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Category Archives: Motion Graphics

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 Luminar May Creativity and Mega preset Pack offer extended until June 6th!

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Luminar + Creativity Mega Preset Pack, Essential Pro Secrets for Unleashing your Creativity eBook, Ultimate Posing Card Collection, Overlays Variety Pack and first 3,000 customers will also receive a collection of Light and Bokeh Overlays for $69 ($49 with coupon for MacPhun users, $59 with coupon for new users!). Total value of $250.

 To get this offer – use Coupon Code SGANS_DISC at checkout!

OFFER ENDS Tuesday June 6th

You Get:

  • Luminar, The Supercharged photo editor for Mac that adapts to your skill level.

  • Creativity Mega Preset Pack – 26 beautiful presets from Presetpro to create stunning looks in Luminar

  • Essential Pro Secrets for Unleashing your Creativity ebook by Ian Plant – Creative lessons and techniques for how to make your photos match the depth of your passion

  • Ultimate Posing Card Collection – Hundreds of ideas for boudoir, family, indoor, newborn, wedding photography and more

  • Overlays Variety Pack – Sky, snow, rainbow, leaf, and fireworks overlays to create a unique look in your images

  • ADDITIONAL BONUS FOR FIRST 3,000 CUSTOMERS – 145 Fireworks Overlays

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!

Aurora HDR 2017 PAIRED with Plotagraph Pro!!!

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Starting today, MacPhun is offering

Aurora HDR 2017($99) and a 3 month Plotagraph Pro+ Membership ($87 value) for as low as $89 when they use Coupon Code SGANS_DISC.

If you haven’t heard of Plotagraph before, it is SaaS-based solution that allows you to bring your photos to life. From a single JPEG, Plotoagraph Pro can create MP4, animated GIFs and more; with endless skies, flowing streams, crashing waves and of course far more abstract artwork than that. For a quick overview about the software, watch this quick video, or this longer video, and to see some incredible animated images created with it check out the gallery here.

Aurora HDR 2017 and Plotagraph Pro

Plotagraph Pro pairs well with the depth and contrast that you develop in Aurora HDR 2017, so you can create your own truly living photo.

You Get:
Aurora HDR 2017, The world’s most powerful HDR image editor for the Mac.
Plotagraph Pro+ Membership (3 months) – Bring your photos to life, animate from a single JPEG.

Remember to use Coupon Code SGANS_DISC to get the discounted price of $89. Without the coupon, the cost is $99.

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

Premiere Pro Multi-Camera Editing Idea – WITHOUT Synced Cameras

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For my Premiere students…

In our Advanced classes, we learn to edit a Multicamera sequence, when several cameras have been used, simultaneously.

Today, Rocketstock’s blog has a very interesting article  for an alternative use of Multicamera editing – when using a variety of clips from various shoots. I think you may find it inspiring for a new and efficient workflow. Take a look!
https://www.rocketstock.com/blog/edit-videos-with-multi-cam-sequence/?utm_source=RocketStock+Updates&utm_campaign=11a2cf663f-RS_Blog_Updates_04212017&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_74052b2af9-11a2cf663f-429325757

For the love of Typography

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As most of my design and graphics students know, I’m a bit of a type geek. In almost every class, even if it’s not in our regular syllabus, I try to include at least a brief introduction to Type as Design – or, Typography. 

And, you probably also know how I stress the idea of kerning – the way individual letterforms fit together, as a method of refining your work, adding a cohesive look and confirming that you’ve taken some time and put in some effort at making your type look good, as well as read well.

Today, I found an excellent infographic at Digital Synopsis.com, that may help you to make better decisions about how to improve your Headers, your Titles, and all display type. Take a look!

Really Interesting and Informative Typography Article

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As almost all of my students know, I’m a bit of a type geek. So, imagine how fulfilled my inner geek feels, when I find blog post about Typefaces, Type Structure, Type families, Type anatomy, and Type Classification, the use of Type in Paragraphs, Typographic Terms like kerning and spacing, Page Layout and Type, and so much more!

Although this article is written with a focus on software development, the article is about DESIGN. Knowing what you’re using, and why. As I always say “in design, you can always break the rules, but first you have to know what the rules are!”

I seriously recommend this article to all my design students, my motion graphics students, my still image students, and anyone else who feels that Type is more than just a way to make a word show up.

http://www.imaginarycloud.com/blog/a-typography-workshop/?ref=webdesignernews.com

Adobe is discontinuing it’s Edge Tools

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According to an Adobe Blog, Adobe is about to cease support and updates for it’s Edge tools, including Edge Reflow, Edge Inspect, and Edge Animate. Some of their functionality will be implemented within Adobe Dreamweaver and Adobe Muse – and will also be covered in Adobe’s upcoming Flash Pro replacement, Adobe Animate – which is due out in January.

Creative Cloud members cans till download and use the Edge products, , and security updates will still be implemented

Please see their original blog post at: http://blogs.adobe.com/creativecloud/update-about-edge-tools-and-services/