Try before you buy. Download any Adobe product for a free 30 day trial.

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.

Adobe Unveils Next Generation Acrobat XI - New Cloud Services
OCTOBER 1, 2012

Adobe today unveiled Adobe Acrobat XI software with cloud services, a powerful new solution that rises to today's complex document challenges. Acrobat XI Standard has an MSRP of $299/$139 for the upgrade package. Acrobat XI Pro will cost $449/$199. A download of Reader XI will be free when Acrobat ships. The lowest tier of Adobe EchoSign still costs $14.95/month, and Adobe FormsCentral subscriptions start at $14.99/month.

The industry standard for PDF software will now feature complete PDF editing and export to Microsoft PowerPoint; touch-friendly capabilities on tablets; and newly integrated cloud services, including sophisticated Web contracting with Adobe EchoSign® and forms creation, data collection and analysis with Adobe FormsCentral. Acrobat XI additionally supports IT departments with seamless Microsoft Office and SharePoint integration, easy deployment, applications virtualization and robust application security to help provide a low cost of ownership and sound return on investment.

Products included in this release are: Acrobat XI Pro, Acrobat XI Standard, Adobe Reader® XI and newly integrated document services, Adobe FormsCentral and Adobe EchoSign. The mounting productivity inefficiencies and cost of document-based challenges are highlighted in a recent global IDC white paper. A typical company with 1,000 employees has a productivity cost of US$15.9 million annually, the white paper calls out, and addressing these inefficiencies would be tantamount to hiring an additional 213 people. READ FULL PRESS RELEASE...

Photoshop Plugins - Get 15% Off All onOne, Topaz & Nik Plugins

Enter coupon code - PSSPPT06 - during checkout at onOne Software for an instant 15% discount on any onOne Software product.

Topaz Labs Photoshop Plugins — 15% Off
Enter coupon code PHOTOSHOPSUPPORT at Topaz Labs for an instant 15% discount, including bundles and upgrades.

NIK Photoshop Plugins — 15% Discount Coupon
Enter coupon code NIKPSS during the checkout process at Nik Software for an instant 15% discount on any Nik plugin or bundle.

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

5 Free Grayscale Photoshop Patterns
SEPTEMBER 29, 2012

From Bittboxx: Speed up your workflow with these simple but flexible Photoshop patterns. The solid colors and simple shapes make them easily scalable to fit your desired vision. (All textures on Bittbox.com are free for personal use. For commercial use they require a unrestricted usage fee of $9.99 per file.)



Adobe Special Offers And Deals For September

Video pros - Save 40% on Creative Cloud
Save 40% on Adobe Creative Cloud membership (US$29.99 per month on an annual plan) when you switch from Final Cut Pro or Avid.
Video pros - Save 30% on Production Premium
Save 30% on Adobe Creative Suite 6 Production Premium when you switch from Final Cut Pro or Avid.
Special introductory pricing for existing CS customers
Adobe Creative Suite existing customers: Join Creative Cloud and receive introductory pricing of US$29.99 per month for your first year of membership.
Get Lightroom for US$99
Get a full version of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 for US$99 when purchased with Photoshop CS6, Photoshop CS6 Extended, or any CS6 suite edition.
Upgrade to CS6 — only on Adobe.com
With the release of Creative Suite 6, individual upgrades are now available only through Adobe.com. Does not apply to volume licensing customers.
Try Adobe Touch Apps
Purchase three or more qualifying Adobe Touch Apps and receive a free month of Adobe Creative Cloud membership. Valid for current annual subscribers to Creative Cloud.

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Get 30% Off Any Topaz Product Or Upgrade, Including The Plugin Bundle - Only 2 Days Left
SEPTEMBER 28, 2012

There's only 2 days left to save 30% on the new Topaz Simplify 4 plugin, but you can also save 30% on all other Topaz programs as well. Updated with over 100 new presets categorized by style, new adjustment sliders, an intuitive edge-aware brush and an updated interface, it is easier than ever to create high-impact photo-realistic images and digital art.

Get it now for only $27.99 and give your photography a true creative edge. Just enter the code "getsimplified" when purchasing (valid through 9/30/12). And if you are interested in purchasing other Topaz programs you can also use this 30% discount code for the Bundle, Bundle upgrades and all of the various individual programs. Here are the new and improved features in Topaz Simplify 4:



New Adjustment Sliders. Instantly add depth and tonality to create realistic artistic effects using Dynamics, structure and structure boost sliders.
Instant Transformations with over 100 new presets to help stimulate your creative juices.
Preset Organization via convenient effect categories – so you can easily find and apply the perfect look in seconds.
Intuitive 4-in-1 selective brush to dodge, burn, smooth, and brush out adjustments. Plus advanced edge-aware technology for precise selections every time.
Integration of the Apply button – so you can stack multiple presets during the same workflow and build your own style.
Finishing Touches tab with options for vignette, toning and transparency.

Adobe Special Offers And Deals For September

Video pros - Save 40% on Creative Cloud
Save 40% on Adobe Creative Cloud membership (US$29.99 per month on an annual plan) when you switch from Final Cut Pro or Avid.
Video pros - Save 30% on Production Premium
Save 30% on Adobe Creative Suite 6 Production Premium when you switch from Final Cut Pro or Avid.
Special introductory pricing for existing CS customers
Adobe Creative Suite existing customers: Join Creative Cloud and receive introductory pricing of US$29.99 per month for your first year of membership.
Get Lightroom for US$99
Get a full version of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 for US$99 when purchased with Photoshop CS6, Photoshop CS6 Extended, or any CS6 suite edition.
Upgrade to CS6 — only on Adobe.com
With the release of Creative Suite 6, individual upgrades are now available only through Adobe.com. Does not apply to volume licensing customers.
Try Adobe Touch Apps
Purchase three or more qualifying Adobe Touch Apps and receive a free month of Adobe Creative Cloud membership. Valid for current annual subscribers to Creative Cloud.

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Working With Color Lookup Adjustments In Photoshop CS6
SEPTEMBER 28, 2012

Here is a Photoshop tutorial from Photoshop Daily that looks at this new adjustment layer that was introduced in Photoshop CS6 (30-day free trial).

There are so many new features in Photoshop CS6, that some of them seem to get swept under the table with the focus being on the big additions to each version of the program. For example, did you know that there is now a Color Lookup adjustment layer in CS6? This works using Lookup Tables (LUTs), which are common in the film, video and TV industry to grade and composite film during post-production.

This means that you can quickly and easily apply preset looks to your photos in seconds, to get some really interesting effects. You can also use them on video, which means that you can grade your film. Don’t be afraid to stack up multiple adjustments either, as you can really get some professional-looking results by learning which of the presets work well together and which don’t. There are three categories of presets (3DLUT, Abstract and Device Link), which together offer over 30 different effects. You can also import more of your own. While there are some very advanced ways to use this adjustment layer, for now, we shall just run through the basics to introduce you to the feature.

Step 1: Initial adjustment


First of all, you’ll want to consider what effect you are trying to achieve, and choose you image accordingly. Once you’ve decided, open up the image in Photoshop. You will need an RGB image to access the 3DLUT presets, but you can use the other categories with CMYK images. From the Adjustments palette, pick the Color Lookup option at the end of the second row.

Step 2: Pick an effect


The Properties panel will now open, where you can select from the various presets available in the three different categories. You can load your own presets too. We expect to see more of these presets available of on the internet in the future. All the presets are applied like the normal adjustment layers, with a mask attached, so the process will seem very familiar.

Step 3: Stack them up


If you want to add more than one look to your image, then simply repeat this process, selecting the Color Lookup adjustment from the Adjustments window and picking a preset from the Properties palette. It is worth experimenting, as there are some great combinations available. You can even add these adjustments to video clips in the same way.

Adobe Special Offers And Deals For September

Video pros - Save 40% on Creative Cloud
Save 40% on Adobe Creative Cloud membership (US$29.99 per month on an annual plan) when you switch from Final Cut Pro or Avid.
Video pros - Save 30% on Production Premium
Save 30% on Adobe Creative Suite 6 Production Premium when you switch from Final Cut Pro or Avid.
Special introductory pricing for existing CS customers
Adobe Creative Suite existing customers: Join Creative Cloud and receive introductory pricing of US$29.99 per month for your first year of membership.
Get Lightroom for US$99
Get a full version of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 for US$99 when purchased with Photoshop CS6, Photoshop CS6 Extended, or any CS6 suite edition.
Upgrade to CS6 — only on Adobe.com
With the release of Creative Suite 6, individual upgrades are now available only through Adobe.com. Does not apply to volume licensing customers.
Try Adobe Touch Apps
Purchase three or more qualifying Adobe Touch Apps and receive a free month of Adobe Creative Cloud membership. Valid for current annual subscribers to Creative Cloud.

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Photoshop Artist in Action: Uli Staiger's Perestroika - 4 Free Videos - Create a Detailed, Realistic Landscape Scene
SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

Here are 4 free videos from Photoshop Artist in Action: Uli Staiger´s Perestroika. If you decide to purchase the complete training, use our discount code PSSEP30 for an instant 30% savings, good through October 2012.

In this fun workshop you’ll combine supplied source images, make adjustments, and add details to create a complex, realistic scene with lots of layers. Along the way you’ll learn lots of tricks and techniques for painting with light and shadow, creating motion blur, brush-based masking, adding vignettes, and more.

First Look at the Final Image
In this course we'll use the tools and techniques available in Photoshop to create an amazing landscape scene from scratch. This video gives you a quick look at the final product so you can understand where we're heading.

Placing the Sky
As you'll see in this lesson, a Faux Finish brush is very useful for cleaning up the horizon layer of your work. You'll learn that you can work magic by using a layer mask and painting in black with a very small brush tip.

Creating a Shadow
There is nothing like a shadow to add a sense of depth and dramatic interest to your image. In this lesson you'll learn how to create realistic-looking shadows using Curves and Levels adjustments.

Painting Dust
In this lesson we'll add some final details to the scene. As you'll see, specialized brush tips like Photoshop's Scattered Roses brush can help you create realistic-looking dust.

Adobe Special Offers And Deals For September

Video pros - Save 40% on Creative Cloud
Save 40% on Adobe Creative Cloud membership (US$29.99 per month on an annual plan) when you switch from Final Cut Pro or Avid.
Video pros - Save 30% on Production Premium
Save 30% on Adobe Creative Suite 6 Production Premium when you switch from Final Cut Pro or Avid.
Special introductory pricing for existing CS customers
Adobe Creative Suite existing customers: Join Creative Cloud and receive introductory pricing of US$29.99 per month for your first year of membership.
Get Lightroom for US$99
Get a full version of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 for US$99 when purchased with Photoshop CS6, Photoshop CS6 Extended, or any CS6 suite edition.
Upgrade to CS6 — only on Adobe.com
With the release of Creative Suite 6, individual upgrades are now available only through Adobe.com. Does not apply to volume licensing customers.
Try Adobe Touch Apps
Purchase three or more qualifying Adobe Touch Apps and receive a free month of Adobe Creative Cloud membership. Valid for current annual subscribers to Creative Cloud.

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Adobe Photoshop Elements Quick Review - Free Shipping Offer
SEPTEMBER 26, 2012

Here's a quick review of Photoshop Elelemnts 11 from our partner site Photoshop Daily. Adobe is offering free shipping for the moment on Elements products. The deal is as follows:

Get free shipping on Adobe Photoshop Elements 11, Adobe Premiere Elements 11, and the Adobe Photoshop Elements 11 and Adobe Premiere Elements 11 software bundle purchased through the online Adobe Store. Offer ends October 26, 2012.

Photoshop Elements 11 has had something of a face lift. Gone is its signature dark interface. In its replacement is a completely refreshed lighter shade of grey. In fact, Elements 11 now takes advantage of the same powerful engine as Adobe Photoshop. It boasts industry-standard software for digital image editing. This means, easier navigation in the form of three simple editing modes – Quick, Guided and Expert.

The latter offers advanced users a tools panel not dissimilar to Photoshop CS6. Meanwhile, editing in Quick mode gives a no frills attached approach. Only the essential adjustment tools are on show. Working in Guided mode offers a pleasing middle ground with a range of editing options.



With a social networking becoming the social norm, Elements 11 has done well to get on-board. You can now organise photos 21st century style. Tag, find and categorise them based on people, places (via Google maps geo-tagging) or events. This fresh addition to the program adds a sense of intuition with suprisingly easy operation too. In a matter of clicks you can share photos via email, Facebook, YouTube™, Vimeo® and more.

The team haven’t forgotten the editing essentials though. New Guided Edits make professional effects like tilt-shift, vignettes and high and low-key easy to create. Meanwhile, new filters have been added to excite the creative crowd. Comic, Graphic, Novel and Pen & Ink make light work of cool illustrations.

The launch of Premiere Elements 11 has made movie-making fun, easy and impressive. Another new interface, and several styles, themes and sound effects later and this edition makes creative home movies a doddle.



Adobe Special Offers And Deals For September

Video pros - Save 40% on Creative Cloud
Save 40% on Adobe Creative Cloud membership (US$29.99 per month on an annual plan) when you switch from Final Cut Pro or Avid.
Video pros - Save 30% on Production Premium
Save 30% on Adobe Creative Suite 6 Production Premium when you switch from Final Cut Pro or Avid.
Special introductory pricing for existing CS customers
Adobe Creative Suite existing customers: Join Creative Cloud and receive introductory pricing of US$29.99 per month for your first year of membership.
Get Lightroom for US$99
Get a full version of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 for US$99 when purchased with Photoshop CS6, Photoshop CS6 Extended, or any CS6 suite edition.
Upgrade to CS6 — only on Adobe.com
With the release of Creative Suite 6, individual upgrades are now available only through Adobe.com. Does not apply to volume licensing customers.
Try Adobe Touch Apps
Purchase three or more qualifying Adobe Touch Apps and receive a free month of Adobe Creative Cloud membership. Valid for current annual subscribers to Creative Cloud.

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Using Mini Bridge In Photoshop - You Don’t Have To Be In The Full Bridge Program To Access Some Of Its Key Tools
SEPTEMBER 26, 2012

Here's a tutorial from Photoshop Daily that shows you how to Use Mini Bridge in Photoshop (30 day free trial).

If you open Photoshop and not Bridge, then you will see a little Launch Bridge button in Mini Bridge. Once Bridge is running you will be able to see all your files and folders in the right-hand window, where you can navigate to the folder that you need for a project. When you have selected the right folder, then you will see all of the assets stored inside in the Mini Bridge window. The icons above the folder window let you filter the order in which you see images, such as by Name or by Size.



Access filter information
You can filter the images that you see just as you would in full Bridge, though there are fewer options to filter through. Click the little icon next to the Search bar to see this context menu. You can opt to see images of a certain star rating or only view images that have been labelled. For a more detailed filter, you can use the Search bar to enter keywords and view only images that match your search terms.



Open in Camera Raw
Pick any image and Ctrl/right-click to bring up this context menu. Here you can change the name of an image or make it a Favorite, you can view it in full Bridge if you need to make any detailed changes or run a Slideshow of the selected folder’s images. However, the option that we find most helpful in here is the Open With>Camera Raw, as this lets you easily access the Camera Raw tools on any photo directly from within the Photoshop interface.



Adobe Special Offers And Deals For September

Video pros - Save 40% on Creative Cloud
Save 40% on Adobe Creative Cloud membership (US$29.99 per month on an annual plan) when you switch from Final Cut Pro or Avid.
Video pros - Save 30% on Production Premium
Save 30% on Adobe Creative Suite 6 Production Premium when you switch from Final Cut Pro or Avid.
Special introductory pricing for existing CS customers
Adobe Creative Suite existing customers: Join Creative Cloud and receive introductory pricing of US$29.99 per month for your first year of membership.
Get Lightroom for US$99
Get a full version of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 for US$99 when purchased with Photoshop CS6, Photoshop CS6 Extended, or any CS6 suite edition.
Upgrade to CS6 — only on Adobe.com
With the release of Creative Suite 6, individual upgrades are now available only through Adobe.com. Does not apply to volume licensing customers.
Try Adobe Touch Apps
Purchase three or more qualifying Adobe Touch Apps and receive a free month of Adobe Creative Cloud membership. Valid for current annual subscribers to Creative Cloud.

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Adobe Photoshop Elements 11 At A Glance
SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

Adobe Photoshop Elements 11 helps you enhance your photos with powerful, easy-to-use editing options; showcase them in personalized printed keepsakes like calendars and photo books; and share them on Facebook and YouTube, in interactive Online Albums, and more. The friendly and intuitive Photoshop Elements 11 environment offers bold icons, a helpful Action bar, and the ability to choose from Quick, Guided, and Expert editing modes to fit your needs.

Easily organize and find your photos
Keep track of all your memories with intelligent options that help you quickly organize, find, and view all your photos and video clips.

Manage your photos more easily
Intuitively sort and manage photos and video clips based on people, places, and events using new Organizer views.

Enhance photos to create perfect shots with ease
Make every photo look its best with powerful yet simple editing options that offer everything from quick fixes to unlimited creative possibilities.

Choose from three editing modes to fit your needs
Jump into Quick mode to start enhancing your photos right away, use Guided mode for step-by-step help with more sophisticated techniques, and move up to Expert mode for advanced options that enable you to create amazing photos.

Easily create pro-quality photographic effects
Use new Guided Edits for step-by-step help creating tilt-shift effects that make photos look like miniature scenes, vignettes that draw attention to the center of your photos, and high- and low-key effects that add energy or drama with high levels of white or black.

Quickly turn photos into stunning illustrations
Get the wow without the work by simply clicking to apply new Comic, Graphic Novel, and Pen & Ink filters.

Combine elements from different photos with ease
Extract something from one photo and put it in another more cleanly than ever. Industry-leading Adobe Photoshop technology makes it easy to select and refine the edges of hair and other tricky photo content, so you can add relatives to the family portrait, put a friend onstage with her favorite singer, and more.

Minimum system requirements
Microsoft Windows
* 1.6GHz or faster processor (including single- core support)
* Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 3, Windows Vista®, Windows 7, or Windows 8
* Color monitor with 16-bit color video card
* 1024x768 monitor resolution
* Microsoft DirectX 9 or 10 compatible display driver
*
Mac OS
* Multicore Intel® processor
* Mac OS X v10.6 through v10.8
* 1024x768 display resolution
* QuickTime 7 software required for multimedia features
* For both Windows and Mac OS
* 1GB of RAM (2GB for HD video functions)
* 4GB of available hard-disk space (additional free space required during installation)
* DVD-ROM drive

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Adobe Premiere Elements 11 At A Glance - Moviemaking Made Easier
SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

Organize all your video clips and photos in one place with Adobe Premiere Elements 11. Use smart, automated options to edit your video and enhance it with pro-quality effects, transitions, titles, and sound. And quickly share your movies on discs, HD TVs, Vimeo, YouTube, Facebook, and more.

The friendly and intuitive Adobe Premiere Elements 11 environment offers bold icons, a helpful Action bar, and the ability to choose from Quick and Expert editing modes to fit your needs.

Easily organize and find your videos and photos
Keep track of all your memories with intelligent options that help you quickly organize, find, and view all your video clips and photos.

Manage your videos more easily
Intuitively sort and manage videos and photos based on people, places, and events using new Organizer views.

Map your memories
Relive your journeys by viewing your videos and photos on a map based on where they were taken.

Edit with ease and control
Count on automated moviemaking options to take the work out of video editing.

Create a polished movie instantly
Take advantage of Hollywood directors’ techniques with InstantMovie, which automatically edits together your best clips with coordinated music, titles, and effects from your choice of movie themes. New themes are included.

Choose from two editing modes to fit your needs
Jump into Quick mode to start editing and enhancing your videos right away, and move up to Expert mode for advanced options that enable you to create amazing movies.

Adjust color with greater ease
Use sliders to adjust video footage color as easily as you would adjust the color in your photos.

Get fresh looks with new effects and enhancements
Impress friends and family by creating movies that feature eye-catching new effects, themes, and more. Customize with TV-style effects and transitions. Add professional polish with a wide range of great-looking effects, transitions, themes, titles, disc menus, and more.

Go Hollywood with popular movie styles
Use new FilmLooks to apply favorite cinematic styles to your movies, including Old Film, Pandora, and Red Noir.

Slow down or speed up the action
Create emphasis, suspense, or drama in key movie moments by adding slow-motion effects. Add fast-motion effects to accelerate your narrative or create a sense of energy, excitement, or fun.

Minimum system requirements
Microsoft® Windows
* 2GHz or faster processor with SSE2 support; dual-core processor required for HDV or AVCHD editing and Blu-ray or AVCHD export
* Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2, Windows Media Center, Windows Vista® (all applications run native on 32-bit operating systems and in 32-bit compatibility mode on 64-bit operating systems), Windows 7, or Windows 8 (Adobe Premiere Elements Editor runs native on 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems; all other applications run native on 32-bit operating systems and in 32-bit compatibility mode on 64-bit operating systems)
* Color monitor with 16-bit color video card
* 1024x768 display resolution
* Microsoft DirectX 9 or 10 compatible sound and display driver
* Windows Media Player (required if importing/ exporting Windows Media formats)
*
Mac OS
* 64-bit multicore Intel® processor • Mac OS X v10.6 through v10.8 • 1024x768 display resolution For both Windows and Mac OS
* 2GB of RAM
* 4GB of available hard-disk space to install applications; additional 5GB to download content
* Graphics card with the latest updated drivers
* DVD-ROM drive (compatible DVD burner required to burn DVDs; compatible Blu-ray burner required to burn Blu-ray discs)
* DV/i.LINK/FireWire/IEEE 1394 interface to connect a Digital 8 DV camcorder
* QuickTime 7 software
* Adobe Premiere Elements supported import/export formats include: AVCHD, Blu-ray Disc (export only), DV-AVI (import/export on Windows, import only on Mac OS), DVD, Dolby® Digital Stereo, H.264, HDV, MPEG-1 (import only), MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MP3, QuickTime, Windows Media (Windows only), and many more. Import/export of some formats may require activation via an Internet connection. Activation is fast, easy, and free.

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

How To Create Spirograph-style Art In Illustrator - Video Tutorial
SEPTEMBER 24, 2012

In this week's free Deke's Techniques episode, Deke McClelland uses Adobe Illustrator (30-day free trial) to recreate the classic Spirograph toy effect. Rather than watching this work take shape with a pen stuck into a plastic gear, Deke shows you how to grow your Spirograph shape with the simple application of dynamic transformations viewable in the Illustrator Appearance panel. In fact, all you have to do for this effect is draw one single circle in Illustrator, then duplicate and transform your circle's stroke to create the hypotrochoidic shape. (Deke's Techniques, bringing you great graphic techniques and free vocabulary expander words!)



As you can see in the video above, Deke begins this technique by selecting the central circle in a simple circular logo design:



By simply selecting that circle, using the Transform command to make the circle an ellipse, and duplicating the ellipse over and over with variations, a familiar Spirograph pattern begins to quickly take shape. You can see from my Appearance panel screen capture below that this effect is the result of multiple transformations.



In the end, the skeletal logo we started with becomes the intricate, refined logo we see below, complete with outer circle, thin edge around the inner circle, and intertwining ellipses in the center created by transforming the original outer circle.



Even if you're new to Illustrator and not particularly gifted at drawing, you can achieve this technique with some concentration and Deke's advice. (And if you are new to Illustrator, this is also a good lesson on how to use the Transform effect.)

For members of lynda.com, Deke also has an exclusive movie in our library this week, called Tracing scalloped gear teeth around a circle, in which he dynamically adds gear-like teeth to the outer circle of our example logo using a similar type of dynamic Illustrator approach.

You can get a free 7-day trial to the lynda.com Online Training Library. The trial membership entitles you to 7 days of access to all 986 courses in the lynda.com Online Training Library for free. Click sign up on the subscription plan of your choice to get started.



Adobe Special Offers And Deals For September

Video pros - Save 40% on Creative Cloud
Save 40% on Adobe Creative Cloud membership (US$29.99 per month on an annual plan) when you switch from Final Cut Pro or Avid.
Video pros - Save 30% on Production Premium
Save 30% on Adobe Creative Suite 6 Production Premium when you switch from Final Cut Pro or Avid.
Special introductory pricing for existing CS customers
Adobe Creative Suite existing customers: Join Creative Cloud and receive introductory pricing of US$29.99 per month for your first year of membership.
Get Lightroom for US$99
Get a full version of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 for US$99 when purchased with Photoshop CS6, Photoshop CS6 Extended, or any CS6 suite edition.
Upgrade to CS6 — only on Adobe.com
With the release of Creative Suite 6, individual upgrades are now available only through Adobe.com. Does not apply to volume licensing customers.
Try Adobe Touch Apps
Purchase three or more qualifying Adobe Touch Apps and receive a free month of Adobe Creative Cloud membership. Valid for current annual subscribers to Creative Cloud.

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

New Topaz Simplify 4 Photoshop Plugin - Save 30% Instantly
SEPTEMBER 22, 2012

Topaz has announced the release of the new Simplify 4. Topaz Simplify easily transforms your photos into high-impact digital art, and is perfect for those looking to add a creative flare to photos or that need a way to creatively repurpose an unusable image. Updated with preset organization, new adjustment settings and selective adjustments, this free upgrade offers powerful changes in flexibility and productivity designed to meet your growing creative needs.

To celebrate the release of Simplify 4 Topaz is offering a special 30% discount (Only $29.99). Just enter coupon code GETSIMPLIFIED when purchasing. Offer ends 09/30/12. Here are the new and improved features in Topaz Simplify 4:



New Adjustment Sliders. Instantly add depth and tonality to create realistic artistic effects using Dynamics, structure and structure boost sliders.
Instant Transformations with over 100 new presets to help stimulate your creative juices.
Preset Organization via convenient effect categories – so you can easily find and apply the perfect look in seconds.
Intuitive 4-in-1 selective brush to dodge, burn, smooth, and brush out adjustments. Plus advanced edge-aware technology for precise selections every time.
Integration of the Apply button – so you can stack multiple presets during the same workflow and build your own style.
Finishing Touches tab with options for vignette, toning and transparency.

Adobe Special Offers And Deals For September

Video pros - Save 40% on Creative Cloud
Save 40% on Adobe Creative Cloud membership (US$29.99 per month on an annual plan) when you switch from Final Cut Pro or Avid.
Video pros - Save 30% on Production Premium
Save 30% on Adobe Creative Suite 6 Production Premium when you switch from Final Cut Pro or Avid.
Special introductory pricing for existing CS customers
Adobe Creative Suite existing customers: Join Creative Cloud and receive introductory pricing of US$29.99 per month for your first year of membership.
Get Lightroom for US$99
Get a full version of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 for US$99 when purchased with Photoshop CS6, Photoshop CS6 Extended, or any CS6 suite edition.
Upgrade to CS6 — only on Adobe.com
With the release of Creative Suite 6, individual upgrades are now available only through Adobe.com. Does not apply to volume licensing customers.
Try Adobe Touch Apps
Purchase three or more qualifying Adobe Touch Apps and receive a free month of Adobe Creative Cloud membership. Valid for current annual subscribers to Creative Cloud.

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Resampling With Photoshop Interpolation - Master Your Image Pixels With Photoshop Resizing Technology
SEPTEMBER 21, 2012

Here's a new PS CS6 tutorial from Photoshop Daily: Photoshop deals in raster images, which are built from multiple physical points that we refer to as pixels. These are essentially single points of colour, with each image produced having a fixed number of pixels available. When you make an image or image element larger, or smaller your affectively asking Photoshop to find ways to add pixels that aren't there or intuitively subtract them.

This can sometimes become a serious issue, affecting image quality if you're unaware of the limitations of the software. However, by following the correct procedures you can easily optimise your outcomes, most importantly through related Interpolation options.

In Photoshop CS6 (30-day free trial) these can be found in the overhead menu, when resizing with the Move tool.These Interpolation drop options include all applicable types; Nearest Neighbour, Bilinear, Bicubic variants; Smoother and Sharper, and new Bicubic Automatic that instinctively repairs pixels for best results.

These options aren't available in versions pre-dating Photoshop CS6. Instead users can access options from two locations – Photoshop Preferences>General>Image Interpolation and Image Size>Resample Image. Both are still available in CS6, but for those of not yet up to speed with this latest version here's how these work, showing which is best for each situation.

READ FULL TUTORIAL...

Alphabet Photoshop Brushes - Plus Tutorial On Creating Them
SEPTEMBER 21, 2012

At You The Designer they have a free set of 26 Alphabet Photoshop Brushes. The collection features 26 abstract floral designed uppercase letters (lower case are here) and can be used on many design projects. I also found a tutorial on how to create these alphabet brushes. It's worth studying the steps as it will lay the groundwork for you to build your own Photoshop brushes.



Adobe Special Offers And Deals For September

Video pros - Save 40% on Creative Cloud
Save 40% on Adobe Creative Cloud membership (US$29.99 per month on an annual plan) when you switch from Final Cut Pro or Avid.
Video pros - Save 30% on Production Premium
Save 30% on Adobe Creative Suite 6 Production Premium when you switch from Final Cut Pro or Avid.
Special introductory pricing for existing CS customers
Adobe Creative Suite existing customers: Join Creative Cloud and receive introductory pricing of US$29.99 per month for your first year of membership.
Get Lightroom for US$99
Get a full version of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 for US$99 when purchased with Photoshop CS6, Photoshop CS6 Extended, or any CS6 suite edition.
Upgrade to CS6 — only on Adobe.com
With the release of Creative Suite 6, individual upgrades are now available only through Adobe.com. Does not apply to volume licensing customers.
Try Adobe Touch Apps
Purchase three or more qualifying Adobe Touch Apps and receive a free month of Adobe Creative Cloud membership. Valid for current annual subscribers to Creative Cloud.

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

NIK Color Efex Pro 4 Workshop - 3 Free Videos - Apply Creative and Corrective Filters to Your Images
SEPTEMBER 21, 2012

Here are 4 free videos from NIK Color Efex Pro 4 Workshop - Apply Creative and Corrective Filters to Your Images. If you decide to purchase the complete training, use our discount code PSSEP30 for an instant 30% savings, good through October 2012.

USe our exclusive discount coupon code - NIKPSS - during the checkout process at Nik Software for an instant 15% discount. This exclusive discount coupon code can be applied to all the latest Nik Software Photoshop plugins, including Silver Efex Pro, Color Efex Pro, Viveza, HDR Efex Pro, and The Complete Collection (big savings).

The Navigator Loupe/Histogram In this lesson we'll cover how to use the Navigator Loupe as a magnifying glass for accurate selection and how it can be swapped to show the histogram of the image.

Details Extractor Filter The Detail Extractor filter uses a new and unique technique to exaggerate details and create stylized photos with greater detail. You can apply this filter to balance light and tonality and extract details from every corner of your photo, as you'll see in this video.

Combining Filters Color Efex Pro 4 allows you to combine multiple filters for use on the same image(s). In this video you'll see how to get the best from this tremendous time-saving feature.

In NIK Color Efex Pro 4 Workshop expert trainer Richard West is your guide to Nik Software's Color Efex Pro 4, a powerful and easy-to-use plug-in with dozens of interesting filters that can be used for both corrective and creative purposes. Through a series of short, easy-to-digest lessons, Richard explains the interface and workflow, demonstrates the various filters, and shows you how to combine filters and use Nik's unique control point technology. You'll also learn how to install the plug-in and how to access it from the host application, whether you are using Photoshop, Lightroom, or Aperture. 

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Learning Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 Tutorial DVD - Video Training - 12 Free Videos
SEPTEMBER 16, 2012

In this Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 training course, creative and technical expert Andy Anderson takes you through the features and functions of this comprehensive software for both the professional and amateur photographer. Designed for the beginner, you do not require any prior experience working with Adobe Lightroom to take advantage of this tutorial.

Here are the free videos you can watch now from this course:

Creating Customized Identity Plates
Andys Tethering Workaround
Working In Compare View
Generating Collection Sets
Working With Geo-Coded Images
Controlling White Balance
Using The Healing And Clone Tools
Using The Adjustment Brush
HSL, Color, And B&W Adjustments
Split Toning Workflow
Understanding Lens Correction
Working With And Creating Templates
Adjusting Lightroom Web Templates

In Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 training course you will learn to create slide shows, print and publish your images, and even export them to use with other Adobe Suite products. By the conclusion of this video based training course on Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4, you will have a clear understanding of the features and functions at your fingertips, and how to utilize them within the software. Working files are included to let you work alongside the author as he proceed through this software video tutorial.

You will begin by touring the Lightroom interface, and become familiar with the tools and features that are available to you. You will them move on to cover features such as basic and advanced catalog organization, tethering, manipulating your images, geo-coding images, working with modules such as Develop and the Book Module, and so much more.

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

How To Create A Furry Text Effect In Photoshop CS6
SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

From Abduzeedo, a fast tutorial on creating furry text in PS CS6: We have been posting tutorials for almost 6 years and our goal here was and will always be trying to share easy techniques we've learned along the way. This is a simple Photoshop technique that can be applied to a wide variety of effects, from fur to grass, fire and pretty much anything.



So in this tutorial we will show you how to create a really cool and super simple furry text in Photoshop CS6. We will use basic filters and tools but it's nice to say that we took advantage of the a new feature in Photoshop CS6 (30-day free trial) that is to apply layer styles to folders.

Go to full tutorial...

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Adobe Dreamweaver CS6 Training Video - 12 Free Videos
SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

Here are 12 free videos from the Adobe Dreamweaver CS6 Training Video Series. In this training course for Adobe Dreamweaver CS6, expert author Andy Anderson introduces you this top notch web editing software from Adobe. Whether you are new to Dreamweaver, or have used it before, Andy will show you how to get the most out of Dreamweaver to create amazing web pages.

Free Videos From This Course
Introduction To Dreamweaver
What Is New In Dreamweaver CS6
Find And Replace 101
Controlling Page Layout With AP Divs
Adding An E-Mail Link
Using Downloadable Web Fonts
Working With DIV Tags
Working With Fluid Grid Layouts
Adding Multiple Text Fields
Working With Radio And Checkmark Buttons
Applying CSS Style Rules
Using Rulers And Guides
Validating A Form With Spry
Working With CSS Transitions
Working In The Library
The Code View Toolbar
Adding Tags Directly To The Code
Working With Regular Expressions

Starting with the basics, Andy shows you step-by-step how to use Dreamweaver. You begin with a tour of Dreamweaver and its interface, and how to setup the software to make web design easier. Once you have that down, Adobe Dreamweaver CS6 Training Video Series will show you how to add text, create links, add pictures, style your content and layout, add tables and work with forms. You will learn about working with behaviours, how to use Spry, templates, libraries and snippets, how to edit in code view, and how to add and work with multimedia.

By the completion of this computer based training video for Dreamweaver CS6, you will be familiar with the tools and techniques at your fingertips, to create incredible websites. Working files are included with this training video, to allow you to learn alongside the author with the same files that he is using to teach with!

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

AKVIS HDRFactory 3 - Tool to Create High Dynamic Range Photos
SEPTEMBER 17, 2012

AKVIS has announced the release of AKVIS HDRFactory v.3.0 for Windows and Macintosh. The software creates HDR images from a series of photographs taken at different exposures or from a single image. Version 3.0 adds the new Remove Noise parameter, provides compatibility with Mac OS X 10.8, fixes bugs, and updates the list of the ready-to-use presets.

Often you will see a breathtaking, dramatic scene which you want to capture with your camera, but your camera just cannot do it justice. Once you have transferred the photo to your computer and see it on your monitor, it just doesn't look like you remembered. While the sky may be bright, the subtle details in shadows are gone, and objects in the dark areas of the photo are not discernable at all. No digital camera, no matter the quality, can reproduce what the human eye can see. In fact, the human eye can perceive 100 million colors and shades at a time, while a camera can distinguish only between 16,8 million colors, which is 6 times less.

HDRI technology makes it possible to return these details back to your photos. AKVIS HDRFactory uses this technology to create an HDR image from a series of photographs or even from a single photo. It can bridge the gap between what your eyes can see and what your digital camera can record.

The software is available as a standalone application as well as a plugin for Photoshop and other graphics editors, for Windows and Macintosh. The new version is compatible with Mac OS X 10.8. Also, Version 3.0 adds the noise removal feature, fixes bugs, and updates the list of the ready-to-use presets. Registered users of HDRFactory can upgrade to the newest version for free by downloading and installing the new version. Download AKVIS HDRFactory v.3.0. For a free trial, AKVIS offers 10 days of fully functional use. The software runs on Windows 7/Vista/XP and on Mac OS X 10.4-10.8, both 32 and 64 bit.



AKVIS HDRFactory sells for $69 USD for Home version (either Plugin or Standalone), $99 USD for Home Deluxe (Plugin and Standalone, all features, including the Ghost Removal tool), $189 USD for Business (Plugin and Standalone, all features, including the Ghost Removal tool, for commercial use), downloadable from http://akvis.com.

AKVIS HDRFactory is a versatile program for creating High Dynamic Range images and making photo correction. HDRFactory creates HDR photos by combining several images of the same object taken with different exposure values. The result is an expressive contrasting image that reflects reality with a higher level of authenticity than a simple snapshot.

The name of the program can be taken literally, as AKVIS HDRFactory is a real workshop for the production of fascinating HDR images. With AKVIS HDRFactory you can come very close to reality and even go beyond it by creating surreal stylized images with fabulous colors and unique effects.

The software in Deluxe and Business variants offers a special feature - the Ghost Removal tool which helps to repair the so-called "ghosts" that sometimes appear when creating an HDR image. These "unwelcome guests" (semi-transparent doubled passersby, cars, tree leaves, etc) are a result of combining a series of source photos that contain moving objects. HDRFactory will help you to remove these artifacts without a trace.

AKVIS HDRFactory can also imitate the HDR effect using only one photo by creating a pseudo-HDR. This technique is useful if you don't have a series of images with different exposures. Just load a single image into AKVIS HDRFactory and admire the effect which goes beyond photo realism and opens the door into the fascinating world of HDR.

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Interpolate Extension for Adobe Photoshop CS6 - Adobe Labs - Smoothly Blend Between Colors
SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

The Interpolate extension for Adobe Photoshop CS6 (currently for Mac only) provides two new filters based on smoothly blending between colors. The first filter, "Interpolate," fills the transparent areas of the current layer with a smooth mix of the colors in the opaque areas.

The second filter, "Match Edges," changes the colors at the edges of the current layer to match those of the layer below it, and smoothly distributes this change through the layer.

If you do not have Photoshop CS6 installed, download the free trial.

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Bridge CS6 for Photographers - 4 Free Videos - Browse, Manage, Sort, Organize, and Share Your Photos
SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

Here are 4 free videos from Bridge CS6 for Photographers - Browse, Manage, Sort, Organize, and Share Your Photos. If you decide to purchase the complete training, use our discount code PSSEP30 for an instant 30% savings, good through October 2012.

Image management is one of the greatest challenges for photographers. Fortunately, many of us have access to Adobe Bridge, which offers powerful features to help you manage, sort, organize, and even share your digital photos. But not everyone knows how to take advantage of these capabilities, so in this course Tim Grey shares his tips for using Bridge to stay organized, streamline your workflow, and make your life easier. 

View Options
There are a number of different display options available to you in Bridge, and in this lesson you'll learn all about them.

Using Collections
Collections allow you to group a set of images together using any criteria you'd like, and this lesson will show you how to use collections in Bridge.

Processing with Photoshop
Adobe Bridge makes it easy to open images in Photoshop for detailed processing, as you'll discover in this lesson.

Presenting Photos as Slideshow
In this lesson you'll see how you can present a basic slideshow of your photos directly from within Adobe Bridge.

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Photoshop CS5 Tutorial DVD - Video Training - 18 Free Videos
SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

Adobe Photoshop CS5 Tutorial DVD - Video Training, takes your skills to the next level. The course is presented via an intuitive, easy-to-use interface, allowing you to learn at your own pace. These Adobe Photoshop CS5 Tutorials break even the most complex subjects down into easy to follow segments, following along is simple. Practical working files further enhance the learning process and provide a degree of retention that is unmatched by any other form of training.

Here are the free videos you can watch now from this course:

Setting Essential Preferences
Working With Screen Modes
Adding File Information
Organizing Bridge Workspaces
Using Crop & Straighten
Using The Ruler Tool To Straighten An Image
Selection 101
Using Refine Edge
The Mixer Brush Tool
Creating Customized Brushes
Alpha Channels And Layer Masks
Whitening Teeth
Fixing A Pesky Color Cast
Color Correction With A Grayscale Wedge
The Grayscale Trick Revealed
A Peek At Color Correction With Curves
Converting Images To Grayscale
Color Correction With Midtones

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Photo Restoration in Photoshop - 5 Free Videos - Bring Old Photos Back to Life
SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

Here are 5 free videos from Photo Restoration in Photoshop - Bring Old Photos Back to Life. If you decide to purchase the complete training, use our discount code PSSEP30 for an instant 30% savings, good through October 2012.

Author and expert Tim Grey shares techniques for bringing old photos to life, from fixing torn or damaged areas of a photo to improving the level of detail to adding color. You'll learn how to work nondestructively and how to save your master image with layers intact.

Evaluating "Before" and "After"
This lesson will show you various methods for evaluating the "before" and "after" views for your photos, helping you get a better sense of the work you've done and what might need further attention.

Isolating Colors with Hue/Saturation
In this lesson you'll learn how you can apply a variety of adjustments to a single range of colors within a photo.

Gradient Adjustments When a shift in tonality or color occurs from one side of a photo to another, a gradient adjustment may provide the perfect solution. You'll see how this adjustment can be applied in this lesson.

Correcting Perspective For many subjects such as buildings, perspective correction can be very important to straighten out the lines. This lesson will demonstrate a method for applying this type of correction.

Improving Local Contrast
This lesson will introduce a technique for improving overall local contrast in a photo, helping to make details stand out.

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Editing An Existing Remote Website in Dreamweaver
SEPTEMBER 13, 2012

I was just talking to someone who was having trouble "inheriting" a site in Dreamweaver. To help I pointed them to this post at the Adobe Dreamweaver Help section: Here is one of the most frequently asked-about situations for new Dreamweaver users: "I have just inherited a website from another person. The files for the website are on a remote server that I've never worked with or accessed. How do I get the web (HTML) files from that other server, onto my own computer so that I can edit them in Dreamweaver?"



The short answer: Establish a connection to the website's remote server and download the files to your computer. The long answer: You'll need two main things in order to "get" files from someone else's remote site:
1 — A local Dreamweaver site. This is the place on your computer where you'll store local versions of the web site's HTML files.
2 — A connection to the remote site. The remote site is the place out on the web where the website you need to edit is currently living. (Literally, it is a folder on the computer that is running the web server.) Someone else has put that website out there and now you need to edit it. Before you can edit the site, however, you need to connect to the appropriate remote server so that you can access the files.

Go to the Dreamweaver Help Page for the full tutorial on how to accomplish this.

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Photoshop CS6 RAW Workshop - Free Video Tutorials - Maximize Your Photo Quality with ACR 7
SEPTEMBER 13, 2012

Here are 4 free videos from Photoshop CS6 RAW Workshop Maximize Your Photo Quality with ACR 7. If you decide to purchase the complete training, use our discount code PSSEP30 for an instant 30% savings, good through October 2012.

Processing Multiple Images
Adobe Camera Raw allows you to open multiple images and then apply adjustments to all images or to select images, as you'll learn in this lesson.

Basic Tonal Adjustments
The basic tonal adjustment controls in Adobe Camera Raw provide you with a surprising amount of control over the detail in your images, as you'll learn in this lesson.

HSL Adjustments
In this lesson, you'll learn how to use the HSL (hue, saturation, and lightness) adjustments to fine-tune the appearance of individual ranges of colors in your photos.

Grayscale Conversion
Adobe Camera Raw lets you create a black-and-white interpretation of any photo with a high degree of control, as you'll see in this lesson.

Graduated Filters
In this lesson, you'll learn how to use ACR to apply adjustments that transition from one side of an image to another.

Your camera's RAW capture capability gives you the potential to create truly stunning images, and in this workshop from digital imaging guru Tim Grey, you'll learn how to use Adobe Camera Raw 7 to get optimal quality from your RAW captures with an efficient workflow. After giving you an overview of Camera Raw and how it works, Tim will teach you how to apply a wide variety of adjustments to your images, from basic adjustments like cropping and sharpening, to advanced adjustments like HSL and split toning, to focused adjustments like spot removal and graduated filters. 

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

5 Free Murky Plastic Textures For Photoshop
SEPTEMBER 12, 2012

Bittbox is offering 5 free murky plastic textures that are quite interesting and would work well in some design projects.



posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Creating A Hand-carved Wood Effect in Photoshop - Step-by-Step Tutorial and Video
SEPTEMBER 12, 2012

In this week's free Deke's Techniques, Deke uses Adobe Photoshop (free 30 day trial) to create the effect of hand-carved letters in a wooden sign. I don't mean embossing typed-out text into a wood background, but rather, making hand-drawn letters look like they were manually carved into an old wooden sign many years ago and weathered over time. To create this effect, Deke uses the fairly uncommon Dissolve blend mode. While Dissolve is seldom used, for this particular effect it provides the gritty, worn edges we're looking for. If you want to watch the video right now, here's the episode:



If you prefer a step-by-step visual walk-through of this technique, here's how it's done: Starting with an old wooden sign masked against an appropriately desolate background, Deke begins his technique by hand-drawing some white letters on to their own layer using a Wacom tablet. READ FULL TUTORIAL...



posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Photoshop CS6 Oil Paint Filter Tutorial
SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

This tutorial shows you how easy it is to get creative with the new Photoshop CS6 Oil Paint filter, and how to create realistic painting effects fast. From the intro:

Sometimes it's good to take a step back and have a little fun with Photoshop. Try new filters, new blend modes... experiment a bit! Photoshop CS6 offers plenty of opportunity for this with new features like Blur Gallery, greatly improved Lighting Effects, and the new Oil Paint filter, which we'll talk about here (try Photoshop CS6 for 30 days). Traditionally most creative or painterly filters end up in the Filter Gallery, but the Oil Paint filter is a new breed. It has been accelerated to take advantage of fast GPUs (or graphics cards) and provides instantaneous feedback as you adjust the settings, and you can find it right at the top of the menu. Read full tutorial.



posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Graphic Artist Tattoos - Collection Of Job Specific Designs
SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

Interesting images of graphic artists with tattoos, from a creativepro.com article: Creative pros are known for their passion for their work and the tools of their trade. So it should come as no surprise that some of them choose to apply their creativity to the most personal of all media, themselves.



posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Adobe Special Offers And Deals For September
SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

Here are the latest special discount offers now available from Adobe:

Video pros - Save 40% on Creative Cloud
Save 40% on Adobe Creative Cloud membership (US$29.99 per month on an annual plan) when you switch from Final Cut Pro or Avid. Valid for commercial customers only. Offer ends Nov 30, 2012.

Video pros - Save 30% on Production Premium
Save 30% on Adobe Creative Suite 6 Production Premium when you switch from Final Cut Pro or Avid. Valid for volume licensing and educational volume licensing customers only. Offer ends Nov 30, 2012.

Special introductory pricing for existing CS customers
Adobe® Creative Suite existing customers: Join Adobe Creative Cloud and receive special introductory pricing of US$29.99 per month for your first year of membership.

Get Lightroom for US$99
Get a full version of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 for US$99 when purchased with Photoshop CS6, Photoshop CS6 Extended, or any CS6 suite edition.

Upgrade to CS6 — only on Adobe.com
With the release of Creative Suite 6, individual upgrades are now available only through Adobe.com. Does not apply to volume licensing customers.

Try Adobe Touch Apps
Purchase three or more qualifying Adobe Touch Apps and receive a free month of Adobe Creative Cloud membership. Valid for current annual subscribers to Creative Cloud.

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Adobe Releases New Set of Features Exclusively to Creative Cloud Members
SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

Adobe has announced a new set of Adobe Illustrator features exclusively to Adobe Creative Cloud members. These new features come ahead of the September release of new Adobe Dreamweaver features and the addition of the Digital Publishing Suite, Single Edition to Adobe Creative Cloud.

Delivering on the promise that Creative Cloud members will get early VIP access to new product features, today's release improves productivity for designers and production artists needing fast and error-free production cycles when handing off files to colleagues, clients and service bureaus. "When we launched Creative Cloud, we said that one of biggest benefits was early access to Adobe innovation," said Jeff Veen, vice president of product management for Adobe Creative Cloud. "As soon as our engineering teams can finalize new features, like the ones we're seeing for Illustrator today, we will release special Creative Cloud editions of our desktop software, only available to Adobe Creative Cloud members."

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Free Set Of 5 Fractal Brushes For Photoshop
SEPTEMBER 3, 2012

Bittbox is offering a free set of 5 fractal brushes for Photoshop. All five have nice qualities and are worth downloading. Read their terms for details on usage (they have a commercial use restriction).

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Mixed Media Photoshop Brush Set - 10 Free Brushes
SEPTEMBER 7, 2012

This free brush set contains 10 brushes created from a variety of media. The result is a unique collection of splatters and grungy elements. These brushes are an excellent addition to your mixed media style designs.

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Learning Adobe Photoshop CS6 Tutorial DVD - Video Training - 16 Free Videos
SEPTEMBER 7, 2012

Learning Adobe Photoshop CS6 Tutorial Video is the ultimate in comprehensive instruction for the discerning professional. These training classes use broadcast quality audio and video to deliver concise and informative training right to your desktop. This course is designed for a beginner, and no prior knowledge of Photoshop is assumed. (Get the Photoshop CS6 trial)

The course is presented via an intuitive, easy-to-use interface, allowing you to learn at your own pace. Practical working files further enhance the learning process and provide a degree of retention that is unmatched by any other form of training. Here are the free videos you can watch now from this course:

A Peek At Photoshop CS6 - Part 1
Basic Image Correction In The Raw Plug-In
Layers 101
Adjustment Layers 101
Using Adjustment Layers With Masks
Pen Tool 101
Complex Path Selections And Options
Creative Use Of The Displacement Map
Working With Lens Correction
Magic Wand And Quick Selection Tools
Understanding Refine Edge
Creating A Batch Action
The Power Of Adjustment Layers
Creating Custom Brushes
The Color Replacement Tool
Working With The History Brush And Snapshots

In this Adobe Photoshop CS6 video training course expert author and trainer Andy Anderson introduces you to the basics of this graphics software from Adobe. This tutorial covers the essential features of Photoshop that everyone should be familiar with.

Andy starts by taking you through the interface, including the preference setup. Once you are familiar with navigating and finding tools, you cover topics such as Adobe Bridge, Camera Raw, adjusting color, layers, blending, adjustments, the pen tool and paths, as well as dodging and burning.

With over 13 hours in Adobe Photoshop CS6 Tutorial Video, you also go into detail with filters, manipulating images, selections, levels and curves, and so much more. By the conclusion of this video tutorial for Adobe Photoshop CS6, you will have a clear understanding of what Photoshop has to offer, and how you can use the available tools, and apply the demonstrated techniques to enhance your own images.

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Julieanne Kost's Top 10 Photoshop Layer Shortcuts - From Photoshop World 2012
SEPTEMBER 6, 2012

You can download a free PDF from Julieanne's site that details her top 10 favorite Photoshop shortcuts when working with layers.

Adobe August Special - Save 10% On All Orders Of $375 Or More

Follow this link to save 10% on Adobe orders of $375 or more. During checkout use the special exclusive offer code Adobe10 and you will save 10% on your order. This offer is valid in the North American Commercial and Education Stores and is applicable to all full and upgrade versions. The offer is available starting August 26.

The best savings would be to apply this discount code to a Creative Suite 6 product. Here's a Photoshop CS6 Buying Guide Product Comparison Chart that will help you see some of the pros and cons of the various options available with this new release. Here are all four of the charts you can find:
— Photoshop CS6 Product Comparison Chart
— Photoshop CS6 Version Comparison Chart
— Photoshop CS6 Upgrades Chart

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Free Photoshop Touch Upgrade - Retina Display Support, Higher Resolution Capabilities
SEPTEMBER 6, 2012

A free update for Photoshop Touch is now available for iPad and Android tablets:
• Retina Display Support: See your images like never before with the Retina display on the new iPad.
• Higher resolution capabilities: Work on high-resolution images while maintaining the highest image quality. Supports images up to 12 megapixels.
• Two new languages: Russian and Brazilian Portuguese.
• Two new Effects: Shred and Colorize
• Smoother animation and scrolling in the organizer, tutorial browser, and file picker
• New gesture to toggle 100% view and fit screen (three-finger tap)
• New pixel nudging mode for precise movements
• Support for Apple Photo Stream
• Various bug fixes

Adobe Photoshop Touch is a Touch App that lets you quickly combine images, apply professional effects, and share the results through social networking sites like Facebook directly from an iPad or Android tablet.

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

onOne Software Announces Perfect Photo Suite 7 - 15% Discount
SEPTEMBER 6, 2012

onOne has announced Perfect Photo Suite 7 for Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, Apple Aperture and as a standalone application. Improved to give photographers even more ways to maximize their creativity and solve common problems in digital photography, Perfect Photo Suite 7 now offers new easy-to-use, yet powerful tools to develop stunning black and white images, enhance, stylize and correct images, retouch portraits and prepare all images, including mobile snapshots, for enlargement and print.

Exclusive Discount Code - 15% Off
Use discount code PSSPPT06 to get 15% off any onOne product, including the new Perfect Photo Suite 7.

Perfect Photo Suite 7 includes the brand new module Perfect B&W, Perfect Effects 4, Perfect Portrait 2, Perfect Layers 3 and Perfect Resize 7.5 Pro–powered by Genuine Fractals technology, Perfect Mask 5.2 and FocalPoint 2.

The new Perfect Photo Suite 7 will ship in late October 2012. Pre-orders are available immediately and will include a complimentary Perfect Photo Suite 7 Creative Companion DVD with purchase through September 20, 2012. The Creative Companion DVD includes training videos and presets for Perfect Photo Suite 7 and templates from Graphic Authority ($140 value). Owners of Perfect Photo Suite 6, Perfect Photo Suite 5, and Plug-In Suite 5 or earlier can upgrade to Perfect Photo Suite 7 for $149.95. Perfect Photo Suite 7 is available to new users for $299.95.

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Cloning Yourself In Photoshop - Video Tutorial
SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

In this week's free Deke's Techniques episode, Deke shows how to clone yourself with Photoshop. Working with a dozen separate images in different poses, Deke shows you how to mask all the images into one realistic scene (well, as realistic as one guy having a fight with himself, breaking up the fight with himself, and having nine other himselves looking on can be).



Each additional version of Jacob needs to be carefully masked into place. Deke uses an entire arsenal of Photoshop tools, from a simple rectangular marquee, to a deftly placed gradient mask, to meticulous hand painting. In the video, he considers each new addition to the composite, then troubleshoots the new challenges that each shot presents. Adding all these images together, he eventually arrives at this wonderful festival of Jacobs:



For members of lynda.com, Deke has an exclusive movie this week in which he shows how to light this scene consistently and have the characters cast shadows on one another. You can get a free 7-day trial to the lynda.com Online Training Library. The trial membership entitles you to 7 days of access to all 986 courses in the lynda.com Online Training Library for free. Click sign up on the subscription plan of your choice to get started.

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Topaz Labs Image Enhancement Bundle - 15% Coupon ($45 Off)
SEPTEMBER 4, 2012

Topaz software is the most effective way to supercharge your post-processing workflow and get the looks that you want without spending all day on the computer - or breaking the bank.

Whether you're a photo enthusiast, hobbyist, an advanced amateur or an experienced pro, you can benefit from the flexibility and convenience offered by this robust image enhancement toolset. Save 15% NOW by entering coupon code NEW2TOPAZ during checkout.

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Lightroom 4.2, Camera Raw (for CS6) And DNG Converter Release Candidates Now Available On Adobe Labs
SEPTEMBER 3, 2012

Two release candidates for photographers have been released to labs – Photoshop Camera Raw 7.2 and Photoshop Lightroom 4.2. Both releases include support for many new cameras and lens profiles. The Camera Raw 7.2 update includes a release candidate build of DNG Convertor 7.2.

A "release candidate" label indicates that this update is well tested but would benefit from additional community testing before it is distributed automatically to all of our customers. The Photoshop Camera Raw 7.2 and and Photoshop Lightroom 4.2 updates include support for many new cameras and lens profiles. A release candidate build of DNG Convertor 7.2 is also provided. The Camera Raw plug-in provides easy access within Adobe Photoshop CS6 to the raw image formats produced by many leading professional and midrange digital cameras. For more information on the Camera Raw plug-in please visit the Camera Raw pages on Adobe.com.

posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

Nik Software Vintage Photo Competition - Win A Nikon 1 Or iPad
SEPTEMBER 3, 2012

The Nik Focused online vintage-themed photo contest begins from the 4th September. Prizes include latest Nikon 1 and an Apple iPad. You can submit entries online. Images will be ranked by public viewings, and chosen by a panel of pro photographers.



posted by Jennifer Apple | facebook | RSS feed | bookmark | comment | twitter

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.

PHOTOSHOP NEWS — AUGUST 2012
43- Adobe Photoshop 13.0.1 Update For Adobe Photoshop CS6
42- Ink And Watercolor Brush Set - 28 Free Brushes
41- Virtual Copies: The No Risk Way of Experimenting in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4
40- Creating An Optimal Facebook Cover Image In Photoshop - Video Tutorial
39- Using The Lens Blur Filter On An image Sequence In Photoshop CS6 - 15 Minute Video Tutorial
38- Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS6: The Essential Techniques for Imaging Professionals
37- Adobe August Special - Save 10% On All Orders Of $375 Or More
36- Free Brush Set - Rays Of Light - Plus Brush Set Tutorial
35- Adobe Deal Of The Day - Get 40% Off Design and Web Premium Suite, Education Version
34- Topaz PhotoFXlab Updated - Free For Current Users - Special $50 Off For New Users
33- Free Textures - Smoke Trails In The Clouds From Bittbox
32- Creating Tile Patterns In Illustrator CS6- Video Tutorial
31- Photo Illustration In Photoshop - Step-by-Step Case Study
30- Quick Tutorial - Using The Oil Paint Filter In Photoshop CS6
29- Save $150 On Purchase Of New AutoCAD LT 2013 License
28- Free Textures - Checker Grid Patterns And Grab Bag Of Concrete, Wood, Metal
27- Hey, That's Not Fair - Adobe Creative Cloud Apps To Get Feature Enhancements First
26- Apple's Photoshop Killer - Apple's Next-Gen Drawing App Project
25- How To Draw A Perfect Spiral In Illustrator - Video Tutorial
24- How To Graft Hair In Photoshop - Tutorial
23- Save 15% On Lightroom 4 Full And Upgrade Versions
22- Learn How To Use Content-Aware Editing In Photoshop
21- Adobe Camera Raw: Using The Spot Removal Tool - Video Tutorial
20- How To Composite Images Using Layers - Video Tutorial
19- Free Agitated Water Brushes For Photoshop
18- Planet Hiltron - Photoshop Celebrity Retouching Circus
17- Adobe Camera Raw: Using The Spot Removal Tool - Video Tutorial
16- Capture Camera Clip System From Peak Design
15- Free onOne Photoshop Plugin - Borders And Edges Effects
14- How To Get Started With Responsive Web Design - Tutorial
13- How To Create A Perfect Facebook Cover Photo in Photoshop CS6 - Video Tutorial
12- Free Textures From Bittbox: Surreal Tree Branches
11- Photoshop CS6 Video Tutorial - How To Pan And Zoom Video In Photoshop CS6
10- Simulating A Screen Print in Photoshop - Video Tutorial
09- Free Photoshop Brushes - Frayed Denim Set
08- ReMask Masking Plugin Special - Get 30% Off
07- Hidden Power of Blend Modes in Adobe Photoshop - Sample Pages
06- Using Iris Blur In Photoshop CS6 - Tutorial
05- How To Hand Color Artwork In Photoshop
04- onOne Plugins - Get 15% Off All Products And Upgrades
03- Working With The Painter Tool in Lightroom 4 - Video Tutorial
02- Today Only - Save 15% on Adobe Creative Suite 6 Web and Design Premium Student and Teacher Edition
01- Working With Type In Photoshop CS6 - Free PDF Sample Chapter

See Earlier Posts From The Photoshop Blog - AUGUST 2011.

Exclusive 15% Discount On All Topaz Plugins - Use Coupon Code PHOTOSHOPSUPPORT - Includes Bundles And Upgrades

Enter our exclusive discount coupon code PHOTOSHOPSUPPORT during the checkout process at Topaz Labs for an instant 15% discount on any Topaz product, including bundle deals and upgrades.

Topaz Labs Photoshop plug-ins are specifically designed to expand a photographer's creative toolbox by harnessing powerful image technology developments.

Photographers everywhere are now taking advantage of the creative exposure effects, artistic simplification, unique edge manipulation, and top-of-the-line noise reduction offered in Topaz products. The Topaz Photoshop Bundle includes the following Topaz plugins:

Topaz Adjust optimizes image exposure, color, and detail strength for stunning image results.

Topaz DeNoise offers a complete noise reduction solution that removes far more noise and preserves far more detail than other solutions.

Topaz Detail gives full control over all aspects of detail manipulation and micro-contrast adjustment without creating any edge artifacts or halos.

Topaz Simplify provides creative simplification, art effects, and line accentuation for easy one-of-a-kind art.

Topaz Clean integrates unique smoothing capabilities with stylized detail manipulation to add refreshing flair to photos.

Topaz ReMask quickly creates detailed masks and extractions from even the most difficult images.

Topaz DeJPEG drastically improves the quality of web images and other compressed photos.

READ ABOUT THE TOPAZ BUNDLE OFFER.

Exclusive onOne Software 10% Instant Discount Coupon

Enter our exclusive discount coupon code - PSSPPT06 - during the checkout process at onOne Software for an instant 10% discount on any onOne product. This includes Genuine Fractals and their amazing Photoshop Plug-In Suite.

onOne Software's Plug-In Suite combines full versions of six essential software tools — Genuine Fractals Print Pro, PhotoTools Pro, PhotoFrame Pro, Mask Pro, PhotoTune and FocalPoint — an affordable combination that includes everything a photographer needs to make their images look their best.

Why do you need plugins? Photoshop is an amazing image editing application that has forever changed graphic design and digital photographic editing, but like any tool, if you don't have time to fully learn it, you can't get the most out of it.

Plugins for Photoshop allow you to either do something that you cannot do with the features included in Photoshop or they allow you to do something easier, faster or better than you could do in Photoshop without the plug-in. Whether it is color correction, resizing, masking or creating an effect, you can find a Photoshop plug-in that can help you be more efficient with your time.

Photoshop Masking Plugin Fluid Mask 3 - Price Drop And Exclusive $20 Instant Discount - Now Only $129

The 4 1/2 out of 5 star review of Fluid Mask 3 at MacWorld begins by saying that this "Photoshop plug-in takes the pain out of extracting backgrounds," and goes on to recommend the latest version, stating that "Fluid Mask 3.0.2 is a very effective tool for separating objects from their backgrounds. It offers a variety of useful features for tackling almost any difficult image, from wispy hair to complex foliage. Online video tutorials and live training sessions help ease the learning curve."

Our friends at Vertus, the makers of Fluid Mask 3 Photoshop Plugin, have set up a special exclusive discount for PhotoshopSupport.com. Buy now for only $129. Just follow this discount link and instantly get $20 off your purchase of Fluid Mask 3.

Fluid Mask 3 is designed for photographers, image editors, graphic designers and all those who take digital image editing seriously. In a streamlined interface and workflow, Fluid Mask 3 instantly shows key edges in the image and provides comprehensive easy to use tools that work with difficult-to-see edges and tricky areas like trees & lattices. Fluid Mask will also preserve all-important edge information for a professional quality cut out. Simply follow this discount link and pay only $129 for Fluid Mask 3.

Special Deals On Nik Software Photoshop Plugins - Viveza, Complete Collection - 15% DISCOUNT COUPONS

Follow the links below and the 15% discount will be AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED to any purchase you make, or use our exclusive discount coupon code - NIKPSS - during the checkout process at Nik Software for the instant 15% discount. This exclusive discount coupon code can be applied to all the latest Nik Software Photoshop plugins, including Silver Efex Pro, Color Efex Pro, Viveza, HDR Efex Pro, and The Complete Collection (big savings).

Nik Software The Complete Collection (Plugins Bundle)
The Complete Collection includes all of Nik Software's latest award-winning plug-in software titles for Photoshop, Lightroom and Aperture including: Dfine, Viveza, HDR Efex Pro, Color Efex Pro, Silver Efex Pro, and Sharpener Pro.

The Complete Collection features products with Nik Software's patented U Point® technology, giving photographers the most powerful tools for precise and natural photographic enhancements and corrections without the need for complicated selections or layer masks.

The Complete Collection is offered in two editions: (1) the Complete Collection Ultimate Edition includes support for every plug-in to work in Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture, and offers Color Efex Pro 3.0 to work in Capture NX 2 as well. (2) the Complete Collection for Lightroom and Aperture includes support for each plug-in to only work in Lightroom and Aperture. Click here to compare both editions

Color Efex Pro 3.0
52 photographic filters with over 250 effects for professional quality images. Completely Original. Completely Indispensable.

Nik Software Color Efex Pro 3.0 filters are the leading photographic filters for digital photography. The award-winning Color Efex Pro 3.0 filters are widely used by many of today's professional photographers around the world to save time and get professional level results. Whether you choose the Complete Edition, Select Edition, or Standard Edition, you’ll get traditional and stylizing filters that offer virtually endless possibilities to enhance and transform images quickly and easily.

Patented U Point technology provides the ultimate control to selectively apply enhancements without the need for any complicated masks, layers or selections. Control color, light and tonality in your images and create unique enhancements with professional results. With 52 filters and over 250 effects found in Color Efex Pro 3.0, you can perform high quality retouching, color correction, and endless creative enhancements to your photographs. Download a free Trial version.

Viveza
The most powerful tool to selectively control color and light in photographic images without the need for complicated selections or layer masks.

Two of the most important factors in creating great photography are color and light. Mastering the art of selectively correcting or enhancing each of these is now possible for every photographer without the need for complicated masks or selections, or expert-level knowledge of Photoshop. Integrating award-winning U Point technology, Viveza is the most powerful and precise tool available to control light and color in photographic images.

U Point powered Color Control Points, placed directly on colors or objects in an image (such as sky, skin, grass, etc.), reveal easy-to-use controls that photographers can use to quickly adjust brightness, contrast or color in a fraction of the time needed by other tools. With Viveza you’ll spend more time shooting photographs and save hours of image editing. Download a free Trial version.

Silver Efex Pro
Complete power and control to create professional quality black and white images in one convenient tool.

Silver Efex Pro from Nik Software is the most powerful tool for creating professional quality black and white images from your photographs. For the first time, all the advanced power and control required for professional results have been brought together in one convenient tool.

Featuring Nik Software’s patented U Point technology to selectively control the tonality and contrast of the image, Silver Efex Pro includes advanced imaging algorithms to protect against unwanted artifacts, a comprehensive collection of emulated black and white film types, a variable toning selector for adding traditional toning techniques, over 20 one-click preset styles, and a state-of-the-art grain reproduction engine that help produce the highest quality black and white images possible from your color images while providing more freedom to experiment. Download a free Trial version to use Silver Efex Pro.

HDR Efex Pro
Experience the power, control, and creative expression of HDR. This all in one toolkit lets you achieve your best HDR images ever, ranging from the realistic to artistic.

HDR Efex Pro is the essential new standard for creating amazingly high quality realistic to artistic HDR images with a revolutionary new all-in-one workflow. HDR Efex Pro includes a vast selection of one-click visual presets for incredibly fast results, advanced tone mapping algorithms, powerful and detailed HDR controls, and patented U Point® technology

Follow our discount coupon links, or enter our exclusive discount coupon code - NIKPSS - during the checkout process at Nik Software for the instant 15% discount. This exclusive discount coupon code can be applied to all the latest Nik Software Photoshop plugins, including Silver Efex Pro, Color Efex Pro, Viveza, HDR Efex Pro, and The Complete Collection (big savings).


PHOTO CREDIT: Apollo 11 Images — Earthrise sequence - Earth emerges over lunar horizon.
© NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). Scanning credit to Kipp Teague.