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.”
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.
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 canget it from the App Store for
$1.99.
Have you seen
ournew book? Be sure to check out
theFacebook groupfor more
resources.
We've also got a new podcast series too with free
tips and practice files.Webor 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."
Recharge Your Creativity and Craft •
January 13 - 16 • Miami Beach, Florida
Now in its
fourth year, theEditors Retreathas 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. Visitwww.EditorsRetreat.comfor the full
schedule and more details.
Attendees all
receive a huge goodie bag! Right now its valued
at over $4500 in gifts:
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
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 thefree downloadable
filesor order thebook. 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.
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
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
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
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
Check out
ournew 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
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.
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
FrontCmd +
Shift + [ (Ctrl + Shift + [)
Bring
ForwardCmd
+ [ (Ctrl + [)
Send
BackwardCmd
+ ] (Ctrl + ])
Send to
BackCmd +
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.
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.
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.
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.)
[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.... ...
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...
“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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
Just thought I’d share that Adobe extended
theirdiscount 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, thisoffer
ends April 30, 2009.
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.
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.
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.
Choose File
> Automate > Crop And Straighten
Photos.
Each image should be cropped, straightened, and
moved into its own document window.
“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 theLayers Magazine
websiteto see the full tutorial for
free.
I have
literally just sent the last changes to the last
chapter in. The brand new bookAfter Effects for Flash | Flash
for After Effectsis 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
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
ConferenceExpo 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
The fine folks at Focal
Press have decided to release two free
updates. The popular booksPhotoshop for VideoandCreating Motion
Graphicsboth 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.
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.
For
more on Photoshop, check out the latest
book:Understanding
Adobe Photoshop CS4
The book is
on sale atAmazon for 37%
off, and adds some great new
stuff.
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 forMacandWindowsfrom 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
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 atAmazon for 30%
off,
and adds some great new stuff.
The book is on sale atPeachpit’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
Automationhere.
You can view an excerpt from a chapter on color
correctionhere.
The books are in my hands and shipping from
bothPeachpitandAmazon.
If you like the book... PLEASEwrite a review(I’d
really appreciate it).
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.
Looking for a
great article on mixing exposures? Then be sure
to check out thisgreat articleby 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.”
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
ouriTunes
version.
Richard Harrington shows you the
small but important updates and features new to
Photoshop CS4 .
Want the videos in HD? Then check out
ouriTunes
version.
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
ouriTunes
version.
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
ouriTunes
version.
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
ouriTunes
version.
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.
Cool right? Its easy to win (and your chances are
very good). Simply watch the videos atCSFour.comor any of our
embedded players.
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.
My new
book,Understanding Adobe Photoshop
CS4is 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.
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.”
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
ouriTunes
version.
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 ouriTunes
version.
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 ouriTunes
version.
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 theiTunes store. By clicking subscribe,
you’ll pay nothing, but get overtwo hours of free Photoshop CS4
Training. New episodes are released
daily.
#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).
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.
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.
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.
Learn
about important changes to the Photoshop CS4 user
interface.
- Refined workspaces
– Freely rotatable canvas
– Greater zoom levels
- Enhanced controls with panels
- Tabbed documents
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 theirWeb
broadcast on September 23rd. But you do need
to go to the sign-up page atwww.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.
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!
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
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 athttp://www.toolsfortelevision.com.
Action FX
–For
complex text and special effects, check out the
excellent sitehttp://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; seehttp://www.adobe.com/exchange.
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.
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
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 atKelby
Training.com,
or see him live atPhotoshop
Worldthis
September in Las Vegas”
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
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.
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.
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.
In
case you’ve neverr had a chance to go,
here’s a quick look at all thingsPhotoshop
World. The event
is a ton of fun and a chcne to get some of the
best instruction available.
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
toplay 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.
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
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.
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!”
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.
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 reviewhere...
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 theAdobe TV
site.
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