PhotoShop Shortcuts -- the Ultimate Guide

Using PhotoShop? Skip the click, and speed up your work with these shortcuts. The list contains the shortcuts most commonly used by our Community members, but if you'd like to add to this resource, email us.

Yes! There is a quicker way to:

    * Access menus when in full screen mode
    * Apply Last Used Filter
    * Change Blending Modes without using the Layers palette
    * Change brushes without using the Brush palette
    * Change the background outside an image
    * Change the opacity of a brush or layer
    * Close the working window
    * Copy a layer
    * Copy Layer as new image
    * Create a clipping path without knowing how to use paths
    * Create new Layers without using the Layers palette
    * Fill layers or selections without the Paint Bucket
    * Free up space on the scratch disk
    * Hide palettes and rulers
    * Hide the effects of a Mask layer
    * Hide the marching ants
    * Interact with Layers without using the Layers palette
    * Invert a selection
    * Invert an image's colours
    * Load channels without using the Channels palette
    * Make 2 images the same size
    * Make Free Transform appear
    * Make layers appear and disappear
    * Make selections without using the Magic Wand
    * Open an image file
    * Paste images into a Layer Mask
    * Preserve Transparency
    * Quit
    * Sharpen with Blur Tool
    * Select All Text
    * Turn off Palettes -- except Tools
    * Use one-keystroke actions
    * View image and canvas size
    * Working with Images
    * Zoom

Access menus when in full screen mode

Press SHIFT + F and the file menu will appear at the top of the screen.

Additionally, notice that in full screen mode, the Tools palette has a tiny addition to it: in the top right corner of the palette is a small arrow. Click this arrow and you can also gain access to the File menu.

Apply Last Used Filter

To apply the last-used filter:
Press CTRL + F

Apply the last-used filter with new settings:
CTRL + ALT + F

Change Blending Modes without using the Layers palette

Select the marquee tool, and you can use these commands:

    * Move to the next Blending Mode: ALT + SHIFT + "+"
    * Move to the previous Blending Mode: ALT + SHIFT + "-"
    * Jump to Dissolve: ALT + SHIFT + I
    * Jump to Multiply: ALT + SHIFT + M
    * Jump to Screen: ALT + SHIFT + S
    * Jump to Overlay: ALT + SHIFT + O
    * Jump to Soft Light: ALT + SHIFT + F
    * Jump to Hard Light: ALT + SHIFT + H
    * Jump to Colour Dodge: ALT + SHIFT + D
    * Jump to Colour Burn: ALT + SHIFT + B
    * Jump to Darken: ALT + SHIFT + R
    * Jump to Lighten: ALT + SHIFT + G
    * Jump to Difference: ALT + SHIFT + E
    * Jump to Exclusion: ALT + SHIFT + X
    * Jump to Hue: ALT + SHIFT + U
    * Jump to Saturation: ALT + SHIFT + T
    * Jump to Colour: ALT + SHIFT + C
    * Jump to Luminosity: ALT + SHIFT + Y
    * And of course the most important one...
    * Jump to Normal: ALT + SHIFT + N

Note: This works on any tool that offers Blending Modes. Those tools are Airbrush, Paintbrush, Pencil, Clone Stamp, Pattern Stamp, History Brush, Gradient, Blur, Sharpen, Smudge, Dodge, Burn, Sponge and the Vector Objects tool.

Also, Adobe has a nasty tendency to change these various shortcuts with each new release. Don't be surprised if these are slightly different in newer versions of PhotoShop.


Change brushes without using the Brush palette

This is a good one if you're working in full screen mode, with all the palettes hidden.

To change the brush to the next/previous option, simply use the '[' or ']' keys.

Build up a comprehensive set of brushes, and save them for future reference.

Change background outside an image

   1. Select the Paint Bucket tool (G).

   2. Select the colour you want to change the background to.

   3. Move your cursor outside the bounds of the image, then press SHIFT + left click.

Change the opacity of a brush or layer

How's it done? Simply use the number keys. For example, 1 will give you 10% opactiy, while 9 will give you 90% opacity (0 gives you 100%!).

Also, if you type the number quickly, you can get increments, e.g. 56%. This works with brushes, rubber stamp -- even layers.

Close a working window

Press CTRL + W

Copy a layer

Hold ALT and click/drag on your canvas.

If you've got a selection, then CTRL + ALT and drag (within that selection) will copy and float the contents.

With no selection active, CTRL + ALT and drag will copy the contents of that layer to a new layer and drag it.

Copy Layer as new image

Layer > Duplicate Layer > Document: New

Create a clipping path without knowing how to use paths

   1. Create two layers, one with a simple shape (a circle, for instance) and one with a picture.

   2. Place the layer with the picture above the layer with the circle.

   3. Holding down the ALT button, click the line that separates the two layers. You'll know you've got it right when the cursor changes to a left-facing arrow with two circles.

This tip allows you to create a clipping path based on the lower object's transparency. This means that if you have an object that's feathered at the edges, the picture will be feathered as well.

Create new Layers without using the Layers palette

You can do this in a number of ways:

    * Press CTRL + SHIFT + N to open the "new layer" dialog box. This will allow you to name the layer at the same time you create it.
    * Copy the current layer to a new layer: CTRL + J
    * Copy the current layer to a new layer and name the layer: CTRL + ALT + J
    * Copy the current selection to a new layer: CTRL + J
    * Copy the current selection to a new layer and name the layer: CTRL + ALT

Digital Audio Players

How to Download an Audio Book From Your Hard Disk to Your Non-iPod Digital Audio Player

Introduction - Digital Audio Players

This article describes how to download an audio book file to most common brands of digital audio players eg, Digital River, Creative, Sandisk etc. It is not applicable to Apple's iPod or some other digital audio players that require proprietary download software provided with the devices.

Downloading Media for Your Digital Audio Players

Once you have downloaded your audio book to a hard disk or other storage device you must open the first file of the audio from your computer if digital rights management(DRM) licensing is in effect. DRM processes usually place a file on your hard disk drive with licensing information indicating that you are the rightful owner of the content you have downloaded. This means you can then access the audio files without any problems.

When you click on the audio file to open it, a dialogue box appears asking you for your username and password. After entering them, you can continue to work with the digital files either by listening to them on your computer or copying them to your digital audio players.

Most common digital audio players have the capacity to handle DRM licensed files.

Don't use your Internet Explorer program to copy files from your hard disk to your digital audio players. It will copy them, but you will not be able to play them because Internet Explorer isn't capable of handling the DRM licensing process. Instead, use Windows Media Player (WMP or whatever software was provided by the manufacturer of your digital audio player).

If you use Windows Media Player (make sure you have the latest version), you simply load WMP, locate your audio files so they are listed in the Title window, highlight the files and drag them to the right into the Sync List column. When you see the message "Ready to Synchronise" appear in the screen to the right of your digital audio file names in the Sync List, click the Start Synch button at the bottom of the screen. This will start the transfer of your files to your digital audio players.

As soon as the files have been transferred, you can unplug your digital media players and listen to the files anywhere you wish.

I recommend you zip (compress the audio files) remaining on your hard disk drive and copy them to a CD as backup copies. That way you won't unnecessarily add to the clutter on your hard disk and if a disaster occurs, you'll still have the audio files you paid for.

More info here: http://fly2.ws/qX-u58w

COMPUTERS AND HALLOWEEN, DO THEY MIX?

Computer backup is so important to your computer that to ignore it is to risk its damnation.

Computers require care and feeding. They require that you attend to their needs. If you don't, then they will most surely be sent to Hell.

Halloween means Hell. What! What do you mean that Halloween means Hell?

Well, if your computer is given the option of trick or treat, which will it accept? Will it accept the trick or the treat? What do you think?

Halloween is the time that computers are subject to tricks or treats. Did you know that more computers fail on Halloween than any other day of the year? That's right. It's true (smile). Your computer is in danger! Protect it. Do your computer backups.

Back to the Hell thing. Hell you say? Yep. Well, what do you mean by Hell?

Computer hell is the place for computers without computer backup. The failure to perform hard drive backup means that you are playing Russian Roulette with your data. Data needs your protection. Failure to protect your data may cause your home or business records to be sent to Hell.

Hell in this instance is for the records and files that cannot be resurrected. Resurrected you say, what does that mean?

It means that without computer backup as a source of salvation then the files can safely enjoy eternal oblivion. Oblivion you say, what does that mean? That means they are eternally lost from computer resurrection.

Is there any mercy for my precious files, you ask?

Why yes there is. Would like to know what the mercy for your files is? Yes! Yes! You say.

OK boys and girls listen carefully. The salvation, mercy, resurrection and redemption of your files lies in regular and consistent and persistent computer backup.

If you backup your computer consistently and persistently your files will be resurrected and saved from accidental deletion, hard drive failure and those nasty things like fire, flood, theft, earthquake, hurricanes, tornados and the like!

Computer backup is the key to your data's salvation!

games-arcades

Do you remember the good old arcade games like the Pac-man eating
yellow dots and Mario and Luigi consuming mushrooms and flowers to
rescue the princess from King Koopa? Yes, these games are considered
to be the ancestors of the games that you play today on your computer.
Things have changed significantly gradually with time. There had been
drastic change with the release of computer games such as Amiga,
Commodore, and ZX Spectrum. Even today different genres of games are
continuing to pop up such as online strategy and role-playing games.

With modern computers capable of hyper-realistic graphics and
high-definition sound, the possibilities of entertainment especially
playing games are limitless. The present day's kids now have much
wider choice than the kids o earlier times. In fact, they have so much
choice that parents had to be cautions because there is simply too
much meaningless and explicit violence and in addition to it kids can
easily download and install a pretty game, which will plead your
computer with advertising of adult of gambling sites. One has to
ponder on how safe is modern arcade games for their kids?

Unlike modern arcade games, classic arcade games were few in numbers.
So there was a limited choice left for the players. These games were
as simple as it could be devoid of any kind of fancy graphics, sounds
other than 'beep' and vibrant colors. One could only play games like
'tennis' or shoot a white rectangle with a lighting gun. The most
appealing things about these games were that they did not involve any
kind violence, and were harmless to TV that has to be hooked up to a
console with rotary-type joysticks to play the game. Also, there were
no computer viruses at those times, so every game was safe to play.

The evolutionary development of old arcade games started after World
War II, during the early 1950's, after Ralph Bauer invented the
perception of creating an electronic game system to the television
screen which is known as the Magnavox Odyssey in 1972. The first
gaming console system that was invented is known as the Atari 2600,
which was released in 1977 that is consider as the milestone of the
gaming industries. The popularity of such games gained momentum with
the release of game like Gee Bee and Space Invaders in 1978, Galaxian
in 1979, Pac-man, King and Balloon, Tank Battalion, and others in 1980
and the Star Wars 1983, which are all from Atari. Development
continued experimenting with new hardware and more new games with the
enthusiasm of modern game developers renovating these old arcade games
by enhancing its graphics and producing newer versions.

lable Computers, games

Where Can You Find Ink for Your Dell Printer?

With regards its performance, there is nothing to complain about when it comes to the Dell printer. Any model of the Dell printer can deliver documents, graphics and photo prints with great quality and high resolution. The problem comes whenever the ink of your Dell printer runs out. If you need new Dell ink cartridges for your printer, you would have to call the Dell hotline to ask them to deliver ink to your home, or you would have to order ink cartridges from the Dell website.

But that was before, in the decades past. Recently, Dell is seen to be making an effort to expand its reach by making its products, including the Dell printer ink, available in retail stores. This is perhaps a response to the growing number of complaints that owners of the Dell printer have regarding the fact that Dell ink cartridges are not available for sail in retail stores and must be ordered from the Dell hotline itself.

Staples to Sell Dell Ink

So far, however, only the Staples stores have an agreement with Dell to sell Dell printer ink. This agreement, so far, is exclusive for all the Staples stores all over the United States. Users of Dell printers, be it the All-in-One models, the inkjet printers or the laser printers, can trek to the Staple store nearest them to get their Dell ink cartridges whenever they need new ones.

Naturally, Dell would continue selling their own ink for Dell printers on their own website. These Dell ink cartridges from the Dell website do not vary a lot in price from those sold in Staples stores, but on the Dell website, the Dell ink cartridges can come in packages that may have more value for consumer money.

Online Ink Sellers Selling Dell Ink

Aside from the online and retail stores of Staples and the Dell website, owners of the Dell printer can get their ink from online ink sellers like Printcountry.com. Many of these online ink sellers have agreements with Dell to sell Dell ink on their own websites.

If you are an owner of a Dell printer and you are looking into buying new Dell ink cartridges from these websites, you have to be extra careful, though. Repackaged printer ink can be used for your Dell printer, but you have to be sure that your repackaged Dell printer ink is of good quality and truly compatible with your Dell printer. If you cannot get your hands on genuine Dell ink for your printer, then you should at least get compatible Dell printer ink that is of high quality and coming from a reliable online ink seller.

Article Source: http://www.articlecafe.net

This Article is written by James Kara Murat, the contributor of Why Shop at PrintCountry.com. More information on the subject is at Where Can You Find Ink for Your Dell Printer?, and related resources can be found at Dell Ink Cartridges.

Find Products and Services Related to This Article in the ArticleCafe Marketplace

The Advantages Of Digital Camera

The digital camera has totally changed the way we take photographs; it
has made the greatest impact in the world of photography since the
Polaroid Instamatic camera. It is a great accessory to the present day
computer; photographs can be taken in an instant and loaded on to the
computer, and emailed to a friend or a relative in the space of a few
minutes. If you add a photo quality ink jet printer to your computer,
you will not need to develop a roll of film ever again.

The digital camera started out from a single 1 mega pixel quality
photo; now they come in over 10 mega pixels with huge print sizes,
with amazing photo quality.

You may find it tough to decide which digital camera will fulfill your
needs the best. You will have to undertake a bit of research, to help
you to find the best camera, with the proper lenses, filters, external
flash, tripods - everything you need so that you can start taking
photographs, like a professional! Just spend a little time and figure
out how you will be really using your digital camera, before you
purchase one. Will it be for daily use, for special occasions like
birthdays, family reunions? Will the price of the digital camera make
a lot of difference?

The digital camera is also part of a new field of photography, in
which you use a green or a blue background, and with special software
like Corel Paint or PhotoShop, you can do wonders and create a new
imaginative background. You can edit out the background and put in its
place any of thousands of prepared indoors or outdoors backgrounds.
There are multifunctional digital cameras that can take not only
photographs but also video and sound. Digital cameras can be
categorized as still cameras, video cameras and professional modular
digital camera.

Since the market is so full of different models of digital cameras,
you have to select a digital camera that will suit your needs. They
come in different price ranges, so you will not have any difficulty
selecting one that will fit into your budget. Before buying a digital
camera, your first consideration has to be the resolution. A digital
camera with a higher resolution than what you require can prove to be
a waste of money, processing power and storage. A large number of
pixels do not necessarily mean a superior image, so be cautious. A
lower resolution digital camera is the best for posting images to the
web, to view images on your computer, or to email files. You don`t
always need a high capacity memory card, a small capacity memory card
can also give high quality performance.

A digital camera can use its own battery and charger, or it can use
double A size batteries. A digital camera may connect to a computer
for data transmission. The most usual method of connectivity is USB,
but Fire wire port or Blue Tooth are also used. Some digital cameras
can connect to computer networks wirelessly.

One of the good things about a digital camera is that you do not have
to spend anything on developing the film at a local store, nor do you
have to drive to the store and back. A digital camera gives you an
instant feeling of gratification when you view the pictures you have
taken on the viewfinder or on your personal computer. You also have
the full freedom of editing your photographs until you are fully
satisfied with them!

You can select, save or delete photographs without any cost involved.
The photos are stored hundreds of media cards, so you can take as many
pictures as you wish before you run out of space.

This article is under GNU FDL license and can be distributed without
any previous authorization from the author. However the author's name
and all the URLs (links) mentioned in the article and biography must
be kept.

Avoiding Purchase of Stolen Computers

Most of us purchase used computers for the main reason that they can be purchased for a very lesser amount. When doing so, there is a high risk of purchasing a stolen computer, which can be passed off as a used computer. The incidence of purchasing a stolen computer is more when they are got in the name of used computers from third party computer dealers like the computer dealers online or from a theft store or from a pawnbroker who has no idea about the history of the computer he is selling.

Following measures can be taken to avoid buying a stolen computer:

One of the safe measures while buying used computer is to buy through a credit card or check payment rather than making cash purchase. If the seller insists on cash payment, the purchaser can be very sure that the computer may be a stolen one. Also stolen computers are sold at very low prices. If the buyer has good knowledge about the price trends of computers in the market, he can for sure find out if the computer sold as a used computer is of a genuine kind or not.

The place of buying used computer is of outmost importance as a reputed dealer or seller will have a well-established location. They do not sell on the streets. Hence, it is better to avoid buying used computers from the street side shops, which may be fly by night shops. Such sellers attract the buyers with the pricing or heavy discounts or even freebies along with the computers. If the buyer is not sure about the computer, he can very well ask for the documents pertaining to the computer or can find out if receipts are issued for the purchase. The best method of finding out is to check the serial number of the used computer that can be done with the help of the local law enforcement personnel.

The buyer has all the rights to ask the seller about the reason for the sale of the used computer, where it was purchased and nature of payment made initially. If the buyer is satisfied, he can go ahead with the purchase, else should move on to the next seller. Normally, one can find out if the seller is genuine or not through his body language.
A person selling illegal things will show frenzied movements, will agree even for a rock bottom price with even a small amount of profit for him, mostly will not have a decent language, will try to sell in haste, will always be looking around to find out if someone is watching him and will not have an eye contact while selling and so on.

Such kind of illegal sales of used computers happen as the illegal seller has the facility to advertise free of cost. Also posing as a private seller there is no need to provide a VAT receipt, which makes him free of any legal action being taken against him. Hence it is not advised to buy a used computer without a cash receipt provided by the seller.

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Patch Management Software

The widely publicized attacks and vulnerabilities to software system have lead to the development of patch management. It discovers and defenses your system against vulnerabilities. Many organizations with pro-active security patch management in place are not affected by these attacks, as they get the information in advance of the attack.

Patch management software allows you to scan, detect, assess, and remediate any security vulnerability on your network. The software identifies the threat and provides you with tools to remediate vulnerabilities and install missing patches. Patch management software determines footprints, perform vulnerability analysis and reports, and define domain, machine and location inventories. The advantages of patch management are – documentation, defines domain, establishment and link speed between locations. Patch management software has become one of the fastest growing segments of software market, as they are designed specifically to test and deploy fixes for software defects and alter any security vulnerabilities. Patch management tools don't just automate rolling out patches but help to prevent many problems. Sachs Consulting offers patch management solution that is cost effective and reliable.

Depending on the number of systems in an organization and the seriousness of their operation, the workflow elements of a patch management tool becomes important due to its ability to deliver the patches. The first part of the patch management process is to determine the vulnerable system. Next step is to make sure that the patches will work and they won't break other software. Finally the patches come out of the machine. Patch management tools also ensure that the new systems on the network, such as mobile users connecting from a laptop, are quickly brought up to proper patch level. And if a patch turns out to cause more problems then the vulnerability it fixes, patch management tools help to remove or roll back the offending fix. However, the first line of defense for the average network agency is still well enforced user policies and standardized system. Patch management can at least help system administrators to keep focus on those while taking the grunt work of patch management off their hands.

You can get all necessary details about database patch management and the software at www.sachsconsulting.com

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