pixelupdate

Epson prints not matching what you see on screen?

Problem: Your print doesn't look like what you see on your screen, especially if you are using an Epson printer. Solution: Typically, Epson printers have color management enabled by default. This can conflict with Elements color management, which is also enabled. Basically, the print gets color managed twice. The results can be fugly and the print may appear to have a color cast or tint to it. One solution is to download and use the 'Ignore Exif Color Space' utilities posted on adobe.com. http://www.adobe.com/support/techdocs/2f032.htm
Another option is to increase your expertise in color management.

How to draw a simple dotted or dashed line (applies to Photoshop Elements also).

Have you ever wanted to just draw a simple dashed or dotted line in Photoshop? This should be simple, right? Well, it's not too complicated if you know where to look. But I'll admit, it is a little round-about.

Steps:
1) Select either the Pencil or Brush tool
2) Select the brush size you want to use for your dotted line (Hard-edged brushes work best). If you want a dotted line, use a round brush, if you want a dashed line, you will need to load the Square Brushes library. To do this, click on the brush size icon in the options bar, then click on the fly-out menu (circle with an arrow icon) and select Square Brushes.
3) Access the Brushes palette (it lives in the palette well by default), click on the 'Brush Tip Shape' to display those settings and change the Spacing setting to a high value (200 or more).
4) Draw on your canvas while holding down the Shift key, which allows you to draw straight lines.
(Tip: Click once to set down the start point of your line, move your mouse to where you want the end point to be, hold down the Shift key and click again. This works with any tool that uses brushes: Healing, Clone, Burn, etc.). If you want longer dashed lines, you'll need to create your own custom brush.

Get better results with the Red Eye Brush tool

Over the past few months of teaching, I've noticed many Elements users are confused by how to use the Red Eye Brush tool properly. The first thing to note is the tool is based on brushes, so you have to click and hold down the mouse (as if you are painting away the red). The second, is to make sure you click on the Default Colors button in the options bar, this will ensure your replacement color is set to black. Tip: If the pupils are still too light (grey), use the Burn tool with a low exposure (around 30%) to darken them without losing detail.

For more info: http://www.adobe.com/support/techdocs/2f10a.htm

Getting prompts to reactivate Photoshop CS?

But I already activated Photoshop CS! Getting prompts to reactivate the software? If so, it is probably because you are using a backup utility that is restoring the registry and/or the Documents and Settings folder. If you are using System Restore or other imaging/backup software to restore Windows or your hard disk, you're probably getting these reactivation prompts.

For more info: http://www.adobe.com/support/techdocs/330089.html

Maximizing tonal range in natural light

Shooting images using natural light can often be a compromise. Without the proper adjustments, your image may be underexposed in some areas and overexposed in others. To correct for these imbalances, you can use Photoshop’s curves and gradient tools. A tutorial from Mike McKenney can be found here.

Making one image follow the contours of another

Displacement maps allow one image to flow across another. This process creates the appearance of one image overlapping and aligning with the contours of the other. Using the Displace filter will give you professional results without too much effort. You can review the basic process by clicking here.

14 Photoshop CS Tips!

Deke McClelland has been writing about Photoshop for more than a decade. Here is a collection of some of his favorite Photoshop CS tips, including tips for using Camera Raw, Shadow/Highlights, keyboard shortcuts, and more. Check them out at A Random Collection of Photoshop CS Tips.

Getting realistic edges when compositing images

The problem with composited images is that inserted foreground images often end up with artificial looking edges. Using the Eraser Tool as well as the Select and Filter menus you can skillfully blend an image into the background. To see a brief tutorial on how blend and blur an image for compositing click here.

Creating realistic reflections

If you don't have a reflection where a reflection should be, an image just doesn't seem to look right. For a simple tutorial on creating a realistic reflections click here.

Simulating Interwoven Layers in Photoshop

Some design layouts require that section of an image appear to interlock or pass behind another. Even though Photoshop Layers cannot truly interlock, a simple explanation for simulating this effect can be found here.