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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.
• Depth Of Field Generator PRO Brings The Subject Into Focus
The Depth of Field (DoF) Generator PRO is a Photoshop compatible plugin capable of delivering high quality, sophisticated Depth of Field and 'Bokeh' effects quickly and efficiently as a post process. The plugin comes from an R&D programming collaboration between Richard Rosenman and Martin Vicanek.
The term 'Bokeh', which literally means 'blurring' in Japanese, has been introduced into the film, photography and computer graphics industries to describe the out-of-focus blur characteristics. It is determined mainly by the shape of the camera lens and can be seen best on out-of-focus highlights which assume the shape of the lens aperture.
The photo gallery on the DoF site shows clearly that this a very powerful plugin and one that will surely benefit digital photographers. To get a better grasp of the plugin we contacted Martin Vicanek, who is one of the developers, and asked him a few questions.
Q: What makes this better than Photoshop's Lens Blur Filter?
A: Depth of Field Generator PRO has many extra features like various built-in depth models as alternatives to a user-supplied depth map. There are facilities to edit and preview depth maps and focus settings. There are highlights processing features, selective preview options, as well as a tint function. Another important differentiator is edges management, a facility to eliminate artefacts stemming from antialiased depth maps. Depth of Field Generator PRO can also be used with older PS versions (or with other host applications) where LensBlur is not available.
Q: Can you tell us a little about the development of the plugin?
A: We use Filtermeister as a platform. It is an actively maintained tool which facilitates development of Photoshop compatible plugins. Depth of Field Generator PRO is an international project.
Q: What kind of learning curve should a user expect?
A: Comparable to LensBlur, I would say. It really depends on the user's background. We had comments from users who found it quite intuitive to use.
Q: Does the plugin come with online help, a manual, and tutorials?
A: Online help is available, and there is also a manual in electronic form. We are planning to write up a tutorial in the near future.
Q: Do you anticipate regular upgrades on this product?
A: At the moment I am already adding features to Depth of Field Generator PRO which will be available with the next release.
Q: Do you have any other plugins in development?
A: Richard Rosenman and I have currently 3 other plugins which we offer for free: Vignette Corrector, Pinocchio, and Color Replacer. You can get them along with Richard's many other plugins (both free and commercial) at Richard's site.
For more info, read the Depth of Field Generator PRO press release.
To purchase, visit the DoF Generator PRO site.
View the CG Gallery Samples.
View the Photo Gallery Samples.
• Make Beautiful Images With Flowers And A Scanner
From LifeHacker: "Cottage Living writes up how to create gorgeous original botanic images with a home scanner, a transparency and a flower. Could be a nice way to email Mom some fresh digital flowers this Sunday."
Here is the intro from Cottage Living: "Most people think of a flatbed scanner as nothing more than a copier, but place a few flowers on the platen glass and it transforms their shapes and colors into stunning botanical studies. Even a basic scanner is able to capture the velvet-like texture of a rose petal or the jagged edges of a fern."
Very easy. Very sweet.
• 3 New Photoshop Tutorials Available At Lunacore
Lunacore has added 3 more Photoshop tutorials:
Intersecting Rings - A detailed tutorial that shows you some techniques that deal with paths, how to combine them and what kind of problems you can expect when we're trying to design intersecting rings that pass under and over each other.
Car Name In Chrome - An easy to understand tutorial with many details, screenshots and tips in which we create a car brand name in chrome on a painted background.
Non-Destructive Editing - A very extensive tutorial that covers many different non-destructive techniques using numerous examples.
• Use Special Names When Saving Digital Photos
From Graphics.com: "Keeping track of file formats and options is imperative when saving digital photos with Photoshop and Elements, as demonstrated by Ken Milburn in Use Special Names When Saving Digital Photos."
Adapted from the book Digital Photography: Expert Techniques.
Photoshop CS3 Upgrade Options And Bundles From The Adobe Store
Photoshop CS3 Extended is ideal for film, video, and multimedia pros and for graphic and web designers using 3D and motion. Get the full version for US $999, or upgrade for US $349. The standard version of Photoshop CS3 is available for US $649, or as an upgrade for US $199. See all upgrade options at the Adobe Store. See our CS3 Resource Center for free Photoshop CS3 tutorials.
Photoshop Extended is also available as part of Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium, which combines all-new CS3 versions of Photoshop, Flash Pro, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, InDesign and Acrobat 8 Pro. Upgrade options for customers in Europe, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Asia can be found at the Adobe International Store.
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Available At The Adobe Store
There are tons of new features in Adobe Lightroom 1.0 that you won't find in the beta version. From Clone and Healing functionality to metadata browsing, you'll be able to free-up post-processing time like never before. Get it now at the Adobe Store. Customers in Europe, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Asia can find special pricing and offers at the Adobe International Store. For free Lightroom tutorials see our Lightroom tutorials page.
Special Offer - Fluid Mask - Photoshop Masking Plugin
Fluid Mask is based on breakthrough segmentation technology inspired by the way the eye, optic nerve and brain perform visual processing. When an image is loaded, Fluid Mask's segmentation engine analyses the distribution of colors, finding the natural groups within the image. Together with information calculated about edges, gradients and textures, a model is constructed which divides the images into objects.
Vertus Software is offering Fluid Mask at the special 'friends and partner' discounted rate. This is an exclusive offer to visitors of PhotoshopSupport.com. To qualify, visit the Fluid Mask Discount Price page. Find out more about Fluid Mask on our special Fluid Mask Page.
Alien Skin Software - Photoshop Plugins - Special 10% & 20% Discounts On All Alien Skin Photoshop Plugins
Our friends at Alien Skin Software have set us up with an exclusive special offer discount link that will give you some sweet savings at their online store.
Just follow this link and you'll see 10% and 20% price drops on their products when you get to the Alien Skin Online Store area (excludes the Eye Candy Bundle, which is already discounted at $199). This special offer includes a discount on Eye Candy: Textures, Eye Candy: Nature, Eye Candy: Impact, Exposure, Blow Up, and their latest release Snap Art.
Snap Art – $149 – our price $129
Blow Up – $199 – our price $179
Exposure – $199 – our price $179
Eye Candy 5: Impact – $99 – our price $79
Eye Candy 5: Nature – $99 – our price $79
Eye Candy 5: Textures – $99 – our price $79
SiteGrinder Photoshop Plugin - Create Websites Instantly
There often seems to be a strict division of labor within the world of web design and development. Creative professionals tend to stick to the Photoshop domain, while those well-versed in scripting are left to the task of implementing their work. Indeed, the two realms are quite different from each other, to which any of us even vaguely familiar with either can easily attest.
Essentially, Photoshop is a no-holds-barred design studio, offering the artist a seemingly endless array of creative options. On the other hand, HTML, CSS, Java and the like follow strict rules of engagement, requiring the developer to take any number of esoteric concerns into consideration in order to ensure that designs are properly displayed on the web.
Turn Photoshop Into A Complete Web Design Tool
SiteGrinder seeks to bridge this gap between design and development. Basically, this program turns Photoshop into an easy-to-use and fully functional web design tool. With SiteGrinder, designers will now have the freedom to totally let their creativity loose and then, without skipping a beat, transfer their designs to the web. Bringing esthetic concerns together with more practical considerations, this program is an amazingly powerful tool that would make a fantastic addition to any web designer's bag of tricks.
Generate Your Web Pages Directly From Photoshop
By generating web pages directly from Photoshop, you'll be able to spend much more time on the creative end of the spectrum, since you'll know right off the bat how well particular designs will translate to the web. No more going back to the Photoshop drawing board after getting a phone call from your development team, telling you that what you had envisioned doesn't have a chance of being displayed on the web. You can immediately visually and interactively test your designs, which permits you to then make changes to either esthetics or functions while it's still relatively early on in the design process.
Pricing and Availability
Mac OS X and Windows versions of the SiteGrinder unlockable demo are available now via download. SiteGrinder can be ordered from Media Lab's online store.
Photoshop CS3 Book - CS3 Essential Skills - By Mark Galer And Philip Andrews
Brimming with beautiful pictures, Photoshop CS3 Essential Skills guides you through a project-based, progressive curriculum so that you can build all the essential skills to enhance photographs creatively and professionally with Photoshop CS3. If you are an aspiring professional, enthusiastic amateur photographer, or a student learning photography, digital imaging, art and design, or design graphics, you'll be amazed at the stunning results you can achieve. A DVD is included free.
The Essential Skills Photography Series from Focal Press uniquely offers a structured learning experience for photographers of all ages, with both the underlying theory and loads of invaluable 'how to' and real-life practice projects - all from the most talented photography practitioners/educators in the world.
Read 2 free sample chapters:
Adjusting Exposure in Adobe Camera Raw CS3
Photoshop CS3 Tutorial High Dynamic Range
Special book offer - save 24%
Photoshop CS3: Essential Skills (Amazon.com - $28.08 - save 24%)
Photoshop CS2 Book - Photoshop CS2: Essential Skills - By Mark Galer And Philip Andrews
An inspirational and user-friendly guide to creative image editing, Photoshop CS2: Essential Skills provides direction for photographers and designers alike who have ventured into the realm of the 'digital darkroom.' The book offers a progressive curriculum to guide you through Photoshop with a series of clear, step-by-step projects designed to place knowledge into a practical context.
Whether you simply want to retouch an image, create a glamour makeover or create a highly sophisticated montage - this book will give you the essential skills to complete the work to a professional standard.
Read 2 free sample chapters:
How To Sharpen An Image In Photoshop — Advanced Sharpening Techniques
Working With Shadows In Photoshop - Advanced Shadow Techniques
Special book offer - save 37%
Photoshop CS2: Essential Skills (Amazon.com - $20.76 - save 37%)
Exclusive 20% Discount On Select Total Training Products & Bundles
To redeem our exclusive discount coupon, use promotion code save20pss in your shopping cart. You could save hundreds of dollars. Use this special link to see the full offer.
Total Training for Adobe Photoshop
Learn Adobe Photoshop with 21 hours of interactive Adobe Photoshop tutorials. This is training for real-world situations and includes additional tips and techniques used by the pros.
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From Graphics.com: "Keeping track of file formats and options is imperative when saving digital photos with Photoshop and Elements, as demonstrated by Ken Milburn in Use Special Names When Saving Digital Photos."
