Quick Tips Tuesday

Hey gang,
Thought I would share with you some quick Photoshop tips for today. It just seems to me that you can never have too many tricks in your arsenal to make you faster and perhaps more creative. Enjoy!

Tip 1: Duplicate Multiple Layers
You can duplicate multiple layers in the layers panel by selecting all the layers you want to duplicate, then hold down the Option key (PC:Alt) while you click and drag the layers up or down depending on whether you want the new layers to be above or below the current layers. Once you see the double-arrow icon, release the mouse and there you have it.

Tip 2: Snap To Edges
You ever have a selection near the edge of your document and when you try to adjust the selection the edge always snaps to the edge of the document or another object. While the snapping feature comes in handy most other times, here it can be quite annoying, However, instead of turning this feature on and off from the View menu you can just hold down the Control key while adjusting the selection near the edge to temporarily disable the snap feature. Then just release the Control key to re-enable it.

Tip 3: Color Labels for Layers
This is one of those features that you will just never know is there until someone shows you. Managing a multiple layered document in Photoshop can get quite frustrating. Especially you have a file with tens or even hundreds of layers. Sorting through all of that can be quite challenging. Sure naming the layers will help but it will still can be confusing. You can apply color labels to your layers to make groups much easier to see and manage. Simply right-click in the eyeball toggle section of the layer and choose a color label from the menu. Now you can quickly identify the layers you are looking for.

October 19th, 2010 | Corey Barker | Blog | Comments (12)

NAPP News for All

Well last Friday I had mentioned the image of the week that the NAPP Executive Director Larry Becker has the pleasure of selecting every week but there is also something else Larry does every week that you will no doubt be in to. I am talking about NAPP News. This is a weekly show Larry produces every week and it brings you all the latest news of what’s going with NAPP and related things. Once a member exclusive, NAPP news is now available to everyone right over at the Kelby TV site. New episodes are posted every Monday so you can get your week started in the know. At lest where NAPP is concerned. Definitely bookmark worthy for anyone in the industry but especially those of you who are NAPP members. You can access this news show by clicking here or it is accessible right within the NAPP member home page.

October 18th, 2010 | Corey Barker | Blog | Comments (0)

TGIF New Bits…

Image of the Week Posted
Hi folks. It is Friday so I have just a few little bits for you today. Be sure to check out the newest image of the week over at the NAPP portfolio page. This week we recognize David Rogers for this beautifully shot image shown here. We also congratulate Mike Calascibetta, Jim Painter, Michael Baxter, Darlene Winter, Robert McFarland, and Gene Lowinger whose image were also selected as this week’s Editor’s Choice. Great work everyone and keep it up. If you are a NAPP member, be sure to set up your own portfolio page. You never know who is looking.

Live Webcast Postponed
Also in the news, the live webcast that was scheduled for today has been rescheduled for next Friday, October 22 at 12:00 PM EST. We are adding some great giveaways for the show so make sure you tune in then. I will have the live link posted here once it is active.

Keep Up-To-Date on Facebook
Want to constantly stay in tune with everything NAPP is doing? Then go an become a fan of the NAPP on Facebook. This fan page is constantly updated with news, events, tips, or anything that is worth knowing in the NAPP world. Go on, do it! Here’s the link.

October 15th, 2010 | Corey Barker | Blog | Comments (3)

Defining A Shape in Photoshop

Often times we find ourselves working in other applications that have certain features that other apps don’t necessarily have, or maybe they do but just not nearly as good. For instance, in Illustrator there is a remarkable collection of preset shapes that are part of the Symbols library. A lot of these shapes are really cool but I am sometimes thinking I can do more with them in a program like Photoshop rather than Illustrator. Now I am not suggesting we abandon Illustrator as it has numerous functions that I used all the time. I just want some the cool shape to live inside my Photoshop. This goes with any vector based graphics. Not just ones that come from Illustrator.

Once you have the file selected in Illustrator go ahead and copy it to the clipboard. Then go to Photoshop and create a new document. Photoshop will remember the dimensions of the copied graphic and apply to the new image file. Once the file is created, go under the Edit menu and choose Paste. It will then ask you how you want to paste the graphic. Choose Path and click OK.

With it still selected, right-click directly on the shape and choose Define Custom Shape from the menu. You will then be prompted to give the shape a name. When done, click OK. Now to access the new shape just select the Custom Shape tool in the toolbar. Then click on the Shape menu icon in the options bar. The new shape will be the last shape in the menu. Now you can use the shape anytime without having to go get it from Illustrator or wherever again. You can even quit Photoshop and relaunch and the shapes will still be there. It comes in handy if you find yourself always adding a logo to signature to your images. You can define the logo as a custom shape, then use them whenever you need them.

October 14th, 2010 | Corey Barker | Blog | Comments (6)

New Video from Larry Becker

NAPP Executive Director Larry Becker brings us another exclusive video to the Planet. This time Larry shares some tips on doing some photo retouching using dodge and burn. Click here to view now.

Also remember to check out Larry’s newest blog Cheap Shots. It’s a great resource for the novice photographer or someone who finds themselves under a tight budget, Larry provides some great solutions.

October 14th, 2010 | Corey Barker | Blog | Comments (0)

Join the fun at Adobe MAX 2010!

In less than a couple weeks I will be headed to Los Angeles to teach a few sessions at the Adobe MAX 2010 conference at the Los Angeles convention center. The event runs from October 23 to the 27th and is jam packed with sessions covering everything Adobe. I have a class on creating really cool jaw-dropping effects in Photoshop and I also have a hands-on lab on 3D in Photoshop CS5 Extended. This event is always loaded with surprises. In fact, last year during the keynote there was a special appearance by Mark Hamill. That’s right! Luke Skywalker himself was there. They also presented a 15 minute preview of James Cameron’s Avatar. With the event being held so close to Hollywood I guess anything can happen. Can’t wait to see what is in store this time around. I am also excited that my friend Russell Brown from Adobe will be there teaching some cool stuff as well. I may even pop into his class and show some more 3D stuff, who knows. CLick here to learn more about Max and what you can expect from an event such as this. If you are attending I will see you in LA!

October 13th, 2010 | Corey Barker | Blog | Comments (0)

New Video Tutorials

Hey gang, we have a few video tutorial updates I just want to make sure you are aware of. First we have an all-new tutorial right here on Planet. I show you how to make a 2D logo and make it 3D with some cool reflective effects. Click here to see. Also you NAPP members will want to check out the newest video tutorials over at the NAPP member home page. This week we have a cool tip form Matt Kloskowski on doing lens correction for wide angled photos and I have a really clever technique for using custom brushes in a very interesting way in Photoshop. If you not a NAPP member, click here for more info.

Speaking of cool videos, have you checked out KelbyTV.com? This site is the place for the best podcasts on anything that has to do with Adobe products and photography. It is the home of the highly-rated Photoshop User TV, and other popular shows such as Layers TV, NAPP News, Ask Dave, D-Town, Larry Becker’s Cheap Shots, and Photoshop Lightroom Killer Tips. Best part, they are all free. This a site you definitely want to bookmark.

October 12th, 2010 | Corey Barker | Blog | Comments (3)

Worth-A-Peek: Art of the Title Sequence

I recently discovered a site that is really quite interesting. It is called The Art of the Title Sequence and is a blog style site that features interviews and clips from some of the coolest title sequences form movies and television. This site is especially inspiring if you dabble in motion graphics. I am often inspired by numerous title effects I see in trailers, commercials, or web but there has never been a place where you can see what was involved and the process the designers went through to create them. They don’t post very often but when they do it’s always something really interesting. Not only new title sequences but they will often talk about stuff from way back when, giving you an interesting perspective of how things were done with limited technology and how it has evolved into it’s very own art form today. Definitely worth a quick peek. Click here to see more.

October 11th, 2010 | Corey Barker | Blog | Comments (0)

Friday News Bits…

Happy Friday everyone! Got a couple few little news bits for you today. First, of course, today is the day NAPP Executive Director Larry Becker reveals the NAPP Member image of the week. This week we recognize Markus von Luecken for his remarkable image an airplane shadow over an empty parking lot (Pictured here). This is a really cool shot and I cannot help to wonder how he actually got this shot. I guess that is part of it’s appeal. Anyway, good job Markus! Not to mention the other photographer who received Editor’s choice recognition for their amazing work. Congrats to Bruce Becker, ThatsANicePicture, West Gates, Sarah Smith, Mike Calascibetta, and Annette Pendlebury. Click here to see these image now.

Speaking of Larry, he has just launched a brand new blog called Larry’s Becker’s Cheap Shots. If you are just starting out with photography or perhaps just need tips for being on a modest budget, this podcast is for you. Based on his popular segment from D-Town, Larry will bring you inexpensive solutions for getting the best images possible without breaking the bank. He will have blog entries and videos on shooting techniques, lighting, photo gear, and so much more. The site is live now so click here to check it out.

Also don’t forget, Larry and I will be hosting the next NAPP Live Webcast one week from today. I will be bringing a bunch of cool tips and tricks and will also be answering questions along the way. It promises to be a lot of fun so we hop you will join us. I will have a link posted here as soon as it is live. See you then!

October 8th, 2010 | Corey Barker | Blog | Comments (4)

Live Webcast with Corey Barker!

Mark your calendars everyone! Next Friday, Oct. 15th at NOON (Eastern) I will be presenting this month’s NAPP Member LIVE Training event, which will be open to the public! I will be sharing some cool tips and tricks and perhaps a few surprises along the way. However, I will not be covering any 3D in Photoshop this time around but if you have a burning question, I might be able to squeeze it in. I hope you come and join us for an hour of Photoshop fun. Remember, this event is open to everyone so don’t miss out. I will have a link for you as soon as it is live so stay tuned. There will be a replay of the event only for NAPP members and only NAPP members can submit questions early.

October 7th, 2010 | Corey Barker | Blog | Comments (8)