Preparing files for Metal Mural

Metal Mural reproduce high quality images on metal in a modular design, perfect for reproducing art, portraits, wedding photos and more on a durable, scratch resistant metal. I have created a simple video helping you prepare your files for print. I have also included a few templates you can download to help you see how the tiles will be printed.

A few quick notes.

• set your image size to 100 ppi.
• use Adobe RGB 1998 as your color space.
• save your image to jpg at the highest setting.
• be creative!
• template download

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Create a Before and After Preview

A quick way to show two images side by side for a before and after view. As an added bonus, a simple way to create an animated GIF inside Photoshop.

Skills taught:

• increase canvas size
• drag an image in place using Shift key as you click with the mouse and drag
• use of Photoshop’s animated window
• saving the file as a GIF

(OK I said a little mistake, the Shift key is the same on a PC as it is on a MAC )

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Vignette to Transparent

A non destructive way to create a transparent vignette using a layer mask.

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Customer Service at NAPP

I called NAPP the other day (ironically to get access to the forum) and I talked to a really nice NEW customer service woman name Michelle. She looked up my information and said WOW you’ve gone to a lot of Photoshop Worlds. I realized she was new, and decided not to do my typical practical jokes. Umm remember Victor, you have a call from a Mr. Charles Norris?  Anyway, I asked her how she likes working for NAPP so far. She said she came from a job in Corporate America and after a few days at NAPP she said this is how a company should be!  She feels at home. This was a very pleasant, but expected, response.

Why am I posting on this? Before the call to NAPP, I was on hold for 60 minutes with another customer service representative from a HUGE Corporate America company. She drove me crazy and I couldn’t understand how a company that big had an employee like that. I politely asked to speak with someone else. I made up an excuse stating our personalities are not compatible. Thinking this was a nice way to split the blame. She snapped a rude comment and I was finally transferred to a manager. The manager was a little better.She did confide in me that the reps are under pressure with new rules from Corporate.

This proves a point I have always believed. The attitude of the employees are influence from the top.If the company cares about the employees, in most cases the employees treat the customer with respect and compassion. Now back to NAPP. Not sure people realize it, but the hard working people you see helping at Photoshop World are actual staff members of NAPP. They are from all departments helping to make Photoshop World a success. The sad part is, not all employees can go every year. Being the new kid on the block, Michelle isn’t going this time. Can you imagine her reaction when it’s her turn to go!

Glad I had the opportunity to talk to Michelle!

Google Android

After the last Photoshop World 2009 in Las Vegas, I felt left out. Everyone was walking around the after hours party using a cool application on their iPhone called BUMP. I think Terry Reinert mention it to me a few months back, but I didn’t grasp it because I had a Blackberry.It’s a cool application that let’s you transfer your contact information or photos to another person using BUMP.

Now I have upgraded to the HTC Hero from Sprint. I have to say, I love it. I love it so much my son has the Google Moment and I talked Mike “Hollywood” Kubeisy into getting one too!  With thousands of applications to choose from, you know BUMP had to be one of them. So yes, I have installed it on my “droid”

This brings me to my post. I installed another app called aTrackDog. The app finds the newest version for apps that backed-up on the SD card. It tracks new version for backed-up apps, install, delete backed-up apps, export app list for sharing and let’s you browse the top 100 popular apps.

I use Androlib to find an app that I like, then I point my droid at the barcode on the screen and scan it. BAM, I have the app on my phone. Very cool stuff!  I’ve had the phone now since November 2009. I didn’t want to write a review until I got to know the phone better. I’ve included the apps that are on my droid, if you have a favorite let me know!

Top Reasons to have ANY smart phone

• all contacts, email and calendar information can be found in one place
• for photographers, you have your portfolio with you at all times
• read RSS feeds
• watch your favorite Photoshop TV episode
• update your web site
• listen to music
• oh yeah make phone calls

My Droid apps

Exported by aTrackDog at 04:41:26 2010/02/12

• Astrid,2.10.2
• Barcode Scanner,3.1
• Bible,1.1.4
• Facebook,1.1.2
• GOALS ToDo Free,1.4.0
• Movies,2.4
• Shazam,1.2
• To Do List,1.1.2
• Where’s My Droid,2.5.1
• 1-800-Flowers,2.6.0
• 10000 Things to Know Lite,1.1.5
• Advanced Task Killer Free,1.7.0
• AP Mobile,2.2
• ASTRO,2.2.4
• aTrackDog,3.11
• Bump,1.06
• Coin Flip,2.3
• Facebook Pro,1.0
• FlightStats Lite,1.0.1
• Google Sky Map,1.3
• IMDb Top 250,0.9.6
• Instant Lyrics Lite,2.5
• Mobile Banking,2.12
• My Lists,1.0.0
• OpenTable,1.1
• Pandora,1.1.2
• Photoshop.com Mobile,1.0.1
• PicSay,1.3.0.2
• PureRSS 1.3,1.3
• ShopSavvy,3.6.1
• SMS Backup,1.1.1
• TripIt,1.0.4
• Wertago,1.31
• yp.com,1.0.1

My only regret, I haven’t talked Larry Becker into getting one yet. Larry would do a full scale review and find hidden features in the phone, so I kinda have an alternative motive!