We can perform different designing tasks through flash. Some of the tasks that we can perform through flash are vector programs, vector animation, authorizing programs, animation sequencer. Flash allows you to create vector programs. A vector program does not depend upon pixels to compose an image. It draws the shape using individual points described by the co ordinates. Lines connecting these points are termed as paths and the vectors at each point describe the curvature of the path. As these programs are based on mathematical concepts they are compact and scalable.
Flash animation stores compact vector descriptions of frames unlike other media programs that stores pixel information for each frame. This allows flash to display images and movies faster than other bit map based animation programs. Authorizing programs is another important feature given by flash. It can author movies, containing multiple media like sound, stills and moving graphics. It also has interactive multimedia programs that assigns viewer action commands to the movies that it is authorizing.
Animation sequencer is another important feature. It allows you to arrange the sequences so as to form movies. Movies are the organization of different sequences. Each scene can contain number of layers. The layers are stacked through time line. Frames are the units responsible for the illusion of time in the animation. There are two types of frames namely static and key frames. Static frames are used to repeat the content of the prior frame, whereas key frames are used in the case where you want to either place or change the contents. You can animate either by changing the contents on a frame by frame basis, termed as frame, by frame animation or by establishing two key frames and then interpolate the changes between the two, termed as twining.
Every flash file contains its own color pallet which is stored inside the flash file. The user can import and export both solid and gradient color pallets between flash files, as well as between flash and other applications such as macro media fireworks and adobe photo shop. To avoid different color patters available in different browsers always use web safe. Flash displays the colors in a files pallet and color window. You can use the color windows to import, export and modify files color pallet.
Flash provides different sound effects such as sound fade in and fade out. You can play sounds continuously independent of the time line or can synchronize animation to a sound track. You can attach sound to action or simple buttons to make them more responsive. Flash offers two types of sounds namely event sounds and stream sounds. An event sound must be downloaded completely before it starts playing.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/
Monday, November 10, 2008
How to Create Special Effects in Photoshop
There are many ways to create all kinds of striking special effects using Photoshop. Digital art has been taken to a new level with Photoshop, and with every new version of Adobe Photoshop, the potential to produce even more eye catching images with just a few clicks of a button. With Photoshop, you can instantly create an aged effect, add motion lines, color effects, glows, blurs, or make a photograph look like a drawing. Photoshop can also help you create all kinds of cool text effects to a photo and even remove unwanted objects and figures from a scene. The following include some excellent ways to spice up a dull photograph, create special effects, or simulate motion and other ways of taking advantage of Photoshop.
One of the simplest effects you can use to alter a photo in Photoshop is colorization. This effect can be found under the Image tab, in the Adjustments menu, with the Hue and Saturation sliders. By clicking the small box at the bottom of the dialog, you can use to Hue slider to create a unified color over the whole image. This can be great for creating monotone backgrounds behind a central figure. It can also help with trying to match one image's color scheme to another.
To select an image from a white background and save the shadows underneath it (important for figures in motion, especially those who are jumping), use the luminosity of the image. In order to do this, use the magic lasso and QuickMask tools to roughly select the desired areas.
Next, use the Float command to create a new layer of your selection, leaving the old copy in place below it. You can then save this selection to the Channels palette. Then, turn off the floated copy and create a new layer. (Utilizing Layers in Photoshop is vital, so be sure to really take advantage of this feature). By pressing "Ctrl+Alt+tilde (~)", we can select the luminosity of the image, essentially its brightness. However, we wanted to select the shadows, the opposite of brightness.
To do this, use the Invert command under the Selection menu. Make the new layer the target of this by clicking it. Fill the blank layer with black, with the reverse luminosity selected. This will look ghostly, and the base layer will suddenly go very dark, but don't be confused by this. You can now turn your floated copy back on, and put whatever background you choose behind your figure on a lower layer. The figure and its shadows will appear above the new background.
Blurs are another Photoshop feature that has limitless potential. You can blur edges, create fog scenes, or simulate motion. To create a motion blur effect, select your figure and copy it onto a new layer. Now, on a layer below it, with the selection still in effect, fill your selection with black, or any other color. You can apply the Motion Blur filter from the Filters menu to this selection and create lines of movement without disturbing the figure on the layer above. Play with the distance and angle of the motion blur to see what kind of look you can create in your image. You can combine this filter with other effects for different kinds of motion lines.
You can create soft edges on rectangular or boxy images using blurs as well. In your vertical 'Tools' window in Photoshop, choose the top left tool called 'Rectangular Marquee Tool'. Then click and drag your mouse on your image to make a rectangle that is 5 to 10 pixels smaller than your actual image. Make sure that it is equidistant on all four sides. Then go to your menu bar and choose Select and then Inverse. This chooses (or selects) everything outside the rectangle you just made. Finally, go to your menu bar and choose Filter, Blur, Gaussian Blur and type 1-15 pixels in the dialog box.
To add a shadow to a picture which does not already have one, simply apply a Layer Style to the desired layer of the image. This effect can be found under the Photoshop Layers menu in all recent versions of the program. Simply apply the drop shadow Layer Style to the image, and a small shadow in the chosen color will appear beneath your selection. You can change the size, transparency and color of the drop shadow in the Layer Style tab. You can also change the shadow's effect by using the choices in the Blend Mode drop down box.
Also, check out the various layer styles to choose from. Go to Layer in the menu bar, then choose Layer Style.
Two photos can be easily merged in Photoshop. Drag the smaller image into the larger by clicking and holding it. You can create space in one image using the Resize Canvas function under the Image menu if there is not enough room. The dragged image should appear as its own layer on top of the original image.
Next, turn on the Layer Mask function and make sure that the double lines appear around the icon for the mask to show that it is selected. Then, create a radial gradient (with your colors set to a white foreground and black background) to mask part of the new image, revealing the portions you wish to show. With the lasso tool and brush, you can adjust your mask to reveal and conceal the desired portions of the image. This effect is great for integrating images with two people, making them appear to interact.
Another good effect for creating a dramatic image is turning the image into text. To do this, move your selected image to a new layer. Then, create the text that you would like to mask into the image on a text layer. Heavy and bold type styles are best for this, as they provide the greatest amount of image area. This will make the text easier to see and read. Ctrl-click the type layer to select the area of the type, and then change to the original image layer.
It is then easy to Float or copy and paste the area covered by the type onto a new layer. Once the original photo layer is turned off, the picture-type can be easily seen. This effect is great when combined with drop shadows or other layer effects.
Lighting effects are in great demand for Photoshop images. These can be accessed through the Filters menu. One very popular lighting effect is the Lens Flare, which allows the user to create the look of a ball of light on their image. This effect, and the Spotlight effects can be used to add magical effects, new light sources, or other lighting changes to an image.
Layer transparency can be used to drop ghost images in behind a figure. To do this, simply paste the desired image into a layer below the main layer and set the transparency slider to whatever opacity you choose. This effect can be very useful when combined with the colorization effect listed above. Multiple transparent layers can be used with different images to create the impression of motion leading up to the main figure.
An old photo look can be created by colorizing a photo to a sepia color, then adding effects to imply damage. Careful application of the airbrush Eraser tool can create fading. The Noise filter, applied with monochrome turned on, causes the photo to look grainy and old. Using low opacity transparent layers above the image, with the layer set to Multiply, will darken the darkest areas of the image, creating a murky effect. It's worth it to play around with all the Filter options, especially Liquify, Render and Stylize.
These and many other tips and tricks allow the Photoshop user to make awesome changes to photos and digital art. Photoshop is also fantastic software to create new and different images from scratch. A great way to learn new techniques is to play with the software. Spend a few minutes every day trying different things and in different orders, you'll be surprised just how much you'll improve. And finally, if you want to achieve a specific effect but you have no idea how, do a search in Google Groups or Yahoo, you're bound to find what you need that way. And consider joining digital art and specifically Photoshop communities and forums. There's a wealth of information out there that rivals any college class.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/
One of the simplest effects you can use to alter a photo in Photoshop is colorization. This effect can be found under the Image tab, in the Adjustments menu, with the Hue and Saturation sliders. By clicking the small box at the bottom of the dialog, you can use to Hue slider to create a unified color over the whole image. This can be great for creating monotone backgrounds behind a central figure. It can also help with trying to match one image's color scheme to another.
To select an image from a white background and save the shadows underneath it (important for figures in motion, especially those who are jumping), use the luminosity of the image. In order to do this, use the magic lasso and QuickMask tools to roughly select the desired areas.
Next, use the Float command to create a new layer of your selection, leaving the old copy in place below it. You can then save this selection to the Channels palette. Then, turn off the floated copy and create a new layer. (Utilizing Layers in Photoshop is vital, so be sure to really take advantage of this feature). By pressing "Ctrl+Alt+tilde (~)", we can select the luminosity of the image, essentially its brightness. However, we wanted to select the shadows, the opposite of brightness.
To do this, use the Invert command under the Selection menu. Make the new layer the target of this by clicking it. Fill the blank layer with black, with the reverse luminosity selected. This will look ghostly, and the base layer will suddenly go very dark, but don't be confused by this. You can now turn your floated copy back on, and put whatever background you choose behind your figure on a lower layer. The figure and its shadows will appear above the new background.
Blurs are another Photoshop feature that has limitless potential. You can blur edges, create fog scenes, or simulate motion. To create a motion blur effect, select your figure and copy it onto a new layer. Now, on a layer below it, with the selection still in effect, fill your selection with black, or any other color. You can apply the Motion Blur filter from the Filters menu to this selection and create lines of movement without disturbing the figure on the layer above. Play with the distance and angle of the motion blur to see what kind of look you can create in your image. You can combine this filter with other effects for different kinds of motion lines.
You can create soft edges on rectangular or boxy images using blurs as well. In your vertical 'Tools' window in Photoshop, choose the top left tool called 'Rectangular Marquee Tool'. Then click and drag your mouse on your image to make a rectangle that is 5 to 10 pixels smaller than your actual image. Make sure that it is equidistant on all four sides. Then go to your menu bar and choose Select and then Inverse. This chooses (or selects) everything outside the rectangle you just made. Finally, go to your menu bar and choose Filter, Blur, Gaussian Blur and type 1-15 pixels in the dialog box.
To add a shadow to a picture which does not already have one, simply apply a Layer Style to the desired layer of the image. This effect can be found under the Photoshop Layers menu in all recent versions of the program. Simply apply the drop shadow Layer Style to the image, and a small shadow in the chosen color will appear beneath your selection. You can change the size, transparency and color of the drop shadow in the Layer Style tab. You can also change the shadow's effect by using the choices in the Blend Mode drop down box.
Also, check out the various layer styles to choose from. Go to Layer in the menu bar, then choose Layer Style.
Two photos can be easily merged in Photoshop. Drag the smaller image into the larger by clicking and holding it. You can create space in one image using the Resize Canvas function under the Image menu if there is not enough room. The dragged image should appear as its own layer on top of the original image.
Next, turn on the Layer Mask function and make sure that the double lines appear around the icon for the mask to show that it is selected. Then, create a radial gradient (with your colors set to a white foreground and black background) to mask part of the new image, revealing the portions you wish to show. With the lasso tool and brush, you can adjust your mask to reveal and conceal the desired portions of the image. This effect is great for integrating images with two people, making them appear to interact.
Another good effect for creating a dramatic image is turning the image into text. To do this, move your selected image to a new layer. Then, create the text that you would like to mask into the image on a text layer. Heavy and bold type styles are best for this, as they provide the greatest amount of image area. This will make the text easier to see and read. Ctrl-click the type layer to select the area of the type, and then change to the original image layer.
It is then easy to Float or copy and paste the area covered by the type onto a new layer. Once the original photo layer is turned off, the picture-type can be easily seen. This effect is great when combined with drop shadows or other layer effects.
Lighting effects are in great demand for Photoshop images. These can be accessed through the Filters menu. One very popular lighting effect is the Lens Flare, which allows the user to create the look of a ball of light on their image. This effect, and the Spotlight effects can be used to add magical effects, new light sources, or other lighting changes to an image.
Layer transparency can be used to drop ghost images in behind a figure. To do this, simply paste the desired image into a layer below the main layer and set the transparency slider to whatever opacity you choose. This effect can be very useful when combined with the colorization effect listed above. Multiple transparent layers can be used with different images to create the impression of motion leading up to the main figure.
An old photo look can be created by colorizing a photo to a sepia color, then adding effects to imply damage. Careful application of the airbrush Eraser tool can create fading. The Noise filter, applied with monochrome turned on, causes the photo to look grainy and old. Using low opacity transparent layers above the image, with the layer set to Multiply, will darken the darkest areas of the image, creating a murky effect. It's worth it to play around with all the Filter options, especially Liquify, Render and Stylize.
These and many other tips and tricks allow the Photoshop user to make awesome changes to photos and digital art. Photoshop is also fantastic software to create new and different images from scratch. A great way to learn new techniques is to play with the software. Spend a few minutes every day trying different things and in different orders, you'll be surprised just how much you'll improve. And finally, if you want to achieve a specific effect but you have no idea how, do a search in Google Groups or Yahoo, you're bound to find what you need that way. And consider joining digital art and specifically Photoshop communities and forums. There's a wealth of information out there that rivals any college class.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/
A Few Cool Photoshop Tips and Tricks
When it comes to entering the graphic design world, creating interesting pieces for a job or sharing artwork with family and friends, there are plenty of cool Photoshop tips and tricks to consider. Whether you are just experimenting with the tools or already know how to layout a 
magazine spread, there will always be a new shortcut or trick to make life much easier. Below, you will find a few tips to add to your repertoire or share with others:
Easy Photoshop Tips and Tricks
Have you ever wanted to easily create the image of Earth and dread using the circle tool? There is an easy way to design the world in six steps, which should take less than a minute to complete. First, you should select File/New from the menu bar and create a file size that measures about 200 pixels by 200 pixels. The RGB mode should be selected for this trick. Next, choose a light blue shade for the foreground color and a darker blue for the background color.
Under the Filters tab, select Render, and then choose Clouds. The scene that will greet you should look a lot like the sky. It is the clouds filter that utilizes the foreground and background colors needed to construct this image in your file. If you desire a different look, you can press Ctrl + F on Windows or Command + F for a Mac to reapply the filter. Each time this key combination is pressed, you will receive a somewhat different outcome.
Now, return to the Filter menu and select Render, and then choose Lighting Effects. Once you enter the Light Effects menu, you are able to alter the shape of the ellipse to a circle that becomes centered on your file. Changing the Narrow setting to 39 next follows choosing the Default Spotlight setting.
Sometimes a Photoshop project calls for texture. There are thousands of backgrounds to create that range from a grainy composition to a multi-faceted mess (depending on the look you are going for). To create a paper texture in Photoshop, you should start a new file that measures 60 x 60 pixels. The color should be in RGB. Next, select the following commands in this same order: Filter, Noise, Add Noise. Once completed, choose Gaussian, which is set to 80%.
The next step to create a paper texture is to select Filter, then Stylize, followed by Emboss. The angle should be set to -50, the Height to 2 pixels, and the Amount to 70%. The background will now resemble a gray embossed selection. To change the color, choose Image, then Adjust, followed by Hue-Saturation-Brightness. Once you select the Colorize checkbox, you should set the Hue to a different setting. To gain your personal preference, you can adjust the contrast.
To create the appearance that objects are glowing without using any filters, choose an object to work with that will be duplicated as a layer. First, select the color you'd like your glow to be. After choosing the lower duplicate, click on Edit from the menu, then Stroke. When the Stroke Options appear, the pixel width should be set between 1 and 16. It is important to remember that the larger number you choose, the thicker the glow will appear.
Before exiting, you should glance under Location to make sure that the Outside option is selected. The next step involves applying a Gaussian Blur to the layer, which can be found under the Blur option in Filters. This will soften the glow applied to the layer. Some individuals even repeat the process to create a double glow, which is some cases, can really make an image stand out.
What Can You Do With Advanced Photoshop Tips and Tricks?
Advanced Photoshop users are often familiar with all tools and have mastered most of the fundamental tutorials, tips, and tricks, such as creating a cloudy background. Some people are unaware of all of the cool tricks that Photoshop has to offer, especially when you've upgraded your version to CS. The power to create some of the most impressive works of digital art are only a few clicks away once you get a hang of advanced Photoshop shortcuts and tricks.
Some Photoshop tricks on the advanced level can help a more tedious project seem easier. The more you learn the tips and tricks of the trade, the better your overall creations will turn out. To get an idea of some of the advanced tricks associated with Photoshop, a few examples are mentioned below:
Photoshop allows advanced users to create digital comic coloring that looks just like the human hand penned it. The tricks and tips associated with this sort of higher-level design deals with the manipulation of various brush sets to achieve the look you desire. Photoshop also lets users create photomontages that can transform an original photograph into something much different.
There are also tips and tricks that can take your most unfavorite picture and alter it in any way you wish. Let's say you want to change a regular photograph into something dazzling. Advanced Photoshop tricks can beautify a face that displays a natural appearance. In regards to a photo, skin can be fixed, blemishes and wrinkles erased, teeth fixed and whitened, as well as changes made to the eyebrows, hair, and eyes.
When one is able to master advanced Photoshop techniques, the creative possibilities seem never-ending, including 3D glass balls, planet and star-studded skies, matte paintings, and airbrushed illustrations.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/
magazine spread, there will always be a new shortcut or trick to make life much easier. Below, you will find a few tips to add to your repertoire or share with others:Easy Photoshop Tips and Tricks
Have you ever wanted to easily create the image of Earth and dread using the circle tool? There is an easy way to design the world in six steps, which should take less than a minute to complete. First, you should select File/New from the menu bar and create a file size that measures about 200 pixels by 200 pixels. The RGB mode should be selected for this trick. Next, choose a light blue shade for the foreground color and a darker blue for the background color.
Under the Filters tab, select Render, and then choose Clouds. The scene that will greet you should look a lot like the sky. It is the clouds filter that utilizes the foreground and background colors needed to construct this image in your file. If you desire a different look, you can press Ctrl + F on Windows or Command + F for a Mac to reapply the filter. Each time this key combination is pressed, you will receive a somewhat different outcome.
Now, return to the Filter menu and select Render, and then choose Lighting Effects. Once you enter the Light Effects menu, you are able to alter the shape of the ellipse to a circle that becomes centered on your file. Changing the Narrow setting to 39 next follows choosing the Default Spotlight setting.
Sometimes a Photoshop project calls for texture. There are thousands of backgrounds to create that range from a grainy composition to a multi-faceted mess (depending on the look you are going for). To create a paper texture in Photoshop, you should start a new file that measures 60 x 60 pixels. The color should be in RGB. Next, select the following commands in this same order: Filter, Noise, Add Noise. Once completed, choose Gaussian, which is set to 80%.
The next step to create a paper texture is to select Filter, then Stylize, followed by Emboss. The angle should be set to -50, the Height to 2 pixels, and the Amount to 70%. The background will now resemble a gray embossed selection. To change the color, choose Image, then Adjust, followed by Hue-Saturation-Brightness. Once you select the Colorize checkbox, you should set the Hue to a different setting. To gain your personal preference, you can adjust the contrast.
To create the appearance that objects are glowing without using any filters, choose an object to work with that will be duplicated as a layer. First, select the color you'd like your glow to be. After choosing the lower duplicate, click on Edit from the menu, then Stroke. When the Stroke Options appear, the pixel width should be set between 1 and 16. It is important to remember that the larger number you choose, the thicker the glow will appear.
Before exiting, you should glance under Location to make sure that the Outside option is selected. The next step involves applying a Gaussian Blur to the layer, which can be found under the Blur option in Filters. This will soften the glow applied to the layer. Some individuals even repeat the process to create a double glow, which is some cases, can really make an image stand out.
What Can You Do With Advanced Photoshop Tips and Tricks?
Advanced Photoshop users are often familiar with all tools and have mastered most of the fundamental tutorials, tips, and tricks, such as creating a cloudy background. Some people are unaware of all of the cool tricks that Photoshop has to offer, especially when you've upgraded your version to CS. The power to create some of the most impressive works of digital art are only a few clicks away once you get a hang of advanced Photoshop shortcuts and tricks.
Some Photoshop tricks on the advanced level can help a more tedious project seem easier. The more you learn the tips and tricks of the trade, the better your overall creations will turn out. To get an idea of some of the advanced tricks associated with Photoshop, a few examples are mentioned below:
Photoshop allows advanced users to create digital comic coloring that looks just like the human hand penned it. The tricks and tips associated with this sort of higher-level design deals with the manipulation of various brush sets to achieve the look you desire. Photoshop also lets users create photomontages that can transform an original photograph into something much different.
There are also tips and tricks that can take your most unfavorite picture and alter it in any way you wish. Let's say you want to change a regular photograph into something dazzling. Advanced Photoshop tricks can beautify a face that displays a natural appearance. In regards to a photo, skin can be fixed, blemishes and wrinkles erased, teeth fixed and whitened, as well as changes made to the eyebrows, hair, and eyes.
When one is able to master advanced Photoshop techniques, the creative possibilities seem never-ending, including 3D glass balls, planet and star-studded skies, matte paintings, and airbrushed illustrations.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleStreet.com/
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