Adobe Creative Suite 3

How to Convert AVI to MOV in Adobe

Adobe produces software for almost every aspect of digital media production. With so many software titles, you may wonder which Adobe product is best suited for your project. When working with video files, the Adobe Creative Suite 4 Production Premium contains programs designed for digital video production. File conversion is an essential need for converting video file formats for use on different computer platforms. Adobe Media Encoder CS4 is included in this suite specifically for converting files from one type to another.

1. Open Adobe Media Encoder and click the “Add” button to locate your AVI source file and open it in the Media Encoder.
2. Step 2

   Click on the “Settings” button to configure how you want the AVI file exported. From the “Format” drop down menu, select “Quicktime.”

3. Step 3

   Expand the Presets drop-down menu and select the type of MOV file you want to create. Adobe Media Encoder offers digital video presets for either the NTSC (American) or PAL (European) television formats. If you do not see a preset that matches your export needs, you can customize your own type of MOV file using the Video and Audio tabs in the Export Settings dialogue box. Select an alternate video codec from the pull-down menu under the Video tab. If needed, adjust the width and height of the frame size. Click on the Audio tab to select a custom audio codec from the pull-down menu and change the audio encoding properties.

4. Step 4

   Click the “Start Queue” button to begin the file conversion. Note the progress display will show you the estimated time needed to complete the conversion process.

How to Setup Photoshop Color Management

Adobe Photoshop uses color manager to determine the handling of color data that does not immediately match the overflow of your current color management. Color manger provide instructions for the program to deal with your newly opened image or when you import color data into an active file.

By gathering color management controls in a Color Settings window, Photoshop simplifies your task setting up a work flow for managing colors. There is preset color management settings list that you can choose to work with, or adjust the controls manually to customize your own settings. The manager even allows you to save customized settings to share them with other Adobe products, i.e. Illustrator, which also uses the Color Manager to manage the color settings.

1. Do either one below to open the color manager:

   (1) In Macintosh OS and Windows: Edit > Color Settings.

   (2) For Mac OS only: Photoshop > Color Settings.

2. Step 2

   PREDEFINED COLOR MANAGEMENT WORKFLOW SETUP

   Choose either one of the options on the Color Setting menu:

   (1) ColorSync Workflow – - for Mac OS only. Activate this option if you want to use with a mix of Adobe and non-Adobe products for the color management.

   (2) Emulate Photoshop 4 – - color management for Photoshop versions 4.0 and earlier. For both Mac OS and Windows.

   (3) Photoshop 5 Default Spaces – - color management for Photoshop versions 5.0 and newer. For both Mac OS and Windows.

   (4) Web Graphics Defaults – - controls color for web content. Meaning that the color manager is set to specific colors suitable for web publishing.

   (5) U.S. Prepress Defaults – - controls color for documents that will be published under U.S. common press conditions.

   (6) Japan Prepress Defaults – - same as the #5 above, but used for output in Japan.

   (7) Europe Prepress Defaults – - same as #5 and #6 above, but for use in Europe; for files that will be output under European common press conditions.

3. Step 3

   CUSTOMIZE COLOR MANAGEMENT WORKFLOW SETUP

   Under Color Management Policies (in the Color Settings window), select one of the following:

   (1) Off – - if you want the color manager to stop manage imported, new or opened data.

   (2) Preserve Embedded Profiles – - if you know that you will be working with a mix of “non-color managed” and “color managed” documents.

   (3) Convert to Working Space – - this will force all documents/color data to use the “current” color managing profile as a guideline for the color manager.

   By default, while you make adjustments to the color managing profile, the Settings option auto-changes to “Custom” from what the Adobe previously set when Photoshop was shipped.

4. Step 4

   More about the Photoshop color manager:

   The job of color manager (which uses Photoshop color management policy) looks for the preset or customized color profile related with an opened file or imported color data; image. It compares the preset color profile with the current working color data or document to make decisions on default color management. The color management policy is important for comparing imported document or color data with its preset profile for creating and editing colors, this helps the Photoshop color manager to decide how to handle color data in the document/image efficiently, which in turn helps make your projects in Photoshop flow smoothly.

   Color management policy in Adobe Photshop sold in the U.S. is by default set to U.S. Prepress Defaults. See #5 Step 2 for description.

How to Create Designs With CorelDRAW 12

The strength of CorelDRAW 12—the version of the art program prior to “Creative Suite”—is its intuitive handling and usability, enabling even the newest user to almost immediately create designs, even without instruction. And, with its deep core of design tools, CorelDRAW 12 also offers a lot of room for designers to develop their skills.

Creating a Basic First Design

1. Step 1

   Choose “File” from the menu and select “New from Template.” In the pop-up box that appears, choose the pre-installed “BusLet_009″ (if this particular template is missing, choose another full-page graphic template). A pre-built graphic design should appear, in this case a faint planet Earth on a soft gradient with a border on the left side of the page. Click on the far-left graphic element—the long, thin ornamental border—and “Delete” it.

2. Step 2

   Use the “Pick Tool.” All of the elements on this page were created in CorelDRAW, and all the pieces can be moved, modified, or deleted. By choosing the “Pick Tool” from the Toolbox toolbar and left-clicking and holding down the mouse button, draw a bounding box around the entire graphic. All elements of the graphic will become apparent when you release the mouse button. The two top elements are text boxes, and one vast text box covers the dominant space of the body of the graphic.

3. Step 3

   Experiment with the various elements on this template by double-clicking on the pre-loaded elements such as the two invisible header boxes at the top of the work area. Add text, and change styles by manipulating size, color, bold and italics. This graphic is suitable for a flier, or even letterhead. Experiment in creating various styles.

4. Step 4

   Click on the globe shape in the center of the template. You will be clicking on a large text box that is one layer above the globe shape. Move this text box to the right side of the screen in order to access the globe shape. Right-click on the globe and select “Ungroup” from the drop-down menu. You now have access to the three separate elements that comprise the globe graphic. Select each in turn and choose new colors.

5. Step 5

   Click on various tools from the “Toolbox” toolbar, such as the “Ellipse” tool to add a circular shape, or on the “Freehand Tool” to incorporate drawings or unique lines. Also, rearrange the various graphic elements that were part of the original template.

How to Make Custom Icons

If you spend a lot of time chatting to friends on the computer, competing in online games or socializing on message boards, you may get bored of the standard pre-set icons available through various programs. Icons are small graphical files used to represent you on the Internet and may also be used in place of the graphics on your computer for items such as file folders and software packages. You can make your own custom graphics with just a few minutes of time using Microsoft Paint, included with your computer’s installation. Create personalized icons to introduce yourself on the web.

1. Open Paint and click “Image,” then click “Attributes.” Icons are very small files; the Windows XP recommendation for icons is a maximum of 48 by 48 pixels. Input your desired dimensions and click the “OK” button. To give yourself room to draw, enlarge the image by clicking “View,” then “Zoom,” then “Custom,” then “800%.”
2. Step 2

   Click the “Text” tool, which looks like a capital “A” and position your cursor at the bottom of the white box. Click your mouse and a toolbar appears; select a font and size, then type the name of the icon, such as “Documents,” “Gaming” or your name.

3. Step 3

   Click the “Paintbrush” tool and select one of the slash mark brush heads. Choose a paint color from the “Color Picker” at the bottom of the screen, then draw the outline of the icon, such as a heart, circle, cat head or sports team logo.

4. Step 4

   Click the “Fill” tool, which looks like a spilling paint can, then click inside the icon you just drew, which fills with color.

5. Step 5

   Click the “Pencil” tool and a new paint color, then add some accents to the icon such as shadows or facial features. Change paint colors and add more accents as desired.

6. Step 6

   (Optional) Click the “Fill” tool again and change paint colors, then click anywhere within the white background of the box, which fills with color, giving your icon a colored backdrop.

How to Delete Photoshop Channels

Adobe Photoshop is one of the world’s most widely used graphic design applications. Included in the Adobe Creative Suite, the program allows designers and photographers to create and edit bitmap images in a range of formats, including JPEG, PNG, TIFF, and the Photoshop Document (PSD) format. Photoshop gives users control over many aspects of digital image files, including tools that allow for the deletion of individual color channels. Once you know where to look, removing one or more channels from an image in Photoshop becomes a very quick task.

1. Open the image you want to edit in Adobe Photoshop.
2. Step 2

   Click “Window” in the top menu bar and locate the “Channels” item. If a check mark appears next to the item, do nothing. If no check mark appears, single-click “Channels” to enable the corresponding palette.

3. Step 3

   Select the Channels palette. It is located on the right-hand side of the screen by default.

4. Step 4

   Single-click a channel name (e.g., “Blue,” “Green”) to select it.

5. Step 5

   Click the icon resembling a trash can, found at the lower-right corner of the Channels palette, to delete the selected channel. Click “Yes” when prompted by Photoshop to confirm your choice.

How to Create Family Face Address Labels

Show off your family pride with every piece of correspondence, card or bill you send through the postal mail. Family face address labels, cartoon caricatures of the people (and pets) in your family, are a big business with custom printers and stationers, but you don’t have to spend money on them. Make your own family face address labels with a few clicks on your computer through two programs, Microsoft Paint, which is included in your Windows installation, and Publisher, part of the Office Suite.

Designing the Faces

1. Step 1

   Open Paint and click “Image,” then “Attributes.” Set the width and height each to one inch, then click the “OK” button. Click the “View” menu and choose “Zoom” and “Large Size.” This won’t increase the dimensions of your label; it just gives you more room to draw.

2. Step 2

   Click the “Paintbrush” tool on the “Tools” palette on the left side of the screen. Select the middle round brush head, then choose a skin color from the “Color Picker” at the bottom of the screen. If none of the options resemble your family’s skin color, double-click any colored box, which opens a rainbow of colors to select from.

3. Step 3

   Draw a circle with the paintbrush for the first family face. Click the “Fill” tool, which looks like a spilling paint can, then click inside the circle, which fills up with the skin color.

4. Step 4

   Click the “Pencil” tool and change paint colors, then draw facial features such as eyes, nose and mouth. Use the pencil or paintbrush to add features such as hair, jewelry or hats.

5. Step 5

   (Optional) Click the text tool, which looks like an “A,” and click inside the white box on the screen. A toolbar appears; select a family-style font such as Comic Sans or Kirsten, then type the family member’s name, such as “Mom” or “Davida.”

6. Step 6

   Click “File,” then click “Save As.” Name the picture and save it to your computer desktop.

7. Step 7

   Repeat to make faces for all family members for the label; don’t forget to draw pets as well.

Creating the Label

8. Step 1

   Open Publisher and click “Page Setup.” Scroll the “Publication type” menu down to “Label,” then select “Avery 5160.” It doesn’t matter if you don’t have Avery labels; that’s just the standard formatting for the 1 inch by 2 5/8 inch 30-sheet labels used for most address designs. Click the “OK” button. A single white rectangle appears on the screen.

9. Step 2

   Click the “Insert” menu at the top of the screen, then choose “Picture” and “From File.” Browse to your desktop and click on any of the family faces you just drew. It doesn’t matter the order; you’ll add them all and can always rearrange them. The face appears on the label.

10. Step 3

    Click the “Move” tool, which looks like a white arrow head, then drag the face into order, such as age order, head of family order or alphabetically.

11. Step 4

    Repeat to add all family faces to the label.

How to Make a Brochure in a Word Document

Entrepreneurs and small business owners can create professional brochures quickly and easily using Microsoft Word. A full-color, professional marketing brochure can set you apart as a credible independent service provider. A well-designed brochure can identify your small business as a top-notch company. Additionally, you can use Word to create informational brochures in plain black and white that are packed with valuable information your potential clients are looking for.

1. Choose the font type, style, size and color that you will use throughout the brochure. Select font style, size and color by clicking “Format” then “Font.” After the screen pops up, use the drop-down boxes to select your options. Click “OK” to save your changes.
2. Step 2

   Set your page margins to determine how much blank space will exist on the top, bottom and right and left sides of your brochure. To do this, select “File” then “Page Setup” from the top of the Word toolbar. Set your margins in each corresponding box labeled “Top,” “Left,” “Bottom” and “Right.”

3. Step 3

   Choose the layout for your brochure by clicking “Portrait” or “Landscape” under the section at the middle of the screen marked “Orientation.” Portrait layout prints the brochure from top to bottom. Landscape layout prints the brochure across from left to right.

4. Step 4

   Set the number of folds your brochure will have by clicking “Format” then “Columns.” To create a three-fold brochure, select the image that shows three columns. If you want a two-fold brochure, select the image that shows two columns. The text will automatically wrap around from top to bottom down the first column, then roll to the second column.

5. Step 5

   Draw or insert a portrait of your business logo on the front of the brochure. Select “Insert” then “Picture” then “From File” to insert a drawing or business logo you have saved on your computer’s hard drive onto the cover of your brochure. Center the logo around the text on your cover by clicking “View” and “Print Layout.” This will allow you to work with the text and logo and see how the cover will look after it is printed.

6. Step 6

   Write effective copy for your brochure. On the cover and back pages, be sure to type the name, address, telephone, email and fax number of your business. Include your website URL on the cover and on the back page as well. Add valid statistics related to your business or industry to the inside of your brochure.

7. Step 7

   Print your brochure by clicking “File” then “Print.” Select the number of copies you want to print and your printer by choosing the drop-down boxes under “Number of Copies” and “Printer Name.” Click “OK” to save your changes and send the brochure to the printer.

8. Step 8

   Fold two-sided brochures in half and three-sided brochures in quarters. Make sure that all folds are even and that no extra paper hangs off the edges. Avoid pressing the creases in the folds too hard so as to not crinkle the folded edges or cause the ink to smear.

How to Become a Graphic Designer Without Attending Art School

Learning graphic design is no easy feat. Despite the abundance of technology available to the consumer, an investment of time and energy is necessary to learn the trade, realizing the computer is just a tool for making design happen. The price of art school tuition, where you will study with some of the top designers and engage countless projects through which you’ll learn to design, is nothing to sneeze at. If you decide to go it your own, which can be done, you can use this as a guide to help you.

1. Start conducting your own research. Collect objects, advertisements, and product designs you like. Find out which designers whose work you admire and read up on them. Develop an image library, both on your computer and/or in hard copy.
2. Step 2

   Assemble your tools. Create a workstation with your computer and peripherals. This should be a place you enjoy being so make it comfortable and aesthetically pleaseing; you will be here a lot.

3. Step 3

   STUDY TYPOGRAPHY. This is so important, and one of the aspects of a good art school that many other programs, and self-taught designers, struggle to replicate. Purchase at least three comprehensive books about typography and read them cover to cover.

4. Step 4

   Being making your own projects. In other words, design everything that you can. Give yourself assignments (e.g., “design a vegetarian cookbook”). If friends or family have potential design projects, step in and volunteer to do them. Maintain organized electronic and hard copy files; you will need your work for your portfolio.

5. Step 5

   Show your work to everyone you can. Get as much feedback as you can. The feedback does NOT have to be from designers. In fact, many people who aren’t designers will be able to give you objective feedback, which is key after you’ve been staring at your work for awhile.

6. Step 6

   Create a print portfolio to show prospective employers. Include your resume. DESIGN YOUR RESUME.

7. Step 7

   Purchase a domain name and webspace. Create a simple website where you can showcase your projects. You can an electronic version of your print portfolio for those employers you tend to contact remotely. Make sure to include your resume, and DON’T FORGET TO DESIGN IT.

8. Step 8

   Perhaps you find someone local whose work you admire; contact this person or firm and ask if they need interns or designers at their studio. If you’re not confident enough in your abilities yet, inquire about job-shadowing or set up an informational interview. You may be surprised at who you can make a connection with.

9. Step 9

   Get involved with local design groups on Meetup.com and/or attend events at of your local AIGA. Make connections with other designers.

How to Become a Graphic Designer: What You Need to Know

n many cities, it seems graphic designers are a dime a dozen. Perhaps it’s because of the perception of graphic design as a cushy, fun, well-paying office job that is generally free of stress. Or, perhaps it’s because of the prestige factor in graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Art from a distinguished art school. In this article, we’ll sort fact from fiction and take a look at how you can become a graphic designer.

1. Graphic Design: The Real Deal. Graphic design is universally perceived as being a fun, artsy, stress-free job where you sit and draw pretty pictures all day. The truth of the matter is, graphic design isn’t always so glamorous, and it certainly isn’t a ride in the park. Like any job, the days can be long and the workload piled up to the ceiling. Computer programs can get buggy and crash quite often; clients can become overbearingly demanding and cause you grief throughout the day; and priorities can switch around at a moment’s notice. Talk about stress!
2. Step 2

   Are You a Right-Brained Creative Artistic Type? The very first thing one must consider before entering into a graphic design degree program is whether you are a creative, artistic person. If you aren’t, you will not survive in the graphic design arena. Likewise, you won’t survive as a graphic designer if you dislike working with computers. At least with print designers, all the work is now done via software programs such as Adobe Creative Suite.

3. Step 3

   Education. Graphic designers generally have a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from a public university or distinguished art school.

4. Step 4

   Your Design Portfolio. To the graphic designer, the portfolio is like headgear on a football star: you can’t play without it. A quick jaunt to your local art supply store will inform you as to the sizes, styles, and presentations available for your design portfolio. Typically, a portfolio contains roughly between 12 and 15 of your best pieces of graphic design artwork. This is what you will show to prospective employers. Though many graphic designers are creating websites and uploading their artwork to the Web, you still need a physical portfolio to display your artwork during job interviews. If you are unsure of the whole portfolio thing, don’t worry; most graphic design schools will educate you on how to put it all together.

5. Step 5

   Online/Web Graphic Design Opportunities. After you’ve completed the requirements for your graphic design degree, keep in mind that more options exist other than print design alone. In recent years, more companies are blurring the line between traditional print graphic designers and web designers. So if you see a job opening for a graphic designer and they require HTML, CSS, and Flash, chances are that job will be majority web design as opposed to traditional print media. If you’re particularly tech-savvy and you feel comfortable dividing your time between design and web development work, this may be a great opportunity to make a higher salary than traditional print design.

6. Step 6

   Personality Type Profile for the Successful Graphic Designer. Becoming a graphic designer takes a certain personality type. First and foremost, you must have thick skin. People are going to critique your artwork on a daily basis, and sometimes it can be very harsh (especially true in ad agencies). You need to be able to go with the flow and accept changes. Also, you must take on the role of a perfectionist and not let any mistakes pass you by. Remember, you’re dealing with clients whose entire image depends on your ability to create eye-catching logos, graphics, and branding in order to bring in more business.

7. Step 7

   Competitive Nature of Graphic Design. Perhaps the biggest lesson one needs to learn about the field of graphic design is that it is highly competitive, and you always have to be at the top of your game. The highest paying graphic designer positions are based in large advertising/marketing firms with top clients; but you’ll sacrifice virtually all of your free time and then some trying to please marketing managers and making sure your artwork is more cutting-edge than any other out there. You must be a problem solver, constantly learning new skills, and have a positive, out of the box-thinking attitude.

How to Resize JPEG Images to a Specific MB in CS3

Adobe Creative Suite 3 offers a highly integrated system by which to create and manage a wide range of creative projects. Photoshop is one of the more versatile programs in the suite, making it possible to optimize your photos and images for print or web use. Since speed is one of the key considerations in working with digital images, it is important to understand how to manage the file sizes of the images you are working with.

1. Launch Photoshop and open your JPEG file by selecting “File > Open” from the application menu and locating it on your computer in the resulting dialog box.
2. Step 2

   Select “Image > Image Size” from the application menu at the top of your screen. This will open a new dialogue box that displays the current image size near the top, next to “Pixel Dimensions.”

3. Step 3

   Check the “Resample Image” and “Constrain Proportions” boxes in the Image Size dialog box.

4. Step 4

   Adjust the “Width” and “Resolution” fields in the “Document Size” portion of the dialogue box up or down until the “Pixel Dimensions” match the file size you are looking for.

5. Step 5

   Select “File > Save As” and create a new name for your resized image. This allows you to maintain the original copy of your image under its original name for future use.

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Recent Posts

• How to Convert AVI to MOV in Adobe
• How to Setup Photoshop Color Management
• How to Create Designs With CorelDRAW 12
• How to Make Custom Icons
• How to Delete Photoshop Channels
• How to Create Family Face Address Labels
• How to Make a Brochure in a Word Document
• How to Become a Graphic Designer Without Attending Art School
• How to Become a Graphic Designer: What You Need to Know
• How to Resize JPEG Images to a Specific MB in CS3
• How to Install Photoshop Brushes With Photo Impression 5
• How to Create a Professional Graphic Design Logo
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