Adobe Creative Suite 4 Web

Web-based training jobs are on the rise as companies realize the effectiveness and cost savings associated with training employees via the Web. Web-based trainers are in high demand and can make close to six figures depending on their geographical location and education. Training certifications are available through in-person and online educational institutions. There are also membership organizations available for the Web-based trainer. These are full of resources for advancing one’s education. These types of organizations also host workshops and seminars on specific topics regarding Web-based and other types of training.

Types

1. There are several kinds of Web-based trainers. It is essential to understand the various types of Web-based training that is available to an individual. E-learning courses are developed for the Web and include content in the form of presentations accompanied by graphics, audio and even video. E-learnings often include quizzes or exams which can track the learner’s progress. E-learnings are available through an organization’s Learning Management System, which houses the content and pulls data and reports that will track a learner’s progress.

   Webinars are also a form of Web-based training. Instructors train students remotely after they log in to the website from their computer. Students can follow along on a white board and also download a manual to accompany the webinar. Students can perform exercises on their own computers.

   Videos are also another form of Web-based training. Trainers can use software to capture tasks they are performing on their computer and add audio to accompany the content. Students can upload videos and learn the content. This method is especially effective for teaching different types of software.

Education

2. Web-based trainers can receive certifications from accredited schools and universities. Courses are available in-person as well as online. Certifications are also available through the American Society of Training Designers. Knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Word and PowerPoint is essential for a Web-based trainer. Also, knowledge of software such as Adobe’s Creative Suite and Captivate may be a requirement for some Web-based training positions.

Geography

3. Web-based trainers can work remotely from home or off-site locations or can also work at the offices of an organization. Working remotely can be a very appealing perk to Web-based trainers. This position can be very flexible as long as an Internet connection is available.

Miscellaneous Skills

4. Having knowledge of graphic design is very helpful for Web-based trainers. Knowing how to record and edit audio, convert it to an MP3 and load it into a presentation is also very helpful. Video editing skills may also be necessary if you plan to record and upload videos for Web-based training.

Significance

5. Web-based training is appealing to organizations as there are cost savings associated with training employees online. The need for classrooms are eliminated as are travel expenses associated with sending employees to off-site locations. People can receive web based training twenty-four hours a day from the comfort of their own computers. They can even take the training from home. As more and more organizations move to Web-based training as opposed to instructor-led training, the need for Web-based trainers will increase exponentially.

Graphic design is a booming career. Graphic designers concentrate on tackling communication problems by creating visual solutions. Designers also maintain a portfolio of everything they created to showcase the best work.

Qualifications

1. Most graphic designers are required to possess a bachelor’s degree or associate’s degree to begin a job. Also, employers prefer someone with at least one to two years of experience, which can be obtained by freelancing.

Software

2. Designers work on a PC or Mac computer and primarily use Adobe Creative Suite software.

Jobs

3. Around 25 percent of graphic designers are self-employed. Many designers do freelance work, which is done from home. Magazines and newspapers also serve as popular places of employment for designers.

Geography

4. Freelancers can telecommute. Through email and online file-sending services such as YouSendIt.com, designers can reach out to just about anyone.

Work

5. The more freelance jobs, internships and years of experience a designer has is imperative. Employers want someone best suited for the job and with the most design experience.

The .PNG (Portable / Public Network Graphic) file extension is used by a wide variety of programs and applications, and .PNG files can be opened under any operating system. Dozens of applications support the .PNG file format, including the Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, Corel Paint Shop Pro, IrfanView, Spore (a computer game); all major web browsers now can interpret and display .PNG files correctly.

Why .PNG?

1. The .PNG (pronounced “ping”) format was developed to replace the outdated .GIF format (Graphics Interchange File). Like .GIFs, .PNG files are bitmapped images that use a compression method similar to .GIF files, but with no patents or licenses to worry about. The lossless compression algorithm used for .PNG files is far more efficient than for .GIFs, and is royalty-free. (See the official home page of PNG; link in Resources).

   Transparency is another big plus for .PNG files: the .GIF format does not support a graduated transparent background for images (it’s either opaque or transparent). The features in .PNG files make for a long list, but essentially, when the World Wide Web (WWW) consortium approved .PNG files as a standard, .PNG files became widely supported, and the format is still evolving and improving.

Basic .PNG

2. The basic .PNG format is used for bitmapped (raster) images, with indexed color, transparency, and lossless compression. One thing that sets .PNG files above .JPEGs and .TIFFs is an alpha channel–1 byte of extra data for every pixel. Having this extra data byte allows files to represent 16.7 million colors, and 256 levels of transparency. The 8-bit transparency channel permits you to have colors in the image that graduate from fully transparent to fully opaque. By contrast, .GIF files only allow on/off transparency.

.PNG8, .PNG24, .PNG32…

3. You may see files with an extension of .PNG8, or .PNG24, or .PNG32. These are called, respectively, 8-bit (or 24-bit, or 32-bit) PNG. In .PNG8 files, images can have 1-,2-,4-, or 8-bit pixels. An 8-bit image is capable of having up to 256 colors.

   If you need graduated transparency in an image, saving it in .PNG32 format gives you 24-bit color (16.7 million colors), plus an 8-bit alpha channel for variable transparency. If you don’t need the variable transparency, use the .PNG24 format, which gives you millions of colors, but no transparency.

What Doesn’t .PNG Do?

4. There is one thing .PNG files can’t handle. They can’t be animated, as .GIFs can be. So there’s yet another flavor of .PNG: the .MNG format (Multiple-Image Network Graphic), which does everything the .PNG format can, and it supports image animations (http://www.libpng.org/pub/mng/).

Tidbit

5. Macintosh computers running OS X 10.4 and later save screen shots as .PNG files.

ConvertXtoDVD is a program that will convert most media formats into a burnable DVD format for you to watch on your DVD player. With this program, you can also add menus, customize fonts and add chapter breaks in your video.

Creating a Project

1. Step 1

   Download ConvertXtoDVD if you don’t have it already. You can download a trial version for free. See Resources below for the link.

2. Step 2

   Click “File” and “Add a Video File.” File formats supported include DivX, Xvid, MOV, VOB, Mpeg, Mpeg4, AVI, WMV, DV and others. You can also drag-and-drop a video file onto the program to load it.

3. Step 3

   Click the item you want to customize. Click the “+” icon beside the Menu item to edit the title, background Image, whether the video will automatically start, whether it will loop continuously, the menu font and link font. If you do not want to have a menu, click the Menu option and press the “Delete” key on your keyboard.

4. Step 4

   Click the “+” icon beside the video file item to edit the audio feed, subtitles (if any), chapter points, menu text, the appearance of the name of the video file, where the video file is located and the quality of image processing.

5. Step 5

   Preview your video by clicking the eighth icon on the right-side window that looks like a monitor. This will enable you to preview your video and determine if you need additional edits.

6. Step 6

   Click “Convert” to begin converting your file to DVD format. You will be prompted to burn your project once the conversion is complete.

Burning

7. Step 1

   Select the DVD drive to burn your project to. By default, your DVD drive might be D:\. Select either “Delete Folder After Successful Burn” and “Don’t Eject Media at Completion.”

8. Step 2

   Enter a name in the “Volume Name” field. This will be the name of your DVD. This will appear on any computer you load it on.

9. Step 3

   Click “Burn” to begin burning your DVD project. Click “Cancel” if you want to stop burning. If you cancel in the midst of a burn, your disc may become unusable.

Photoshop is one of the most powerful applications in the Adobe Creative Suite. You can customize and manipulate any image with Photoshop’s versatile palette of image editing tools. One popular technique among graphic designers and photo editors alike, is the stencil art technique. You use any image to perform this task, and it is easy to learn. You will just need to practice this skill to perfect it.

1. Open Photoshop, then go to the “File” menu then click on “Open,” and then select the photo you want to use for your stencil project.
2. Step 2

   Select the “Crop” tool from the tools palette then select the portion of the photo you want to stencil, and then select the “Erase” tool and erase the area outside of the cropped area that you don’t want to use. If you want to use the entire image, then skip this step.

3. Step 3

   Go to the “Image” menu then select “Mode,” and then select “Grayscale.” Photoshop might prompt you to flatten the image; select “No” if it does.

4. Step 4

   Go to the “Filter” menu, then select “Artistic,” then select the “Cutout” option. Type in the number three in the box next to “Number of Levels.” This refers to the number of layers you want to use. Set the “Edge Fidelity” to 1 and the “Edge Simplicity” to 2.

5. Step 5

   Go to “File” then click on “Save As.” Name this file and opt to save it as a “.PSD” file, then click on the “Save” button.

6. Step 6

   Go to the “Layers” menu then select “Flatten Image.” Save this file as “Black Layer.jpg” then select the “Magic Wand” tool in the tools palette. Select the areas outside of the cropped image until the entire edge of image has been selected. Hold down the “SHIFT” while you click with the “Magic Wand” tool to select multiple areas.

7. Step 7

   Go to the “Select” menu, then click on “Inverse.”

8. Step 8

   Go to the “Edit” menu and click on “Fill” or press “SHIFT”+”F5.” The “Fill” dialog box will open. Select “Black” as the fill color. Save this file again or press “CTRL”+”S.”

9. Step 9

   Go to the “Filter” menu then click on “Stylize,” then select the “Find Edges” option. Hit “CTRL”+”S” to save the file again.

10. Step 10

    Open the “.PSD” file you saved, and then go to “Layer,” then select the “Flatten Image” option. Save the image as “Gray.jpg.”

11. Step 11

    Select the “Eye Dropper” tool from the tools palette then select the gray part of the photo. Then select the white section of the photo with the “Magic Wand” tool. Right-click on this white section then select the “Similar” option. This will select all white sections of the image.

12. Step 12

    Go to “Edit” then select “Fill,” and then select “Gray” as the fill color. This will make all the white sections of the photo gray.

13. Step 13

    Select the “Magic Wand” tool from the tools palette, and then adjust the “Tolerance” to 50. Select a black area, then right-click, then select the “Similar” option. Go to “Edit,” select “Fill,” select “White,” then click on a blank area of the image to deselect the “Magic Wand” tool.

14. Step 14

    Go to “Image,” then select “Adjust,” and then select “Brightness and Contrast.” Set the “Contrast” slider to 100 percent and the “Brightness” slider to 25 percent.

What’s the best way to promote your upcoming music show? The answer: Every way you possibly can. There are a lot of resources available to get the word out about your show ranging from the newer outlets in social media and email blasts to the more traditional announcements earned in radio, newspaper and creating flyers. In fact, flyers can earn higher attention from its placement in high-traffic areas like coffee shops and store windows. Designing an effective flyer is easy, you’ll need the show’s information, art, a computer with graphic design software tools and a few supplies to help create your successful street campaign.

Steps to Creating your Music Flyer

1. Step 1

   Gather the information needed to clearly promote the show. Who is performing? What type of music? Where is the show going to be? What time will it start and end? Is there a cover charge, and how much is it going to be? Is the event a CD release party or is it benefiting a cause? All of these questions need to be on the flyer, giving your potential audience member all of the information he or she needs.

2. Step 2

   Select the artwork that gives a good theme to your show. You only have a few seconds to make an impression and the artwork will help filter the attention of people, telling your audience what type of music you perform and what type of show they can expect. A punk rocker’s choice of art will be dramatically different than a classic music performer’s choice.
   It’s easier to reproduce graphic design or drawing. It also provides a cleaner image that will hopefully get a closer look from someone at your flyer. Draw or have a friend to draw an image for you or find a royalty-free image(s) that clearly represents your show’s theme.You can also download a pre-designed theme that you can later import into your a design program to customize.

3. Step 3

   Scan or download the artwork into your computer into a new folder named after your event. If you have multiple art files it may be a good idea to create another folder within the event folder titled “art.” If you don’t have a scanner you can also snap a digital photo of the artwork and import it to your computer. This may take a few tries to get a good shot.

4. Step 4

   Open your favorite design program with a document size of the paper stock you are planning on printing the flyer. Some common design programs are Adobe Creative Suite (In Design, Illustrator and/or Photoshop), Microsoft Publisher or Word. Use the program you are most comfortable with. A lot of times the program will have a flyer template already created for you to add your information and art.

5. Step 5

   Start laying out your design and put all of the information gathering and artwork you did earlier to use. Stay clean and keep simple with the most important information, like your music project’s name and venue in larger and bold font. A big flyer is not necessarily the best choice. It’s good to stick with sizes 8.5 x 11 inches or less. Sometimes it’s smart to plan on making multiple flyers on one document page. This not only gives you more flyers with the same amount of paper but in the end you’ll find it easier to post on a crowded bulletin board.

6. Step 6

   Print your flyer on your printer or save the file for professional printing. Most print shops prefer a PDF file (Portable Document Format), with all of the fonts embedded, meaning converted the fonts to outlines, because their computers may not have the font you used to design the flyer.

Are you having problems trying to upload images outside of required size limitations? Are your images being distorted afterwards? Many content sites, such as eHow, have set limitations for image size. eHow, as the example in this tutorial, has a size limit of 424 x 282 pixels. That means that the width cannot exceed 424 pixels and the height cannot exceed 282 pixels (13.25 x 8.81 centimeters or 5.22 x 3.47 inches). However, many digital cameras save images much larger than that (3472 x 2604 pixels, in this example). There are many choices, when it comes to image editing software. Whether you purchase a program or download freeware, it must have the capability of resizing an image while maintaining the aspect ratio. It is also a great benefit, if your program has a ‘One Step Photo Fix.’ This will automatically correct lighting, color and contrast, making your image more appealing. Most decent programs include these features.

1. Open your photo, in the image editing software of your choice. Find and select the Resize option, under either the ‘Image,’ ‘Edit’ or ‘Tools’ tab.
2. Step 2

   Select the options to Resample using Smart Size, Lock aspect ratio, and resize all layers.

3. Step 3

   In this example, the image started out at 3472 x 2604 pixels. This will not resize to 424 x 282 pixels without distortion. Knowing that I cannot exceed 424 x 282 pixels, I set the width to 424 pixels. Since I chose to lock the aspect ratio, the height will be 318 pixels. It will have to be cropped, to be within the limitations. After setting the new dimensions, click on ‘OK.’ Keep this image open and continue.

4. Step 4

   Select the crop tool. Click just inside of the upper left or right corner of the image and drag the cursor diagonally and downward until you reach the opposite side. The crop selection should already be 424 pixels wide. With your cursor, grab the edge marker and adjust the height, until the new size is correct, as indicated by the dimensions shown on the lower portion of the program window. This should look something like: (0,4)->(424,286)=(424,282)[1.504]–Image: 424 x 318 x 16 million. Once you have the image selected to crop, double click inside the box to set the new size. Check the image information, to be sure the size is correct, before saving. If you need to try again, hit the Ctrl/Z keys to undue your last action. Once the new dimensions are correct, hit save.

5. Step 5

   If you would rather not crop a portion of your image out, with the aspect ratio locked, set the height to 282 pixels first. The image will resize at the maximum height but will only be 376 pixels wide. While you may add blank margins to reach the maximum allowable width; without them, your images will still conform to the requirements.

• In my program, I can either right-click the image or scroll down under the Image tab to find the image information. Your program may vary.
• To keyword index your image, save the file using the proper keyword(s) befitting the image as it pertains to your article, before you upload it. This way, Google Images can bring you more traffic!
• You can rotate the dimensions from Landscape to Portrait (282 x 424 pixels) but do not rotate the cover image.
• If you rotate an image, it is best to have enough text to extend to the bottom (for appearances) without being excessively wordy. DO NOT do this with more than one or two images per article.
• If you do not watermark protect your own images, others may decide to use them for their own purposes. See my related article titled ‘How to Create Watermark Protected Images.’
• Never save and close image until you are satisfied with the results.

If you’re considering a new laptop, you definitely should do your homework. Don’t make an impulse purchase. Both the Sony and Apple laptops have more assets than liabilities. However, to truly compare these two different models, you must have a cursory understanding of the differences between the Mac and Windows operating systems, and what the pros and cons of each platform are, particularly as they relate to your particular situation. As of late 2009, Sony models start at about $720, while the lowest priced MacBook is nearly $1,000.

1. Spend some time researching the specific attributes of each model. Specs and prices change often, so last month’s information is probably no longer valid. Both Sony and Apple laptops are considered top-tier by tech pundits and consumers, and you’ll get the same basic functionality (wireless capability, a high-resolution display and the ability to go online and send/receive email) from both.
2. Step 2

   Create a budget. In addition to buying the computer itself, you’ll need some extras, including software, a computer bag and any peripherals you might require. In some instances, you may be able to uninstall applications from a previous computer and use them on your new computer. In many situations, either machine could meet your needs and the price tag may be the determining factor.

3. Step 3

   Perform some hands-on work on both models if possible. Laptops can often be tested in a retail setting, whether it’s a computer store or a big box retailer. Check with friends or coworkers; if someone you know has one of these models, you might be able to try it out before committing to one. It’s important that you feel comfortable with the display, keyboard and input device, though both models allow you to attach an external mouse, keyboard and larger display.

4. Step 4

   Plan how you are going to use the computer. Software most users rely on (Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Quicken) is available in both Windows and Mac versions, so look ahead to see if you’re going to use any software that is platform-specific. A general rule is that Windows computers are better suited for gaming, business and specialized applications, and that more software programs are available for Windows computers. However, graphic artists and those who edit audio or video are more comfortable using a Mac. Another plus for Macs is that they’re largely immune to viruses.

5. Step 5

   Use a spreadsheet to compare the specs of both machines side-by-side if you’re still on the fence. The important numbers are the hard-drive capacity, RAM, processor speed and battery life. However, a similar speed processor on the two different laptops doesn’t always equal the same speed; both sides claim distinct advantages in their particular processor, so it’s up to you to decide if these numbers are important enough to sway you to one side or the other.

Adobe Flash is used to create most of the rich media you see on the internet. Animations, highly interactive websites, even full video games can be made with Flash. Like other programs in the Adobe Creative Suite, Flash can be used for highly advanced purposes, but it can also perform simple tasks with little prior training.

1. Open a new Flash file. You will be asked to specify the size. If you don’t have a specific size in mind, 800 X 600 is a good compromise between screen size and file size.
2. Step 2

   Draw your primary element on the drawing area or “stage”. This is the first frame in your timeline.

3. Step 3

   Create a new layer in your timeline and draw your second element on the stage. Repeat this step for each individual element you wish to animate.

4. Step 4

   Draw all background elements that won’t be animated in a single, separate layer. You should name your layers to keep track of them.

5. Step 5

   Select a layer you wish to animate. Go to the frame in your timeline where you want to show your first animation. If your animation lasts 1 second, and your framerate is 24 frames per second, then you should go to the 24th frame. On the timeline in that layer, right-click on that frame and click on “Insert keyframe”. This replicates your first frame.

6. Step 6

   Edit this keyframe into the second state of your animation. Since you are in your early stages of using Flash, stick to simple state changes like moving an element across the screen, or transforming a shape from a circle into a square.

7. Step 7

   Right-click on the space between the two keyframes. If your state change was moving an element from one place to another, click on “Create classic tween.” If you are not using Flash CS4, the command will be “Create motion tween.” If your state change was transforming one shape to another, then you should click on “Create shape tween” instead.

8. Step 8

   Repeat these steps for each element that you wish to animate. The layers keep these elements separate, but the timeline will play them all together, like a movie.

9. Step 9

   Test your animation by going to the “Control” menu and clicking on “Test movie”.

10. Step 10

    Go to the “File” menu and click on “Export Movie”. Save your movie as a .swf file. This is your flash animation.

Both techies and end users alike give props to Apple for their foolproof setup process; Macs are pretty much plug-and-play right out of the box. Apple has designed a setup wizard that allows almost anybody working on the Internet in a matter of minutes and the iMac is no exception. Most of the steps are basic stuff, but sometimes some of the more subtle processes are missed.

1. Set up your Mac by connecting the power cord and plugging the mouse into the keyboard into one of the USB ports on the back of the computer. If you have a wireless mouse and keyboard, they both need to be powered on. Press the power button the right side of the keyboard and power on the mouse using the button on the bottom of the mouse. Press the power button on the back of the iMac and you’ll be prompted through Apple’s setup wizard.
2. Step 2

   Decide whether you need to transfer any data, applications or settings from your previous Mac, if applicable. If so, then select “From Another Mac” in the wizard when prompted. Boot up your old Mac holding down the “T” key until the FireWire logo appears on the screen and then connect the two Macs with a FireWire cable. If you’re not migrating any data, then select “Do not transfer my information” and continue with the wizard.

3. Step 3

   Register your iMac when prompted, and then create a user name and password for yourself. Next you’ll be asked how you want to connect from the Internet. If you choose wireless connectivity, a list of networks within range will be displayed, but you’ll have to know the correct password to connect to it. If you’re going to be hardwired to a network, then plug in an Ethernet RJ-45 cable to your iMac’s network jack (located on the back of the machine) and connect the other end to a network jack or plug directly into the router.

4. Step 4

   Install any software that you own. The most common software packages used on Macs are Microsoft Office, Quicken and Adobe Creative Suite, but there are hundreds of other titles. You’ll also want to download any important freeware from the Internet, including Adobe products (Reader, Flash Player and Shockwave Player) as well as Firefox and RealPlayer.

5. Step 5

   Launch a Web browser to confirm you’re connected. Then run the “Software Update…” command, which is found under the apple in the upper left corner of the screen. Reboot if prompted, and repeat until the “Your software is up to date” message is displayed.

6. Step 6

   Open System Preferences to finish configuring your new iMac. To add a printer, click on Print & Fax and then click on the plus (+) icon in the lower left corner of the pane and highlight the printer in the list and select “Add.” The other preferences you should change are Sharing (both printer and file sharing), your sleep mode settings (Energy Saver), desktop picture and screen saver display (Desktop & Screen Saver) and connecting your smart phone (Bluetooth).