Motion Composer By Ko Maruyama
MotionComposer is a new way to create and deliver HTML5 or Flash animation. Designed by French company Aquafadas, the software is available in both Mac and PC versions to allow anyone the ability to start animating right away. Although Adobe Flash animations have recently been the subject of scrutiny, there are many advantages to using HTML5. With MotionComposer, you can easily make your content much more engaging....Read More »
ArtRage 4.0 By Ko Maruyama
In time for use with your brand new Wacom tablet, Ambient Design offers a new version of their ArtRage software. Version 4.0 is packed with a ton of new tools that will help you work better, easier, and give you the ability to extend your creative works for an affordable price. You may also be using ArtRage 3 on both devices (iPad and computer), but if you haven't you might not know about the ability to move between iPad to desktop version and out to other software (like Photoshop's .psd format)....Read More »
Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS6 By Ko Maruyama
A new year; a new chance to expand your skillset. This weekend, I looked at "Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS6 for Imaging Professionals". It's a long title, and there are three differently treated fonts in the title treatment - don't let that dissuade you from peeking inside. This is Photoshop we're talking about. You've heard about it. You've purchased the latest version. And now, you want to jump in and figure out how to work it like a pro. Richard Harrington has just the book for y...Read More »
Pogo Connect By Ko Maruyama
The Pogo Connect is the first stylus that allows its user to use pressure sensitivity with a touch screen device. Previously code-named Blue Tiger, the pen promises to change the way artists interact with their portable devices. ...Read More »
Wacom's Bamboo Pocket Stylus By Ko Maruyama
Today, Wacom introduced a brand new way to be creative on the go. The Bamboo Pocket Stylus is small enough to take with you everywhere, but has enough volume to feel like your professional stylus. The Bamboo Pocket Stylus fits your creativity wherever you are....Read More »
BENQ GW2450 By David Hague
In the video world monitors are probably more critical than any everyday old computer monitor is. Serious photographers who play with Photoshop will know what I mean. Calibration is everything. Which leads me neatly to the BENQ GW2450 which landed on my desk today. ...Read More »
Adobe Photoshop CS6 for Photographers By Ko Maruyama
It may have taken only one Evening to write it, but it will take you several months to ingest all of the lessons within the pages of Martin Evening's latest, "Adobe Photoshop CS6 for Photographers". The book is a massive 800 pages long, and filled with all kinds of instruction, tips, tricks and necessary information for photographers who are looking to really refine their images....Read More »
NAB Professional Gear: Wacom By Ko Maruyama
For years, Wacom tablets have dominated the professional market; their name synonymous with responsive, accurate results. The new Intuos5 tablet heralds a new definition for what tablets can be. Not only is this pressure sensitive for your designer needs, but it also boasts a touch capability. Now more than ever, you'll find yourself with your Wacom all day long....Read More »
What's New in Photoshop CS6 Public Beta By Jeremiah Hall
When your software goes from being a proper name to a verb, as in "I Photoshopped that building out of the picture", new versions are a big deal. The public beta of Photoshop CS6 Extended is available for download now. What's changed? There are alsover 64 changes PS6 users have asked Adobe for, called the "JDI"s by the Photoshop team. "JDI" stands for "Just DIt," small changes and improvements asked for by the end-users. Here's a sample from the list Adobe provided DMN....Read More »
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 for the Videographer By Jeremiah Hall
I have never used the previous versions of Lightroom, since most of my time was taken up with Avid, After Effects and Final Cut Pro. When I needed to do something with stills, I used Photoshop. When I got the chance to try Lightroom 4, I jumped at the chance, but I was more interested in the video capabilities than I was in the photographic features and tools. Lightroom 4 will not be replacing Premiere or Photoshop, it's not designed for heavy photo or video editing. You can't cut your movie masterpiece with it. But if you're a DSLR shooter, I can see it becoming a very useful tool in your arsenal....Read More »
Simple steps for better design By Ko Maruyama
"Thou Shall Not Use Comic Sans" is an abbreviated list of graphic design do's and don'ts, published by Peachpit Press / Pearson. As I sit and skim through the compendium of rules set out in this book, I realize that I am breaking article three hundred and eighteen, but only immediately, as I smile, smirk, laugh out loud, and nod in agreement with the words on the pages....Read More »
iPad2 GripStand 2 Bundle By Ko Maruyama
The Newer Technology company makes a protective back and stand for your iPad 2. The Gripstand and GripBase pairing is a great way to watch your iPad content hands free, or, if you're a teacher, present items on the iPad to students without having to awkwardly holding it. ...Read More »
OWC 16GB RAM and 240GB SSD Drive Upgrade for 2011 Mac mini By Heath McKnight
Other World Computing (OWC, www.macsales.com) sells some the best and most affordable upgrades for Mac users, such as RAM, hard drives and more. I've heard stories of just how fast a solid state drive (SSD) is compared to a standard drive found in a Mac, and I wanted to see for myself. More RAM and a faster hard drive is always great for video editors to work faster and more efficiently. Plus, can my new 2011 Mac mini really accept 16GB of RAM? Read on to find out....Read More »
G-Technology G-Drive mobile 500GB By John Virata
G-Technology has a new mobile drive targeted at users of Apple's MacBook Pro that is built around the FireWire 800 interface and a 5400rpm Hitachi hard drive. Called the G Drive mobile, the portable FireWire drive is formatted for Apple computers and is a Time Machine Ready 500GB drive. The drive features a new piano black top while the sides and bottom are brushed aluminum, in part to match Apple's line of aluminum MacBook Pro notebook computers....Read More »
Adobe CS5 Web Premium Part Three: Dreamweaver, Fireworks, and the Rest By Kevin Schmitt
We're down to the last major pieces of Adobe CS5 Web Premium, but last doesn't always mean least. OR DOES IT??? HMMMM??? With that as a spectacular teaser, let's spend our final installment looking at two holdovers from those halcyon Macromedia days of yore: Dreamweaver, the venerable web site building tool, and Fireworks, the oft-overlooked prototyping and vector/bitmap editing powerhouse....Read More »
Adobe CS5 Web Premium Part Two: The Flash Platform By Kevin Schmitt
Honesty time, dear readers: I don't think this is going to be an actual review. As Velveeta is to real cheese, there may be some review-like qualities to what follows, but considering the current all-out assault on Flash and everything it stands for, it may be beneficial to take a larger view of what Adobe has done in Web Premium CS5, namely the inclusion of not one, not two, but three separate tools for creating Flash content....Read More »
Adobe CS5: Five Things to Keep in Mind By Kevin Schmitt
Eighteen months, seemingly like clockwork. A mere year-and-a-half after CS4 was released (which itself was a mere year-and-a-half after the release of CS3), Adobe has unveiled the CS5 lineup. Having had a chance to see and try the new versions for myself over the past several weeks, here are some general observations about the latest versions of Adobe's software uberbundles....Read More »
Book Excerpt: My MacBook by John Ray By John Ray
Editor's note: Excerpt from My MacBook by John Ray, Published by Que My MacBook provides step-by-step instructions with callouts to MacBook photos that show you exactly what to do. It offers help when you run into MacBook or Snow Leopard problems or limitations....Read More »
Alien Skin Eye Candy 6 By John Virata
Alien Skin Eye Candy 6 is the company's latest collection of filters and textures for Adobe Photoshop CS4 and other image editors. The cool thing about Eye Candy 6 is the fact that each filter and texture can be tweaked to your heart's content, with more than 1500 presets in specific filters and textures. There are myriad sliders to work with to get just the right look that you are trying to achieve with a particular effect or texture. ...Read More »
First Look: AV Bros. Puzzle Pro 3.0 By John Virata
AV Bros. Puzzle Pro 3.0 is a Photoshop plugin filter that enables you to create cool puzzle looks with your Photoshop images. When you launch AV Broz Puzzle Pro 3.0, the plug-ins interface opens which enables you to further tweak the puzzle look of an image. ...Read More »
Motion Composer
MotionComposer is a new way to create and deliver HTML5 or Flash animation. Designed by French company Aquafadas, the software is available in both Mac and PC versions to allow anyone the ability to start animating right away. Although Adobe Flash animations have recently been the subject of scrutiny, there are many advantages to using HTML5. With MotionComposer, you can easily make your content much more engaging.
...Read More »
ArtRage 4.0
In time for use with your brand new Wacom tablet, Ambient Design offers a new version of their ArtRage software. Version 4.0 is packed with a ton of new tools that will help you work better, easier, and give you the ability to extend your creative works for an affordable price. You may also be using ArtRage 3 on both devices (iPad and computer), but if you haven't you might not know about the ability to move between iPad to desktop version and out to other software (like Photoshop's .psd format).
...Read More »
Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS6
A new year; a new chance to expand your skillset. This weekend, I looked at "Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS6 for Imaging Professionals". It's a long title, and there are three differently treated fonts in the title treatment - don't let that dissuade you from peeking inside. This is Photoshop we're talking about. You've heard about it. You've purchased the latest version. And now, you want to jump in and figure out how to work it like a pro. Richard Harrington has just the book for y
...Read More »
Pogo Connect
The Pogo Connect is the first stylus that allows its user to use pressure sensitivity with a touch screen device. Previously code-named Blue Tiger, the pen promises to change the way artists interact with their portable devices.
...Read More »
Wacom's Bamboo Pocket Stylus
Today, Wacom introduced a brand new way to be creative on the go. The Bamboo Pocket Stylus is small enough to take with you everywhere, but has enough volume to feel like your professional stylus. The Bamboo Pocket Stylus fits your creativity wherever you are.
...Read More »
BENQ GW2450
In the video world monitors are probably more critical than any everyday old computer monitor is. Serious photographers who play with Photoshop will know what I mean. Calibration is everything. Which leads me neatly to the BENQ GW2450 which landed on my desk today.
...Read More »
Adobe Photoshop CS6 for Photographers
It may have taken only one Evening to write it, but it will take you several months to ingest all of the lessons within the pages of Martin Evening's latest, "Adobe Photoshop CS6 for Photographers". The book is a massive 800 pages long, and filled with all kinds of instruction, tips, tricks and necessary information for photographers who are looking to really refine their images.
...Read More »
NAB Professional Gear: Wacom
For years, Wacom tablets have dominated the professional market; their name synonymous with responsive, accurate results. The new Intuos5 tablet heralds a new definition for what tablets can be. Not only is this pressure sensitive for your designer needs, but it also boasts a touch capability. Now more than ever, you'll find yourself with your Wacom all day long.
...Read More »
What's New in Photoshop CS6 Public Beta
When your software goes from being a proper name to a verb, as in "I Photoshopped that building out of the picture", new versions are a big deal. The public beta of Photoshop CS6 Extended is available for download now. What's changed? There are alsover 64 changes PS6 users have asked Adobe for, called the "JDI"s by the Photoshop team. "JDI" stands for "Just DIt," small changes and improvements asked for by the end-users. Here's a sample from the list Adobe provided DMN.
...Read More »
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 for the Videographer
I have never used the previous versions of Lightroom, since most of my time was taken up with Avid, After Effects and Final Cut Pro. When I needed to do something with stills, I used Photoshop. When I got the chance to try Lightroom 4, I jumped at the chance, but I was more interested in the video capabilities than I was in the photographic features and tools. Lightroom 4 will not be replacing Premiere or Photoshop, it's not designed for heavy photo or video editing. You can't cut your movie masterpiece with it. But if you're a DSLR shooter, I can see it becoming a very useful tool in your arsenal.
...Read More »
Simple steps for better design
"Thou Shall Not Use Comic Sans" is an abbreviated list of graphic design do's and don'ts, published by Peachpit Press / Pearson. As I sit and skim through the compendium of rules set out in this book, I realize that I am breaking article three hundred and eighteen, but only immediately, as I smile, smirk, laugh out loud, and nod in agreement with the words on the pages.
...Read More »
iPad2 GripStand 2 Bundle
The Newer Technology company makes a protective back and stand for your iPad 2. The Gripstand and GripBase pairing is a great way to watch your iPad content hands free, or, if you're a teacher, present items on the iPad to students without having to awkwardly holding it.
...Read More »
OWC 16GB RAM and 240GB SSD Drive Upgrade for 2011 Mac mini
Other World Computing (OWC, www.macsales.com) sells some the best and most affordable upgrades for Mac users, such as RAM, hard drives and more. I've heard stories of just how fast a solid state drive (SSD) is compared to a standard drive found in a Mac, and I wanted to see for myself. More RAM and a faster hard drive is always great for video editors to work faster and more efficiently. Plus, can my new 2011 Mac mini really accept 16GB of RAM? Read on to find out.
...Read More »
G-Technology G-Drive mobile 500GB
G-Technology has a new mobile drive targeted at users of Apple's MacBook Pro that is built around the FireWire 800 interface and a 5400rpm Hitachi hard drive. Called the G Drive mobile, the portable FireWire drive is formatted for Apple computers and is a Time Machine Ready 500GB drive. The drive features a new piano black top while the sides and bottom are brushed aluminum, in part to match Apple's line of aluminum MacBook Pro notebook computers.
...Read More »
Adobe CS5 Web Premium Part Three: Dreamweaver, Fireworks, and the Rest
We're down to the last major pieces of Adobe CS5 Web Premium, but last doesn't always mean least. OR DOES IT??? HMMMM??? With that as a spectacular teaser, let's spend our final installment looking at two holdovers from those halcyon Macromedia days of yore: Dreamweaver, the venerable web site building tool, and Fireworks, the oft-overlooked prototyping and vector/bitmap editing powerhouse.
...Read More »
Adobe CS5 Web Premium Part Two: The Flash Platform
Honesty time, dear readers: I don't think this is going to be an actual review. As Velveeta is to real cheese, there may be some review-like qualities to what follows, but considering the current all-out assault on Flash and everything it stands for, it may be beneficial to take a larger view of what Adobe has done in Web Premium CS5, namely the inclusion of not one, not two, but three separate tools for creating Flash content.
...Read More »
Adobe CS5: Five Things to Keep in Mind
Eighteen months, seemingly like clockwork. A mere year-and-a-half after CS4 was released (which itself was a mere year-and-a-half after the release of CS3), Adobe has unveiled the CS5 lineup. Having had a chance to see and try the new versions for myself over the past several weeks, here are some general observations about the latest versions of Adobe's software uberbundles.
...Read More »
Book Excerpt: My MacBook by John Ray
Editor's note: Excerpt from My MacBook by John Ray, Published by Que My MacBook provides step-by-step instructions with callouts to MacBook photos that show you exactly what to do. It offers help when you run into MacBook or Snow Leopard problems or limitations.
...Read More »
Alien Skin Eye Candy 6
Alien Skin Eye Candy 6 is the company's latest collection of filters and textures for Adobe Photoshop CS4 and other image editors. The cool thing about Eye Candy 6 is the fact that each filter and texture can be tweaked to your heart's content, with more than 1500 presets in specific filters and textures. There are myriad sliders to work with to get just the right look that you are trying to achieve with a particular effect or texture.
...Read More »
First Look: AV Bros. Puzzle Pro 3.0
AV Bros. Puzzle Pro 3.0 is a Photoshop plugin filter that enables you to create cool puzzle looks with your Photoshop images. When you launch AV Broz Puzzle Pro 3.0, the plug-ins interface opens which enables you to further tweak the puzzle look of an image.
...Read More »
