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Welcome to the April issue of the CAFÉ cup, from PhotoshopCAFE.

This is the second issue of this new format. The response has been overwhelming. I asked for some feedback and you, the readers are very happy with the new content and format. Thanks for all your support! There are some exciting things on the horizon. Next month is the Digital Imaging and Design Expo and my first session has already sold out! Also look for my newest book to be released at the end of this month (I will tell you all about it in the next newsletter)

Tell your friends and get them to sign up on the list, they may just win a prize! As always this list will never be shared or sold to slimy spammers. (we gave away 3 tshirts and CDs to lucky winners last month)
Tip: Trying out different Blending Modes: Its no secret that Layer Blending Modes can dramatically change the apperance of an image. But its a hassle clicking constantly to try them all out. Here is an easier way: Choose the layer you wish to change. Choose the move tool from the tool bar. Now hold down the shift key and press the plus key to cycle through the modes.
Coffee with Colin: Font choices do matter!

Picking the right font can make a big impression (for good or bad) Here is a quick overview of the main font families and their uses...

Serif: A serif is the little tick on the ends of the characters on fonts such as Times Roman. These serifs are added to fonts to assist in reading. The serifs help the letters flow together and thus will make a page of paragraph text appear smooth and easy to read as the serif sweeps the eye from one character to the next.

Sans Serif: Sans is Latin for "without" as such a sans-serif font is one without a serif. Common fonts are helvetica, arial and futura. These tend to look very modern and clean. Sans-serif fonts give themselves to clean typography and are especially suited to small print such as business cards, forms and navigation on webpages.

Script: Should never be set all caps and make paragraphs of text difficult to read. However script fonts are very elegant and are the staple for wedding invitations and certificates.

Decorative: This family covers everything from the wild fonts that look like jungle creatures through to art-deco fonts such as Anna. These should be used sparingly and only when the font will reinforce the message. A peice can look wonderful with these wild font, but beware! Overuse can cause your work to look like it fell from the tacky tree and almost stuck to every branch.

Typography is something that can make or break your work. It is well worth investing a little time on this art.

Discounted Background Images
I just learned that Wetzelandcompany.com (a background and texture publisher and sponsor of our last challenge) is having a 3 Day, 25% off sale on their entire stock! Rick called it his "Post April 15th, I just Paid My Taxes, Blow-out". To get your discount, type 1040 into the promotional code box on the first page of his shopping cart. Check it out!
New Video Tutorials

I have added a few sample clips from the Photoshop Secret series. Check out some free video tutorials here

PhotoImaging and Design Expo - San Diego

Mark your calendars for this 3 day event.

I will be teaching 3 sessions.

Creating a knockout Digital Portfolio

Photoshop Secrets for Digital Photographers (This Class has sold out!)

Photoshop Most Wanted effects and Design Tips. (2 Hour -hands on)

See more about the conference here

FAQ

Q: What is Anti Aliasing?

A: Anti Aliasing is a technology that smoothens the appearance of enges on text and objects. Use softer settings for large ojects and crisper settings for small objects and type. Consider turning off anti aliasing on very small web type.

Q: Hi, i'm new to Photoshop and i'm trying without success to make a logo so the white part does'nt show in my image when its on line. Please can you help at all ?

A: You will need to create a transparent Gif. The first step is to create your shape on a new layer. Turn off the visability of the background in the layers palette. You should see your shape and a checkerboard pattern underneath. Choose Image>Save For Web. Select the Gif option and click on Transparency. Choose save to export your Transparent gif. For more detials on this subject ckeck out this tutorial

Tip: Looking for cheap stock Photography? Check out istockphoto.com where you can get images for as little as 50c. If you are a photographer you can get a little cash for your images too!

 
Free Sample Video clips are now online! + Special Offer:
New Releases From PhotoshopCAFE
These are the CDs that made a big hit at Photoshop World 2004!

Photoshop Secrets for Digital Photographers
This Video CD contains 3 hours of all the best stuff that photographers need to know about Photoshop. By the time you are finished with these 33 step by step tutorials, you will finally understand curves, levels, histograms and more. You will have a solid grasp of all the new Photoshop CS features and your images will look better than you ever dreamed.
PhotoshopSecrets: Special FX! (PhotoshopCAFE LIVE 2)

In this Brand new video, Author Colin Smith will show you how to create some of today's most cutting edge effects in Photoshop. As always the plain English step-by-step instructions are so simple even a beginner can create awesome work and there is enough meat to keep the intermediate user glued to the screen

Both these brand-new videos are available at a limited time discount from PhotoshopCD.com

You asked for it and you got it!
I have had a lot of requests for a bundle deal with these 2 products, so take advantage of your tax return and get the Secrets bundle for only $89.99 save $20.

Thanks for tuning into the CAFE Cup and remember: Create don't Steal! See you at the cafe

Colin

Archives: First issue of the CAFE Cup is here

You can subscribe to receive the free CAFE cup each month here. (Note: You will never be spammed)