Archive for December, 2008
An Overview of Adobe Photoshop CS4
December 31st, 2008
It appears that Adobe products are getting better and better. CS3 brought us new features such as non-destructive smart filters, quick selection, 3D compositing, enhanced RAW image processing and HDR support.
Adobe’s new software, Creative Suite 4, is intended to meet special challenges such as effective collaborations between designers and developers, embracing new media, reinventing publishing and embracing the explosion of connected media. Chad Seigel, Group Manager for Creative Suite has been quoted as saying, “Adobe is trying to break barriers and integrate all products.”
Changes to Photoshop CS4 include an improved interface with the entire application enclosed in the frame which means dual monitor users can have more than one application running. The workspace switcher is for swapping between applications such as Camera RAW 5 and Bridge.
Other welcome enhancements include zoom ratio which is less likely to show jagged or pixelated lines and also possesses a flicker free zoom. Now you can rotate the canvas without jagged lines and the brush size can be previewed directly on the document. Now when the tool is placed over the image it can be moved in size and you can preview it before you use it.
Another tool that has been improved is the Dodge/Burn tool, now when you’re adjusting the shadows, midtones or highlights the tool won’t impose on the other two. When adjusting the saturation on the sponge tool it won’t move out of acceptable gamma.
Adjustment now has its own dedicated window that includes all the tools found in the area such as levels, curves, brightness/contrast and exposure. Another change is the preview window which is now in the tab instead of a new window that overlaps the image. Because of this change your picture can be viewed in its entirety and as an added bonus tools such as curves can be adjusted directly on the image for localized amendments.
The icons have been simplified for well-organized use; now you can see what you need to use much faster than before.
Another part of the CS3 features that has been improved is the clone tool. When your area is selected by stamping on it, a preview of the selected area will show on your brush. Therefore, if you’re cloning small detail items or subjects such as bricks you can now line them up easier.
The clone tool is another part of the previous features that has been improved. When you have selected your area by stamping on it, a preview of the selected area will show on your brush. Therefore, if you’re cloning small detail items or subjects such as bricks you can now line them up easier.
One of the more amazing features is a content aware cropping facility. It works by first masking the areas you wish to retain in the picture. The image can then be resized and the parts that are protected won’t be cropped into. The program will start to remove areas in between which is an amazing feature to see and use.
An improved blend layer mode has been added and is great for procedures such as focus stacking. The program automatically adjusts the exposure and color so there’s no need to mess about first.
The images must be loaded in as layers and highlighted. Once you have done that click on Edit>Auto blend layers and the images will be composited together. The process can take some time so be patient.
This process can also be useful if you want to create HDR images if you prefer the ones without the ethereal effect that most systems produce.
Photoshop Product Manager, Bryan Hughes, is quite adamant that this isn’t a HDR tool as it doesn’t give a full high dynamic range in all areas so the familiar ethereal look of a HDR image is absent. He added that if need be it could be described as a clipped version of HDR.
Photoshop CS4 Extended features support for 3D. Two dimensional images can be changed to 3D by giving them x, y and z co-ordinates and these images can then be wrapped around imported 3D images. Photoshop CS4 works in conjunction with Google 3D warehouse where you can import thousands of 3D images. Merging a 2D image onto a 3D image is simple since the only command you need use is the Merge button. The 2D layer acquires all the 3D attributes such as decay detail, color and reflections. The 3D image can be manipulated as well and you can also enjoy features such as creating cut-outs, adding detail or changing colors to the interior of the cut-out.
As an added bonus, a feature has been added for help with people who are color blind. Colors in Photoshop CS4 can now be adjusted for true color blindness.
One feature missing in CS4 is the quick tools from the image window bar. When you’ve opened an image, right clicking on the header bar has brought up five options of duplicate, image size, canvas size, file info for metadata and page set up. I often used these, especially file info, and to find it’s not there has added time to my workflow.
Regardless, at the press release for Photoshop CS4 I was incredibly excited when I saw the new features. The newest features including auto blend and content aware cropping are amazing. I also enjoy using the localized adjustments on Lightroom 2 so it’ll be really beneficial on Photoshop CS4.
Look at the noted upgrades box and see if you’ll use all those extra features. Add to that the efficient zooming and 89 percent less drag on the mouse making it move across the screen faster.
Bear in mind that the list is for the Extended version which supports the 3D applications. If you don’t need those then don’t bother with Extended but as far as I’m concerned this new version is the best one yet.
Tags: Photography, dating, Humanities, Advice
Tags: adobe photoshop, editing photos using photoshop, get photoshop, hobbies, internet, learn photoshop fast, learn photoshop now, learning photoshop, photo shop, Photography, photogrpahy, photoshop, photoshop guide, photoshop tutorials, software help
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Dating Success — 5 Top Tips
December 31st, 2008
What is dating success? I’ve been asking myself that question because I’ve recently devised a programme around dating and wondered how many answers there might be. For instance, does it mean you find the person of your dreams, get married and live happily ever after? Does it mean your date would make a great friend but not lover, or does it mean they’d be perfect for your mate? When I asked a married friend of mine, he said “Dating success? My wife not finding out!” He quickly added he was joking and said that if he was dating again it would be an enjoyable evening with a person knowing that he’d really like to see them again.
Maybe negotiating your way through internet dating and speed dating could be called a success in itself - that’s really putting yourself out there! I know people do find the person they’re looking for using both, but I’ve also heard many tales of disappointment and feelings of rejection from friends too.
Whatever dating success means to you, here are 5 tips worth remembering when you’re dating.
1. Be sure you remember what success means to you when you go out with someone - have an outcome for the evening.
2. If you want to meet someone who makes you laugh, don’t get side-tracked by the fab looking person you’ve just met with no sense of humour at all.
3. If it’s really important to you that the person shares a hobby or pastime, for instance reading, and their favourite read is OK and Hello, ask yourself if that matches what you’re looking for.
4. If you absolutely loathe speed dating, for instance, ask yourself if this is really worth putting yourself through and think about what would be the ideal way for you to meet someone.
5. Work on your confidence so you can cope with the ups and downs of dating.
Tags: Movies, Humor, Music, Arts
Tags: Dating
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IT Training Providers
December 31st, 2008
If you’re searching for IT training providers, it’s logical that you are looking for some options of who to train with. So let’s put in writing a few statements to check we’re on the same wavelength, and then look at the choices available:
* You’re interested in studying to get a job.
* You’d like to develop a skill set that will enable you to do well, and not be stressed out due to gaps in your understanding.
* You appreciate that the qualifications you get must be able to get you short-listed for interview.
* Ideally you would like a provider who can offer you the right advice, quality training, decent support, and whose charges are reasonable.
So where should you start? Assuming you’re looking to maximise your employability factor, it’s probably best to ignore Universities for this market sector. This may be questionable news for you to hear, but let me explain. Degrees tend to be too academic and not specific enough for today’s IT jobs. You can prove this statement yourself, just look at any of the Jobsites and you’ll see that the majority of employers are looking for commercial qualifications.
So how do I get commercial qualifications? There are two ways historically:
The first is Boot Camps. These are massively intensive 10 to 14 week training sessions that are designed to get you a qualification quickly. If you’re sharp and good at learning, they will.
However, employers tend to view Boot Camp students as lesser mortals! This is because in the past they’ve found students from this form of training haven’t enough understanding of their subject to handle the cross section of challenges in the work place.
Most of your classmates on these types of courses are experienced IT professionals who use them to upgrade their skills, so they’re already starting with a good understanding of the subject.
Your other option has typically been the Distance Learning College, using study books and reference manuals and occasional trips to a classroom. It is possible to be successful on these courses, but you’ll need steely drive and commitment. It’s a fact most of these colleges couldn’t make a profit if large numbers of their students didn’t drop out on the way, so just imagine how good their support will be.
What To Look For In IT Training Providers…
Make sure you see their training materials, and decide for yourself whether you can learn from them. If you’re given some excuse why you can’t be shown them, think if it’s wise to train with them?
Find out exactly how their support works. You’ll need access to tutors at the times you intend to study, not a message system for a call back later in office hours, so please check.
Be carful of companies who include exam fees in the price up-front. These exams may be spread over the next two years, so why pay interest on the money? This is not in your interest. The only benefit is to the company, as you won’t get it back if you don’t take them all!
If this insight into IT training is leaving you feeling a little flat, we now have a refreshing alternative. Cutting-edge interactive learning has come of age, and can deliver state-of-the-art training to more than match the traditional colleges. There are now companies that have paired this with genuine 27/7 support, and created the ultimate IT training package.
Tags: dating, Arts and Entertainment, General, Humor
Tags: Advice, computer, computer training, computer;internet, Computers, education, internet, online, reference, self improvement, training, Uncategorized, web
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