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? 8}

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 8}

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-