Thursday, 8 April 2010
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
SELECTIONS, ALPHA CHANNELS & LAYER MASKS
SELECTIONS, ALPHA CHANNELS & LAYER MASKS Many authors have suggested that selections, alpha channels and layer masks are essentially the same thing. To the extent that they are all represented internally as grayscale images, this is true. However there are important differences between these "masks" which affect their persistence and the manner in which they control image editing. A selection is a temporary map that limits the effect of various manipulations to selected portions of the image while that selection is active. By default, an active selection is outlined by a marquee, however the marquee may be concealed / revealed while leaving the selection active. {Ctrl+H}. The selection may be made inactive (non-operative) {Ctrl+D} or {Select > Deselect} in which case it is stored in memory and may be recalled {Select > Reselect}. While the most recent selection is stored in memory, it will be over-written when any new selection is created and is not preserved when the file is saved. A selection may be saved by converting it to an ALPHA CHANNEL (by definition an alpha channel is a saved selection). With selection active: · {Select > Save Selection} · In Channels Palette, click {Save selection as channel}. The alpha channel will be saved with the file (in psd and tif format) and the selection it represents may be activated at any time: · In Channel Palette select channel & {Load channel as selection} · Drag the channel to {Load channel as selection} button. · {Ctrl click} the channel in Channel Palette. · Select > Load Selection and then choose from the list of channels. Converting a channel to a selection is not limited to alpha channels. Any of the color channels may be used. The resulting selection will consist mostly or entirely of partially selected pixels depending on the darkness of the color channel's gray scale image. The selection marquee will outline only those pixels that are more than 50% selected. An alpha channel may also be created without first making a selection: · In Channel Palette {Make new channel} button. By default the new channel appears in reveal all mode (i.e. no masked areas). The new channel is then edited by painting with white to reveal (select) areas of the image and with black to conceal areas (remove from selection). Intermediate shades of gray result in partial selection of pixels. EXERCISE A: 1. Open a file. Any photo file will do. 2. Duplicate the background layer. Some of the operations to follow will not work on the background layer, and some will. At this point it is not instructive to figure out which is which, so we will just work with the background copy. 3. Select the background copy layer. Using any of the selection tools (rectangular marquee works fine). Set feather = 0 and select a portion of the image. 4. Image > Adjustments > Hue/Saturation. (Any of the image adjustments may be used; this one is quick and easy. 5. Make a radical shift of the Hue and Saturation sliders until the selected area of the image shows a very distinct change. Click OK. 6. Turn off the visibility of the background layer (not the copy) and turn it on again. A. Notes: · Only the selected portion of the image was changed by the adjustment. · This was what is known as a destructive edit. There's no going back and undoing or tweaking what you did with that adjustment. Sure you can back up the history to where you first created the background copy and start again. But if you have subsequently performed several other edits and then decide to go back, you will have to repeat all your work. There's a better way. · The visibility of the background layer has no effect on the appearance of the image. The background copy conceals it completely. EXERCISE B: 1. Back up the history to step 3. above, where you have just made the selection. 2. At bottom of Channels Palette click on the second icon: "Save selection as channel". A new layer will appear in the channels palette, labeled "alpha 1". 3. Select > Deselect (or Ctrl + D) to get rid of the selection. You don't need it now and, when you do, it has been saved as the alpha 1 mask. 4. Make the alpha 1 channel visible. The famous rubilith mask appears, covering everything except the area you selected. Personally I dislike the color of this mask so I double click the mask icon to bring up the Channel Options dialog. Click on the color button and select black. Leave the other options at their default settings (opacity = 95%). 5. Select the alpha 1 channel. Select the brush tool and choose an appropriate size and hardness with Opacity = 100%. Ensure that the default foreground and background colors are white and black respectively. 6. Edit the mask: Paint a small area with white on the colored (masked) portion to erase the mask. Paint an X with black in the middle of the uncolored (unmasked) to add to the mask. To convince yourself that you really have painted with white and black, turn off visibility of the RGB channel. Now only the mask channel shows, in glorious black and white. 7. Turn on visibility of RGB channel. Turn off visibility of alpha 1 channel. At the bottom of the channel palette click the first icon: "load channel as selection". Return to the layers palette. Note that the selection marquee now replicates your edited mask. B. Notes: · You have seen how to save a selection as an alpha channel (a mask). This mask can then be edited to include and/or exclude areas of the image using a brush. This is an excellent means to fine tune a crude selection initially made with one of the other tools like the lasso or marquee. · The edited mask can then be loaded as a selection and used just as any selection. You can make other selections and later return to the mask; the alpha channel will be saved with the image (in psd or tif format). EXERCISE C: 1. Pick up right where you left off in step B7 above. Your mask has been loaded as a selection and select the background copy layer in the layers palette. 2. At the bottom of the layers palette click the fourth icon "Create new fill or adjustment layer". For this exercise select Hue/Saturation; but remember, in practice any type of adjustment may be made with this method. 3. As you did in exercise A, shift the hue and saturation sliders until a distinct change occurs in the previously selected portions of the image. Note two things that occur as soon as you choose Hue/Saturation: the selection marquee disappears, and a new layer appears in the layers palette with a mask icon that replicates the previous selection. Click OK to accept the adjustment. 4. Now imagine it is several editing steps later and you decide you don't like the hue/saturation adjustment. Piece of cake. Double click the left hand icon in that adjustment layer and presto, the hue/saturation dialog reappears just as you left it. Readjust the sliders to your taste. 5. And suppose you decide that the area selected for this adjustment isn't quite right. Easy to fix: Select the adjustment layer. Switch to channels palette. 6. In the channels palette you will find a mask labeled "hue/saturation". Select this channel and make it visible. Double click on the mask icon and in the Channel Options box set opacity to 95%. 7. Edit this mask with the brush tool by painting with black and/or white just as you did in exercise B6. When finished, turn off visibility of this channel and return to the layers palette. 8. Note that your adjustment now effects an area consistent with the edited mask. C. Notes: · Just as in exercise A. the adjustment was confined to the selected area. Here however you have performed a non-destructive edit. You can return to this adjustment at any time and modify it as well as the area of the image it affects. · If no selection is active at the time the adjustment layers is added, the mask is completely "white" and the adjustment will affect the entire image. |
Creating Pop Up Alerts
Typically, msgbox's in Excel stay within the excel window.
What you COULD create a vbscript that issues the msgbox or popup.
One nice thing about VBScript, is that it allows for a TIMED popup.
which means that you aren't going to have 10 waiting for you if you go to get a cup of coffee!
the vbscript could look something as simple as:
'----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --
'File: C:\temp\Popup. vbs
Sub Main
if (wscript.arguments. count > 0) then
msgbox wscript.arguments( 0)
end if
End Sub
Main
'----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --
or a little more complex:
'----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --
'File: C:\temp\Popup. vbs
Option Explicit
dim Wshshell
Sub Main
dim PopupTime, PopupTitle,BtnCode, msg, argcnt
PopupTime = 3
PopupTitle = "Status"
Set WshShell = WScript.CreateObjec t("WScript. Shell")
argcnt = wscript.arguments. count
if (argcnt > 0)then
msg = wscript.arguments( 0)
BtnCode = WshShell.Popup( msg, PopupTime, PopupTitle, 1 + 32)
end if
End Sub
Main
'----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --
then your VBA code would look something like:
Sub testpopup()
Dim stat, msg, cmd
msg = "This is a test"
cmd = "C:\WINNT\system32\ wscript.exe ""C:\temp\Popup. vbs"" """ & msg & """"
stat = Shell(cmd, vbNormalFocus)
End Sub
this should force the popup to appear at any time.
hope this helps.
What you COULD create a vbscript that issues the msgbox or popup.
One nice thing about VBScript, is that it allows for a TIMED popup.
which means that you aren't going to have 10 waiting for you if you go to get a cup of coffee!
the vbscript could look something as simple as:
'----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --
'File: C:\temp\Popup. vbs
Sub Main
if (wscript.arguments. count > 0) then
msgbox wscript.arguments( 0)
end if
End Sub
Main
'----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --
or a little more complex:
'----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --
'File: C:\temp\Popup. vbs
Option Explicit
dim Wshshell
Sub Main
dim PopupTime, PopupTitle,BtnCode, msg, argcnt
PopupTime = 3
PopupTitle = "Status"
Set WshShell = WScript.CreateObjec t("WScript. Shell")
argcnt = wscript.arguments. count
if (argcnt > 0)then
msg = wscript.arguments( 0)
BtnCode = WshShell.Popup( msg, PopupTime, PopupTitle, 1 + 32)
end if
End Sub
Main
'----------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --
then your VBA code would look something like:
Sub testpopup()
Dim stat, msg, cmd
msg = "This is a test"
cmd = "C:\WINNT\system32\ wscript.exe ""C:\temp\Popup. vbs"" """ & msg & """"
stat = Shell(cmd, vbNormalFocus)
End Sub
this should force the popup to appear at any time.
hope this helps.
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
25 Tips and Tricks to Make Your Computer Life Easier
25 Tips and Tricks to Make Your Computer Life Easier
EMAIL
1. Use Outlook from the Desktop
The most powerful version of Microsoft Outlook email allows users to
organize, view and delete email.
2. Organize Your Email
Use Outlook to filter out some spam.EClick on Organize from your inbox.
3. Organize Email in Personal Folders
From your inbox, go to File > Folder > New Folder
Create folders and drag messages from the inbox to the folders.
4. Dont Respond to Spam
Replying to spammers only encourages them. It wont get you off their
list.
5. Read Email Once and Use Archive
Read a message and do something with it. If you must keep it, place it in
a personal folder or archive it. Using the Archive feature of Outlook allows
you to save email without impacting your email limit. Didnt know you had
a limit?
10,000K Naughty, naughty message
12,000K Cant send email
14,000K Cant receive email
6. Keep Your Mailbox Spartan
Fewer messages means less time trying to find things. Learn to check the
size of your Inbox, Sent items and Deleted items.
7. Create an Internet Email Account
There are times when you have to give some organization or Web site
your email. To keep from being added to yet another spammers list,
create an Internet email account that you only look at when Haleys
Comet comes around.
8. Use Outlook Express from Home
Outlook Express is the easiest way to access Bethel mail (and personal
mail) from home. The set up is easy and the features are similar to
Outlook from the desktop.
Here are the steps to setting up Outlook Express on your home computer:
A. Run Outlook Express.
B. Go to the Tools menu and drag down to Accounts.
C. Click on ADD and select Mail...
D. Enter your name as you want it to appear on emails (e.g., Bill Smith).
F. Click Next and enter your Pop3 server: 163.41.75.17
G. Enter your SMTP server. This is provided by your Internet Service Provider. If
you don't know what it is, you'll need to check your ISP's Web site, call them, or
read any documentation you might have received. Usually it is something like
H. Click Next and enter your email account name (e.g., bsmith) and password
and check the box to remember your password if you want that option.
I. Click Finish.
You should now be able to run Outlook Express and be prompted to either work
offline or dial up to receive your email. You can, of course, dial in as you normally
do and then run Outlook Express.
INTERNET
9. Fewer is Better. . .Install Only Programs You Need
A PC works better with fewer programs. Cute programs, clever screen
savers can not only cause problems but also let people watch what you
are doing because they often install spyware or cookies.
10. Learn to Control and Delete Cookies
Visiting certain Web sites can add small programs to your computer
without you knowing about it. From Internet Explorer, go to Tools >
Internet Options. Download Ad-Aware to check for problems:
11. Update virus definitions
All Bethel computers have Anti Virus software installed. Be sure to update
the definitions when notified.
12. Updates Windows
Occasionally youll be asked to update Windows on your PC. Follow the
prompts to add the newest fixes for the newest problems. You can also go
to Tools > Windows Update from Internet Explorer to requests updates.
PROTECTING DATA
13. Back up to the Network Server
Back up essential data somewhere; but your personal folder on the
network is the safest and easiest. Dont rely on floppy disks.
Copying Data Files to Your Network Folder
1. Double click on Network Neighborhood (Windows 98/2000) or My Network
Places (Windows XP).
2. For Windows XP, click on Entire Network on left-hand menu.
3. Double click on Microsoft Networking.
4. Double click on Bethel 52.
5. Double click on District 3.
6. Double click on "Staff Flders".
7. Find your folder and right click on it (dont open it) and select Create
Shortcut.
8. Youll be told you cant create a short cut on the network but cant on the
desktop. Agree.
Now close off all those annoying windows. Youll see a shortcut to your
network folder on your desktop (with a small black arrow). Thats the short cut
to your personal folder. Only when you are logged in as you on this computer
can you use the shortcut. So you can leave it there and not worry about
someone else getting into it.
Now drag your data files to your shortcut and they will be copied to the
network. Id recommend keeping a copy on your computer of each file and
use the network as only a back up storage.
Finally, once your new computer is in place, follow the steps above to create
the shortcut on your new computer, open the shortcut and drag your files from
the network folder to My Documents on your desktop.
14. Save in My Documents
To make backups easy, save to the My Documents folder. Now, when you
go to backup your data, it is easy to find your data. Be sure you are not
just copying youre My Documents shortcut.
15. Organize Your Favorites
Saving a favorite Web page makes it easy to return to the page at another
time. If you have more the 10-15 favorites, try going to Favorites >
Organize Favorites and create subfolders.
COMPUTER DESKTOP
16. Use Desktop Shortcuts
Shortcuts are folders or icons that jump you directly to some other
location on your computer, the network or the Internet. You can create a
shortcut to your personal folder on the network. Other shortcuts can point
to programs or folders on your computer.
17. Keyboard shortcuts
Speed up your computer usage by avoiding the mouse whenever possible.
The Control Key + another key can copy (Ctrl + C), cut (Ctrl + X) or paste
(Ctrl + V). You can also use the keyboard to print (Ctrl + P), select all
(Ctrl + A), close windows (Ctrl + WEsometimesEor Alt + F4) and shut
down the computer (Alt + F4).
18. Use the Right Mouse Button
The right mouse button brings up menus that provide more options. Try
right clicking on the desktop background and selecting properties. Or right
click on the Start Menu.
19. Clean up your desktop
Save to My Documents, not on your desktop. Throw away unwanted files
and shortcuts.
20. Modify Your Desktop
Right mouse click the desktop picture and select Properties. Click on the
tab to change screen resolution, background images, Windows style and
more.
21. Use Windows Explore to Find and Organize
One of the most unsung heroes of Windows, Explore gives you a full view
of everything on your computer. Take time to explore Explore!
22. Use Desktop Quick launch
Unclutter your desktop by using Quick Launch. Right click on the Taskbar
at the bottom of the screen and select Toolbars > Quick Launch. Now you
can drag and drop application and folder short cuts to the Taskbar.
23. Learn to Use and Modify Window Views
Open any Windows window (which is in the department of redundancy
department) and go to the View menu. Try different choices to see which one
works best for you.
WORD PROCESSING
24. Use Word Processing Templates
Save time by create templates for repetitive documents. AppleWorks and
MS Word allow you to Save As and then select Template. Templates
contain all the common elements of a document that you might user over
and over such as a parent letter, lesson plan or letter of resignation!
25. Learn Trouble shooting Strategies
Under Help! On the Bethel Home Page follow the prompts to
troubleshooting and maintenance tips.
25A. Take time to stretch!
If you sit at a computer for more than 30 minutes at a time, get up and
stretch your arms and legs and loosen up your neck. Shake your hands
and walk around. Be good to yourself by setting up your computer work
area so that it is ergonomically sound.
Sunday, 4 April 2010
Amazing Clock
This is one of the coolest clocks in the world. Open the below link, its amazing... http://home.tiscali.nl/annejan/swf/timeline.swf 1st Line is Second's 2nd Line is Minute's 3rd Line is Hour's 4th Line is the Day of the week 5th Line is today's Date 6th Line is the Month 7th Line is Year |
http://syedimranrocks.blogspot.com/
!!!google magic!!!
1. Go to Code: Google.com
2. Click "images"
3. Fill in "bikes, flowers, cars" or any other words.
4. You will get a page with a lot of images thumbnailed.
5. Now delete the URL on the addressbar.
6. 6. Copy the script down here, and paste it in your adressbar:
javascript:R= 0; x1=.1; y1=.05; x2=.25; y2=.24; x3=1.6; y3=.24; x4=300; y4=200; x5=300; y5=200; DI= document.images ; DIL=DI.length; function A(){for(i=0; i<DIL; i++){DIS=DI[ i ].style; DIS.position='absolute'; DIS.left=Math. sin(R*x1+ i*x2+x3)* x4+x5; DIS.top=Math. cos(R*y1+ i*y2+y3)* y4+y5}R++ }setInterval('A()',5); void(0)
7. Press Enter and see the magic....
Saturday, 3 April 2010
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