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How to retain old versions of Adobe CC Software when upgrading to CC2018

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I just got back from the AMAZING Adobe MAX conference in Las Vegas, NV. Perhaps you caught some of my social posts on the events!

This MAX introduced a bunch of new device apps and updates, as well as desktop apps. BUT, it’s very important for some people to retain their older versions, when upgrading their apps. The default behavior is to overwrite previous version with the new version – for instance, if you install the new Photoshop CC, you’ll be overwriting Photoshop CC2017 with Photoshop CC2018!

If that’s okay with you, great! But, if you’re like me, and prefer to wait until bug fixes are in, but still want to see (and get used to) some  of the amazing new features in the new version.

Here, I’m going to add a set of images to ensure you see WHERE to adjust your choices so you can ensure to keep your OLD version while also installing the new version. Don’t forget to comment, if you have any questions! Or, ask on our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/aym4training

Or, on our Twitter feed at @aym4training

  1. When you open the Creative Cloud app, either from your Menu Bar on a Mac, or your Task Bar on a Windows machine, you’ll see a list of applications that’re installed on your computer, and the option to update those that have new versions available. Note: in previous versions of the Creative Cloud apps, my “previous versions” were listed as a separate section of the updaters, but now, they’re all listed by app)
  2. In this case, I’ll be updating my Adobe Illustrator application. When you click the Update  button, you’ll get a window that looks like this – at Which Point, you’ll want to EXPAND THE ADVANCED OPTIONS SECTION! NOTE: If you want to retain your older version DO NOT select the Update button yet!
  3. In the Advanced section, be sure to UNCHECK the “Remove old versions” button (on by default)!
  4. At this point, you can select the Update button. Your NEW version of the software will be installed, and it will leave your older version installed as well. Personally, I like to import my previous settings and preferences from previous versions, and tweak them in the individual apps to accommodate any changes, but that’s a matter of personal preference.

Hopefully, this will save some of you the pain of encountering some of the inevitable bugs associated with upgrading, or will allow you to work in your older versions of the applications you use, so you may collaboratively share files with others who may not have updated yet.

Please remember to comment here, or on my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/aym4training/ or my Twitter feed @aym4training if you need assistance, or clarification.

 

 

Apple Changes Device Management With iTunes 12.7

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In a change to which I’m not looking forward, it appears that Apple has made some decisions about how the new iTunes works, that’s going to affect all user – but ESPECIALLY affect users with multiple devices.

We will no longer be able to download IOS apps from iTunes, and synchronize them to multiple devices. Each app will have to be downloaded directly to your device FROM that device’s App Store app, separately. Anybody who wants to set up their iPad and their iPhone with the same apps will have to download them separate times. I assume this also means that we’ll also be unable to organize our apps into folders or among screens as easily as we could in the iTunes app through 12.6.

In addition, there will be significant differences in how ringtones are managed, TV Shows, audio books, music, movies and podcasts (especially iTunes U).

Macworld has published an excellent article on these changes, with a few workarounds, and a very pragmatic attitude about the whole thing. I must admit – I’m feeling a bit more frustrated than I am, pragmatic.

To read the Macworld article, click here.

BACKUP!!!!!!

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As all of my clients and students know, I’m a stickler for telling everyone to BACKUP their data – regularly – automatically, and in multiple places. Personally, I use 2 local backups (one is a clone of my data and a separate for my hard drive – AND I use MacOS’s Time Machine). But I also keep an offsite secure backup in the cloud. I live in earthquake country – and nothing would stink worse than if my hardware was all broken and my data irretrievable (of course, there’s always DriveSavers, but despite my discount, it’s quite expensive). Also, if you guys ever DO need a discount from DriveSavers, please use Discount code DS16297.

For my offsite backup, I’ve been using Backblaze for YEARS. Their uploads are unobtrusive, their security is raged as VERY GOOD, and their prices are extremely  reasonable. They’ve also recently increased the speed of their ability to download files, and added the ability to choose specific files (instead of folders) to restore when necessary.

Many of my clients have been using Crashplan’s Home backup option. Well… they’ve stopped taking new subscriptions, and they’re shutting down the Home version of their options as of October, 2018.

Backblaze is VERY interested in picking up this business – and since I do appreciate their service – AND their support when I needed it, I’m writing this post to recommend them. Take a look at their options. AND, if you do like their offerings, and use my referral link, we both get a free month of service!

Referral link: https://secure.backblaze.com/r/01c089

As I said, your data is irreplaceable. Have you noticed that when you create something, and work on it until it’s right, that you can never really duplicate it again, if you need to? It’s never quite the same? Backup is the only  option, and as for Cloud Backup, I recommend BackBlaze!

 

Google Bought the NIK Collection, Made it Free, and Aren’t Updating It

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The NIK Photoshop plugin collection’s been a staple in my system for many years. It’s sharpening algorithm, it’s controls have always had a strong place along with all my other plugins, and I’ve made great use of it throughout the years.

A few years ago, Google bought it, and made it FREE! That was great, and they even updated the software a few times. But, on the Mac, they stopped updating past OSX 10.10 Yosemite, on Windows, they stopped updating past Windows 8, and for Photoshop, their last compatible version is with Photoshop 2015.

THANKS GOOGLE, for buying something, ensuring it’s not profitable for you, and leaving us in the lurch…

OR DID THEY? Thank goodness for One1. They’re releasing the version Photo Raw 2017.5 in just a few days. MacPhun is not only excellent on the Mac, but they’re finishing up their first BETA of their Luminar and Aurora HDR software for Windows machine. Both of these have options very much like those offered in NIK, and they’re committed to continuing their development for years to come!

By the way – my FAVORITE software for Up-Rezzing images (when necessary) used to be Genuine Fractals – which is now On1 Perfect Resize – part of their Photo Raw software!

To check these apps out – take a look here:
On1 Photo RAW – and check out their On1 software, and On1PLUS – an amazing and unique training center for the use of On1 software

MacPhun Software – and check out their current deal with Plotagraph Pro! Don’t forget to use coupon code SGANS_DISC on checkout, if you choose to buy the software.

I’m finally about to upgrade to Sierra… Bye Bye, NIK….

MacPhun Aurora HDR and Plotagraph Offer EXTENDED!

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Firstly – I need you all to know – MacPhun has their apps for Windows machine in BETA – you will soon be able to get all these cool features I’ve been touting on Windows!

But, I’m really writing to let you know that the Aurora HDR and Plotagraph Offer has been extended until Sunday – June 4th!

Plotagraph Pro allows you to animate PART of an image and create video or animated gifs to use. Check out my first attempts at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_7zXumUEow
https://youtu.be/V4suaTH-noo

This offer is available for as low as $89 (a $186 value) if you use coupon code SGANS_DISC at checkout.

Click here to see the deal!

A Useful Clarification of the Term “Image Resolution” in Digital Images

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In so many of my classes, particularly Photoshop, Digital Photography and the Video applications, we discuss image resolution – or DPI – dots per inch (or PPI – pixels per inch). For the most part, my students seem to grasp the concepts from when I teach in (as I describe it) “Stephanese“. But here’s another discussion on the subject – this time in “CreativeBloqese“.

Check out this article from CreativeBloq.com for further clarification on the subject of pixel resolution (height/width/depth) of an image for print and for screen viewing:
http://www.creativebloq.com/graphic-design/what-is-dpi-image-resolution-71515673/2

Having Problems with SPAM Calendar Entries on MacOS and IOS Calendars?

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Lately, many of is with Macs and iDevices are finding unsolicited invitations to random events (usually SPAM sales) in our calendars. Needless to say, people have been feeling less than happy about this garbage, and it seems there’s been no way to remove these without hitting “decline” (which lets spammers know they’ve hit a valid spam location).

Although there currently appears to be no way to stop this spam, CNET has come up with some ways to remove them from your calendar without alerting spammers that you exist – and a method of ensuring these don’t get into your calendar in the future.

Check out this article at:
http://download.cnet.com/blog/download-blog/block-apple-calendar-spam-ios-macos/?ttag=e415&ftag=TREf2961de&tag=nl.e415&s_cid=e415&ttag=e415&ftag=TREf2961de

MacPhun Luminar Pre-Order Starts Today

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From today 11/2/16 through 11/17/16, MacPhun’s new Image Editor, Luminar is available for Pre-Order Pricing. Anyone looking for a powerful, intuitive alternative, or adjunct plugin for Photoshop might want to take a closer look at this app – it’s VERY powerful!

LUMINAR PRE-ORDER OFFER INFO
Offer available: November 2 – November 17

Pricing:
New Customer Pre-Order Price: $59 Includes Pre-Order Bonuses!
Current Users of any Macphun Software, including Aurora HDR Price: $49 Includes Pre-Order Bonuses

Luminar Key Features:
Adaptive User Interface
Multiple Modes: From basic to advanced
One-click switch between modes
Change modes anytime
All-in-one photo editing tool set
Includes essential editing tools for different photography styles
Live editing, live processing, live previews
Non-destructive editing
Works as a standalone app or plug-in
RAW converter & processor
History Panel

*For full list of Luminar features visit the https://macphun.com/luminar

MacPhun Luminar Pre-Order Starts Today

By | | , , , , , , , , , ,
Leave a comment

From today 11/2/16 through 11/17/16, MacPhun’s new Image Editor, Luminar is available for Pre-Order Pricing. Anyone looking for a powerful, intuitive alternative, or adjunct plugin for Photoshop might want to take a closer look at this app – it’s VERY powerful!

LUMINAR PRE-ORDER OFFER INFO
Offer available: November 2 – November 17

Pricing:
New Customer Pre-Order Price: $59 Includes Pre-Order Bonuses!
Current Users of any Macphun Software, including Aurora HDR Price: $49 Includes Pre-Order Bonuses

Luminar Key Features:
Adaptive User Interface
Multiple Modes: From basic to advanced
One-click switch between modes
Change modes anytime
All-in-one photo editing tool set
Includes essential editing tools for different photography styles
Live editing, live processing, live previews
Non-destructive editing
Works as a standalone app or plug-in
RAW converter & processor
History Panel

*For full list of Luminar features visit the https://macphun.com/luminar

Adapters you need for the New MacBook Pro – SAVE UP!

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Techconnect.com has an article that lists all the various adapters necessary to use your peripherals (wired printers, external hard drives, monitors, iDevice connectors, etc.) with the new Thunderbolt 3 technology. Granted, Thunderbolt 3‘s power is amazing – can push up to 100W of power, the data transfer speed is 40Gbps, it can run two 4K monitors, and power tons of devices at once. But this power comes at a cost. Firstly – the only connective technology with which it’s directly compatible is USB-C. If you have ANY older devices, you’ll need to shell out more money for new adapters to suit your varying peripherals.

So, be ready – if you’re preparing to dish out between $2,400-$3400 on a new MacBook Pro – remember to build a few hundred more into your budget if you want to work with all your previous devices.

MacBook Pro Thunderbold 3 Adapter Guide (techconnect.com)