CreativeTechs Tips

We're taking a break from our regular technical tips this long weekend. Longtime readers of this newsletter know we like to collect papercraft PDF projects. If you find yourself looking for a creative project this summer, download these plans for a working 35mm paper camera.

dirkon_en.pdf

The legendary Dirkon pinhole camera template was first published in Czechoslovakia in 1979. Graphic designer David Balihar had the text translated into English so it would be accessible to all fans of this camera technique.

Source: A wonderful history of this camera along with personal anecdotes can be found on David Balihar's site: Dirkon — The Paper Camera. For an easier-to-build (but less cool) alternative camera design, check out the Matchbox Pinhole Camera.

Posted by Craig Swanson at 01:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Finally, for the graphic designers among us. Enjoy a two minute and thirty-six second rock rendition of that client request you've heard time and again:

Make the Logo Bigger.mp3

Make The Logo Bigger (Lyrics)

Make the logo big.

Make the logo bigger.

Make the logo big.

Make the logo bigger.

Chorus

Make the logo as big as you can.

And make the logo bigger.

That logo isn't big enough.

So, make the logo bigger.

Bigger, bigger, make it big.

Make the logo bigger.

Chorus

Make the logo as big as you can.

And make the logo bigger.

Yelling

Don't try to be the brave guy!

We don't have a job for you!

You know what you've got to do!

You gotta stick to the process!

Make the damn logo as big as you can!

Chorus

Make the logo as big as you can.

And make the logo bigger.

I don't want to tell you how to do your job.

But, could you make the logo bigger?

Bigger, bigger, make it big.

Make the logo bigger.

Chorus

Make the logo as big as you can.

And make the logo bigger.

Source: We discovered this gem on a recent Speakup blog entry: Big! Bigger! Biggest! Make sure to read the comments from other designers on that post which are almost more fun than the song itself.

Posted by Craig Swanson at 01:31 AM | Permalink

For everyone busily installing their new copies of Adobe CS3, we have a quick recommendation about Version Cue: Don't install it.

Only a small fraction of design firms we work with have ever used Version Cue. In studios where we've helped develop a live Version Cue workflow, the actual Version Cue Server should only be installed on a single computer anyway.

So save the 150MB of disk space and potential software issues. If you wish to set up a Version Cue server in the future, you can always install it later.

Note: We've been recommending against a default installation of Version Cue for years, but this week several websites including MacFixIt, and the great InDesign Secrets blog reported that installing Version Cue CS3 can disable Mac OS X's built-in firewall. Another good reason not to install it.

Source: This tip inspired by CreativeTechs' server expert Jordan Bojar who has tested, installed, and supported Version Cue in several live working environments.

CS3 Note: Regular tips readers know we've been throwing in an extra CS3 tip each week. This week we've started integrating CS3 into the mainstream tips. Our creative tip this week for example is illustrated with InDesign CS3 screenshots, although the technique is identical in InDesign CS2.

Posted by Craig Swanson at 09:27 PM | Permalink

This week's creative tip is inspired by a question on how to create an interactive PDF for showing off before/after examples of Photoshop retouching projects.

The technique itself may apply to a limited number of people, but it is a fun way to introduce some of InDesign's lesser known interactive features.

This tip includes a quick tutorial on how to build interactive rollovers into your next PDF. The tutorial includes a sample file you can download to try out yourself.

Step 1: Create your page in InDesign.

Start by designing your document in InDesign. Don't worry which graphics will become your rollovers, we'll convert those in the next step. Download our example documents below to follow along with this tutorial. It includes a basic InDesign layout and two graphics for our rollover.

InDesign Interactive Demo.zip

Step 2: Convert an image to a button.

Select the graphics frame containing your image, and choose Object > Interactive > Convert to Button.

If it worked properly, you should see a small "Button 1" icon appear in the top left of your graphic frame.

Step 3: Show the States palette (or panel in CS3).

Choose Window > Interactive > States.

The State palette/panel allows you to control what images are displayed in a button object. If your image is still selected from the previous step, your should see a preview of that graphic in the default "Up" state.

Tip: Palette vs. Panels. This rollover technique is virually identical in InDesign CS2 and CS3. However the nomenclature changes slightly. In CS2, Adobe calls these floating windows "Palettes." In CS3, they are called "Panels."

Step 4: Add a new "Rollover" state.

Click the "New State" icon at the bottom right of this pallete/panel. InDesign creates a new "Rollover" state by default.

Step 5: Place your rollover graphic into the button object.

With your button object still selected, place a new image (File > Place). You'll now see the new rollover graphic in your layout. Your States palette/pane should update to show the change.

Step 6: Export as a PDF with "Interactive Elements."

We're done. All that is left is to export your InDesign file as a PDF.

Choose File > Export. Set the format to "Adobe PDF" and make sure to turn on the "Interactive Elements" option in the Export Adobe PDF dialog box.

Note: If you have one of the PDF/X standards selected, the interactive elements option is grayed out. You'll have to set the PDF standard setting to "None" to enable the interactive features.

Step 7: Open the PDF in Adobe Reader. Enjoy.

Once you've exported the PDF, open it up in Acrobat, or the free version of Adobe Reader. When you move your cursor over a rollover image, it should automatically swap out to show your alternative graphic. Here is a finished version of the PDF in our example layout:

InDesign Interactive Demo.pdf

Note: You must use Adobe's Reader to properly see this rollover effect. It will not show properly in other PDF viewers such as Apple's Preview utility.

Source:This tip inspired by a question from long-time CreativeTechs client, Ken Vensel, who wanted an interesting way to demonstrate Photoshop retouching examples in his resume (Ken spent the last 9 years as a graphic designer and retoucher in a high-volume catalog production department). An example of this rollover technique in action can be seen here:   Ken Vensel Retouch Samples.pdf

Posted by Craig Swanson at 04:20 PM | Permalink

Here is a quick tip for early adaptors of Adobe CS3. If you want to install both CS2 and CS3 on the same Mac, make sure you install Adobe CS2 first. If Adobe CS3 is already installed, the CS2 installer will gray out Acrobat, Illustrator and InDesign, thinking those applications are already installed.

The simple, but frustrating solution is to uninstall CS3 and reinstall CS2 first.

Source: We're throwing in an extra CS3 tip each week for early adaptors. For CreativeTechs' current rule-of-thumb on when to upgrade, we've published a short tip: When to Upgrade to Adobe CS3?

Update: As many (many) readers pointed out this morning, we had a typo in the first version of this tip. Thanks for the sharp eyes! Should be fixed now.

Posted by Craig Swanson at 03:44 PM | Permalink

Adobe's pen tool works pretty much the same across Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. Yet, as important as this ubiquitous tool is, many people get confused with how to handle certain tasks, and the differences between the various pen symbols.

Adobe Pen Tool Cheatsheet.pdf

CreativeTechs' resident Adobe Certified Expert, Jason Hoppe, has put together a quick Adobe Pen Tool cheat-sheet to help keep some of the basic techniques straight. Download the PDF, and pass it along to a friend.

Tip: Photoshop CS2/CS3 includes an "Auto Add/Delete" checkbox in the pen tool options palette that must be turned on to activate some of these pen features.

Source: Jason Hoppe teaches Adobe Creative Suite classes each quarter at Seattle's School of Visual Concepts. For a list of upcoming summer courses, check back at SVC's class schedule page in the next couple weeks. Every month we publish a new Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign cheat-sheet. Look for new CS3 cheat-sheets starting next month!

Posted by Craig Swanson at 02:18 PM | Permalink

Over the years, many clients have asked me about the possibility of backing up over their studio's Internet connection. It is an enticing idea. Every night your studio's work files are magically whisked away to a safe online server.

That fantasy is coming closer to reality. Mozy.com provides unlimited backup storage for $4.95/month per computer— or a free 2GB option for people who don't have as much to back up.

Mozy just released a beta Macintosh client which we've been testing. Even in beta it is the best Internet backup for Macs I've worked with. The free 2GB option is a perfect size for keeping key project management and accounting files protected.

Not Ready for Your Entire Studio.

But don't toss your backup server in the dumpster yet. The practical limit on how much you can back up is largely determined by the speed of your studio's Internet connection. In practice, we're seeing speeds of 2-4 GB a day. That's perfect for copywriters, project managers, bookkeeping stations, and some traveling laptops. But Mozy isn't a realistic solution to backup your 500GB photo library quite yet.

Even though it can't replace your full backup, I recommend signing up for a free 2GB account and trying it out. Use this service to supplement your current backup strategy by adding ongoing off-site backup of key business files.

Source: This tip inspired in part by the need for daily offsite backup of a key appointment database at Gary Manuel Salon.

Note: The links in this tip include a referral code (NP6WJH). Mozy adds 1GB of space to our free account for every four people who sign up with that code. If you'd rather not increase our free backup quota, this link does not include that code: Mozy.com.

Posted by Craig Swanson at 02:08 PM | Permalink

Check this out. Photographer Chase Jarvis stiched together every photo he shot over a 5-day period into a tight little self-promotion video. The collection includes hundreds of lighting tests, outtakes, blown angles, and odd experiments (anyone catch the chicken that wandered into one of the shots?).

Check out the full backstory at the Chase Jarvis Blog.

Individually this collection might not be much to write about. But when all 2,000 images are edited together with a hypnotic soundtrack, the result is almost cinematic.

All the images are shown in the exact order they were shot back in 2006 -- long before the idea of collecting them into a video occurred to anyone. It is a fascinating look at the amount of work that goes into creating 6 to 10 commercially viable images.

I've done a little consulting about blog-based marketing with Chase lately. While we'd talked about a variety of viral video campaigns, this fantastic idea occurred to Chase's studio manage Scott while flying to an oversea shoot.

Chase emailed me tonight at 6:30 p.m. to tell me that the video just went live on his website. When I checked the You Tube Video, there had only been 14 views so far. I bet by the end of the week there will be thousands!

PS> I think this video would be a make a great fit for my favorite design blog, SwissMiss. (Anyone listening out there?)

Posted by Craig Swanson at 07:15 PM | Permalink

When you find yourself brainstorming a new logo, here's a quick way to roll through your font collection in InDesign while looking for inspiration.

1. Select your text block using InDesign's Selection tool:

2. Switch to the Type tool:

3. With your text box is selected, highlight the font name in InDesign's Control palette (Mac shortcut: Command-6, Windows: Ctrl-6)

4. Scroll through your active fonts using the up and down arrows on your keyboard.

Source: I had an opportunity last week to share our popular talk, Fonts & Mac OS X: 2007, with students of the graphic design program at Seattle Central Community College. This tip partially inspired by a question during that presentation.

Posted by Craig Swanson at 11:00 AM | Permalink

How do you keep track of the latest versions for all your installed Mac software? Apple's built-in Software Update helps keep software like iTunes and Mac OS X updated. Adobe and Microsoft have built-in tools to check for updates of Creative Suite and MS Office. But what about the rest of your assorted software?

That's where AppFresh comes in quite handy. AppFresh is a free new utility that helps keep all applications on your Mac up to date by checking the internet for new releases.

The current version is a work-in-progress, and the interface is not entirely intuitive. But for designers who like to collect a wide variety of applications and utilities, this provides an easy way to keep updated on the latest versions.

Note: While AppFresh will list most updates for your installed software, it still takes some judgment to know what updates should actually be installed.

Source: This tip inspired by the challenge of keeping our clients' computers updated. Many of our clients schedule regular monthly maintenance visits to keep their computers fit and healthy. One item on our Mac Maintenance Checklist (published back in QuickTips #105) is updating software as needed.

Posted by Craig Swanson at 10:42 AM | Permalink

If you've just upgraded to Adobe Photoshop CS3, here is a fun tip to help you uncover those new features a little faster.

In the Window menu, select Workspace > What's New in CS3. This custom workspace adds blue highlights to all the new or updated menu items.

It is a fun way to encourage a little easy discovery. Much better than, say, reading a manual. Or a tips newsletter for that matter.

Source: We ran the CS2 version of this tip back in June 2005 in QuickTips #46. That CS2 tip came from author and trainer extraordinaire Brian Wood, Director of Training at eVolve Computer Graphics Training in Seattle.

Posted by Craig Swanson at 02:24 PM | Permalink