Stupid Application Tricks (&tips)

[gare]

I've discovered several dumb, purposeless tricks you can easily perform in Photoshop and other graphics apps.If you can find a design purpose for any of them, then you're the wiser for it

First, you can change the image window background color in PS by dragging the window out until you see gray(Eyerdropper the current color so you can restore it; swap foreground/background colors next--press x), pick any color, and then with the Paint Bucket tool, Shift+click on the window background (pattern fills won't work).

Anyone else got any rhinestones of wisdom?


My Best,

Gare

[gare]

The Warp Free Transform (Win: Ctrl+T, then right-click; Mac: Cmd+T, then Ctrl+click) can be used to create a more elegant, refreshing page curl effect. And if you drag the mash severley enough, you can see the back of the page.

I added a little shading to this image, but see the effect?

Warped from birth,

Gare

[gare]

Usually, you draw paths in Xara, and afterwards you apply a pressure profile. But you can paint strokes from the get-go by choosing a line width, color, and profile before you draw or select anything. You don't get a nag box like you do when pre-setting object color or font type or anything, too.

M Best,

Gare

[Welles]

Did'ja know... you can adjust the tolerance of the Magic Wand tool almost instantly from the keyboard. W selects the Magic Wand, Return (Enter) highlights the tolerance field. Up and down arrows changes the field by 1, Shift + Arrow keys X 10, but using your scroll wheel adjusts the number dynamically.

[gare]

You're up again early, Welles, and as sharp as ever--how many cups?

To add to your shortcut, you can change opacity of Layers in PS by your number pad; type 0 and you got 100%, 6=60%, typing 43=43% and so on.

My Best,

Gare

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Why do applications use a 3?" disks for File>Save icons? Why not go really retro and us a 5??

[ronmatt]

Ctrl-T and right click only allows me to 'distort' ( and it opens Babylon ) Not that I have any use for a page curl ( but I do use Babylon ) WazUp?

[gare]

Hi ronmatt--

I Googled Babylon and came up with a dictionary software and maps; right?

Anyhow, I think your Babylon has global hotkeys that are messing with Photoshop's shortcuts, if Ctrl+T (Mac Cmd+T) is loading an app--would you try changing Babylon's hotkeys, if that's possible?. You can put a selection on a layer into Free Transform alternatively by choosing Select>Transform Selection, but the Warp mode only appears to be available from the contextual menu (Win: right-click Mac: Ctrl+click).

But the bottom line is that this thread is about stupid app tricks; I
don't blame you at all for having no use for a free page curl effect

Sorry.

My Best,

Gare

[Welles]

Aslo, Warp is only CS2.

[ronmatt]

thanks all. I mostly use PS 7 on my PC. I've got CS2 on the Mac but seldom use it. Guess I'll have to live without 'page curl', O-DEAR.

[gare]

ronmatt--

but I understand Corel is running a fire sale on KPT Glass Lens, so there's hope

-g-