CSFour.com
The Home of Photoshop CS4 Sneak Peek
New Book In Stores Now
December 25, 2008 09:48 AM Filed in: Training Products

Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS4:
The Essential Techniques for Imaging Professionals
List Price: $49.99 – Sale Price $31.49
Photoshop is the foundation of every digital career. It is the most pervasive technology on the market. Many users think they know it, but in truth they have gaping holes. This book covers what a professional truly needs to know about Photoshop to be employable. For students (whether in formal programs, certified training centers, or self-paced) this book offers a chance to explore the many aspects of the program interactively. The book cuts though the clutter and is unique in that it focuses not just on digital photography, but Internet, graphic design, multimedia, and video uses.
Readers will learn the basics in correcting, editing, sharpening, retouching, and presenting photos as well as work on specific projects/exercises, including: digital painting; preparing images for newsprint; designing a CD/DVD label, magazine cover, and advertisements; and building an electronic portfolio.
The full-color book includes a CD-ROM with hand-on exercises and practice images, access to a reader’s only Web site for bonus downloads and files, and access to the popular video tutorial Podcasts (150 at time of publication).
Get it now.... and if you've read it... post a review!
|
Want to Win Photoshop CS4? UPDATE
December 20, 2008 10:01 PM Filed in: Contest
We're closing our drawings for great prizes. We are keeping the drawing open until December 31... then its time to draw.
We’ve got three copies of Adobe Photoshop, an assortment of Joby Gorillapods, and copies of Nik Software and Digital Anarchy plug-ins.
Cool right? Its easy to win (and your chances are very good). Simply watch the videos at CSFour.com or any of our embedded players.
First, click the Socialize button:

Then click the Take Survey button

Click it to take a short (and I mean :45 seconds or less) survey.
You can take a survey one time only, that’s one time per video. Each survey counts as one entry. This means you have up to 15 chances to win prizes.
What are you waiting for? Free stuff is pretty cool.
We’ve got three copies of Adobe Photoshop, an assortment of Joby Gorillapods, and copies of Nik Software and Digital Anarchy plug-ins.
Cool right? Its easy to win (and your chances are very good). Simply watch the videos at CSFour.com or any of our embedded players.
First, click the Socialize button:

Then click the Take Survey button

Click it to take a short (and I mean :45 seconds or less) survey.
You can take a survey one time only, that’s one time per video. Each survey counts as one entry. This means you have up to 15 chances to win prizes.
What are you waiting for? Free stuff is pretty cool.
Having Viewing Troubles?
December 20, 2008 09:41 PM Filed in: Technical Notes
We've gotten a few emails with people complaining about trying to view the podcasts on their iPods or other specific devices. You need to realize a few things, not all video can play on an iPod. This is why we offer multiple versions available for free download.
These are the best ways to view our Photoshop CS4 tutorials.

In HD
For a computer or Apple TV
In SD
For download and syncing to an iPod, iPod Touch, iPhone, or other MPEG-4 playback device
On This Blog
Make sure you have QuickTime installed and use Firefox, Safari, or IE7
On YouTube
Streaming to Your iPhone
Download the mDialog software for free for your phone.
I hope this helps!
These are the best ways to view our Photoshop CS4 tutorials.

In HD
For a computer or Apple TV
In SD
For download and syncing to an iPod, iPod Touch, iPhone, or other MPEG-4 playback device
On This Blog
Make sure you have QuickTime installed and use Firefox, Safari, or IE7
On YouTube
Streaming to Your iPhone
Download the mDialog software for free for your phone.
I hope this helps!
#15: Color Range Command
October 22, 2008 12:00 PM Filed in: Podcast
Richard Harrington shows you how to use the color range command and how CS4 makes it even easier to make a localized selection.
Want the videos in HD? Then check out our iTunes version.
Enjoy the Podcasts? Support a Good Cause.
October 22, 2008 08:12 AM Filed in: Personal

I will be walking on October 25 to raise money for the American Diabetes Association. If you are able to, would you consider making a small donation to the cause? Every dollar raised goes to help in the fight against diabetes. Someone is diagnosed with diabetes every 21 seconds, this is quickly becoming the leading cause of death in America. America's Walk for Diabetes is my chance to give back (and yours as well). If you find this blog helpful or entertaining, please consider making a $5 donation. Thanks!
Visit Scott Kelby's Blog
October 22, 2008 08:07 AM Filed in: Resources

The site is great and filled with wonderful insight and beautiful pictures. Scott is one of the nicest and most generous guys I know in the industry (and in general for that matter). Be sure to check out his cool blog and lots of other resources.
Make sure you check out Scott's Gear list and his Photography Portfolio.
#14: Little Things
October 18, 2008 12:00 PM Filed in: Podcast
Richard Harrington shows you the small but important updates and features new to Photoshop CS4 .
Want the videos in HD? Then check out our iTunes version.
Want to Win Photoshop CS4 or Other Cool Prizes?
So... we’ve been running a contest to win free stuff (we’ll be drawing in late November).
So far we’ve got three copies of Adobe Photoshop, an assortment of Joby Gorillapods, and copies of Nik Software and Digital Anarchy plug-ins.
Cool right? Its easy to win (and your chances are very good). Simply watch the videos at CSFour.com or any of our embedded players.

With each video you’ll see a pencil shaped button. Click it to take a short (and I mean :45 seconds or less) survey.
You can take a survey one time only, that’s one time per video. Each survey counts as one entry. This means you have up to 15 chances to win prizes.
What are you waiting for? Free stuff is pretty cool.
So far we’ve got three copies of Adobe Photoshop, an assortment of Joby Gorillapods, and copies of Nik Software and Digital Anarchy plug-ins.
Cool right? Its easy to win (and your chances are very good). Simply watch the videos at CSFour.com or any of our embedded players.

With each video you’ll see a pencil shaped button. Click it to take a short (and I mean :45 seconds or less) survey.
You can take a survey one time only, that’s one time per video. Each survey counts as one entry. This means you have up to 15 chances to win prizes.
What are you waiting for? Free stuff is pretty cool.
#13: Video Improvements
October 13, 2008 12:00 PM Filed in: Podcast
Richard Harrington shows you how to size pictures for video and work with video files in Photoshop CS4.
Want the videos in HD? Then check out our iTunes version.
#12: Printing
October 11, 2008 12:00 PM Filed in: Podcast
Richard Harrington shows you new printing features in Photoshop CS4 , including the ability to do 16-bit printing.
Want the videos in HD? Then check out our iTunes version.
#11: Dodge, Burn & Sponge
October 07, 2008 12:00 PM Filed in: Podcast
Richard Harrington shows you the improvements that Photoshop CS4 brings to the dodge, burn and sponge tools.
Want the videos in HD? Then check out our iTunes version.
#10: 3D Features
October 06, 2008 12:00 PM Filed in: Podcast
Richard Harrington shows you how to use 3D layers and 3D models in Photoshop CS4 .
Want the videos in HD? Then check out our iTunes version.
Need a Little Help?
October 06, 2008 08:46 AM Filed in: Adobe

You’ll find that the help system is still coming online fully... but there’s some great stuff to check out. Think of it as an appetizer until the real thing ships later this month.
#9: Enhanced Panoramic Photomerge
Richard Harrington shows you how to use smart objects and how they have been improved in Photoshop CS4 .
Here is the action mentioned in the video.
Want the videos in HD? Then check out our iTunes version.
Free Filter Guide from Peachpit Press
October 03, 2008 09:48 AM Filed in: Training Products

To download the free guide – Click Here.
To order from Peachpit.com
CLICK TO ORDER – DISCOUNT CODE – UAP TWO - 35% OFF (Enter Code at Step 3 of checkout)
To order from Amazon.com
CLICK TO ORDER – 17% OFF
#8: Enhanced Smart Objects
October 02, 2008 12:00 PM Filed in: Podcast
Richard Harrington shows you how to use smart objects and how they have been improved in Photoshop CS4 .
Want the videos in HD? Then check out our iTunes version.
Ready for the Upgrade?

“Working in tech, you almost take for granted being a gear junkie and having the most newfangled computer out there, but I’m sure there are a lot of you who want to make the jump that are unsure of what is technically needed, as well as other people out there that are ‘taking the plunge’ and getting the CS4 Suite in addition to a new computer to be able to hold it.”
Read more
#7: Vibrance Adjustment
October 01, 2008 05:00 PM Filed in: Podcast
Richard Harrington shows you how to use the new vibrance adjustments in Photoshop CS4 to boost the saturation of a scene without affecting skin tones.
Want the videos in HD? Then check out our iTunes version.
#6: Camera Raw 5.0
September 29, 2008 08:00 AM Filed in: Podcast
Richard Harrington shows you how to develop your camera raw files with Camera Raw 5.0 and CS4.
Want the videos in HD? Then check out our iTunes version.
More Free Tutorials I've Done
September 29, 2008 07:54 AM Filed in: Resources

Looking for some more, free Photoshop training? Here are a few more tutorials I’ve done... these are from Peachpit.com. Enjoy!
| Aligning Images in Photoshop CS |
#5: Auto-Blend
September 27, 2008 12:00 PM Filed in: Podcast
Richard Harrington shows you how to use auto-blend to combine multiple exposures or layers in Photoshop CS4 .
Want the videos in HD? Then check out our iTunes version.
#4: Masks Panel
September 26, 2008 12:00 PM Filed in: Podcast
Richard Harrington shows you what’s new with masks in Photoshop CS4 and how to use them to non-destructivly add transparency to an image.
Want the videos in HD? Then check out our iTunes version.
#3: Adjustments Panel
September 25, 2008 12:00 PM Filed in: Podcast
Richard Harrington shows you how to use the new adjustments panel in Photoshop CS4 to speed up your workflow.
Want the videos in HD? Then check out our iTunes version.
New Book Now On Sale
September 25, 2008 09:48 AM Filed in: Training Products
Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS4:
The Essential Techniques for Imaging Professionals
By Richard Harrington
List Price: $49.99 – Sale Price $32.49
DISCOUNT CODE – UAP TWO - 35% OFF

Readers will learn the basics in correcting, editing, sharpening, retouching, and presenting photos as well as work on specific projects/exercises, including: digital painting; preparing images for newsprint; designing a CD/DVD label, magazine cover, and advertisements; and building an electronic portfolio.
The full-color book includes a CD-ROM with hand-on exercises and practice images, access to a reader’s only Web site for bonus downloads and files, and access to the popular video tutorial Podcasts (150 at time of publication).
CLICK TO ORDER – DISCOUNT CODE – UAP TWO - 35% OFF (Enter Code at Step 3 of checkout)
How to View Sneak Peek on Your iPhone or iPod Touch
September 24, 2008 10:24 AM Filed in: Podcast
#2: Adobe Output Module
September 24, 2008 02:05 AM Filed in: Podcast
Richard Harrington shows you how to use the Adobe output module in Bridge CS4 to make websites, PDF slideshows and web galleries of your images. This technology is slick and easy to use.
Want the videos in HD? Then check out our iTunes version.
Like Your Videos in HD?
September 24, 2008 01:57 AM Filed in: Podcast
Would you like to watch our new Photoshop CS4 Sneak Peek videos in HD? You’ve got two options to choose from.
#1 iTunes Store
You can subscribe to or download all our videos absolutely free by visiting the iTunes store. By clicking subscribe, you’ll pay nothing, but get over two hours of free Photoshop CS4 Training. New episodes are released daily.

#2 Apple TV
Our show is also available on Apple TV in HD. A quick search for CS4 and you’ll find us.
I hope you enjoy... comments are very welcome (and encouraging).
#1 iTunes Store
You can subscribe to or download all our videos absolutely free by visiting the iTunes store. By clicking subscribe, you’ll pay nothing, but get over two hours of free Photoshop CS4 Training. New episodes are released daily.

#2 Apple TV
Our show is also available on Apple TV in HD. A quick search for CS4 and you’ll find us.
I hope you enjoy... comments are very welcome (and encouraging).
Photoshop CS4 Online Learning Center from NAPP
September 24, 2008 01:37 AM Filed in: Adobe

The fine folks over at the National Association of Photoshop Professionals have an online learning center with some great resources.
Here are my favorites to check out.
- If you’re a keyboard shortcut junkie...
- Interview with Adobe's John Nack
- Flash Panels
- Content Aware Scaling
Aligning Images in Photoshop CS4
September 24, 2008 12:53 AM Filed in: Resources
Jump on over to Peachpit.com and you can see a few new videos on Photoshop CS4. For example, you can check out new tools for aligning and auto-blending layers with panoramic images. The tips were recorded live at Photoshop CS4 at Photoshop World Las Vegas, 2008.


Contest Announced
September 24, 2008 12:02 AM Filed in: Contest
A few quick details on our CS4 contest. We have some great prizes from different companies to give away. I’m still working on getting all of the goodies lined up (but I promise to bug everyone I know at software companies and gear makers).
To enter, just take the survey attached to each video.

I promise your information is kept private.
To enter, just take the survey attached to each video.

I promise your information is kept private.
Using the Color Range Command
September 23, 2008 12:07 PM Filed in: Adobe
Sometimes, a color (or range of colors) will be very present in your image. These colors can be used to quickly create an accurate Layer Mask. Even if the color cannot be used to select the object entirely, you can always harness the Brush tool to clean up stray areas.
1. Open an image with an area of continuous color you’d like to select.

2. Turn the Background layer into a floating layer by double-clicking its name in the Layers panel.
3. Choose Select > Color Range to make a selection based on a range of colors. Check the Localized Color Clusters option to reduce the selection area to just the chosen colors.
4. With the Eyedropper, click within the yellow area of the flower to make an initial selection. Hold down the Shift key and drag through other areas of the flower to add to the selection.
5. Leave the Fuzziness set to a low value (30-40). When most of the flower is selected, click OK to create an active selection.

6. Click the Add layer mask button for the layer. The petals will show well, but parts of the flower will be missing.
7. Add a solid color layer to make it easier to see your edges. Choose Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color. A purple layer will help things stand out nicely. Click OK and drag the solid layer below the masked flower.
8. Examine the masked layer closely. You will need to paint in part of the center of the flower. Additionally, some of the petals contain unwanted transparency. You may also have some leaves or stems that bled through. We can fix all of these problems quickly using the Brush tool.
9. Press D to load the default colors of black and white.
10. Select the Layer Mask attached to the layer.
11. Press B to activate the Brush tool. Adjust the size of the brush and its hardness settings so you have a smaller brush with a gentle edge (an 80-pixel brush with a hardness of 75% is a good place to start).
12. Paint in spotted or missing areas with white. You can remove any unwanted areas by painting with black.
13. When finished, you can save the image as a layered file such as a TIFF or PSD formatted file.
1. Open an image with an area of continuous color you’d like to select.

2. Turn the Background layer into a floating layer by double-clicking its name in the Layers panel.
3. Choose Select > Color Range to make a selection based on a range of colors. Check the Localized Color Clusters option to reduce the selection area to just the chosen colors.
4. With the Eyedropper, click within the yellow area of the flower to make an initial selection. Hold down the Shift key and drag through other areas of the flower to add to the selection.
5. Leave the Fuzziness set to a low value (30-40). When most of the flower is selected, click OK to create an active selection.

6. Click the Add layer mask button for the layer. The petals will show well, but parts of the flower will be missing.
7. Add a solid color layer to make it easier to see your edges. Choose Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color. A purple layer will help things stand out nicely. Click OK and drag the solid layer below the masked flower.
8. Examine the masked layer closely. You will need to paint in part of the center of the flower. Additionally, some of the petals contain unwanted transparency. You may also have some leaves or stems that bled through. We can fix all of these problems quickly using the Brush tool.
9. Press D to load the default colors of black and white.
10. Select the Layer Mask attached to the layer.
11. Press B to activate the Brush tool. Adjust the size of the brush and its hardness settings so you have a smaller brush with a gentle edge (an 80-pixel brush with a hardness of 75% is a good place to start).
12. Paint in spotted or missing areas with white. You can remove any unwanted areas by painting with black.
13. When finished, you can save the image as a layered file such as a TIFF or PSD formatted file.
Reasons to Upgrade Videos Over at Peachpit.com
September 23, 2008 03:53 AM Filed in: Adobe | Training Products
Peachpit Press has released a cool series on reasons to upgrade to Photoshop CS4.

You can check out cool videos by:

You can check out cool videos by:
- Bert Monroy's Reasons to Upgrade to Photoshop CS4
- Matt Kloskowski's Reasons to Upgrade to Photoshop CS4
- Chris Orwig's Reasons to Upgrade to Photoshop CS4
- Kevin Ames' Reasons to Upgrade to Photoshop CS4
- Rich Harrington's Reasons to Upgrade to Photoshop CS4
#1: User Interfaces Changes
September 23, 2008 02:01 AM Filed in: Podcast
Learn about important changes to the Photoshop CS4 user interface.
- Refined workspaces
– Freely rotatable canvas
– Greater zoom levels
- Enhanced controls with panels
- Tabbed documents
Want the videos in HD? Then check out our iTunes version.
Short List of New Features for Photoshop CS4
September 23, 2008 01:48 AM Filed in: Adobe
Here’s an overview list of new features in Photoshop CS4. We’ll be offering tutorials on these topics in the coming weeks.

Increased Productivity
Unrivaled Editing
Breakthrough 3D, Motion Graphics, and Image Analysis (Extended only)

Increased Productivity
- Fluid canvas rotation
- Enhanced Pan, Zoom, and large image navigation
- More refined, natural results with Dodge, Burn, and Sponge
- Next generation Adobe Bridge
- Tighter integration with Photoshop Lightroom
- Kuler for color harmony creation and sharing
- N-up and multiple document view
- More powerful printing options
- Superior performance on very large images*
- Extensibility with SWF panels
- Unified tabbed interface with self-adjusting panels
Unrivaled Editing
- Live, nondestructive corrections with the Adjustments panel
- Re-editable, feathered, density-controlled masks
- Enhanced Auto-Blend with seamless tones and colors
- 360° panoramas
- Extended depth of field
- Camera Raw with localized adjustments
- Enhanced Smart Objects
- On-image controls for Curves, Hue/Saturation adjustments
- Clone Stamp and Healing Brush preview cursor
Breakthrough 3D, Motion Graphics, and Image Analysis (Extended only)
- Direct painting on 3D objects
- Easy conversion from 2D to 3D
- Editable 3D properties (scene, materials, meshes, lights)
- New high quality interactive ray tracer
- Create 3D composites with 2D images or other 3D objects
- New, high-performance, non-modal 3D engine
- Volume Rendering
- Keyboard shortcuts enabled for the Animation panel
- Enhanced preview of non-square-pixel images
- Preview and export audio content and frame comments
- Animate 3D objects and their textures
- Enhanced Count tool
Nondestructive Cropping in PS CS4
September 23, 2008 01:34 AM Filed in: Adobe

- Open an image that needs cropping.
- To crop nondestructively, you must convert the Background into a standardlayer. You’ll explore layers in depth in Chapter 8, “Compositing with Layers.” For now, double-click the word Background in the Layers panel. Name the layer Car and click OK.
- Select the Crop tool by pressing C.
- Mark out an area to crop.
- In the Options bar, change the Cropped Area to Hide (Delete is selected by default).
- Click the Commit button or press Return/Enter.
- Select the Move tool by pressing V (as in moVe, the letter M used by the Marquee tool). Drag in the image and reposition it; the original pixels are still available, allowing you to modify the crop in the future.

Because the cropped pixels were hidden (instead of deleted), details were preserved outside the cropped area. This allows for the image to be repositioned within the frame. Be sure to save the image as a PSD file or Layered TIFF to preserve future flexibility.
Tip:
With Photoshop CS4, you can choose Image > Reveal All to restore all hidden pixels if you’ve used the Hide method for cropping.
The Info You Need... Soon
September 14, 2008 10:06 AM Filed in: Adobe

Want to find out everything new in Adobe Photoshop CS4? Trust me... there’s some really cool things coming. Adobe has an invitation out to view their Web broadcast on September 23rd. But you do need to go to the sign-up page at www.adobe.com/go/somethingbrilliant.
By the way... we are going to be releasing something very special on the 23rd as well as a “thank you” to all our viewers. Be sure to stick around and keep an eye out.