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The Photoshop Blog offers the latest Photoshop news and software updates, Photoshop tips and tutorials, and random thoughts from graphic artist and Photoshop expert Jennifer Apple.
Obsidian Dawn Photoshop Brushes - Flower Vectors Brushes
May 12, 2008
Here's Stephanie with her latest Photoshop brushes, Flower Vectors Brushes.
This is a pretty simple set, but one that I think will be fairly popular. It is a bunch of flowery vector designs, all of which are high resolution - about 1500 pixels. Just sat down today and played around with various flower designs, and this is what came out!
Download the Flower Vectors Brushes.
Want More Free Photoshop Brushes?
We've collected the most recent of Stephanie's original brushes on a special Obsidian Dawn Photoshop Brushes Page, with big preview images to give you an idea of each set.
For her high resolution brushes, you can find a special collection on our high res brush page. Also see our Free Photoshop brushes Page for other places to find brushes.
Photoshop Brushes CD
The Obsidian Dawn Photoshop Brushes Compilation CD features one of every single Obsidian Dawn brush set. That means that it contains 100+ brush sets and thousands of brushes. It is constantly updated with the latest releases, so that the CD includes all of the most recently released brush sets.
The Obsidian Dawn Photoshop Brushes Compilation CD is only $10, with free shipping to those in the US! To purchase the CD, visit Obsidian Dawn Brushes and click on the "Buy Now" button. International shipping is also available for $5 extra.
posted by Jennifer Apple | permalink | RSS feed | bookmark | comment
onOne Announces FocalPoint 1.0 Photoshop Plugins
May 8, 2008
onOne Software, Inc., announces today that its new software plug-in for Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements - FocalPoint 1.0 - is now available for immediate download. onOne Software's FocalPoint ($159.95 from onOne) is a selective focus and vignetting plug-in designed to help photographers easily blur and/or vignette areas of an image. (Enter discount coupon code PSSPPT06 during the checkout process for an instant 10% discount exclusively for PhotoshopSupport.com visitors.)
Popular among professional wedding, portrait and commercial photographers, the soft defocused look typically produced in camera by using special selective focus or tilt-shift lenses, filters or vignetting hoods can now be created quickly within Photoshop using onOne Software's new FocalPoint. This new plug-in provides both professional and advanced amateur photographers with additional creative options when editing their images in Photoshop.
"The new onOne Software FocalPoint plug-in, which is now available for download, gives photographers total control over how they apply creative focusing effects to their image after the image has been shot," said Craig Keudell, president of onOne Software. "It's just like having a lens inside of Photoshop. Users set the location of their 'sweet spot' of focus directly on their image and then control the amount, kind of blur used and even lighten or darken the edges quickly and easily."
FocalPoint is designed for use with Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements and supports Adobe Photoshop CS2 and CS3 and Elements versions 4.0.1, 5, 6 and higher. It is compatible with Microsoft Windows XP and Vista and Mac OS X 10.4.10 and 10.5 and higher. onOne Software's FocalPoint plug-in is available now for $159.95 from onOne.
Exclusive 10% Discount On All onOne Software
Enter discount coupon code PSSPPT06 during the checkout process for an instant 10% discount exclusively for PhotoshopSupport.com visitors.
posted by Jennifer Apple | permalink | RSS feed | bookmark | comment
Adobe Photoshop Express Public Beta Adds Flickr Support
May 8, 2008
Hours after sending out the press release below, Adobe released the following statement:
"As you know, we were preparing updates to the Photoshop Express beta on May 7th that added significant new functionality to the product. However, prior to going live, we discovered a bug that requires a fix. We're committed to delivering a quality experience with Photoshop Express and don't want to send out an update that isn't ready for prime time. We're working on a quick resolution. Stay tuned - we'll have an exact time frame on when you can expect these new Photoshop Express features soon." - Adobe Photoshop Express Team
Original Press Release
Adobe Systems Incorporated today announced a major update to Adobe Photoshop Express beta, including integration with Flickr and a "Save As" functionality, two of the most requested features by early adopters. Additionally, a new embeddable player will allow users to post their Photoshop Express slideshows to sites such as Facebook, Myspace, blogs and more. Released as a public beta in March 2008, Photoshop Express is a free rich Internet application (RIA) available to anyone who wants to store, sort and show off digital photos with eye-catching effects.
As the newest addition to the Photoshop family line, Photoshop Express has taken much of Adobe's best image-editing technology and made it simple and accessible to a new online audience. Within the first week of launch, hundreds of thousands of people registered for an account and within the first month, over 60,000 public Web albums were created.
posted by Jennifer Apple | permalink | RSS feed | bookmark | comment
Photoshop Favicon Tutorial Updated
May 7, 2008
Some readers have sent in some great tips for working with favicons, so I've done a major update to my favicon tutorial. Here's the start of the piece, and a link to the whole thing.
Mysteries Of The Favicon.ico — How To Create A Favicon In Photoshop
A Favicon is a little custom icon that appears next to a website's URL in the address bar of a web browser. They also show up in your bookmarked sites, on the tabs in tabbed browsers, and as the icon for Internet shortcuts on your desktop or other folders in Windows. And when I say little, I mean 16 pixels by 16 pixels. So if you like a good design challenge try your hand at this one.
All you need to add a Favicon to your site is a Windows Icon (.ico) file usually called favicon.ico that you upload to the main directory of your website. Nowadays, most browsers besides Internet Explorer can use a GIF (including animated ones) or PNG (including full transparency) instead. But since all browsers including IE understand the .ico format, and because it's got a lot of intriguing features that GIFs and PNGs don't, read on to find out how to make one.
Read the complete Photoshop tutorial.
posted by Jennifer Apple | permalink | RSS feed | bookmark | comment
Live Photoshop Webinars With Gavin Phillips
May 6, 2008
I’m talking with Gavin Phillips about his latest Photoshop ‘live’ Webinars.
What exactly is a ‘live’ Webinar?
‘Live’ online training is a way for me to share my computer screen with participants on the Internet. They see exactly what I'm doing in Photoshop as I do it. They follow along with the tutorials just as you would in a traditional class. We are also phone-conferenced in as well, so clients may ask questions at any time. It’s extremely convenient; you can take a class in you pajamas!
Do you need special equipment to take part? Is it interactive?
You only need a high-speed Internet connection. I supply you with a free small software download. No other equipment is required. And yes, it’s completely interactive.
What classes are you offering?
A 2-hour class that covers many areas. Subject headings are below; there are several topics for each heading. such as
Workflow, Image enhancements, Masking, Curves, Advanced tones, and Creative, Sales & marketing ideas.
An example of one of our creative techniques is below. See our website for more information.
We are also combining a 1-hour webinar with our ‘Paint like Monet’ set of custom brushes, movie tutorials & ‘actions’.
Don’t the tutorial movies included in the set show you how to paint?
Yes they do. However, clients have told us the ‘live’ Webinar get’s them up and running fast with the different hand-painting techniques I teach. They like the interactivity with the the person who developed the program.
What times & dates are the webinars offered?
We offer morning & evening sessions. Please see our website.
How many students in a Webinar?
A maximum of 10; many times only 5-7.
Are there any special offers?
Yes, we are offering the 'Automatic Album/Collage Creator' if you purchase either webinar. This is an introductory offer. We are working with ‘Pixel Creator Pro’ whose software completely automates photo album/collage page design. You simply click on the custom JavaScript for a particular collage template; it then creates that template and prompts you for each image.
But what about positioning and resizing the images?
The software automatically allows you to resize each image after placement in the album page design. You can move any image around.
Will you be offering other Webinar subjects in the future?
Yes, we ask photographers & graphic designers what is on their ‘wish-list of things they want to learn in Photoshop. A webinar dedicated to RAW workflow has been requested by many.
posted by Jennifer Apple | permalink | RSS feed | bookmark | comment
Forensic Photoshop Tutorial - Tool Presets
May 6, 2008
Jim Hoerricks is the Senior Forensic Video Analyst for the LAPD's Scientific Investigation Division. His site, Forensic Photoshop, contains lots of interesting posts and tutorials that deal with using Photoshop for forensic work. Jim has also written a book, Forensic Photoshop. Here is a new forensic Photoshop CS3 tutorial from him.
Tool Presets
A question came in about tool presets, mainly what are they and what are they used for.
A Tool Preset can speed up your workflow because it can contain all of a tool's options. As an example, you can create a brush tool for working on your adjustment layer masks that includes brush size, blend mode, opacity, and flow. The next time you need this brush, simply select it from the Tool Presets palette. No need to input all the settings again.
To create a Tool Preset, configure the tool to suite your needs. Then, click on the downward facing arrow next to the tool icon on the Options bar, then click on the pop-up palette menu and select New Tool Preset. Give your new preset a descriptive name and click OK.
Once you get used to using them, you'll wonder how you managed without them.
(reprinted with permission from Forensic Photoshop Blog - see more forensic tutorials)
posted by Jennifer Apple | permalink | RSS feed | bookmark | comment
Forensic Photoshop Tutorial - Disabled Layer Masks
May 6, 2008
Jim Hoerricks is the Senior Forensic Video Analyst for the LAPD's Scientific Investigation Division. His site, Forensic Photoshop, contains lots of interesting posts and tutorials that deal with using Photoshop for forensic work. Jim has also written a book, Forensic Photoshop. Here is a new forensic Photoshop CS3 tutorial from him.
Disabled Layer Masks
A reader writes, "Help. I've got red X marks on my layer masks. What did I do and how can I get rid of them. My masks aren't working."
Those red X marks, recreated for you in the above image, are a visual reminder that your masks are disabled. Here's how it works.
- Click on Layer>Layer Mask>Disable ... or
- Shift+Click the layer mask thumbnail (disable and enable) ... or
- Ctrl+Right Click on the mask and select disable/enable layer mask from the context menu.
As with many things in Photoshop, there is more than one way to do the same thing.
I know that the red X marks can be a bit shocking. Hopefully, this will help if you've accidentally disabled your masks.
(reprinted with permission from Forensic Photoshop Blog - see more forensic tutorials)
posted by Jennifer Apple | permalink | RSS feed | bookmark | comment
New Poser Pro For 3D Artists
May 01, 2008
Smith Micro Software today announced the immediate availability of Poser Pro. Building on the global success of Poser 7, long used by digital artists and hobbyists to create 3D images and animations, Smith Micro developed Poser Pro with a feature set and functionality geared for professional content creators within studio and production environments.
To save users time, resources and development costs, Poser Pro offers advanced features that include scene-hosting plug-ins for popular 3D environments, as well as a 64-bit render engine, COLLADA support and advanced network rendering.
Poser Pro delivers a powerful, yet easy-to-use 3D character design and animation tools that help artists integrate custom and pre-built characters into professional projects and production pipelines.
Pricing and Availability
The MSRP for Poser Pro is $499.99. Poser Pro is available at the Smith Micro web store. Registered users of Poser 6 and Poser 7 can side-grade to Poser Pro for $199.99 until July 31, 2008. To learn more about Poser Pro visit www.smithmicro.com.
posted by Jennifer Apple | permalink | RSS feed | bookmark | comment
Obsidian Dawn Photoshop Brushes - Spring Themed Brushes
April 30, 2008
Here's Stephanie with her latest Photoshop brushes, Spring Brushes.
More sketches brushes! It's Springtime, and here's a set of brushes to use in your Spring designs! Included are things like: a butterfly, cherry tree branches, clouds, a cloud blowing the wind, lots of flowers, some kites, mushrooms, lots of rain, a rainbow, robin, several trees, an umbrella, windy swirls, blowing leaves, etc.
Photoshop Brush Tip
Ever have trouble remembering some of Photoshop's keyboard shortcuts for doing certain things' They can save you a TON of time, if you get good at them! Here's a link to some great PDFs of keyboard shortcuts that you can download and/or print out for reference. They are separated by your particular version of Photoshop, and are available for either a PC or a Mac! Download the Photoshop Keyboard Shortcuts.
posted by Jennifer Apple | permalink | RSS feed | bookmark | comment
Adobe TV Offers Free Photoshop Training Videos
April 29, 2008
Adobe has announced Adobe TV, a free online video resource for expert instruction and inspiration about Adobe products, including the company's Creative Suite 3 family of world-class creative tools.
With multiple channels, original series programming, and content from Adobe, leading training organizations and the world's leading subject matter experts, Adobe TV delivers a virtual library of entertaining and instructional videos. Designers, photographers, video professionals, and developers will find product deep-dives, innovative tips, techniques from luminaries, and behind-the-scenes tours of the hottest creative shops and Adobe product teams.
Designed to educate, inspire, and entertain the creative community, Adobe TV is immediately available online from the Adobe Web site, or as a network with multiple shows in the new Adobe® Media Player 1.0 software, also announced today (see separate press release). Adobe Media Player offers a broad range of television programming and entertaining video content from major television broadcasters and leading content publishers, including CBS, MTV Networks, Universal Music Group, PBS, CondeNet, and Scripps Networks.epends on every day."
posted by Jennifer Apple | permalink | RSS feed | bookmark | comment
The Photoshop Blog - Earlier Posts
The Photoshop Blog offers the latest Photoshop news and software updates, Photoshop tips and tutorials, and random thoughts from graphic artist and Photoshop expert Jennifer Apple.
See Earlier Posts From The Photoshop Blog - April 2008.
SiteGrinder Photoshop Plugin - Create Websites Instantly
There often seems to be a strict division of labor within the world of web design and development. Creative professionals tend to stick to the Photoshop domain, while those well-versed in scripting are left to the task of implementing their work. Indeed, the two realms are quite different from each other, to which any of us even vaguely familiar with either can easily attest.
Essentially, Photoshop is a no-holds-barred design studio, offering the artist a seemingly endless array of creative options. On the other hand, HTML, CSS, Java and the like follow strict rules of engagement, requiring the developer to take any number of esoteric concerns into consideration in order to ensure that designs are properly displayed on the web.
Turn Photoshop Into A Complete Web Design Tool
SiteGrinder seeks to bridge this gap between design and development. Basically, this program turns Photoshop into an easy-to-use and fully functional web design tool. With SiteGrinder, designers will now have the freedom to totally let their creativity loose and then, without skipping a beat, transfer their designs to the web. Bringing esthetic concerns together with more practical considerations, this program is an amazingly powerful tool that would make a fantastic addition to any web designer's bag of tricks.
Generate Your Web Pages Directly From Photoshop
By generating web pages directly from Photoshop, you'll be able to spend much more time on the creative end of the spectrum, since you'll know right off the bat how well particular designs will translate to the web. No more going back to the Photoshop drawing board after getting a phone call from your development team, telling you that what you had envisioned doesn't have a chance of being displayed on the web. You can immediately visually and interactively test your designs, which permits you to then make changes to either esthetics or functions while it's still relatively early on in the design process.
Pricing and Availability
Mac OS X and Windows versions of the SiteGrinder unlockable demo are available now via download. SiteGrinder can be ordered from Media Lab's online store.
Photoshop CS3 Book - CS3 Essential Skills - By Mark Galer And Philip Andrews
Brimming with beautiful pictures, Photoshop CS3 Essential Skills guides you through a project-based, progressive curriculum so that you can build all the essential skills to enhance photographs creatively and professionally with Photoshop CS3. If you are an aspiring professional, enthusiastic amateur photographer, or a student learning photography, digital imaging, art and design, or design graphics, you'll be amazed at the stunning results you can achieve. A DVD is included free.
The Essential Skills Photography Series from Focal Press uniquely offers a structured learning experience for photographers of all ages, with both the underlying theory and loads of invaluable 'how to' and real-life practice projects - all from the most talented photography practitioners/educators in the world.
Read 2 free sample chapters:
Adjusting Exposure in Adobe Camera Raw CS3
Photoshop CS3 Tutorial High Dynamic Range
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Photoshop CS3: Essential Skills (Amazon.com - $28.08 - save 24%)
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To redeem our exclusive discount coupon, use promotion code save20pss in your shopping cart. You could save hundreds of dollars. Use this special link to see the full offer.
Total Training for Adobe Photoshop
Learn Adobe Photoshop with 21 hours of interactive Adobe Photoshop tutorials. This is training for real-world situations and includes additional tips and techniques used by the pros.
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