A quick overview comparing the two new image editors Pixelmator and Acorn by designer John Whipple. I would have to agree with most of his points. The one thing I really, really like about Acorn is the handy resizing & cropping keyboard modifiers: hold Option and drag to resize, hold Control and drag to crop. It’s a very clever and very handy way to do things quickly. The zoom slider at the bottom of the window is nice as well. Oh, and the integrated screenshot tool.
Continue reading 'Pixelmator & Acorn: Quick Comparison Review'
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The much-buzzed image editor Pixelmator has just been released in all it’s 1.0 glory, which means the rest of us can download the demo and if so inclined pick up a copy ($59).
I have played around a bit with it and it seems pretty darn cool. Once I have a chance to compare it to Acorn I’ll get a review up here.
Continue reading 'Image editor Pixemator hits 1.0'
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A new image editor snuck in under the radar a few days back: Acorn. It’s a pretty nice lightweight alternative to Photoshop for either users who don’t need all the bells and whistles the Adobe juggernaut has to offer, or would like to have a companion app for those times when you just need to do some quick edits and don’t want to fire up Photoshop just for an annotated screenshot.
If Adobe has Photoshop Elements, you could call Acorn “Photoshop Molecule”.
Continue reading 'Acorn: Handy Lightweight Pixel-Based Image Editor'
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Graphics tablet manufacturer Wacom has just released graphics tablet driver Mac OS X software update 6.05-2 for the Intuos, Cintique and Graphire products lines. The new feature included is support for the as-yet unreleased Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, due out in October, as well as other unlisted bug fixes.
Windows driver 6.05-7 update is available for Windows Vista, XP & 2000.
Continue reading 'Wacom Intuos, Cintique & Graphire Driver Updates Released'
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Default Folder X is one of those shareware utility applications that seem pretty handy while you are demoing, but until you use another Mac without Default Folder installed (or the demo runs out), you don’t realize exactly how perfect the software actually is.
I constantly run across these “714 Absolutely Essential Mac Applications” blog posts that always leave this one out. And I think the only reason is that the author is unaware of it’s existence. There’s no other explanation. Half of the time the apps I see on those lists are so-so anyways.
So what is this so-called “Default Folder” anyways? In short, it’s a way for you to access — from the Open/Save dialog windows — not only commonly used folders, but also recently used folders and open Finder windows, all with (mostly) user-defined keyboard shortcuts.
Continue reading 'Default Folder X – Essential Mac Productivity Utility Software'
by George Coghill -
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Pantone just released a brand new color matching system, touted as a “complement” to the PMS system they’ve used for 45 years. Once Adobe gives it the OK, PMS colors will be out the window. This has been in the works for about 4 years, so it predates the X-Rite buyout.
Supposedly the new numbering system is much more logical and expandable. It even comes with it’s own software now — even those who just opt for the standard fan books. Adobe hasn’t yet embraced the new system, but I can’t see why that won’t happen eventually.
Continue reading 'Pantone Announces New “Goe” Color Matching System'
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If any of you are still in the market for a Wacom Intuos3 graphics tablet, the company has just announced a special limited edition 25th anniversary lineup. The “special” features are as follows:
• Sophisticated metallic black and gun metal gray color scheme
• Classic Pen in addition to the Intuos3 Grip Pen ($49.95 value )
• Transparent Overlay in addition to the Gray Overlay ($14.00 – $25.00 value; depending on size)
• Professional Accessory Kit ($19.95 value; 5 Standard nibs, 5 felt nibs, 5 Stroke nibs, 5 Flex nibs, an. alternate Pen Grip without side switch holes, 1 nib removal tool, and 1 replacement side switch)
No word on pricing, but you can sign up to get on the list. Ships September 13, 2007. Hard to know if this is a deal, or just a more expensive version with bundled accessories and a different color scheme. Does look cool though.
Personally, I think the new logo is more exciting:
by George Coghill -
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Ever need to temporarily reference another document while working on something – this may be an image, or instructions, or a PDF file. Many times you want it floating right on top of your current document so you can refer to it while you are working, and not have to switch back and forth between applications.
I do this a lot when working in Illustrator, especially working from reference images, but also the occasional email message or PDF file sent by a client.
Continue reading 'Productivity Tip: Floating, Transparent Reference Images Using Screenshots & Free Software Afloat'
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Color matching wizards Pantone have been bought out by color management gizmo maker X-Rite (yeah, I never heard of them either). Seems they have been collaborating for some time now, with the Pantone Huey being one of their joint efforts. The Huey is a pretty cool, essential and affordable tool, so perhaps this is a good sign of things to come (see my review of the Pantone Huey monitor calibration tool).
Pantone swatch books are essential tools for any artist/designer working with color, but it’s good to see that the hardware side will no doubt be more aggressively pursued by this merger, since the new owners are hardware based. Such a huge part of the work of many artists and designers create these days is done on the computer monitor, and proper calibration for predictable print output is essential.
via Daring Fireball
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Creative Binge is a new online portfolio & social networking site for artists, illustrators, designers and all you other creative types. The talk of social networking for the community site sounds like a great idea.
The website has a clean and classy design and interface, and a very easy to use upload feature for adding your artwork to the free portfolio with your account.
Continue reading 'Creative Binge – New Free Portfolio & Social Networking Website for Creatives'
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