• Software
  • Jul5

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    Illustrator CS6 box

    As with many of Adobe Creative Suite CS6 applications, Illustrator has been given a revamp with over a dozen key new features. I’ll cover six here, to give you a sampling of what Illustrator can now do better, more easily, and more efficiently.
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  • Jul2

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    CS6 InDesign box

    Adobe InDesign CS6 has received a variety of updated features to work with digital tablets as well as repurposing content for various media. Alternate layouts as well as the Content Collector Tool rate high on the list. Here’s what I discovered while working within the new version.

    Liquid Layout
    Determine how pages and objects are adapted with the layout hub, a place to preview and create changes. Liquid page rules are an efficient way to design for multiple page sizes and orientations.

    Liquid Layout Page setup
    [Liquid Layout Page setup]
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  • Jun26

    2 Comments

    PS6 software image

    Photoshop Extended CS6 includes over a dozen new key features. I’ve chosen to feature a handful in this post, the ones that seemed to pop out the most for a photographer/designer.

    Precision cropping with overlay guides and custom presets
    In Photoshop Extended CS6, images can be changed nondestructively, quicker, and with greater precision by using multiple overlays.

    Golden Ratio crop
    [Golden Ratio crop]

    One of the key tools completely updated for Photoshop CS6 is the all-new nondestructive Crop tool. Change the format of your images faster and with greater precision with multiple overlays. The options include Golden Ratio, Golden Spiral, Diagonal, Triangle, Grid, and Rule of Thirds.
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  • Jun21

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    File info

    Part of the newest Adobe CS6 collection is Acrobat X Pro, software that lets you create and edit PFD files, share information, and work with rich media. Acrobat X has several new features worth mentioning.

    Field order list on right

    The Acrobat Form Wizard walks you through a series of simple steps to turn an existing form into a fillable PDF form. Whether you scan a paper form or start with a Microsoft Word or Excel file, Acrobat automatically recognizes elements on the page that look like form fields and turns them into fillable electronic fields. You can instantly customize your new form with additional fields, checkboxes, and drop-down menus.

    Creating a new field

    The field order can be rearranged by dragging and dropping them their proper places in the order list, located to the right of the document area.

    Field category options
    [Field category options]

    You can edit a particular field by clicking and typing into a field in the list.

    An editing form field

    The areas filled in with blue are the electronic form fields. If you prefer to create a form from scratch or based on a template, use Adobe LiveCycle® Designer ES2 software for Windows®, bundled with Acrobat X Pro.

    You can post a PDF form directly to your website or use Acrobat to send it to desired recipients by email. Anyone with Adobe Reader (the free version of Acrobat) can fill in and save a form. Acrobat also lets you check responses, add more recipients, remind people to respond, or change the response deadline.

    share via email
    [Share via email]

    Acrobat automatically compiles data from collected forms into a table for quick review, a great way to both organize and filter responses. Responses can be received either via email attachments, the free Acrobat.com online service, or your internal server, making it no longer necessary to retype or copy information. You can also export the entire data set to a comma-delimited file for further analysis, using spreadsheet or database software.

    With Acrobat X Pro, users can collect data from virtually anyone who uses Adobe Reader. Both Reader 9 and X users can save local copies of the forms for their own records. Acrobat X Pro also lets you enable Reader 9 or X users to add an electronic signature to PDF forms.

    iPad app screen shots

    Acrobat is also well-represented in the mobile device sector. Adobe Reader is available as a free app for iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4/4S, iPod Touch (3rd and 4th gen), and iPad, as long as you’re using iOS 4.2.5 or greater. High-quality PDF files can now be created using an iPad with Adobe CreatePDF software. The app supports the following formats: MS Word (docx, doc), Excel (xlsx, xls), PowerPoint (pptx, ppt), Adobe Illustrator (ai), Photoshop (psd), InDesign (indd), images (jpeg, bmp, png, gif, tiff), RTF, Text, WordPerfect, as well as OpenOffice and StarOffice documents.

    Adding items to a new portfolio

    Creating a portfolio with Acrobat X Pro can include spreadsheets, videos, web pages, several individual PDF documents, live web content (e.g. YouTube videos) or even an entire folder. As well, content can be edited within the program by first double clicking an item, then clicking Open. The item will either open in its native application (if it’s not a PDF file) or open directly in Acrobat Pro X ready to edit. Save the edited item and it will update the next time the portfolio is opened.

    Wave portfolio layout option
    [Wave portfolio layout option]

    Portfolios can be customized with a layout and theme. Colours and background settings can be customized. By clicking Save in the toolbar, Acrobat opens the Save dialog box for naming your PDF portfolio.

    Setting for file conversion to DOCX

    Another new feature lets you set advanced conversion options in an Office application. Turn Word headings, Excel worksheet names, or PowerPoint titles into navigational bookmarks.

    Copying a portion o a PDF to the clipboard
    [Copying a portion of a PDF to the clipboard]

    A table pasted into Word
    [A table pasted into Microsoft Word]

    Other settings in your application, such as attaching source files, retaining links, fitting an Excel spreadsheet on a single page, or preserving PowerPoint animation effects are also possible.

    Save as XL workbook

    Export to Word and Excel now supports open XML as well as legacy formats. Vector art remains intact and editable. Acrobat X will even save a collection of images from the PDF and export them into a folder so that they can be used in another application (InDesign, Photoshop, etc.).

    Export all mages

    I wasn’t able to locate the Document Processing section in the Tools area. Not all menus are shown on default. On the top right is a tiny icon that allows you to show or hide certain menus. Once I’d found the Document Processing menu, I was able to add it and export my images.

    Show or hide panels

    Designs created here can also be shared with others for consistency. Online file sharing (via SendNow) allows you to both send and track large files from Acrobat directly to other users without the need for FTP or Dropbox.

    Action Wizard

    Action Wizard lets you automate and share routinely used actions to save time, eliminating repeated tasks. Watermarking, creating small files, editing headers and footers, including specific security features, the list goes on. Acrobat also lets users check a document for accessibility via the Accessibility Setup Assistant.

    Accessibility Setup Assistant screen

    A series of five screens cover settings such as large document visibility, reading order, high contrast colour combinations, choosing to show the keyboard selection cursor, and setting options for screen readers and magnifiers.

    Button properties

    There’s a wealth of other features that make this version an update worthy of purchasing. View more Acrobat X Pro features online. I’ve also written about Adobe’s new Creative Cloud, and will be reporting back on Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop Extended in future posts.

    Disclosure note for review: Cmply.1

  • Jun14

    4 Comments

    CS6 splash screen

    I’ve been looking through the latest Adobe Creative Suite design applications this week (Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop Extended, Acrobat Pro) upon installing them as part of Adobe’s Master Collection.

    Signing into Cloud with iPad
    [Signing into Creative Cloud with iPad]

    The biggest new feature (aside from the shiny new interface) is Creative Cloud. Adobe has gone completely online, including a vast series of Adobe TV tutorials to get users up and running with respect to their own software and online service needs.

    online services

    Once I’d installed the software, a new Creative Cloud services panel appeared, showing several options. The apps are accessible by clicking on the Creative Cloud red icon at the top left.

    Each software program can be directly downloaded and installed to your desktop. In other words, users get on-demand access to the Adobe CS6 Master Collection (provided they have a Creative Cloud membership).

    Adobe Creative Cloud logo

    I checked into the pricing for a Creative Cloud membership. The free starter plan allows for 2 GB worth of storage. The benefits kick in with the $49.95 per month membership (based on a 12-month commitment; $74.99 on a monthly basis), where the full 20 GB becomes available (current CS customers pay $29.99).

    The difference between the two is in the amount of storage space and access to the software. With the 2 GB plan, you’re also allowed 500,000 page views/month, unlimited website usage, unlimited fonts per site, and access to the Typekit library. You’re also able to access 30-day free trials of all CS6 applications, as well as Edge preview and Adobe Muse.

    Creative Cloud stats
    [Using Business Catalyst to track website stats]

    Creative Cloud Files are where your files will be stored in the cloud. Business Catalyst, a web building and hosting service, allows users to host up to five websites as well as get stats on how well the site is performing.

    TypeKit

    Typekit (acquired last year by Adobe) allows you to access a font library for your website(s).

    Drag Drop file using Creative Cloud

    By purchasing a Creative Cloud membership, your files are in the cloud and accessible via either Mac or PC, as well as on both Android and iPad tablets. 20 GB of storage space is included.

    Creative Cloud uploading file
    [Uploading a file to Creative Cloud]

    Adding new files is easy: clicking on an empty folder allows you to name it, at which point you can either click on upload to find the file on your desktop or drag and drop the file to the folder. To share the file, select the file within the folder and move the red Private icon to the left so that the blue Public icon is highlighted.

    Private File Creative Cloud

    This will allow other users access to the file, but only if they know the URL. When you switch the bar back to Private, it remains invisible to other users.

    file added

    Files can be permanently deleted inside Creative Cloud if you fill your space to capacity. You can also recover deleted files within the file window via a drop-down menu.

    Recovering a File in Creative Cloud
    [Recovering a File in Creative Cloud]

    I wanted to learn how a creative person could use Creative Cloud with an iPad. An Adobe Touch app such as Adobe Ideas can create files that will sync and store assets from your software, allowing a client to review what you’re working on. The six apps ($9.99 each) available for both iPad and Android tablets include Photoshop Touch, Debut, Proto, Collage, Ideas, and Kuler. Since Creative Cloud is now fully integrated with these apps, a sketch created on the fly in Adobe Ideas can later be opened in Adobe Illustrator CS6 on your desktop for further refining, bézier curves and all. The files can also be accessed via creativecloud.com.

    Creative Cloud sharing files
    [Sharing files in Creative Cloud]

    Clients can both access your Cloud files and comment on them. Cloud members also get newly created software such as Muse, allowing you to create (and publish) websites without writing code, and Edge, a program for creating animation and interactivity using CSS3, JavaScript, and HTML 5.

    Application Manager panel

    Adobe’s thought this out pretty thoroughly. Not only are files available to non-Cloud subscribers, but the file information is there as well, including font usage and meta data.

    Creative Cloud subscribers will also be notified of software updates; with the one-stop Application Manager panel (shown above), all Adobe software is instantly accessible.

    Stay tuned for upcoming posts on Acrobat Pro X, Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop Extended. Disclosure note for review: Cmply.1

  • Apr26

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    If you’ve ever run into the scenario of being stranded at an airport due to flight delays, or been convinced to stay “just a night longer” while visiting friends, there’s now an app for spontaneous travel decisions like these.

    US cities

    HotelTonight is a last-minute hotel booking app currently available in over 30 American cities. It will launch in Canada on April 26th for the Vancouver and Toronto markets, with more cities to follow. Here’s a great solution to booking for a same-day stay. The app promises to find and book a deeply-discounted (up to 70%) room at one of the hottest local hotels for you. Sounds good so far.

    Here’s how it works:
    Each day at noon local time, HotelTonight releases three featured deals for that night in each city (via the free iOS and Android apps).

    iPhone HotelTonight screen shots

    You can scroll through each hotel’s details and book in “just three taps and a swipe.” You’ll have until 2 am to complete the reservation, and will be able to book one to five nights at a time.

    iPhone HotelTonight screen shots

    Notable hotels include Toronto’s Cosmopolitan Hotel and Thompson Toronto, and Vancouver’s Moda Hotel and Pan Pacific.

    This will be great for visiting friends and family who are looking for a great deal and perhaps have already booked their flight weeks earlier, in order to take advantage of a cheaper fare.

  • Dec16

    7 Comments

    HP Photosmart 6510 printer

    This week, I’ve been test-driving the HP Photosmart 6510 e-All-in-One printer. This model forms part of the new revolution in wireless printing, with a wealth of features packing a punch at US/CDN $150.

    HP Photosmart 6510

    I like the combination of matte and glossy black finish and sleek design of the printer.

    HP Photosmart 6510 app screen

    It’s the amount of features that perked my interest in reviewing the 6510 in the first place:

    - Automatic two-sided printing
    - Access apps directly from the touchscreen for printing recipes, colouring pages, and games without a computer
    - Make the most of fun and useful templates for calendars, games, and other projects using HP Quick Forms
    - Print photos and documents, make quick copies, scan and get access to apps from print to the web

    - Produce lab quality photos; scan using the 3.5 inch colour diagonal screen
    - Print on photo quality or plain paper (plus a variety of media types) using the automatic paper tray
    - Access online photo libraries
    - Onboard memory slots to print photos without a computer
    - Uses four individual inks, expandable to high-capacity cartridges to save on usage costs

    - Print photos and documents while on the go
    - Set preferences to who can access ePrint, a service available as a wireless network
    - Integrated wireless networking allows cloud printing from multiple computers
    - Access a suite of mobile printing solutions (via connecting the e-All-in-One to a wireless network)
    - With AirPrint™, print wirelessly from an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch

    - Consumes up to 50% less paper with two-sided printing
    - ENERGY STARⓇ qualified
    - Utilizes less than one watt of energy in Off mode

    For the purpose of experiencing a typical install, I’ve outlined the steps I took in getting the 6510 ready for action.
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  • Dec6

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    meshwest 2011 stage

    Mesh is a Toronto based organization started five years ago by five friends who believed that an event was needed to get people talking about the Web. Launched in Toronto as a two day conference, Mark Evans, Rob Hyndman, Mathew Ingram, Michael MacDerment and Stuart MacDonald (the “mesh gang”) have brought their conference out West to include Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver.

    Each of the past five conferences have brought sold out successes to the group, and in 2009, meshMarketing was founded. meshwest is the one day version of the conference, one that I hope will see many future years! By all accounts, the tweets, questions posed to the speakers, as well as positive feedback I was overhearing (and contributing to!) during the day, this will certainly happen.
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  • Oct28

    3 Comments

    Merging Media Conference Day 1

    Here’s a mash-up of yesterday’s Merging Media Conference panels and speakers, divided up into their respective sections. The two day event is taking place at SFU Woodwards Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, and has thus far proven a perfect opportunity to meet with talented gamers, developers, and media makers from Canada, the US, and beyond. I missed a couple of panels, but most are covered here.
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  • Oct18

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    With the runaway success of Apple’s iPad, many companies have been busy launching third party applications and coming up with intelligent uses for the tablet device. Binnj, a one and half year-old Ontario startup, has brought major restaurants to the iPad with their interactive menu software. livemenu™™™ aims to replace paper menus once and for all.

    Binnj livemenu launch at LIFT
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