Photoshop Smart , Tips and Techniques: September 2008

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Photoshop CS4 New Features

A new version and new hopes are awaken. Photographers will be very pleased with some the new changes in this released. Photoshop now has a smart dark gray interface and adopted a task-based approach to image editing and this can be seen in the way image adjustments are now accessible within their own panel. When you combine this with the ability to non-destuctively edit a layer mask, you’ll discover that the Photoshop CS4 image editing system offers the most flexible yet for pixel image editing.

Some of the key features in Photoshop CS4 include:

The new CS4 interface
One key shortcuts
Adjustments panel
Color Range selections
Masks panel
Content-aware scaling
Depth of field blending
3D object and property editing

There are many more features and enhancements included in this new monster of image editing, but they're just too much to cover. I'll be going over some of these new features over the next following weeks.

Now I leave you with some information you might want to keep in mind before upgrading to Photoshop CS4.

System requirements:

Windows

1.8GHz or faster processor
Microsoft® Windows® XP with Service Pack 2 (Service Pack 3 recommended) or Windows Vista® Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise with Service Pack 1 (certified for 32-bit Windows XP and 32-bit and 64-bit Windows Vista)
512MB of RAM (1GB recommended)
1GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on flash-based storage devices)
1,024x768 display (1,280x800 recommended) with 16-bit video card
Some GPU-accelerated features require graphics support for Shader Model 3.0 and OpenGL 2.0
DVD-ROM driveQuickTime 7.2 software required for multimedia features

Mac OS

PowerPC® G5 or multicore Intel® processor
Mac OS X v10.4.11-10.5.4
512MB of RAM (1GB recommended)
2GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on a volume that uses a case-sensitive file system or on flash-based storage devices)
1,024x768 display (1,280x800 recommended) with 16-bit video card
Some GPU-accelerated features require graphics support for Shader Model 3.0 and OpenGL 2.0
DVD-ROM drive
QuickTime 7.2 software required for multimedia features

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Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Adobe Introduces Photoshop CS4 and Photoshop CS4 Extended

Adobe Systems Incorporated announced Adobe Photoshop CS4 and Photoshop CS4 Extended, which has become the professional industry standard software for digital imaging. Providing a fluid user experience, complete creative control and higher efficiency, Photoshop CS4 leverages the power of the latest hardware to extend imaging possibilities and offer faster, more flexible ways to accomplish core tasks like image adjustments and masks.

Photoshop CS4 software now makes impossible tasks, possible. Content-Aware Scaling adds a revolutionary technology that enables users to intelligently size and scale images with a simple drag of the mouse. New Auto-align and Auto-blend modes generate composites based on extended depth of field and 360 degree panoramas now with seamless tones and colors.

Finding, previewing and managing image assets jumps to a new level of power and convenience with Adobe Bridge CS4, beginning with fast start-up performance, right through to speedy transfer of images to Photoshop CS4. New path-bar navigation and workspace selection buttons across the top of the Bridge window let you instantly go to just the right display for every task. Also included are new Camera Import controls, visual folder navigation, and a Carousel View for larger image-group selections.

Photoshop CS4 Extended includes all the new features of Photoshop CS4 plus the ability to manipulate 3D imagery easier than ever before. Now, creativity knows no bounds, as users can paint directly on 3D models and surfaces, merge 2-D files onto 3D images and animate 3D objects. The 3D engine has been rebuilt from the ground up to provide faster performance, allow editing of properties like light and the ability to create more realistic renderings with a new high-quality ray-tracer. Video professionals have the ability to turn any 3D object into a video display zone and can animate 3D objects and properties with ease. In addition, the core motion graphics editing has been improved with more efficient single-key shortcuts.

Photoshop CS4 Extended software continues to challenge traditional use, allowing medical professionals to volume render multiple medical image scans (DICOM image stack) into a volume that can be viewed from all angles.

Adobe Photoshop CS4 and Photoshop CS4 Extended for Mac OS X on Intel® based and PowerPC® based systems and for Microsoft® Windows® XP and Windows Vista® platform are scheduled to ship October 2008 with availability through Adobe Authorized Resellers and the Adobe Store at www.adobe.com/go/gn_store . Estimated street price for Adobe Photoshop CS4 is US$699 and US$999 for Photoshop CS4 Extended. Upgrade pricing is available. For more detailed information about features, upgrade policies and pricing, please visit:www.adobe.com/photoshop.

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Adobe Releases Camera Raw 4.6 RC

To solve new camera compatibilities issues, Adobe has released a preliminary version of Camera Raw 4.6. In addition to Camera Raw 4.6, DNG Converter 4.6 has also been released. People who have new cameras and wish to import those images into Lightroom 2.0 will need to use the DNG Converter until Lightroom is also updated.

The downloads are available from Adobe Labs.

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Wednesday, September 17, 2008

7 Ways To Open The Gates To Creative Graphic Design

Many times novice designers are under the misconception that they have to be glued to the computer 24/7 to open the gates to creativity... They are wrong!

Creativity has no limits, but blocking the world will stop it on its tracks for sure. I have compiled a list to help unleash your creativity, so please follow my lucky number 7 before you lose your mind.

1- Visit different sites and blogs for inspiration.
OK, here comes the tricky part, I said inspiration not stealing. Make it a point to spend at least 10 to 20 minutes surfing the web every day to look at different sites. This time that you spend will help your weak and strong points as well as the do's and don'ts of graphic design.

2-Get out of the house
If you've had the same blank canvas in front of you for the past 30 minutes it means that it is time to take a break. Go to the mall, go get something to eat or to a friend's house to clear your mind.

3-Travel
A lot of times this is a little out of the budget, but the change of scenery often helps to expand horizons and creativity. Make it a point to put some money aside from time to time and keep an eye on cheap flights and take a trip anywhere.

4- Hit the books and tutorials every now and then.
This goes for both beginners and experienced designers. There are always new tools and techniques coming out and you have to keep yourself competitive. Sometimes these tutorials might be simple, perhaps even ridiculous, but you will be surprised how often a few tweaks here and there can turn these steps by steps into master piece creations.

5-To be or not to be open to constructive criticism?
Show your work to different people and listen to what they have to say. Remember that as a designer you design for others. If your work is not appealing to others it means that you will have to get back to the lab. Process and keep in mind the feedback that you receive for future projects or revision of current ones. Sometimes a simple suggestion will jump start your creativity, you will be surprised how far you can go.

6- Exercise!
In order to keep your mind sharp your body must be in a good condition as well. There are times when work loads are heavy, time is short and stress is overwhelming. Take 30 to 45 minutes to go for a jog or lift light weights. You will feel refresh and ready for anything.

7- Last but not least… A good night sleep
Draw the line and stop being a workaholic. You need to let your mind rest. Learn to value and cherish the 7 or 8 hours of sleep you are entitled to. If you don’t rest enough chances are you will have to do a lot of things over.

Well I hope these tips are helpful, what I’m trying to make you understand is that one thing is pushing and abusing yourself are two different things. So go ahead and give it a shot, you will see how much progress you make in less time.

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Monday, September 8, 2008

Adobe Photoshop Elements 7

Available for Windows®, Photoshop Elements 7 makes it quick and easy to organize, edit, create and share amazing photos with others by leveraging the editing power of Photoshop software, the professional standard for image editing. In addition, Adobe Premiere Elements 7 software comes with a complete video-editing solution which is available separately or together in a single retail bundle package, Adobe Photoshop Elements & Adobe Premiere Elements bundle give users the an easy and complete way to approach photo and video editing.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 and Adobe Premiere Elements 7 for Windows will be available in local retail outlets such as Best Buy, Circuit City, Costco (Photoshop Elements 7 only), Office Depot, Office Max and Staples in October 2008. Consumers can pre-order the products at www.adobe.com , www.amazon.com ,www.bestbuy.com and www.costco.com . The products will be available separately for US$99.99. Photoshop Elements 7 & Premiere Elements 7 bundle also will be available for US$149.99.

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Thursday, September 4, 2008

Adobe Releases the GM Version of Camera Raw 4.5 and DNG Converter 4.5

Adobe has released the final version of Camera Raw 4.5 as well as the DNG Converter 4.5. The updates are available for download from the Camera Raw Product Page.

In addition to new camera support (now at over 180 cameras), Camera Raw 4.5 and DNG Converter 4.5 also adds support for rendering the newly released Lightroom 2 functionality.

The direct download pages are here; Macintosh, Windows

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Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2

Adobe Systems Incorporated announced on July 29 the availability of Adobe® Photoshop® Lightroom® 2 software, the photographer’s essential toolbox for managing, adjusting and presenting large volumes of digital photographs. With new enhancements such as dual-monitor support, radical advances in non-destructive localized image correction, and streamlined search capabilities, Lightroom 2 is a compelling upgrade that simplifies photography from shoot to finish. As Adobe’s first application to support 64-bit for Mac OS X 10.5 Macintosh computers with Intel® processors and Microsoft® Windows® Vista® 64bit operating systems, Lightroom 2 also provides improved memory performance for dealing with large scale images.

Modules and Features:

•The enhanced Library module in Lightroom 2 helps streamline and accelerate photographers’ workflows.

•The Suggested Keywords feature helps photographers keyword their images by making intelligent suggestions based on their own previous efforts.

•New dual-monitor support allows users to expand their workspace, giving them flexibility to edit and organize images in a way that maximizes an additional display.

•In the Develop module, the new Local Adjustment Brush lets photographers fine-tune specific areas of an image to precisely adjust color, exposure and tonal range without affecting other areas of the image.

•The new Graduated Filter expands the toolbox in Lightroom, allowing for edits to larger areas by applying gradually diminishing or increasing adjustment effects such as exposure, clarity, and saturation, alone, or in any combination.

•Lightroom 2 also helps photographers print more efficiently by quickly arranging photos of multiple sizes on one or many pages with flexible and customizable templates to maximize paper and ink.

New raw technology gives photographers access to flexible camera profiles. Camera profiles are the visual starting point for the raw processing workflow, but image preferences vary for every photographer. Camera profiles are available for immediate download on Adobe Labs for use with Lightroom 2 and Camera Raw 4.5, along with the DNG Profile Editor for the community to test and create their own profiles.

The Adobe Camera Raw 4.5 plug-in and DNG Converter 4.5 are also now available on Adobe.com and support over 190 camera models including the Olympus E 420 and E 520 models.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 is available now through the Adobe Store at www.adobe.com/store in English, French and German with the Japanese language version planned to be released at a future date. The estimated street price is USD$299 for new users with an upgrade price of USD$99 for registered users of qualifying Lightroom customers. Recommended system requirements are Macintosh OSX 10.4, 10.5 1 GHz PowerPC G4 or G5 or Intel® based processor, or Microsoft Windows® XP SP2 or Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise, Intel Pentium 4® processor, 1 GB RAM and a 1024×768 resolution screen. Additional information on product features, upgrade policies, pricing, and language versions is available on www.adobe.com/products/photoshoplightroom/.

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