I picked up my copy of Adobe CS4 yesterday and installed it on my computer. THere were no conflicts on the iMac of course.
They offered a bonus if you registered your software. They offered discounts on training books or 30 days of complementary online training on the lynda.com sit. I signed up for the Lynda course.
Over the next 30 days I'll spend an hour each evening getting up to speed on the new software. It will be just as entertaining and a whole lot more useful than watching TV.
-grampa dan
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Excellent! Dan, could you please let me know what you think of the 'Lynda' site as you work through some video tutorials? I am thinking of using that as a DreamWeaver resource...
Thx
Todd
Posted by Brent Logan (Member # 6587) on :
Todd, it's only 25 bucks... If you log on they give you a few free preview lessons.
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Lynda tends to be something of a snooze. I'm serious. I start watching and I can't keep my eyes open after 5 minutes.
If you have the time, check out totaltraining.com, talentedpixie.com and training.xtrain.com.
Of all of them, I like TotalTraining the best. Its more comprehensive and I don't struggle to stay awake.
.
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
Tod
I've put in a couple of hours on the lynda site and learned plenty so far. While the person speaking isn't a dynamic speaker I don't find her boring either. The tutorials go at a good pace for me. I'm finding them worthwhile.
I'm also toying with the Zbrush 3D program thinking it might be cool and have applications in the work we are doing. In preparation for possible purchasing it I'm going to spend a little time on the Lynda site learning about that program as well to explore the possibilities. I've watched a bunch of tutorials on that program elsewhere and found the ones on Lynda much better and easier to understand.
I take it in short doses as I can better absorb it that way.
-grampa dan
Posted by Doug Bernhardt (Member # 1568) on :
Dan, I have had the CS4 suite for a while now and have not yet gone online with it to register etc. I have found a few quirks/bugs and will do an update soon. Now.....to take you to task though....no conflicts on the iMac of course. That means you are also unable to use the 64bit extended version right? Boy....are you missing the meaning of "fast!!!" And (as if I were finished ;=)the Mac versions will soon no longer to be able to brag like you wankers tend to do! Apple/Mac are also starting to outsource there software etc and this will lead to the same problems PC users have faced all these years. So there.
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
I didn't buy the extended version Doug... the features and extras offered there were just not needed by me. I have CS4 Standard.
I perfectly happy with what I got... and the Mac is plenty fast for my needs.
Now five days in and the computer is still running full out with no problems or issues. It hasn't even needed to be restarted once since it came out of the box.
-grampa dan
Posted by Bevin Finlay (Member # 2159) on :
When I bought my Mac Pro not quite two years ago I installed CS3 onto it. When CS4 was released I didn't bother about it right away but finally decided to download the trial version.
There was a noticeable improvement in image sharpness at different zoom levels compared to CS3 which pretty much sold me on it right then for the digital painting.
The panning feature is better and although I'm working on a Wacom Cintiq21 where the monitor rotates the new rotate canvas feature that is now in CS4 is excellent. I have it set to one of my express keys on the left side of the Cintiq and use it constantly when I'm doing any freehand work.
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
I spent the morning on CS4. It does a few things differently than past versions and takes a little getting used to as does working on a Mac. It's all little things that are quickly becoming routing.
Working on a much larger 27" screen with the mouse means a lot more arm movement but with the wacom tablet there is no difference from the screen I had previously. I love all the real estate because it offers plenty of room for my pallets and tools.
-grampa dan
Posted by Jon Jantz (Member # 6137) on :
Dan, have you checked your mouse settings? You may can reduce the amount of arm movement necessary by playing with the speed/sensitivity etc.
On my computer, I have my mouse set on progressive speed. If I move my mouse slowly, it's really accurate, but if I move it fast, the cursor travels all the way across the screen... reduces the arm movement by a lot.
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
I learned something new!!! Thanks Jon!
-grampa dan
Posted by Doug Bernhardt (Member # 1568) on :
Danno, One day we'll have to have a race to see exactly how long it takes to open........say a 500meg file. My old 'pooter (the one I'm typing away on now) used to have the house lights dim and then I had time to go to breakfast at the diner. By the way.....you do know you're being teased big time right?
Posted by Kevin Gaffney (Member # 4240) on :
Hi Dan. What scanner did you get for your new system. I have an old HP Scanjet that doesn't have drivers for Snow Leopard. Due to buy a new one anyway. Curious to know what your'e using
Posted by Kevin Gaffney (Member # 4240) on :
Hi Dan. What scanner did you get for your new system. I have an old HP Scanjet that doesn't have drivers for Snow Leopard. Due to buy a new one anyway. Curious to know what your'e using
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
Kevin
When I updated my scanner about two months ago (while still using a PC) I made sure to get one that would work with my planned upgrade. I bought an 'Epson Perfection V500 Photo' It installed effortlessly and works great. I downloaded the latest drivers off Epson's site. I use it on professional mode... slower than auto mode but GREAT scans!
-grampa dan
[ November 28, 2009, 02:30 PM: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Bernhardt doesn't even own a computer....he's teasing us all!
Posted by Kevin Gaffney (Member # 4240) on :
Thanks for that Dan. Looked it up on Amazon and looks very good value. Will give that a shot
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Dan - in addition to what Jon mentioned about the 'mouse' adjustments:
You do know you can define the working space on your Wacom tablet, right? I found that I didn't like using the entire space on my wide format 6" X 11" ratio Wacom tablet for the same reason you cited - too much arm movement.
So, I simply went into the Wacom Tablet Properties, and then selected the "Mapping" tab. From there, you simply select "Portion" under the drop down arrow next to Tablet Area.....when you do that a window pops up and you can drag the corners of the visible working space shown on a picture of your tablet to adjust the "live/working" area of your tablet - - thereby effectively reducing the default area to the desired working area as well as minimizing excessive arm movement.
Does that make sense?
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Oh, by-the-way.... I'm loving the new Windows 7 Professional/64 bit OS..... I'd probably love it even more if it would quit giving me the dreaded Blue Screen of Death about once a week since I've installed it.
I checked device manager, and everything is ok... no yellow exclamation marks next to any of the hardware...so, I'm hoping that Windows Updates will eventually solve this problem... if not, I have no clue what will.
Edit: So, I was just walking into my office and I see my computer was just finished 're-booting'... another 'unexpected shutdown!'...... Nice! Windows 7, the new 'stable' program from Microsoft.
[ November 28, 2009, 07:52 PM: Message edited by: Todd Gill ]
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
Todd Your latest comments brought this commercial to mind...
These commercials now make me laugh out loud every time I see them or hear comments like Todd's above...
Smilin' in Yarrow...
-grampa dan
[ November 28, 2009, 08:14 PM: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Hehehe.... well, for my sake, I hope this gets straightened out.
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Todd, is this the one where your guru had a problem installing Win7?
I've been running Windows 7 on two PC's in my shop since the day after it came out. I've never once had a problem.
My office 'puter hasn't been turned off or rebooted in the last two weeks and runs beautifully.
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Glenn - yes it is, however he finally got everything installed - drivers, etc... and there are no flagged 'issues' in the taskbar, and there are no exclamation marks whatsoever in Device Manager.... so all would seem to be fine... but as I just walked into my office to get on the internet, I was met with another "Unexpected Shutdown".... here's what I have encountered...and I got to say, I have had my Mac freeze a program more than a few times, but you don't have to shut the whole computer down...just restart the program... and it has been a rarity. The following is the same error...I just scrolled down and took some screen shots so you could see the full context of the bluescreen of death:
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
