About this Blog

Keyboard Shortcuts

Wed, 5 Mar 2008 16:53:34 -0600

Windows users substitute “Control” for “Command”

Must Know Universal Shortcuts

Command + Z = Undo
Command + X = Cut
Command + C = Copy
Command + V = Paste
Command + O = Open
Command + N = New
Command + A = Select All

Must Know Graphics Shortcuts

Command + 0 = Fill Screen
Command + “+” = Zoom in
Command + “-” = Zoom out

Shift key = Constrain
Space Bar (held down) = Hand tool
Command + Space Bar (held down) = Zoom tool
Option + Drag (PC: Control + Drag) = Duplicate

Must Know Flash Shortcuts

F5 = Insert Frame
F6 = Insert Keyframe
F7 = Insert Blank Keyframe
F8 = Convert to Symbol
F9 = Actions Panel
F11 = Library Panel

Nice To Know Flash Shortcuts

, (comma) = Move playhead to previous frame
. (period) = Move playhead to next frame
Command + T = Transform Panel
Command + K = Align Panel

CSS Online Resources

Fri, 1 Feb 2008 13:25:40 -0600

CSS Resources:

Dreamweaver’s built-in reference window
CSS: The Missing Manual
Cascading Style Sheets: The Definitive Guide by Eric Meyer

CSS Zen Garden http://www.zengarden.com

The CSS Vault http://cssvault.com

CSS Layout Resources
http://css-discuss.incutio.com/?page=CssLayouts

Little Boxes
http://www.thenoodleincident.com/tutorials/box_lesson/boxes.html

The Layout Reservoir http://www.bluerobot.com/web/layouts/

Layout-o-matic
http://www.inknoise.com/experimental/layoutomatic.php

Index DOT CSS: Advanced CSS Reference
http://home.webmonster.net/mirrors/bloo-html/

http://www.css-discuss.org/

http://www.d.umn.edu/itss/support/Training/Online/webdesign/css.html

http://meyerweb.com/eric/css/

http://www.w3.org/Style/CSS/

SelectOracle
http://gallery.theopalgroup.com/selectoracle/

✤ One of the most confusing parts of working with CSS is figuring out what those darned selectors actually mean. Well, the easiest way is to simply ask the SelectOracle. You can type any n umber of selectors or put in the full URL to a CSS file online into the Oracle, and it will give you a plain English (or Spanish) description of exactly what that selector matches. It’s the first place to turn if you’re looking at a site that’s doing something you don’t quite understand, or if you need to write a particularly complex rule and can’t seem to get it right on your own.

Listamatic
http://css.maxdesign.com.au/listamatic/

✤ Lists are an incredibly powerful way of organizing information. Check this out to learn various ways to use lists.

Dreamweaver Online Resources

Wed, 9 Jan 2008 22:30:05 -0600

Dreamweaver Extensions:

Adobe Exchange http://www.adobe.com/exchange
tons of Dreamweaver extras

Yaromat http://www.yaromat.com/dw/index.php
Contains several very useful Dreamweaver extensions. This web site is another great repository for Dreamweaver behaviors, commands, and objects.

Massimo’s Corner of the Web http://www.massimocorner.com/
Dreamweaver extensions, Objects, Commands & Behaviors. Massimo’s is a great Web site for getting some really useful commands and ColdFusion code.

DWFaq Extensions List http://www.dwfaq.com/Resources/Extensions/
Get started finding Dreamweaver extensions with this pretty comprehensive list.

Dreamweaver Depot http://www.andrewwooldridge.com/dreamweaver/
Huge collection of Dreamweaver Objects, Commands & Actions

Dreamweaver Extensions Database http://www.idest.com/cgi-bin/database.cgi
Extensive database of Dreamweaver extensions

Listamatic http://css.maxdesign.com.au/listamatic/
Lists are an incredibly powerful way of organizing information. Check this out to learn various ways to use lists.

http://www.grsites.com http://www.grsites.com/textures/
Tons of free web page resources, background textures (seamless tiles)

http://www.dtp-aus.com/menulist.htm
Some very common drop Menu Lists you can copy into any of your own forms.

Typography:

Greeking Machine http://www.duckisland.com/GreekMachine.asp

Search Engine Optimization & Marketing:

<meta> Tag Resources
Web Developer http://webdeveloper.internet.com/html/html_metatag_res.html
Search Engine Watch http://searchenginewatch.com/webmasters/meta.html

Design Ideas:
webbyawards.com
sxsw.com
How magazines

Templates Resources:

Webdesigners Toolkit http://www.webdesignerstoolkit.com/
Free Photoshop browser templates for professional web layouts.

CSS Resources:

✤ See the Adobe Blog Entry “CSS Online Resources” on this web site

Tables Resources:

Tables Online Tutorials http://www.dwfaq.com/Tutorials/Tables/

Accessibility Resources:

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0
http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG10/

Techniques for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0
http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG10-TECHS/

CSS Techniques for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0
http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG10-CSS-TECHS/

HTML Techniques for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 1.0
http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG10-HTML-TECHS/

IBM Home Page Reader 3.0
http://www-3.ibm.com/able/solution_offerings/hpr.html

HTML & XHTML Resources:

World Wide Web Consortium http://www.w3.org/MarkUp/

HTML: An Interactive Tutorial for Beginners
http://www.davesite.com/webstation/html/

Webmonkey: HTML Tutorial
http://www.webmonkey.com/teachingtool/index.html

NCDesign: HTML Design Guide v 6.0 http://www.ncdesign.org/html/

Index DOT HTML & CSS: Advanced HTML & CSS Reference
http://home.webmonster.net/mirrors/bloo-html/

The HTML Writers Guild: A Resource List http://www.hwg.org/resources/

XHTML 1.0 — Transitional
http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd

W3 Schools http://www.w3schools.com/xhtml/xhtml_reference.asp

XHTML 1.0 — Frameset
http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-frameset.dtd

XHTML 1.0 — Strict
http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd

Testing in Multiple Devices:
Various Web sites offer emulators

Palm OS Emulator http://www.palmos.com/dev/tools/emulator/

PocketPC Emulator http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=57265402-47a8-4ce4-9aa7-5fe85b95de72&displaylang=en

SmartPhone 2003 Emulator http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspxFamilyID=791bae52-b057-4d72-b263-105534825ca5&displaylang=en

YoSpace PDA Emulator http://www.yospace.com/pdaemu.html

Dynamic Dreamweaver:

Making Forms Function
HotScripts.com http://www.hotscripts.com
The CGI Resource Index http://cgi.resourceindex.com/
Script Search http://www.scriptsearch.com
Online resources for obtaining scripts (server-side programming) and implementing the processing of your forms.

Check Form Validation Behavior
Yaromat’s http://www.yaromat.com/dw/?t=Behavior&r=forms
There are far better form validation behaviors out there than the Validate Form behavior built into Dreamweaver.

Form Information Processing Services
Response-o-matic http://www.response-o-matic.com
Form Mail http://www.formmail.com

More Services of This Sort
http://hotscripts.com/Remotely_Hosted/Form_Processors/index.html
Sites that handle sending form information to you. These sites accept a form post directly from your site and then email you the results.

CandyPress http://www.candypress.com/
best deal, easy to customize - for hosting on own server;
a MS Windows eCommerce software suite for small businesses

OS Commerce: http://oscommerce.com
store for Linux based server open source (completely free)
more features than CandyPress (built on PHP and candyPress)

Mambo Server http://www.mamboserver.com/
Free open source CMS (Content Management System) for database-driven sites

Illustrator Online Resources

Wed, 9 Jan 2008 22:09:39 -0600

Opening Screen tutorials (documentation)

Help Menu... Adobe Help Center... Getting Started and tutorials (documentation)

Illustrator Support Center FAQ, Support Topics, Forums, more downloads (PDF Tutorials), Developer Center also has tutorials

Adobe Illustrator Exchange 734 downloads (many from Adobe)
(sort by downloads column)

Adobe Online Seminars (register, free prizes!)

Lynda.com Seminars http://www.lynda.com
Several videos of each class are free
Deke McClelland teaches 3 online Illustrator CS3 One-on-One courses:
(1.) The Essentials (2.) Beyond the Basics (3.) Advanced Techniques

Online Adobe Illustrator 10 http://apex.vtc.com/illustrator10.php
Several videos are free

Podcasts in iTunes

Lynda.com video training (some on Illustrator)

Adobe Creative Suite Video Podcast video training (some on Illustrator)

Pixel Perfect with Bert Monroy highest quality video training

The Russell Brown Show

Quicktips for designers - graphic design tutorials

Inside Creative Software (video)

DesignSchool Podcasts

Web Sites:

Search on Google for “Illustrator Tutorials”

Illustrator World e-Magazine http://www.illustratorworld.com/tutorial/

Layers Magazine http://www.layersmagazine.com/category/illustrator/

http://kuler.adobe.com
Adobe Labs presents various color themes from graphic artists

Get Inspiration from Source Images:

Search for “royalty free” (“rights managed” are much more expensive)

istockphoto http://www.istockphoto.com/
repository to buy royalty free professional images

Getty Images creative.gettyimages.com
purchase exclusive rights to superior, professional images

Barry’s Clip Art Server http://barrysclipart.com/

Top Illustrator Artist Web Sites:

Philip J. Neal http://www.pneal.com/
Mike Sellers http://www.circlenlinestudios.com/
Todd Ferris http://www.warking.com/
Scott Weichert http://www.weichertcreative.com/
John Schwegel http://www.johnschwegel.com/
Jib Hunt http://www.jibhunt.com/
Brooke Nunez http://www.lifeinvector.com/
Erwin Haya http://www.onesickindividual.com
Mark Anderson http://www.bigwhiskeyart.com/
Christian Musselman http://www.christianmusselman.com/

Fireworks Compatible Plugins

Wed, 9 Jan 2008 22:00:58 -0600

Fireworks Compatible Plugins

http://www.mehdiplugins.com/

http://www.xero-graphics.co.uk/

http://www.cybia.co.uk/

http://www.richardrosenman.com/photoshop.htm

http://www.geocities.com/murakuma/mmplugins.html

http://www.redfieldplugins.com/

http://photoshop.msk.ru/

http://www.ats-vienna.com/graphics/

http://www.reindeergraphics.com/free.shtml

http://www.v-d-l.com/

http://photo-plugins.com/

http://www.richardrosenman.com/

http://www.optikvervelabs.com/

http://www.littleinkpot.co.uk/FreePlugins.htm

http://thepluginsite.com/products/picopro/featureslight.htm

http://thepluginsite.com/products/photowiz...ebies/index.htm

http://www.redpawmedia.com/

http://www.philipp-spoeth.de/

http://www.bmath.net/dc/download.htm

http://www.photoshop-filters.com/html/dsb_flux.htm

http://www.optikvervelabs.com/

Fonts Online Resources

Wed, 9 Jan 2008 21:53:28 -0600

Fonts (free, etc.)

http://www.fontfreak.com

http://www.1001fonts.com/

http://www.macfonts.com

http://www.myfonts.com/

http://www.buyfonts.com

Fireworks Online Resources

Wed, 9 Jan 2008 20:07:12 -0600

Opening Screen tutorials (documentation)

Help Menu tutorials (documentation), links to Fireworks Support Center & Exchange

Fireworks Support Center FAQ, (no updates for version 8 yet), Support Topics, Forums, more downloads (PDF Tutorials), Developer Center has tutorials

Fireworks Exchange 79 extensions (sort by downloads column, look for version 8 or all)

Adobe Online Seminars (register, free prizes!)

Podcasts in iTunes
CBT Cafe Lynda.com Creative Cow Multimedia 101

Web Sites:

EZwebdesign.com http://www.ezwebdesign.com/fireworks.html
Fireworks Tips and Tutorials

BestCatalog.net http://bestcatalog.net/
web site development resources

Fireworks Zone http://www.fireworkszone.com/
Fireworks articles, tips and tutorials.

FWzone http://www.fwzone.net/

Lynda.com http://www.lynda.com/
Fireworks 8 Essential Training (some free videos)

Joyce J Evans Very nice collection of Fireworks tutorials
http://www.joycejevans.com/tutorials/Fireworks/fwtutorials.htm

Friends of Ed http://www.friendsofed.com
download textbook files, etc.
http://www.friendsofed.com/forums
support for textbook & Fireworks

CBT Cafe http://www.cbtcafe.com/fireworks/
Fireworks Tutorials

Entheos http://www.entheosweb.com/fireworks/default.asp
Fireworks Tips, Tricks & Tutorials. Excellent site with lots of tips & tutorials. Learn cool text transformations, photo framing & much more.

Spoono http://www.spoono.com/fireworks/tutorials/
11 tutorials, creating beveled text, hover buttons and more.

Pixel2life.com A directory of Fireworks tutorials. Great starting point.
http://www.pixel2life.com/tutorials/macromedia_fireworks/

Playing with Fire http://www.playingwithfire.com/
(all things Macromedia Fireworks)

DisDatDesigns.com http://www.disdatdesigns.com/fireworks/
Fireworks Tutorials

SolarDreamStudios.com Offers 16 tutorials.
http://solardreamstudios.com/learn/fireworks/

VecPix http://www.vecpix.com/tutorials/fireworks/
Learn to make a ball bounce, text animations & drop down menus.

John Dunning http://www.johndunning.com/fireworks/
Fireworks Extensions

Ultraweaver.com http://www.ultraweaver.com/
(277 source files)

GeekForum.com http://www.geekforum.com/

Project Fireworks http://www.projectfireworks.com/index.aspx

Fireworks Forum http://www.fireworksguruforum.com

Nathan Pitman
http://nathanpitman.com/journal/373/whered-those-fireworks-extensions-go

Fonts (free, etc.)
http://www.fontfreak.com
http://www.1001fonts.com/
http://www.macfonts.com
http://www.myfonts.com/
http://www.buyfonts.com

Photoshop Online Resources

Wed, 9 Jan 2008 18:31:08 -0600

Photoshop Support Center:
FAQ, (no updates for version 8 yet), Support Topics, Forums, more downloads (PDF Tutorials), Developer Center has tutorials

Photoshop Exchange:
part of Adobe Exchange (sort by downloads column)
Online repository of styles, actions, etc. (free service)
Note: get the “Raymond Duke” downloads

Podcasts in iTunes:
Lynda.com, Russell Brown, Bert Monroy, Deke McClelland

Lynda.com
Photoshop CS2 & CS3 Training (some free)

Adobe Online Seminars:
(register, free prizes!)

Photoshop Opening Screen & Help Menu:
both have tutorials (documentation)

Blending Modes:
http://www.arraich.com/ref/tool_blend_modes.htm

kuler Color Themes:
kuler is the first web-hosted application from Adobe Labs designed both to stand alone and to complement Adobe® Creative Suite® software. http://kuler.adobe.com/

Royalty Free & Rights Managed Images Online Resources

Wed, 9 Jan 2008 18:21:13 -0600

Get inspiration from source images:

Search for “royalty free”
“rights managed” are much more expensive

istockphoto.com http://www.istockphoto.com/
repository to buy royalty free professional images

Getty Images http://www.creative.gettyimages.com
purchase exclusive rights to superior, professional images

Barry’s Clip Art Server http://barrysclipart.com
get free animals, etc.

Raster vs. Vector Art

Wed, 9 Jan 2008 18:06:12 -0600

Raster vs. Vector Art

• Graphics graphic elements in a composition

• Raster, Bitmap (pixel-based, grid of squares) images problem = can be really large
made up of a matrix of thousands or millions of individual dots
• pixels = picture elements. Each individual dot is described and is a single color
and is so small (1/72nd to 1/600th of an inch) our eyes blend them into a single image

• superior for: complex images with detail (digital photographs)

• resolution dependent: interpolation (scaling, etc.) distorts, degrades quality, loses integrity

• Painting creating a bitmap graphic = coloring pixels

• Photoshop editing & creating raster (pixel based) images; photos, jaggies

• Formats (Save as....)
• PSD Photoshop (working) document
• BMP Bitmap: no quality lost (resolution and color depth)
• GIFF (.gif) raster based lossless compression, 256 colors, transparency & animation
• JPEG (.jpg) raster based lossy compression, low resolution (artifacts, remnants)
16 million colors, never JPEG a JPEG!!

• Vector Objects math-based images: mathematical formulas describe basic lines, curves, shapes.  shapes, paths, objects

• vectors = anchor points Text is vector based.

• paths = connecting lines, the underlying points the computer sees

• superior for: simple shapes (rectangles, stars and curvy lines),
marketing materials (ads, logos, letterheads, business cards)

• smaller file size requires less data

• resolution independent = constant image quality, crisp

• always editable, more easily modified (resized, etc.)

• Drawing = creating a vector graphic. Common workflow:
1.) structure: plotting points to create paths (shapes, size, placement)
2.) and then make them look good by specifying the appearance of:

• the strokes (edges, the colored lines and curves visible to the eye)
paint characteristic of a line or the outline of an object
set the stroke attributes to control the thickness and color of lines.

• fill = everything bound by the paths,
paint characteristic of the inside of an object

• apply textures to strokes and fills
Note: Don’t confuse paths with strokes. A single path can have a variety of strokes.

• Illustrator vector(math-based) images;
• Flash multimedia development platform

• Formats (Save as....)
• AI Adobe Illustrator
• FLA, SWF Flash authoring and publishing formats

• Vector & Bitmap
• FireWorks hybrid of raster & vector: almost everything you create is a vector graphic and almost everything you export is a bitmap.

• Formats (Save as....) Fireworks native format = special PNG (not for web browsers)
• PNG (.png) has alpha channel = transparency

Photoshop & Illustrator CS3 One-on-One with: Deke McClelland

Tue, 1 Jan 2008 22:06:22 -0600

Training in Photoshop & Illustrator doesn’t get any better than that by Deke McClelland and Lynda.com has graciously made it available online.

On December 14, 2006, Adobe announced the first-ever public beta for an upcoming version of Photoshop, its flagship image-editing software. Best-selling author and Photoshop guru Deke McClelland has teamed up with lynda.com to create the first video training on this landmark release. Photoshop and Illustrator CS3 One-on-One offers a personal video tour through a series of real-world examples that illustrate each of the key features and enhancements in Photoshop and Illustrator CS3. Major and minor features alike are covered in meticulous detail.

Check his Photoshop videos out at:

http://movielibrary.lynda.com/html/modListing.asp?pid=228

Check his Illustrator videos out at:

http://movielibrary.lynda.com/html/modListing.asp?pid=8

Adobe Production Studio is Back on the Mac

Tue, 1 Jan 2008 18:23:52 -0600

The next version of Adobe® Production Studio, the completely integrated video post-production solution that is also part of the Creative Suite family, will now be available for both Windows Platforms and Intel-based Macintosh systems. Get the details about the next release of Adobe Production Studio for both Windows and Mac OS.

http://www.adobe.com/products/productionstudio/video_mac.html