Archive for June, 2010

Download iPhone UI elements in vector and PSD format

Download iPhone UI elements in vector and PSD format

With iOS4′s recent release, you may be searching for UI elements to build your iPhone app, or use various elements in your designs. Here are two fantastic resources for you to download the UI elements, and they’re absolutely free.

iOS4 iPhone UI elements

iOS4 UI elements in PSD format

iOS4 (iPhone 4) GUI in PSD format – Teehan+Lax has released their latest PSD file with updated and accurate UI elements.

iPhone 3 OS UI elements in vector format – These elements are older, but since they’re in vector format, they’re much easier to work with.

06/30/2010 Read More
Import/Export Photoshop workspaces with this simple script

Import/Export Photoshop workspaces with this simple script

If you’re like me and dread the thought of setting up custom workspaces when you install Adobe Photoshop on a new computer, or reinstall it for whatever reason, there is a simple solution.

I have all my Photoshop panels set up on my 30″ LCD in the perfect spot, and my keyboard shortcuts set up the way I prefer, so starting from scratch is a pain.

Thankfully, John Nack (Adobe Photoshop Product Manager) shared a script that one of the Adobe engineers wrote to export and/or import your customized Workspaces. You can download the Workspaces script here. Details can be found in this post on John Nack’s blog.

06/29/2010 Read More
Where to get Safari 5 extensions

Where to get Safari 5 extensions

Safari

With Safari 5 offering the ability to add features via extensions, but a central extension site hosted by Apple still not available, you might be wondering where to find some great extensions to expand your Safari web experience.

You could spend an afternoon Googling for them, or you could visit the following sites, which already offer links to numerous great extensions.

Safari Extensions Tumblr blog – Jonas Wisser has set out to list every available Safari extension he comes across. The site lists links and screenshots for the extensions. Generally speaking, this is the first site you’ll want to check.

PimpMySafari – This site has been around for a long time, but with the release of Safari 5 and a new site owner, it’s taken on new life. Unlike the previously mentioned blog, PimpMySafari promises to feature only the best extensions as determined by Scott Jangro. The site also features plugins and other ways to pimp out Safari.

Reddit Extension list – Some dude over at Reddit has composed a list of great extensions. I’m not sure how long the list will remain useful.

Safari Extensions list – Mac OS X Tips (a UK site) has put together a small but useful list as well. Be sure to check this site out for other useful Mac OS X tips!

Apple will soon offer a list on their site of “approved” extensions, but until such time, these sites offer plenty of useful add-ons for Safari users.

06/28/2010 Read More
Inspiration: Apple education infographic

Inspiration: Apple education infographic

Apple Education Infographic

Click to view original

Infographics are quite popular, and can be a great experience for designers to work on because it allows you to be totally creative without the concern of how the graphic fits in with an existing campaign, etc.

The infographic, How Apple is Revolutionizing Education, uses simple graphics and a small color palette to get its point across. I think they pulled it off quite well.

You can view the full size graphic here.

I love working on infographics, and found a great place for inspiration. You can check out what other designers are doing with infographics by visiting The Infographics Showcase.

06/25/2010 Read More
The most annoying thing about Apple’s Safari web browser

The most annoying thing about Apple’s Safari web browser

SafariAfter years of loving the speed of the Safari web browser but hating the lack of features, I was anxious to see what Apple had in store for us with Safari 5. Unfortunately, I’ve found the most annoying behavior still exists, and it keeps me from using Safari on a regular basis.

For many years I was a fan of Firefox – mostly due to extensions, which I used heavily. While Safari was faster, it just lacked too much for my day-to-day use. When Google released Chrome for the Mac, I switched almost immediately. The developer releases contained extension support long ago, and I was happy to take advantage of the new speed, along with most all the extensions I used.

When Apple recently released Safari 5 with extension support, I decided to give it another try.

06/24/2010 Read More
Free PSD files for download

Free PSD files for download

Free PSD files

Layered Photoshop files can be a great learning experience

Lava360 has put together a great list of Adobe Photoshop PSD files, free for download and use in your designs. Of particular use might be a DVD disc and case template. Even if you don’t need the actual artwork, it’s always nice to see how other artists compose their files.

View the list of free PSD files here.

06/23/2010 Read More
Alien Skin Exposure 3 ready for 64-bit Photoshop CS5

Alien Skin Exposure 3 ready for 64-bit Photoshop CS5

Alien Skin Software, one of my favorite Photoshop plug-in vendors, has released Exposure 3, the newest version of their photography effects plug-in. With this latest version, Exposure grows beyond just film simulation, and dives into being a creativity tool with the addition of Lo-Fi and vintage effects for your images.

Exposure brings all of the creative tools of film photography to the world of digital, such as discontinued films, dark room tricks, and lo-fi camera quirks. New in version 3 are vintage looks like Technicolor movie film and old Kodachrome that are distressed with dust, scratches, and vignettes to complete the illusion of age. Lo-Fi cameras like Holga and Lomo are simulated with lens blur, warped vignettes, and funky colors from cross processing.

Exposure 3

Exposure 3's infrared simulation provides an ethereal glow

The most significant new features in Exposure 3 are:

  • 64-bit support for Photoshop CS5 on both Macintosh and Windows
  • Tight Lightroom® integration that does not require Photoshop
  • Aging effects and vintage films such as Technicolor and old Kodachrome
  • Simulation of Lo-Fi toy camera photography
  • Hundreds of new settings in all categories, including more films, color toning, and aging
  • User interface improvements such as a much faster preview and hover help
Exposure 3

Exposure 3's Lo-Fi toy camera effects have been greatly expanded

Exposure 3 sells for $249. Owners of any version of Exposure may upgrade for $99. Online or physical delivery is available through the Alien Skin website. Free upgrades will be automatically sent to purchasers of Exposure 2 who purchased in April 2010 or later. Exposure 3 works with Photoshop CS3 or later, Lightroom 2 or later, and Photoshop Elements 7 or later.

06/22/2010 Read More
Add HTML5 capabilities to Dreamweaver CS5

Add HTML5 capabilities to Dreamweaver CS5

DreamweaverAdobe has made available an extension which provides initial support for HTML5 and CSS3 in Adobe Dreamweaver CS5, and helps you easily create HTML5 pages and CSS3 styles. It also includes updates and WebKit improvements for Design View and Live View rendering.

While HTML5 and CSS3 will not be finalized for some time, the extension provides support for a set of currently-implemented features in Adobe Dreamweaver CS5.

This extension enhances Dreamweaver CS5 in the following ways:

  • Introduces the Multiscreen Preview panel , allowing for Live View display on 3 different screen sizes, with Media Query support. (Window > Multiscreen Preview)
  • Adds code hinting for the HTML5 Tag Library with new tags, attributes, and properties.
  • Updates code hinting for new attributes and values in existing HTML tags.
  • Adds code hinting for the following CSS3 specifications: 2D/3D Transformations; Animations; Background and Border; Basic User Interface; Line Layout; Marquee; Media Queries; MultiColumn; Ruby; Text; and Transitions.
  • Updates Live View to support < video > and < audio >. (Requires Quicktime installation.)
  • Improved rendering for CSS3 in Live View.
  • Adds HTML5 starter layouts to the New Document Dialog box.
  • Offers better rendering for new tags in Design View.

You can download the HTML5 Pack here.

06/21/2010 Read More
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