http://library.creativecow.net/tutorials/adobephotoshop Creative COW Library of Adobe Photoshop, tips, and strategies. en-us Sat, 18 May 2013 10:00:00 GMT PHP Script webmaster@creativecow.net webmaster@creativecow.net http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/ray-harryhausen-remembering-the-genius http://library.creativecow.net/articles/kaufman_debra/Ray-Harryhausen.php When Ray Harryhausen died May 7 at age 92, he was lauded by everyone from Steven Spielberg to George Lucas as an inspiration to fantasy and sci-fi filmmakers everywhere. But nowhere has Harryhausen made such a big impression as in the world of visual effects. Here, we take a closer look at some of t Thu, 16 May 2013 21:00:00 GMT http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/iron-man-3 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/kaufman_debra/VFX_Alessandro-Cioffi_Iron-Man_3.php Seventy artists from Trixter worked an entire year to create a formidable 208 VFX shots for Marvel's Iron Man 3. Each new episode in the Iron Man saga details a slick new technology created by the ingenious Tony Stark, and the new installment does not disappoint! Combining the hard surface geometry Mon, 06 May 2013 19:00:00 GMT http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/previsualization-part-four-when-to-use-previs http://library.creativecow.net/articles/cline_gare/Previs-4_When-to-Use-Previs.php In this fourth chapter of Gare Cline's tutorial series on Previsualization, we focus on when is the best time to hire a previsualization artist. We begin by looking at the various stages of filmmaking and then concluding with making the decision as when is the best time to hire a previs artist. Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/nab-2013-adobe-introduces-adobe-anywhere http://library.creativecow.net/articles/kaufman_debra/NAB_2013-Adobe.php At NAB 2013, Adobe is introducing Adobe Anywhere, a collaborative workflow platform that centralizes projects and allows users to share and change project files. Also new are some powerful new features for Adobe Premiere Pro, including color grading and the ability to "link & locate" c Thu, 04 Apr 2013 04:01:00 GMT http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/tips-for-attending-nab-2013-from-a-convention-veteran http://library.creativecow.net/articles/biscardi_walter/NAB_Attending-Tips.php Walter Biscardi tells us, "Once again, springtime is upon us, so of course, it's time for the annual National Association of Broadcasters convention. Last year y'all seemed to like the before you go tips, so may I present the 2013 edition of 'Tips from an NAB Veteran to make the best use of you Fri, 22 Mar 2013 20:41:35 GMT http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/tim-squyres-edits-life-of-pi http://library.creativecow.net/articles/kaufman_debra/Tim-Squyres_Life-of-Pi.php Tim Squyres, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his work on Life of Pi, got hooked on film when he took an introductory film course at Cornell University in upstate New York. Squyres talks to Creative COW about the challenges of editing Ang Lee's first digitally shot feature film, which was Wed, 06 Feb 2013 21:05:00 GMT http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/suck-it-up-buttercup http://library.creativecow.net/articles/wall_kylee/Buttercup_employment-tips.php The Best Excuses from New or Underemployed Filmmakers and Freelancers: "You've really really got to stop being lazy and making excuses for not getting what you want," says Creative COW Contributing Editor Kylee Wall. "Seriously. It's sad and it makes me sad for you. So sad in fact, th Wed, 30 Jan 2013 06:01:35 GMT http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/the-hobbit-debuts-high-frame-rate-cinema http://library.creativecow.net/articles/kaufman_debra/Hobbit-High-Frame-Rate-Cinema.php The technology wizards of the film/TV industry have been talking about High Frame Rate cinema for a long time; indeed, Douglas Trumbull's Showscan at 60 fps presaged the current interest over 30 years ago. But it took director Peter Jackson to take the plunge for mainstream cinema, declaring he woul Sun, 09 Dec 2012 22:31:20 GMT http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/jacob-rosenberg-directs-waiting-for-lightning http://library.creativecow.net/articles/rosenberg_jacob/Waiting-for-Lightning.php Waiting for Lightning is the tragic and triumphant story of legendary skateboarder Danny Way, following him from his chaotic childhood to his early talent with a skateboard through to his many professional successes. With a combination of archival footage, interviews and skateboard action, Waiting f Sat, 08 Dec 2012 03:00:00 GMT http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/creating-a-ghost-train-a-visual-display-for-preston-hall http://library.creativecow.net/articles/sefton_tom/Preston-Hall-Museum_Lightwave-VFX.php Pollen Studio creates a ghost train audio/visual display for prestigious Preston Hall Museum in Northern England, an eerie effect that smashes out of a bookshelf within a museum room. The 3D elements blend perfectly with the actors in period costume who portray passengers on the doomed train. Mon, 24 Sep 2012 01:15:05 GMT http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/ibc-2012-adobe http://library.creativecow.net/articles/kaufman_debra/IBC_2012_Adobe.php Adobe came to IBC 2012 focused on the broadcast industry. The big reveal was its new Adobe Anywhere, a collaborative workflow platform that allows real-time collaboration for remote users of Premiere Pro, After Effects and Prelude. Adobe expanded its partnerships with broadcast solution companies, t Sun, 09 Sep 2012 20:45:23 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/harrington_richard/CS6_Lens-Correction/1 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/harrington_richard/CS6_Lens-Correction.php Adobe Photoshop CS6 adds to an existing feature that you may not have even been using called Photomerge. Rich Harrington will show you the new Adaptive Wide Angle command to remove all of the lens and perspective distortion in merged photos. You will also learn how to use these exact techniques with Fri, 07 Sep 2012 00:59:55 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/harrington_richard/CS6_Import-to-Prelude/1 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/harrington_richard/CS6_Import-to-Prelude.php Adobe Prelude CS6 offers a variety of new media management features. Rich Harrington will show you the best ways to import footage, set it to automatically copy to a new dimension, and powerful new transcoding options. Fri, 07 Sep 2012 01:08:21 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/harrington_richard/Photoshop_CS6_Blurring/1 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/harrington_richard/Photoshop_CS6_Blurring.php Adobe Photoshop CS6 includes three new blurring filters. Rich Harrington will show you new ways to blur specific areas in a photo, as well as achieve tilt sheet and vignette effects. Fri, 07 Sep 2012 01:05:35 GMT http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/behind-the-lens-paul-cameron-asc-on-total-recall http://library.creativecow.net/articles/kaufman_debra/Paul_Cameron_Total-Recall.php Paul Cameron, ASC, just finished work on the remake of Total Recall, directed by Len Wiseman and starring Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale and Jessica Biel with Bill Nighy, Bryan Cranston, and John Cho. Cameron was last featured in Creative COW for his work on Henry's Crime. His previous credits inclu Fri, 03 Aug 2012 19:03:07 GMT http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/method-studios-vfx-for-abraham-lincoln-vampire-hunter http://library.creativecow.net/articles/goux_randy/Abraham-Lincoln_Vampire-Hunter.php Method Studios was approached by Fox's visual effects team to work on Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, and were offered some very tasty stuff to solve - a train sequence with burning bridges, full CG fire, all in stereo. As CG artists, this is the kind of meaty work you really want to go after. Rand Mon, 25 Jun 2012 15:33:49 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/hurwicz_michael/3ds-Max_2013-State-sets/1 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/hurwicz_michael/3ds-Max_2013-State-sets.php Creative COW leader Michael Hurwicz provides an introduction to State Sets, a new feature in Autodesk 3ds max 2013 that revolutionizes interoperability with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe After Effects, as well as opening up new possibilities for working within 3ds max itself. Fri, 15 Jun 2012 05:34:25 GMT http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/depth-of-field-gregg-toland-citizen-kane-and-beyond http://library.creativecow.net/articles/wilson_tim/Cinematic_Composition-DoF.php Whenever somebody equates "shallow depth of field" and "cinematic look," it's good to remember that the opposite is sometimes true. Gregg Toland, ASC was the first master of extreme depth of field, and movies like Citizen Kane and The Grapes of Wrath forever changed what it is po Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:49:57 GMT http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/introducing-our-2012-nab-blue-ribbon-award-winners http://library.creativecow.net/articles/wilson_tim/magazine_32_Blue-Ribbon-Awards.php The only industry award chosen by hundreds of thousands of working professionals and potential customers from around the world. Wed, 13 Jun 2012 02:02:43 GMT http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/company-3s-di-artist-stephen-nakamura-on-prometheus http://library.creativecow.net/articles/nakamura_stephen/Prometheus-DI-IMAX.php Stephen Nakamura, one of a handful of artists who helped to pioneer DI color grading, shares his experience on creating the look for Prometheus as envisioned by director Ridley Scott. Sat, 09 Jun 2012 19:03:10 GMT http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/nab-2012-adobe-cs6-release http://library.creativecow.net/articles/kaufman_debra/NAB_2012-Adobe.php With the release of Adobe Creative Suite 6 Production Premium, Adobe's booth at NAB 2012 was packed every day of NAB 2012. Editors in particular came to check out all the dramatic changes made to Adobe Premiere Pro, including a redesigned interface that makes it friendly to users of other NLEs. Wed, 25 Apr 2012 01:58:04 GMT http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/integraged-visions http://library.creativecow.net/articles/kaufman_debra/Integrated-Visions.php Integrated Visions Productions and SenovvA teamed to produce a spectacular "Red Bull Mind Meld" visual experience at the Miami Ultra Music Festival by creating an immense video projection mapping. The team turned the 29-story InterContinental hotel's facade into a gyrating psychedelic mura Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:44:54 GMT http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/coacm-plug-in-tune-out http://library.creativecow.net/articles/biedny_david/Confessions-Plug-in-Tune-Out.php Adobe created quite a stir when it recently announced a public beta for the next major update to Photoshop. Is this the result of some very smart marketing, or perhaps an act of desperation, due to the harsh economic realities facing most creatives these days? What is the future of this critical pro Tue, 03 Apr 2012 16:08:23 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/biedny_david/Confessions-Of-Wills-and-Ways/1 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/biedny_david/Confessions-Of-Wills-and-Ways.php Moving forward into faster and more aggressive technology is no substitute for creative thinking. The simple fact is that we're on the bleeding edge of the sword, we're the ones pushing the whole cart forward with our demands for more speed, more performance, more everything. How much is enough? Sun, 18 Mar 2012 21:04:42 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/ainsworth_martin/Photoshop_Lite-Bite_Gaussian-Blur/1 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/ainsworth_martin/Photoshop_Lite-Bite_Gaussian-Blur.php In this "Lite Bite" tutorial Martin Ainsworth quickly demonstrates to ability to give someone a slightly younger appearance using a Gaussian Blur and a Mask to get some very effective and quick results. Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:14:12 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/ainsworth_martin/Photoshop_Lite-Bite_Sharpen/1 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/ainsworth_martin/Photoshop_Lite-Bite_Sharpen.php In this very quick "Lite Bite" tutorial Martin Ainsworth demonstrates the effectiveness of the High Pass Filter to sharpen images and it's a lot quicker and easier that you might expect. Mon, 12 Mar 2012 10:26:40 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/ainsworth_martin/Photoshop_Lite-Bite_Clipping-vs-Layer-Mask/1 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/ainsworth_martin/Photoshop_Lite-Bite_Clipping-vs-Layer-Mask.php In this "Lite Bite" tutorial Martin Ainsworth quickly shows the use of Clipping Masks VS Layer Masks within Abobe Photoshop. Masks can be creative and using the best way for the project you are doing can save valuable time. Thu, 08 Mar 2012 11:39:24 GMT http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/confessions-of-a-creative-maniac http://library.creativecow.net/articles/biedny_david/Confessions-of-a-Creative-Maniac.php The primary author of the very first book ever written about Photoshop appropriately chooses a Photoshop-related subject to hone in on for his very first column for his new editorial home - and on a platform that many COW fans might feel is little more than a media consumption device, the iPad. Take Thu, 08 Mar 2012 03:12:39 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/ainsworth_martin/Photoshop_Lite-Bite_Content-Aware/1 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/ainsworth_martin/Photoshop_Lite-Bite_Content-Aware.php In this "Lite Bite" tutorial Martin Ainsworth gives a quick overview of when and why to use the Patch & Content Aware tool to aid Photographic editing. Wed, 07 Mar 2012 11:31:08 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/ainsworth_martin/Photoshop_Lite-Bite_droplets/1 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/ainsworth_martin/Photoshop_Lite-Bite_droplets.php This "Lite Bite Tutorial" will help you speed up and automate your work flow by using droplets created from actions in Photoshop. In a matter of minutes you will be up and running. The process is the same for both Mac & PC users. Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:40:14 GMT http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/bill-roberts-director-of-video-product-management-adobe-systems-adobes-past-present-future http://library.creativecow.net/articles/kaufman_debra/Adobe-Bill-Roberts-interview.php Bill Roberts, Director of Video Product Management, Adobe Systems talks about Premiere Pro CS5.5, the acquisition of IRIDAS, 3D, HDR and NAB 2012 Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:28:29 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/ainsworth_martin/Photoshop_Lite-Bite_Folder-Masks/1 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/ainsworth_martin/Photoshop_Lite-Bite_Folder-Masks.php Using masks to speed up web design can help you show multiple graphic ideas with the least amount of effort for best effect. In this tutorial, Martin Ainsworth willl show you how to add a mask to a folder and add content to it. Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:33:26 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/ainsworth_martin/Photoshop_Lite-Bite_Custom-Actions/1 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/ainsworth_martin/Photoshop_Lite-Bite_Custom-Actions.php In this "Lite Bite" tutorial, quickly setup custom actions to speed up your photography workflow in Adobe Photoshop to rotate and add adjustment layers for 'Cross Processing' and 'Black & White.' This is a valuable time saving tutorial. Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:33:56 GMT http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/adobe-creative-cloud-offers-applications-services-community http://library.creativecow.net/articles/kaufman_debra/Adobe-Creative-Cloud.php With Creative Cloud, Adobe is switching from a model of software as a product to Software as a Service (SaS). By early 2012, Adobe Creative Cloud is expected to include such applications as After Effects, Premiere and Photoshop. Creative Cloud includes a hub for viewing, sharing and syncing of file Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:55:26 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/harrington_richard/PS_3D-Models/1 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/harrington_richard/PS_3D-Models.php In this episode of Video Adrenaline for Photoshop and After Effects, Richard Harrington explores the interaction between Photoshop and AE when creating 3D models. Learn how to use Photoshop to retexture a model and import as a live 3D model into After Effects. Wed, 21 Sep 2011 23:19:04 GMT http://magazine.creativecow.net/article/ibc-adobe-acquisition-of-iridas-signals-commoditization-of-color-grading http://library.creativecow.net/articles/kaufman_debra/IBC_Adobe.php Adobe's Bill Roberts explains how and why Adobe acquired IRIDAS and what its plans are for IRIDAS' color grading toolset. Fri, 16 Sep 2011 01:21:27 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/harrington_richard/PS_Animating-Lens-Blur-Filter/1 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/harrington_richard/PS_Animating-Lens-Blur-Filter.php In this episode of Video Adrenaline for Photoshop and After Effects, Richard Harrington explores how to use the Lens Blur Filter in AE CS5.5 to create variable depth of field. This filter is an improvement on the last version of the same. Wed, 14 Sep 2011 23:19:50 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/harrington_richard/PS_Color-Grading-Video/1 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/harrington_richard/PS_Color-Grading-Video.php In this episode of Video Adrenaline for Photoshop and After Effects, Richard Harrington explores how to use Photoshop and AE together as color-grading tools. Wed, 07 Sep 2011 23:19:55 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/harrington_richard/PS_Content-Aware-Scale-Video/1 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/harrington_richard/PS_Content-Aware-Scale-Video.php In this installment of Photoshop and AE Video Adrenaline, Richard Harrington demonstrates how to combine new features in Adobe After Effects to stabilize a shot with Content Aware Scale and Content Aware Fill in Adobe Photoshop to change the background. You'll become better prepared to use these pow Wed, 31 Aug 2011 23:19:10 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/harrington_richard/PS_Content-Aware-Scale/1 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/harrington_richard/PS_Content-Aware-Scale.php In this installment of Photoshop and AE Video Adrenaline, Richard Harrington demonstrates how to combine Photoshop and After Effects to look at a great feature called Content Aware Scale. In Photoshop, you can detect skin tones or choose to protect a selected area from transform, but be able to comp Wed, 24 Aug 2011 23:19:09 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/harrington_richard/PS_Device-Central/1 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/harrington_richard/PS_Device-Central.php In this installment of Photoshop and AE Video Adrenaline, Richard Harrington demonstrates how to combine Photoshop and After Effects to utilize a helper application designed for mobile -- Device Central CS5.5. In 2010, more money was made on mobile phones just delivering text and sms messages than a Wed, 17 Aug 2011 23:19:19 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/mcauliffe_kevin/The-Best-of-Free-Fonts/1 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/mcauliffe_kevin/The-Best-of-Free-Fonts.php In this economy, you need to get the absolute best value for your dollar, and as the expression goes, sometimes you get what you pay for...but not in this case. What The Font? is a free web and iPhone resource to help you figure out what font someone is using in a video, print or any other medium, q Mon, 15 Aug 2011 01:00:05 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/harrington_richard/PS_Fixing-Under-Exposure/1 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/harrington_richard/PS_Fixing-Under-Exposure.php In this installment of Photoshop and AE Video Adrenaline, Richard Harrington demonstrates how to combine Photoshop and After Effects to fix underexposed footage items. Wed, 10 Aug 2011 23:19:15 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/harrington_richard/PS_Gradient-Custom-Backdrops/1 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/harrington_richard/PS_Gradient-Custom-Backdrops.php In this installment of Photoshop and AE Video Adrenaline, Richard Harrington demonstrates how to combine Photoshop and After Effects and use gradients to create custom backdrops. Wed, 03 Aug 2011 23:19:52 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/kaufman_debra/Adobe-offers-switch-FCP/1 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/kaufman_debra/Adobe-offers-switch-FCP.php As disgruntled Apple Final Cut Pro users search out options for professional video editing, Adobe Systems has been a major beneficiary of the big switch since FCPX hit the market. In her interview with Jim Guerard of Adobe Systems, Debra Kaufman finds the result of Adobe's offering for former FCP us Wed, 27 Jul 2011 18:17:38 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/harrington_richard/PS_Layer-Comps/1 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/harrington_richard/PS_Layer-Comps.php In this episode of Video Adrenaline for Photoshop and After Effects, Richard Harrington explores layer comps in Adobe Photoshop and then shows how easy it is to spit out multiple versions of your file to bring into Adobe After Effects. Wed, 27 Jul 2011 23:19:49 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/harrington_richard/PS_Refine-Edge-Command/1 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/harrington_richard/PS_Refine-Edge-Command.php In this installment of PS and AE, Richard Harrington shows to use Adobe Photoshop and After Effects together to get great 3D extrusion. He'll take some photos and split them out into 3D space, as well as use the Refine Edge command and the content-aware fill option to quickly build your layers to po Wed, 20 Jul 2011 22:40:36 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/harrington_richard/Auto_PSD_Tool-Presets/1 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/harrington_richard/Auto_PSD_Tool-Presets.php A great way to speed up Photoshop is to use Tool Presets. In this short video tutorial excerpt from The Creative COW Training DVD Series, Automating Photoshop, let Richard Harrington guide you through creating Crop Tool presets and text presets as your learn ways to smooth your workflow and quickly Wed, 01 Jun 2011 20:27:25 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/harrington_richard/Auto_PSD_SmartFilters/1 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/harrington_richard/Auto_PSD_SmartFilters.php One option that give you a lot of flexibility when working in Photoshop is a Smart Filter, a filter applied to a smart object. In this excerpt from The Creative COW Training DVD Series, Automating Photoshop, join Richard Harrington as he shares the extra steps to implement in Photoshop to use Smart Wed, 01 Jun 2011 20:18:08 GMT http://library.creativecow.net/harrington_richard/Automating_Photoshop-Ad/1 http://library.creativecow.net/articles/harrington_richard/Automating_Photoshop-Ad.php The Creative COW Master Series is pleased to introduce internationally known trainer, Richard Harrington as your guide into the powerful world of automating Photoshop. Fri, 27 May 2011 17:35:34 GMT