Just got Photoshop

[Logo-Mechanix]

Hey all, I just got Photoshop and was wondering if anyone had any good links in the forum or anywhere else that might get me rolling. I know Illustrator and Corel and have been involved in graphics for about 12 years.

[colonel5]

check out http://www.photoshoptv.com

these guys have an awesome tv podcast with sweet tips and tutorials

[Logo-Mechanix]

Thanks Colonol I will definitely check that out. I also found some pretty cool tips on graphics.com through the forum. Tyger also had some pretty good tips the other day in a thread.

[morea]

I've used http://www.photoshopsupport.com and http://www.planetphotoshop.com

Also check out http://www.photoshopuser.com/ and the podcast at http://attentionphotoshoppers.libsyn.com/

[Logo-Mechanix]

Thanks Morea, I will check those out as well. There seems to be some pretty cool techniques on graphics.com, the one turning the little girl into something from dawn of the dead was really cool.

[Patrick Shannon]

If you wanna become a paid member, Lynda.com has awesome video on demand tutorials for many, many design programs.

[D-Frag]

Go buy a book called "Photoshop CS: Down and Dirty Tricks" its written by Scott Kelby. Its filled with all sorts of fun stuff to do in PS, and on every page on the sidebar are tips, tricks and usefull shortcuts that come in handy.

Pretty much any of his books on PS are a must have. Good luck!

[Logo-Mechanix]

Thanks guys, I am definitely going to check out that book D-Frag, I am kind of old school that way I like to have books on things like this I find it easier with a book sometimes.

[Jason Fraker]

Good call, Patrick. I had never checked out the subscription portion of Lynda.com. Great stuff!

[Navian]

Here is another Photoshop book: [Photoshop CS2 for Windows and Macintosh : Visual QuickStart Guide] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/0321336550/ref=cm_cr_dp_pt/102-7428818-3415366?%5Fencoding=UTF8&n=283155&s=books)

I use it in school. It helps alot, and its a good reference.

[Logo-Mechanix]

Thanks Navian, I am definitely a book reader, sometimes more so than surfing the net. I will probobly pick up that book and the one D-Frag mentioned.

[Mynock]

I have How to Cheat in Photoshop by Steve Caplin ISBN 0240519531
He's pretty smart he doesn't have all the toolbars in there and what not.

[Navian]

BTW you can get the same book I posted for: Quark, InDesign, and Illustrator. I think they might also have it for all of the rest of CS software and maybe others.

[Mynock]

Hey all, I just got LightBulb and was wondering if anyone had any good links in the forum or anywhere else that might get me rolling. I know ArcLamps and Candles and have been involved in lighting for about 12 years.
:P Welcome to the Photoshop club, prepare to be overwhelmed. I'm still overwhelmed and I've been on it since 5.5, and I'm just a pup.

[Tyger]

Go buy a book called "Photoshop CS: Down and Dirty Tricks" its written by Scott Kelby. Its filled with all sorts of fun stuff to do in PS, and on every page on the sidebar are tips, tricks and usefull shortcuts that come in handy.

Pretty much any of his books on PS are a must have. Good luck!


Yup I second Scott Kelby Books, very real world oriented, very detailed explanations...with pics! wooohoo!

[rockem]

youve been dealing with graphic s for 12 years and just got photoshop???

lynda.com is about the best I have seen for tutorials, some are pay but well worth it

[Logo-Mechanix]

youve been dealing with graphic s for 12 years and just got photoshop???

lynda.com is about the best I have seen for tutorials, some are pay but well worth it

Hey pal photoshop is like $700.00 dollars so if a place you work at doesn't use it and not everyone does and you don't have that kind of dough layin around you don't learn the damn thing. Besides I am mostly self taught on all the programs I do know, except for what I learned from some of the amazing people I have worked along side. So WTF keep your snide comments to yourself its not appreciated. Thanks for the tips guys I am going to pick up some books this weekend and spend some time on the internet checking out the sites everyone suggested.

[Navian]

Hey Logo,

Photoshop is fun, only thing I wish you could do, is zoom in on the bleeding edge of the image, when you zoom in, it doesnt let you pan (scroll) over past the edge of the image, it forces it to the image window. Kinda sucked, was working on a catalog project for school last night, and I discovered that. It bugged the hell out of me, because once I created the PDF's (which you can scroll past the edge of the image), it showed the image wasnt centered to fit inside the canvas size. I'm still learnin too :). I thought I'd have problems with it, but now its sooo fun to use. Once you get the hang of it, photoshop is an addicting and a powerfull tool (program).

---

Hey Rockem,

Just remember that all software are tools, and they are not always used for anything and everything. But some people dont realize that and use the wrong software for certain situations even though they "can do it".

I'd wish that everyone and anyone who did/attempted to design or even "doodle" with the major software, would understand and remember that: Photoshop is for raster images, Illustrator is for vector images, Quark/Indesign is for layout designs (books, brochures, ect..). Making logos in photoshop may be possible, but just remember that when you increase the size of the logo, the more distorted it gets and the crappier it looks (business card to billboard or exterior building walls), that is why logo's are best designed in Illustrator, they are easily controlled by the vectors.

my $2/100

[Logo-Mechanix]

Yeah, Navian I have only had the program for about 2 weeks and I am liking it already I folowed a tutorial I found on graphics.com on a Dawn of the Dead type effect and used last night on picture of my 2 year old niece and man was I able to make her look wicked, I don't think I will show my brother though. I know I am behind the curve a little on learning this program, but I also believe you never stop learning until you stop breathing and than who knows. I am kind of teaching myself so I really appreciate all the help pointing me in the right direction incidently most of my jobs to this point have been in prepress (mostly 2 color and die cuts) and signs and most of these places use vector programs.

[Navian]

Photoshop can be wickend (pun for your pic, lol) fun. You could give that photo to him for halloween :p

I can teach/tutor others, but when it comes to myself I tend to be stubborn and I get frustrated in picking it up, but when others teach/show me "how to" it becomes easier.

Post the pic, lol I wanna see! I'll be posting some of my work this weekend (hopefully).

[Logo-Mechanix]

LOL, I am just the the opposite, I have a hard time teaching others but I am a pretty quick learner either on my own or learning from someone else. Its funny because I don't feel that overwhelmed by the program I feel like I can handle the basics such as where things are and how they work but it will definitely take me a while to become proficient at it. Even the programs I know I still find myself learning little things all the time. I am definitely going to post the pic, probobly tommorow, keep your eye out and let me know what you think.

[Navian]

keep your eye out and let me know what you think.

Well I might need that eye. But since you insisted.

I'll keep an eye out! :p
http://www.webtoppublishing.com/images/animated/162.GIF

[Eraser Nubbin]

Hey Logo - all i can say is learn the shortcuts, the quicker you can wrangle the one handed keyboard the better.

[Logo-Mechanix]

I hear that Erase I am big on short cuts they save alot of time. LoL Navian, that made me laugh don't worry you can still do GD with only one eye.

[Navian]

That made me laugh don't worry you can still do GD with only one eye.

Yeah you could do GD with one eye, but I wouldn't recommend it. BUT maybe that is why alot of people who use that "Font-that-must-not-be-named" all of the time. They are either: blind or missing one eye.

Nothing lines up in there designs; the white space, picture boxes, and text alignments never match or line up. Maybe that works with grunge art too?

When someone says, "Hey you have an eye for GD!" Just dont be offended if you only have one eye. They'd say that because you have "an eye".

[rockem]

Hey pal photoshop is like $700.00 dollars so if a place you work at doesn't use it and not everyone does and you don't have that kind of dough layin around you don't learn the damn thing. Besides I am mostly self taught on all the programs I do know, except for what I learned from some of the amazing people I have worked along side. So WTF keep your snide comments to yourself its not appreciated. Thanks for the tips guys I am going to pick up some books this weekend and spend some time on the internet checking out the sites everyone suggested.

not being snide at all just really surprised me, if its for work its a write off anyways, I have never heard of a designer that doesnt have phtoshop or some raster editing software. I mean elements is like 100 bucks and gets ya started atleast. I just never heard of a designer being in the biz for 12 years and have no need for a raster program.

[rockem]

Hey Logo,

Photoshop is fun, only thing I wish you could do, is zoom in on the bleeding edge of the image, when you zoom in, it doesnt let you pan (scroll) over past the edge of the image, it forces it to the image window. Kinda sucked, was working on a catalog project for school last night, and I discovered that. It bugged the hell out of me, because once I created the PDF's (which you can scroll past the edge of the image), it showed the image wasnt centered to fit inside the canvas size. I'm still learnin too :). I thought I'd have problems with it, but now its sooo fun to use. Once you get the hang of it, photoshop is an addicting and a powerfull tool (program).

---

Hey Rockem,

Just remember that all software are tools, and they are not always used for anything and everything. But some people dont realize that and use the wrong software for certain situations even though they "can do it".

I'd wish that everyone and anyone who did/attempted to design or even "doodle" with the major software, would understand and remember that: Photoshop is for raster images, Illustrator is for vector images, Quark/Indesign is for layout designs (books, brochures, ect..). Making logos in photoshop may be possible, but just remember that when you increase the size of the logo, the more distorted it gets and the crappier it looks (business card to billboard or exterior building walls), that is why logo's are best designed in Illustrator, they are easily controlled by the vectors.

my $2/100

90 percent of the people I see that just play with the software or doodle with it are not designers, they are just playing with it and maybe call themselves designers. Not trying to piss anyone off just staing what I experience and see.

[Logo-Mechanix]

Rock, I admit it is surprising because it is a widely used program in the industry. I only sarted my own serious freelance business within the last year so writing it off before than was not an option. C'mon you know how most small companies are, they don't spend on what you want they spend on what they think you want. I have utter confidence I will learn the program since I don't plan on expiring any time soon, I figure I will have the time.