Photoshop Tutorials, Tips, and News | Planet Photoshop

Configurator Is Go!

November 19th, 2008 | Corey Barker

There has been some talk, even before Photoshop CS4 was released, about something called the Configurator. I have to say, as a long time Photoshop user, I am really excited about this one. Configurator is a new application from Adobe that allows you to basically create your own custom panels. With all the different industries that Photoshop is used for, users will find that there are some tools and panels that they never use. For instance, you may be a retoucher and have no need for the 3D tools so why have them there. Sure you can set up workspaces but the toolbar and panels never change. They show all the tools all the time. Configurator let’s you consolidate your commonly used tools and functions into one convenient panel. Just try it and you will see what I mean. It’s a free download over at Adobe Labs. Here’s the link. Also, RC did a short video on using the Confgurator over at the Layers magazine website. Check it out.

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Visual Selections

November 17th, 2008 | Corey Barker

For those of us that have spent some time in Photoshop know how unhelpful the ‘marching ants’ selection preview is. It is hardly a good representation of the actual selected area. Now if you are selecting a definite area with hard edges, then what you see is what you get. But what if it isn’t? What if you wanted to create and edit a selection visually. Meaning what if you you could see everything the selection covers. Even the soft edges and transparent areas. This is where Quick Mask comes in. Quick Mask is a temporary color representation of your selection. Simply press the ‘Q’ key when using a selection tool. You can use paint brushes and gradients to create selections visually where the colored area can represent either the selected or unselected areas. These type of selections would be impossible with just regular selection tools. The mask itself is, by default, a reddish-orange color. However, by double clicking the Quick Mask icon at the bottom of the toolbar you can modify the mask color and opacity. When done modifying the mask, simply press the ‘Q’ key once more to return to the standard marching ants. Even though the marching ants have a definite edge, the softness of the selection is still maintained.

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More 3D on Layers TV | Bond is Back

November 14th, 2008 | Corey Barker

If you guys are thrilled as much as I am about the new 3D stuff in CS4 then go over and check out the newest episode of Layers TV. This week I play around with 3D and show numerous way you can use it in your work. Even wrapping a video clip around a 3D object. Here’s the link.

Also for you fans of motion graphics and movies. The new James Bond movie Quantum of Solace opens this weekend and I do believe we are in for a treat. However I did cheat a little and found the opening title sequence online. It really is quite impressive with a slight nostalgic feel. Although the song doesn’t thrill me. At any rate, I think this is going to be a good one. If you remember the previous bond movie Casino Royale, also had an impressive title sequence, with a much better song in my opinion.

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Documenting Your Work

November 12th, 2008 | Corey Barker

Did you know you can record every step of your work in Photoshop as a text file or even as Metadata that is attached to the file? In some professions, it is critical to document every step of your work. For instance, things like forensic imaging involve very detailed work and there is a risk of digital evidence being compromised. So documenting every step is crucial. However, there are those that aren’t necessarily working on something that critical. Maybe they want to record their process for reference or perhaps to improve their skills overall. Whatever the case, it’s really quite simple. Go to your Photoshop Preferences into the General category. At the bottom you’ll see the History Log. This allows you to have your History attached to your file as Metadata or as a separate text file. You can even do both. I personally used this sometimes when I am experimenting just in case I do something and don’t quite remember how I did it.

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New 3D Video Tutorial

November 9th, 2008 | Corey Barker

In this week’s video we take a look at using the new 3D features in Photoshop CS4 Extended to create interesting design elements. While some may think that 3D in Photoshop is only the domain of 3D artists, there are a number of features that Photoshop artists may find very useful. Unfortunately, these features are not available in Photoshop CS4 Standard. If you haven’t yet upgraded to CS4 and are not entirely sure whether you want to go with Standard or Extended, give this video a look to see one of the many possibilities with Extended. Here’s the link.

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Layers TV Is The New Must-See TV

November 7th, 2008 | Corey Barker

So if you haven’t been watching Layers TV lately you’ve been missing out. There has been some pretty exciting stuff in the last few episodes. Just recently, Matt Kloskowski of Photoshop TV came in to discuss working with HDR in Photoshop. I also had the privilege of having Dave Cross (also from Photoshop TV) on the show. Dave and I got to discuss some of our favorite new features in new CS4 apps like Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop. Don’t wait! Check these episodes out now. Lots of good stuff and more coming. Here’s the link.

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Photoshop User Awards Call For Entries

November 4th, 2008 | Corey Barker

The Photoshop User awards are back. As of November 1, you can now submit your best Photoshop artwork for a chance to win a trip to Barcelona, Spain. Not only that, but while you are there you will get to shoot an inspiring image that will grace the cover of a future issue of Photoshop User magazine. As mentioned, the call for entries started on November 1,2008. The deadline to turn in your artwork is December 31, 2008. So you do have some time, but don’t wait too long. This is a great opportunity to get your worked noticed and see the world, or part of it. Here’s the link to the official site. Good Luck!!

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New Video Tutorial | Photoshop CS4 for Photographers

November 3rd, 2008 | Corey Barker

Photoshop Senior Product Manager John Nack just recently had a guest post on his blog written by fellow Photoshop Product Manager Bryan O’Neil Hughes. The post basically asks the question, “What’s in Photoshop CS4 for photographers?” So if you are a photographer and haven’t yet come to a decision on whether or not to upgrade, read this post to aid in your decision. Here’s the link.

Also, there is a new video tutorial here on Planet. This week we venture further into creating custom brushes for unique effects. In this case, we will create a bullet hole brush. Again, the beauty of these kinds of effects as brushes is better control and it’s always available in the brush menu. Try the effect as you see, but try and venture further than that and experiment with other combinations. Here’s the link.

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Go and Vote!!

October 29th, 2008 | Corey Barker

No, it’s not the Presidential election quite yet. However today is the start of public voting for the iPhone Photo Contest presented by Kelby Training. Here are the details:

The most popular images will win in five separate categories — family, friends, pets, fine art, and office. Winners in each category receive a $100 iTunes gift card and a copy of The iPhone Book, Second Edition by Scott Kelby and Terry White.

One grand prize image will be selected by Scott Kelby and Terry White giving the winner a $500 Apple Store gift card and a copy of The iPhone Book, Second Edition by Scott Kelby and Terry White.

All winners will be announced on November 3, 2008 on the official contest website.

So check it now now. Even if you did enter. It’s pretty impressive to see what some have done with just a camera phone.

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New Video Tutorial

October 26th, 2008 | Corey Barker

I have posted a brand new video on here on Planet. In this video I cover how you use displacement in a very different way. Displacement usually applies to wrapping a graphic to a particular shape. However, that doesn’t mean it cannot be used to for other interesting things. By using a random texture, you can achieve some interesting graphic effects. Check it out!

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Contests Everywhere

October 24th, 2008 | Corey Barker

Happy Friday out there! First off, today is the final day to submit entries for the iPhone Photo Contest. You can submit up to three photos taken on your iPhone for a chance to win a $500 gift card to the Apple store. You have until 11:59 tonight to submit your pics. Click here for the submit page.

Also, you have one more week to submit entries for the Layers Magazine Back Page Design Contest. This contest is open to anyone 18 and over. Simply go to the site, download the image, and let your creative energy run wild as you design a Flash banner ad using this image. You can add to it anything you like–go crazy, but the supplied image has to be worked in there some way. The grand prize for this contest is an Epson STYLUS PRO 3800. Click here for full details and to download the image.

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Couple Quick Things

October 23rd, 2008 | Corey Barker

First Adobe has posted updates for Camera Raw 5.1 and Lightroom 2.1. These updates include support for a number of new cameras and fixes a few minor bugs in Lightroom that were in the initial release of 2.0. Click here for the update.

Also, speaking of Camera Raw, there is a nice video over at LayersMagazine.com on using graduated filters in Camera Raw. It is in Photoshop CS4, but is just as relevant in CS3. Check it out.

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MAX Is Coming | New Video Tutorial

October 21st, 2008 | Corey Barker

The Adobe Max Conference is coming soon. Yes, this massive event is going to be in San Francisco on November 16-19. That’s pretty much right in Adobe’s back yard. What does that mean? Well it means that there will probably be a lot more Adobe people to network with. Not only that, it’s a great conference. I went to last year’s Max in Chicago and it was awesome. There are numerous courses in design, developing, and business management and you have the chance to network with thousands of people just like you. Find more here. Oh, and San Francisco is an awesome city to visit.

Also there is a new video tutorial here on Planet. This video explores more fun with custom brushes. Once you realize the amazing possibilities with brushes, you can just have a blast coming up with new discoveries. Check it out.

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Where to Learn More

October 20th, 2008 | Corey Barker

I am noticing that a lot of people are really enjoying the tutorials over here at Planet and some are asking where they can learn more. For more in-depth training, go over and check out the Kelby Training site. We offer fully-involved online courses and DVDs, as well as a large selection of books by the best in the biz. There is also information about the Photoshop seminar tour. I attended these seminars a while back and the training is worth its weight in gold. All these training resources are reasonably priced and you get an even greater discount as a NAPP member.

Another good site for free training is LayersMagazine.com. There are not just Photoshop tutorials, but videos on the other Adobe apps as well. However, in my experience, the training can only get you so far. The very best thing to do is experiment and make your own discoveries. Check these out and happy learning!!!

GO RAYS!!!!

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New Design Effects Course at Kelby Training

October 16th, 2008 | Corey Barker

I am excited to announce my newest course over at Kelby Online Training: Design Effects with Photoshop CS4. This course is for artists, graphic designers, and even photographers who may want to do a little more with their photos. It is jam-packed with techniques on creating some of the most popular effects around. The cool part is that this course is non-version specific. Which means that even though some lessons utilize new features in CS4, they will still work in earlier versions.

Also, check out my other new course: Photoshop CS4 for Beginners. This course not only covers the basic components of Photoshop CS4, but also covers practical techniques that will have you correcting and retouching your images in no time at all. Check them out here.

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