Introducing a new form of education tool. This will be a series of helpful tips for software / design etc that I’ll continue until I get the correct legal documents or bribe needed to stop  it…
I am starting off with an easy one…

Pen Tool [p] and Fignütts : no#1 : DYI Illustrator Patterns Rated R (for Really mature designers over the age of 18 will hate this) 

Hi all!
Hope you are all getting on well with your blogs, if you have set one up can you send me a comment? I will put up a video of using the pen tool on monday evening. Nicola

They say, the pen is mightier than the sword. Well, in graphic design, this is a feasible statement. We have seen the power of the pen tool from our previous tutorials. This tutorial goes beyond just lines and stroke paths. Even though the process of creating such amazing retro shapes seems plausible, the results are really brilliant. This tutorial shows you how to design some amazing vector based Retro Rainbow Curves using Adobe Photoshop. These retro artifacts have become a popular trend in modern design!

View the tutorial here : Tutorial 9

Here are some of the designs which have been made using this tutorial :

This is what I accomplished :

Here is one from Desain Digital:

Hell All!

I realized that I have all of my video tutorial links spread out across a bunch of different posts.  So I decided to compile a list of URLs for all of my video tutorials and blog it.  So, here is the Silverlight video tutorial list:

How to create Custom RoutedEvents in Silverlight (Thanks to Andrew Whiddett and IdentityMine for this One): http://tw0.us/4cU

Use the Silverlight Toolkit’s WrapPanel to create a ListBox that displays three rows of Data: http://tw0.us/4aV

Create a Silverlight custom Silder: http://tw0.us/4LZ

How to create a Visual Tree Helper to locate FrameworkElements in the Visual Tree: http://tw0.us/46C

Using DataBinding to control the Visibility of any Silverlight Object using Blend and Visual Studio: http://is.gd/4jUYJ

How to create a complete Sketchflow Prototype in Silverlight: http://is.gd/41pjN

Creating a Custom Silverlight Button Just for Designers (using linear and radial gradients, the gradient tool and opacity masks): http://is.gd/3XAcr

Creating a Custom Silverlight Button: http://is.gd/3X1eZ

Creating a Storyboard Helper Class:  http://is.gd/3mjXW

Importing Photoshop PSD files into Expression Blend 3:
http://is.gd/3f53d

Creating Morphing Vector Path Storyboards in Blend
http://is.gd/2R1br

Re-Creating a Metallic Logo in Vector using Blend 3
http://is.gd/2ONQR
 
Creating Timed Storyboard Animations
http://is.gd/2M7m9
 
Using TemplateBinding to Replace a ContentPresenter in a Silverlight Button
http://is.gd/2GDRy
 
Working with Data in BLend 3
http://is.gd/3ak0Q
 
Silverlight 3 Behavior Tutorial Video
http://is.gd/3ajTP
 
This Tutorial will teach you how to create a Card Flipping Animation!
http://is.gd/3ajpa 

Observable Collection Tutorial
http://is.gd/3ajLK

Silverlight Extended Drag and Drop Behavior:
http://victorgaudioso.wordpress.com/2009/07/07/extended-drag-and-drop-behavior/q

Enjoy! Victor

In  this short video I show you how to create a metalic looking vector logo in Blend 3 using:

1. The Pen tool;

2. The Direct Selection tool;

3. Linear Gradients;

Video URL: http://is.gd/2ONQR

Another fun assignment from the photoshop class at school. We had to create an illustration of an animal in cutout style. We are able to use illustrator and/or photoshop.

I have been using Photoshop for a couple of years now, but I just started learning Illustrator this term at IAM Training. I’m finding that I get lost a lot more easily in Illustrator than in Photoshop, even compared to my early Photoshop days.

But I’m beginning to get comfortable with the pen tool and found that I prefer to use the Illustrator pen tool rather than the photoshop pen tool even though they are very similar. The photoshop pen tool seems a bit more temperamental especially when editing existing paths.

I hand drew the Ayers rock scenery and the kangaroo in two separate sheets. Scanned them, brought them into Illustrator, and traced them with the pen tool. I find using the pen tool a very zen experience.

Wim, our instructor, had shown us an example of his cutout animal, a mammoth. He also showed us how to animate them in Flash. In preparation for future animation, I decided to follow his example and put the movable body parts of the kangaroo in separate layers.

I then exported both traced images and brought them into one photoshop file, where I worked on adding colors and textures. I’m enjoying discovering Photoshop and Illustrator as two complementary applications that work together well.




Ayers rock hand drawn



Kangaroo hand drawn



Kangaroo at Ayers Rock

]]> http://bortonia.wordpress.com/2009/08/11/tutorial-draw-a-cute-purse-using-simple-shapes/ Wed, 12 Aug 2009 02:40:50 +0000 bortonia http://bortonia.wordpress.com/2009/08/11/tutorial-draw-a-cute-purse-using-simple-shapes/

In this tutorial, we want to create a very simple, clean handbag icon. I worked in a fancy accessories store back in College so I’ve always loved purses! We’ll show you some simple tricks for creating graphic simplification of an object, as well as some tips on how to create punch contrast as you’re shading your shapes. Click here to read more!

]]> http://ptimike.wordpress.com/2009/08/01/pen-tool-shortcuts-and-tracing/ Sat, 01 Aug 2009 04:13:39 +0000 ptimike http://ptimike.wordpress.com/2009/08/01/pen-tool-shortcuts-and-tracing/

trace each shape with seperated anchors following the lines as best as possible. learn by doing, mastering the pen tool is key. using keyboard shortcuts to save time is extremely valuable.

time: 25 minutes

smart guides: off

pen_tool_tracing_exercise_pdf

]]> http://vietphotoshop.wordpress.com/2009/08/01/how-to-create-sleek-cosmetic-cream-bottle-in-photoshop/ Sat, 01 Aug 2009 03:52:26 +0000 jocphoto http://vietphotoshop.wordpress.com/2009/08/01/how-to-create-sleek-cosmetic-cream-bottle-in-photoshop/

(Photoshop.VN) – Friends, now comes a dazzling Photoshop tutorial. In this tutorial I will explain you how to create a sleek, stunningly beautiful cosmetic creative bottle as well as a quick process to photo retouching using Photoshop.

 

July 5

• How to Create Sleek Cosmetic Cream Bottle in Photoshop

  tweetmeme_url = ‘http://pixelactic.com/2009/07/creating-sleek-cosmetic-cream-bottle-in-photoshop/’;tweetmeme_source = ‘pixelactic’;

• By Rafi – July 5th 2009  Posted in Design, Tutorials |
• 

  Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.

  Powered by WP Greet Box

  

  Friends, now comes a dazzling Photoshop tutorial. In this tutorial I will explain you how to create a sleek, stunningly beautiful cosmetic creative bottle as well as a quick process to photo retouching using Photoshop.

  The Concept of the Bottle:

  You actually need an idea to begin with the conceptualization of how you want a particular product should look like. It may take time and a lot of play with pen and paper before you put your fingers on your keyboard. But fortunately, I was hit by the idea of this stylish bottle from a “water-drop”. If you see the shape of the bottle above, you can easily draw similarities to a water-drop. And literally, water is often used to symbolize life, purity, and health.

  Well, here’s the step-by-step process that’s involved in the creation of the design. Try the steps and I hope you’ll definitely come up with more great ideas. Just drop in your comments at the end of this post as to what you think of this tutorial.

  Step 1

  Open up a new document with 1000 by 1000pixels with 72dpi resolution.  You can use higher resolution as well depending on the quality you want.

  Make a circle using the Marque Tool (M) and fill it with white color and then draw the shape of the tip of water-drop using your Pen Tool (P) as shown below.

  

  Now apply the layer effects to the “bottle shape” as shown below.

  

  Step 2

  Now draw the lid or cap for the bottle using the Pen Tool (P), fill it with white or whichever color you want so you can change the effects later using the layers effect option.

  

  Now apply the layers effects to the lid as show below.

  

  Now make the lid’s shutter in oval shape as show in the screenshot below. Use your Marque Tool (M) to draw oval shapes. Click Ctrl+T and set the rotation to -30 degrees. Then apply the layers effects as pointed out in the below image.

  

  Step 3

  Now it’s time to add some sleekness on the bottle to make it look more natural with some reflections and gloss. Here’s what I did to bring it alive.

  

  Step 4

  Let’s label up the bottle with some cool name and fonts. To look the product name more as part of the bottle I have applied the following layers effects.
  Fonts Used:  Giddyup Std & AvantGarde Md BT
  

  Step 5

  Let’s get something really spicy: adding a lady with her face beautiful and glowing as an acknowledgement to have used the cosmetic cream and hence got her face glowing like “magic”.
  I took the image of the lady from Flickr’s Creative Commons images.
  In this step, you’ll see some interesting and easy photo or portrait retouching techniques.

  

  The Final Image

  Click to see it full -size.

  
  

  

Source: How to Create Sleek Cosmetic Cream Bottle in Photoshop

]]> http://artforlight.wordpress.com/2009/07/16/urban-shoot/ Thu, 16 Jul 2009 02:08:40 +0000 artforlight http://artforlight.wordpress.com/2009/07/16/urban-shoot/

Some studio shots for Urbanoutfitters.com..







]]> http://dgcreations.wordpress.com/2009/07/11/simple-design-business-cards/ Sat, 11 Jul 2009 08:27:47 +0000 DG-Creations http://dgcreations.wordpress.com/2009/07/11/simple-design-business-cards/ http://artforlight.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/mike-whitson-cutouts/ Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:03:18 +0000 artforlight http://artforlight.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/mike-whitson-cutouts/

Check out these cutouts of designer glass done for photographer Mike Scott Whitson..









]]> http://dgcreations.wordpress.com/2009/07/06/the-pen-tool-do-you-use-it/ Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:33:46 +0000 DG-Creations http://dgcreations.wordpress.com/2009/07/06/the-pen-tool-do-you-use-it/ http://ibn07.wordpress.com/2009/07/02/43/ Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:28:00 +0000 Mantaray http://ibn07.wordpress.com/2009/07/02/43/ http://revistavirtus.wordpress.com/2009/06/20/tutorial-photoshop-efeito-de-raios-em-suas-fotos/ Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:14:56 +0000 revistavirtus http://revistavirtus.wordpress.com/2009/06/20/tutorial-photoshop-efeito-de-raios-em-suas-fotos/ http://bortonia.wordpress.com/2009/06/17/tutorial-create-a-cello-scroll-from-a-reference-photo/ Wed, 17 Jun 2009 02:51:06 +0000 bortonia http://bortonia.wordpress.com/2009/06/17/tutorial-create-a-cello-scroll-from-a-reference-photo/

In this tutorial, we’re going to use a reference photograph of a cello scroll to create a (mostly) realistic illustration without using any gradients. Creating a vector from a photo can be extremely handy when you need a super huge size, since vectors can scale without losing image quality. In addition, the fact we’re avoiding gradients makes this illustration printer-friendly. Click here to read more!

]]> http://ajanslive.wordpress.com/2009/06/17/fireworks-tools-arac-kutusu-kullanimi/ Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:53:35 +0000 ajanslive http://ajanslive.wordpress.com/2009/06/17/fireworks-tools-arac-kutusu-kullanimi/ http://schweitz.wordpress.com/2009/06/16/practice-your-penmanship/ Tue, 16 Jun 2009 16:08:34 +0000 schweitz http://schweitz.wordpress.com/2009/06/16/practice-your-penmanship/

I recently gave a co-worker a relatively brief tutorial on the pen tool in Illustrator. I was trying to convey to her that the pen tool is very difficult to learn when you are first starting out and ultimately the only way to improve is to practice (constantly). A week later I’m pretty sure she hasn’t practiced any further at all, so I created a practice file and thought it might be useful to others. The file contains over 20 geometric abstract shapes with all kinds of different curves, angles and corners. Additionally, I drew them all out on graph paper so hopefully that gives some further tips as to placement of points, geometries, etc. I also figured I might as well make it available to anyone else who wants to pass along or complete. It might be interesting to get some pen tool pros and do this as race of some fashion, but for now download here.

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