Adobe | Castellini on Computers - Computer help for beginners

Posts Tagged: Adobe

Riding Shotgun with Rick — No Comments
20
Sep 07

Quad Core Processors

I setup my first Quad Core processor computer today. It wasn’t for me, unfortunately, but I was impressed with the machine. My client ordered a Dell XPS Intel Quad Core machine with 4 GB of RAM and Windows XP. It was easily the fastest computer I have seen to date. With all that RAM, a 256mb video card, and the new Intel Quad Core processor everthing literally flew on this machine. One example is Adobe Photoshop Elements version 5. On most computers with 512 to 1 GB of Ram, Elements takes between 30-60 seconds to fully load. On this mahine today, it loaded in less than 10 seconds. I was floored.

Installing programs like AVG antivirus took less than a minute. Office 2003 programs opened almost instantly and copying files from a CD drive or flash drive both finished quickly as well. I found myself wondering (for the first time) what Vista would run like on a system like this.

I didn’t ask the customer how much she paid for the computer, but I can tell you that it wasn’t less than $1,200. The extra RAM and high end processor pushed the price up from a more standard dual core processor found in most low and mid-range priced computers today. If you need speed to spare, I think you won’t be disappointed with a quad core processor suplemented with lots of RAM.

For a definition of quad core processors, visit the link that I put in the first line of this post.

DP Hardware — No Comments
28
Aug 07

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Scanning

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Scanning*

*but weren’t sure who to ask.

Every scanner works a little differently, but these terms and tips should help you through the process.

TERMS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Image Editor – This is any program that allows you to manipulate an image. Some titles include Adobe Photoshop and Elements, Jasc Paint Shop Pro, Microsoft PictureIt, and MGI Photosuite.

Scanner Driver – This is the software that allows your scanner to operate. Some scanners such as Visioneer and HP come with bundled software that tries to do too much, all you really need is your scanner driver and preferred image editor.

Import, Aquire, Get Photo – Depending on the Image Editor that you use, the name for this function will vary. This function allows you to scan you image directly into the image editor vs. using the proprietary software that came with your scanner, i.e. Visioneer Paperport.

Prescan or Preview – This function, again, depends on the software that your scanner uses. Clicking on this option allows your scanner to do a quick scan of what is laying on the scanner. This is done prior to the actual scan.

Scan – This is the final step in scanning an image. After you have drawn a box around the subject that you want to scan. If you scanned directly into your image editor, the image will immediately appear in the desired program, no dragging and dropping necessary.

TIPS:

1. Dust off your scanner – use canned air.

2. Scan at a high resolution if you plan to manipulate the image.

3. Don’t let the scanner do all the work. Save tweaking for the image editor

4. 72 dpi for email, 300 dpi for printing, 600+ dpi for manipulating.

5. Don’t forget to close your scanner driver after you have scanned the image.

SHOPPING FOR A NEW SCANNER

1. 600×1200 minimum
(most available today are at least 2400)

2. Ignore the "Gimmick Buttons" – I don’t mean don’t buy a scanner WITH them, just don’t buy a scanner FOR them.

3. Epson scanners generally provide the best results for scanning transparencies.

4. More expensive scanners often come with more software and may be more durable, but not necessarily better image quality.

THE BASIC SCANNING PROCESS

1. Open your image editor or other photo program.

2. Select the Acquire, Import, Scan or other option that opens your scanner driver.

3. Once your scanner software opens, make sure the resolution is set to at least 300dpi.

4. Click on the preview or prescan button.

5. The image will show up, but it has not officially scanned yet.

6. Draw a box around the area you want to scan by putting the mouse arrow in one corner of the image – holding down the mouse button – and dragging diagonally to the opposite corner.

7. Once you are happy with the selected area, click SCAN.

8. Close your scanner software and the image will be available to save and/or tweak in your image editor opened in step 1.

Links from this month’s meeting

Scanning Tips and Tricks

Riding Shotgun with Adam — No Comments
15
Aug 07

Watch for check boxes when installing all software

When it comes to installing new software programs I have two rules that should get you through the process and keep you out of trouble.

1. When in doubt, click on the affirmative (Next, OK, Finish, I Agree, etc).

2. ALWAYS WATCH FOR CHECK BOXES!

The second rule is becoming more important as search engines and other sites that provide ad-sponsored services promote themselves by partnering up with other software companies. While installing a program like JAVA or Adobe Reader, you may be asked whether you want to install other programs such as Google Desktop or Adobe Photoshop Album Starter Edition. Simply unchecking these boxes will cut your install time significantly and save from other undesired hassles.

Here is an example:

You download Adobe Reader so that you can print out some tax forms from the web.
While installing there is a check box asking if you want to also download and install Adobe Photoshop Album. You leave it checked.
After installing all programs, you notice that whenever you try to use your digital camera, flash drive or CD-ROM containing photos, Adobe Photoshop Album pops up and tries to take over the process. This will annoy you.

Example #2:
You download and install a Java update when prompted. This is a good thing. However as you install it asks if you want to install Google Desktop. You leave it checked.
After downloading and installing, you notice a new little feature called the Google Updater. It keeps popping up and asking you questions that you don’t know the answer to so you agree. Soon you have Google Desktop, a new Google Toolbar in your web browser, a GoogleTalk program running in your system try by your clock and constant nags from the Google Updater that there are still more updates.

Typically leaving check boxes checked will not cause any major problems, but they can confuse you. If you want to install Quicktime, make sure that you only download Quicktime if you are not an iTunes user. Quicktime will try to get you to install iTunes as well which will take over some of the functions of Windows Media Player and other audio and video options you may not want changed.

Computer User Group / Internet Tips — 2 Comments
8
Aug 07

Firefox Extensions – August 2007

Extensions are small add-on programs that either enhance your Internet browsing experience or give you new tools that give you quicker access to information you already search for using the Internet. Mozilla Firefox gives you the most options at customizing your browsing your experience. In addition to being, what I believe, is the smartest and safest web browser around, Firefox extensions make Firefox a browser that is second to none.

To find Firefox extensions, Click Tools –> Add Ons –> Get Extensions from your Firefox menu.

Once you arrive at the Firefox extension page, you can search through what is available, and install the ones you feel might be helpful. Like almost everything in life, too much of a good thing can be bad, however, so install extensions judiciously so you don’t end up with a browser that has SO many extras that it takes a long time to load and slows down your entire experience.

Once you find an extension you want to try:

Click the large, green “Install Now” button
Click “Install Now” again on the next screen
Restart Firefox if necessary (many extensions do require a restart).

My favorite extension is extending the capabilities of the built-in search box in Firefox. On installation, Firefox automatically gives you a search box that has Google, eBay, Amazon, Wikipedia, and a few other search engines. If you click the little arrow next to the search box and then “Manage Search Engines” and finally “Get more Search Engines”, you can add as many search engines that are relevant to your needs.

To remove an extension that you may not like or use, follow these steps:

To find Firefox extensions, Click Tools –> Add Ons –> Get Extensions from your Firefox menu. Click the extension you want to remvoe, then click the “Uninstall” button.

Here is my list of favorite Firefox extensions (other than customizing the search box):

Forecastfox – Great weather add-on including radar button

Google Browser Sync – If you have more than one computer, this tool keeps your history, bookmarks and passwords the same on all your computers. GREAT!

PDF Download - Firefox supports reading PDF (Adobe Acrobat) files in the browser quite well, but this tool gives you more options as to what to do with PDF files.

Firefox Showcase - See all your open tabs in a single screen

IE Tab – Most sites look and act great in Firefox, but occasionally a site requires Internet Explorer. This tool allows you to open that site within Firefox by putting IE in a special tab.

There are hundreds of other Firefox extensions, and you can find them as I described above, but again, don’t over do it! I have provided a video tip of today’s topic as well that you can see below.

Riding Shotgun with Adam — No Comments
3
May 07

Three ways to learn Photoshop

Although Photoshop Elements is the "easy" version of Photoshop, it is still far from intuitive. While this may seem like a bad thing it is actually what makes it a great program. When programs get too intuitive, they begin to think for you and limit options. Photoshop and Photoshop Elements do neither.

The newer versions of Photoshop are much better about guiding you to certain areas and offering better tutorials, but the best way to learn is still to just to dive in and get your hands dirty (too many idioms?).

I think there are three ways to approach Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. The best way depends on how you learn.

1. By the tool types – My favorite way to teach someone to use Photoshop is to group the tools into categories (selection, painting, and artistic/creative). Learn how each tool works and then get creative on how you combine their uses on a project.

2. By the project - This is more of a total immersion technique. Come up with a project that may seem impossible and take it head on. It could be restoring a photo, colorizing a black and white photo, creating a collage, etc. The idea here is that anything is possible with Photoshop and it is up to you to figure out how to do it. This technique requires that you read the tutorials, research methods on the Internet and ask people to help, but it works well if you have the patience.

The key here is that the project must be something you care about. It can't be something given to you by a teacher or friend.

3. Sandbox method - The Sandbox method is when you just jump in and work on meaningless projects with full confidence. You don't care if you mess anything up because you just want to learn what the different tools and settings do.

Let go of any fears you have of messing something up, pick a tool or menu and play with the settings and features. Open a picture and destroy it or enhance it beyond recognition.

No matter what method you choose, keep in mind that there is no wrong way to use Photoshop. I can show someone five or ten ways to remove a background or turn a photo to black and white, but as long as I get the desired result, it really doesn't matter how I got there.

DP Software — 2 Comments
24
Apr 07

Photoshop Elements 5

Adobe Photoshop Elements is the standard photo editing software for consumers and many professionals. The latest edition offers many new features, but are those features worth upgrading from previous versions of the program?

First, there is no upgrade version but since the program can easily be found online for under $70, it won't hurt too bad if you do want to upgrade.

Photoshop Elements has been a solid program since its introduction. Previous consumer photo editing programs only allowed you to make alterations in steps, any fine tuning was out of the question. Elements changed all of that by offering so many professional level tools that many professionals made the switch.

In previous reviews I have explained that Photoshop Elements 2 was worth upgrading from the first edition, but since then, the following editions were not really worth the upgrade.

Personally, I think that Elements 5 is only a minor upgrade from all previous versions, but there are some features that others may find important.

The most insignificant change to Elements 5 is the pretty interface. The tools are in color and the shiny gray polished look is designed to compliment Windows Vista.

The other upgrades pretty much fall into two categories, photo editing and creative/art.

Photo Editing

Curves - Curves are a very advanced feature that, until now, were only offered in a few professional digital photography programs. Typically curves are difficult to understand even for a photographer, but Elements has simplified the feature greatly.

Curves allow you to make fine adjustments to the variations between colors and values. You can use curves to minimize the blowouts that you may get in a brightly lit photo.

Convert to Black and White - There are a variety of ways to convert a photo from color to black and white. In fact, the right way to convert a photo to black and white is always sure to start an arguement among Photoshop users. Elements 5 helps you through this by providing options. You can choose which method you want to use and Elements will do it for you.

Creative/Artistic

Scrapbooking and projects – While Photoshop Elements hasn't changed much as a photo editor, there have been about a dozen changes to Elements creative projects options. Elements 5 provides a whole new set of tools for creating scrapbooks and albums. These features are very basic, but with a little imagination and time learning the program, scrapbookers will be very happy with Elements .

Order prints - Many of the features that Elements 5 has added are in direct competition with Google's Picasa. Whether it's ordering prints or organizing your photos, Picasa is still much easier and more robust.

Tips & Tricks — 2 Comments
23
Jan 07

Getting familiar with your digital camera

Although we recently had a class on getting to know your digital camera, many in the group have brand new cameras this time.

Since our meeting this month will focus a lot on the individual cameras that people bring to the meeting most of our notes will be posted after the meeting.

Here are a few items I expect to touch on.

You have a camera, now what?

Once you have the digital camera, you will need a few extras.

A 1 gigabyte memory card
At least one extra change of batteries
A nice padded camera case
A memory card reader

Software -

Picasa – my personal choice for organizing and backing up pictures (I expect to do a lot of show and tell of this at the meeting this month).
Adobe Photoshop Elements – the best consumer program there is for manipulating, editing and fixing pictures.

What about a photo printer?

Personally, I have not used a photo printer for at least three years. Photo printers are too expensive when compared to photo labs and online services such as Shutterfly , Club Photo and Snapfish .

One big reason to use a photo service rather than inkjet or die sublimation printers is proven longevity. Photos processed by photo services are actual photos. While Canon, Epson and HP all claim to produce prints that last as long as actual photos, none of these printers have been around long enough to prove their claims.

Picture Taking Tips

Allow the camera to focus and meter – Don't just press the shutter down quickly. Press the shutter down gently about half way to allow the camera to focus and meter. Squeeze the button down the rest of the way to take the picture.

Save batteries – There are three ways to burn down your batteries quickly:

Over using your zoom lens – the zoom lens is powered by a motor. Too much zooming will drain batteries.

Over using your LCD screen – Many camera makers have done away with the optical view finder (hole that lets you look though the camera) but if your camera has one you should use it. Using the LCD screen runs the batteries down faster than any other feature.

Connecting the camera to the computer – Use a memory reader instead of connecting the camera to the computer. Memory readers use no camera battery and the transfer process goes much faster.

Basic Camera Settings

Digital cameras can be a little overwhelming with all of their little buttons, icons and settings, but there are a few things you should know to help you get started.

Shoot on Auto or Program to start with – Today's cameras to a great job of thinking for you. You don't need to understand exposure, metering or any of those other fancy photo terms to get great shots most of the time.

Set your resolution on its highest settings – Lower resolution means more pictures, but it also means poorer pictures. Get a larger memory card rather than lowering the quality of your photos.

Get to know the custom settings – Once you are familiar with how to take pictures using the AUTO or program settings, your camera likely has custom modes that are designed for specific types of shots such as night, scenery, portraits, and macro. These are usually indicated by little symbols on the camera.

Internet Tips / OnAir Solutions — No Comments
2
Dec 06

Open Adobe PDF files in Firefox

Adobe Acrobat files (PDF) don't open properly in the Firefox browser window. However, one of the main advantages of Firefox is the vast library of add-ons to the browser called extensions. Here is a great one called the PDF Download extension you need if you use Firefox.

Riding Shotgun with Adam — 1 Comment
6
Nov 06

Gadgets yield more gadgets

I have helped several people buy new computers lately. I don't sell computers or any other hardware so I am more of a personal shopper than a salesman when it comes to guiding people through their purchase.

I think it's funny how gadgets always seem to yield more gadgets. Here is a short flowchart of how this process works.

1. A client calls and says that they need a new computer. They ask my advice on what they should get for just basic stuff like email and word processing. "I don't need anything fancy."

2. I suggest a basic system that will handle all of their needs and a little more.

3. I setup the new system during which time they notice that there are digital camera card reader slots on the front, a DVD recorder and speakers.

4. At this point I start smelling smoke as they begin to see more possibilities for their system.

5. Questions start coming up like: "So, this computer will work with a digital camera?", "So, what would I need to do to copy all of my old VHS movies to DVD?", "Can I make a CD of just the songs I like from all of my other CDs?" or "What would I need to make greeting cards?"

6. The answers to each of these questions, and many more, require additional hardware, software or other gadgets.

7. The client then buys a digital camera so that they can use the card slots on the front of the computer.

8. They then get a color photo quality printer that will handle greeting cards.

9. They buy a tripod and extra memory for the camera.

10. Special paper is purchased for greeting cards.

11. They have so much fun with the pictures from the camera that they decide to buy a scanner so they can make Christmas Calendars from old pictures for everyone in the family.

12. They buy Adobe Photoshop Elements so that they can do special effects with with their new photo projects.

13. While in the software aisle looking for Photoshop they see that Microsoft has a new flight sim.

14. They spend hours playing with the flight sim, but it is difficult and unrealistic to fly a plane without a yoke, so they head back to the store for a joystick.

15. After playing with the realism settings the flight sim graphics stutter a little. The fix for this problem is to install a dedicated video card.

16. Once the graphics are better then they buy a few more games, some of them require that more RAM be added to the system.

17. In the mean time they see an ad in a magazine for a sewing machine that hooks up to the computer and does embroidery of any image from the computer.

18. The new sewing machine also can connect to a Palm Pilot so that you make use it at sewing parties and share patters.

19. The new Palm Pilot will also play MP3s and it can connect to a GPS.

20. They rip their entire CD collection into MP3s and fill up the Palm. At this point they decide that an iPod would be a better use as an MP3 player because it will hold more music.

21. Using the Palm as a GPS is fine for small navigational helps but it doesn't feature the power of a stand-alone GPS device.

22. They buy a new GPS but it doesn't work in the car or give audible directions so they get one of those too.

23. Now that they are enjoying portable gadgets they start to see the benefits of having a laptop.

24. The laptop helps but you can only use the Internet in areas with WiFi. To get email and Internet while traveling, they see a need for a better cell phone that can do email, Internet, maps, text messaging and more.

25. The cell phone takes video so they begin to take short little videos while they travel.

26. They take so many videos that they see a need for a new digital video camera.

27. The new digital video camera takes very nice video but the video doesn't look that great on the old dim TV.

28. The new TV is very nice, but the picture is a little fuzzy since they don't have an HDTV package on their cable service.

29. They call for pricing and find out that satellite service is cheaper and offers more channels.

30. There are so many channels and so much to see that they feel the need to get a DVR that will record all of their shows so they can watch them later.

31. The new DVR offers the ability to stream the shows through a home computer network so that you can watch recorded video on any computer in the house.

32. They setup a home network and decide to share a printer between the desktop and the laptop. They quickly get tired of having to turn on the desktop computer every time they want to print something out from the laptop.

33. They buy a computer with a network card built in to solve the problem.

34. They see irony in the fact that one of their computers is a portable laptop, but they have to sit in the same place with it while they use it at home because it is hardwired into the network.

35. They buy WiFi router that will allow them to use the Internet on the laptop from anywhere in the house. They are overwhelmed by the convenience of the laptop and they hardly ever use the desktop computer. In fact, they almost fight over the laptop.

36. After buying a new laptop, they notice that the built-in card reader on their laptop doesn't support their digital camera's memory type.

37. The new digital camera takes such high resolution pictures that they fear running out of room on their laptop.

38. They buy a new external Hard Drive for backup.

39. On their travels they get tired of carrying two laptops, a cell phone, an MP3 player and a Palm Pilot.

40. They buy a Treo that does everything and they are able to leave their laptops at home or at the motel when they travel.

41. By this time they decide to go back to desktops because the don't really need to take their computers with them when they travel and TVs have become so cheap that they have a nice TV in their office where the sewing machine and desktop computer are.

42. The original desktop is too old so they hand it down to a grandson who is starting high school and they give the older laptop to a daughter who is starting college.

43. They buy a new desktop to go with the sewing machine, but the cable connections have changed and the new computer won't support the old sewing machine.

I think I will stop there. I just realized that I have been using the same keyboard and mouse for seven years. The new ones have more buttons. I'm off to the store.

DP Software — 2 Comments
22
Aug 06

Amazing Photoshop Elements: Toolbox

The Amazing Photoshop Elements Toolbox

There are so many wonderful things you can do with Photoshop Elements.

You will find many of our tips in our notes from previous meetings.

Photoshop Elements Part I

Photoshop Elements Part II

Photoshop Elements Part III

This time we will spend most of our time discussing the Magical Photoshop Elements Toolbox.

There are three kinds of tools in the Toolbox:

Hover your mouse over any area in the toolbox to see its name. Hold your left mouse button down over any tool with a little diagonal triangle at the bottom to see hidden tools with similar functions.

Selecting: These tools create “Marching Ants” that indicate that an area has been selected. Selection tools include the Marquee Tool, Lasso Tool, Magic Wand and Brush Selection Tool These are all found in the top 5th of the Toolbox.

Once and area is selected, any changes you make will only apply to the selected area.

Painting: These tools “paint” effects by holding down the left mouse button while moving the mouse in the area you want to change. Painting tools include the Paintbrush, Pencil, Erase, Red Eye, Blur, Sharpen, Sponge, Smear, and Clone Stamp tools.

All painting tools allow you to change the area that you are working on by adjusting the brush size and you can apply affects by making changes in the Options bar (tool bar under the file menu that changes when you select a tool).

Custom Tools: These are tools that don’t fit into the Selecting or Painting Catagory. Most of these tools are for artistic purposes and are not used to improve your photo.

Gradient Tool - Select this tool and then draw a line and it will fill the entire area with a graduated color scheme. You can manipulate the Gradient tool in the Options bar. Change the option to something other than normal to get a variety of effects such as a sunset or haze.
Text Tool - Select this tool to type text. Use the Options bar to change fonts, font sizes and other text effects.
Fill Tool – This tool fills the entire selected area with your foreground color.
Eye Dropper – Selects the foreground color. ALT+Click selects the background color.
Custom Shape tool - creates a custom shape such as a heart or star.