Perspective (Different from Corel's Effect)

On the rare occasion when I might feel bummed out, I reflect on my reality. Relative to the vast majority of others in the world, my circumstances are enviable. So, with this in mind, I cheer right up.

It's all how you look at things. An email with still images circulated along these lines, so I put together another little show.

The images were improved upon in many cases using Photo-PAINT. Some were in brutal condition.

The soundtrack - snippets of stuff I performed & recorded many years ago. Yeah, a little disjointed I'll admit. Hey, gimme a break, I'm busy with real work! :-)

Hope you enjoyed, and are inspired to take a moment to reflect how well off you are. I'd heard recently: Every 60 seconds you spend angry is a minute you could have been happy...

What people around the world eat weekly, and the price

I thought this info was a good candidate for a quick slide show.


Tech notes:

CorelDRAW and Photo-Paint were used for the basic slide preparation. I wrote the music, and generated a midi file from my chord changes using Band in a Box. Then I edited that MIDI file in Cubase SX. From there I generated a stereo WAV file.

While there are some programs that generate Flash FLV files, their file size remains large since the codec doesn't appear to discern between unchanged frames. Also, you usually need several files to set up FLV's to play. this is the technology behind YouTube.

I used another program that generated a single and relatively simple SWF file from single images. There are still transitions at least. With stereo audio, the entire production comes to only 1.6 MB for a minute long show. I like that kind of efficiency.

Barfy faded images in PDF's from CorelDRAW

Yes, the results really do make you sick. Just choose another PDF compatibility level, like acrobat 5

None of the PDF modes with a slash after it create PDF's with RGB images correctly when native is selected in color mgmt.

The yellow combinations below do not work for RGB bitmaps.

Adding an outline to Photo-PAINT objects

If you need an outline around any object in Photo-PAINT, simply stroke a mask.

1. Press CTRL+M to make a mask from any floating object

2. Press P to invoke Paintbrush.

3. Set up paintbrush parameters, color & size etc.

4. Right-click on mask, pick brush stroke from mask. It's worded funny IMO. Should be listed as: Stroke Mask Border.

CorelDRAW Mexican Cruise

Hi Everyone,

A quick note to let you all know that there's still some spots available on the CorelDRAW Mexican Cruise if you are interested. A bunch of folks are already coming along to enjoy a great trip and to learn some awesome skills at the same time.

One of the extra cool things about it is that there will the opportunity for us to work with you one-on-one after class for those who are interested in finding answers to their most complex Draw/PP questions.

Chances are that one or both of us can help you right then and there. If Foster and I can't give you an answer, we'll get one for you. Bring your file on CD if you are having trouble with a specific Draw layout or graphic.

Whether you use Draw for work or play, you won't see Draw & PP in the same light after the course. The capabilities of it's use and potential for revenue will become known to you. Gears will be churning in your mind on your flight home - a curious software program under $500.00 is able to bring you wealth and satisfaction through a career using it!

Concerned that there might be too much info to absorb? Practically all of the course info will be available for you to digest afterwards in the form of written materials and screen movies. This means you can go through it again at your own pace and comfort.

Your eyes will become bright with interest as you see for yourself how fast Draw can be commanded, providing you with unstoppable design power that competitive products can't touch, regardless of their price.

The price is less than normal, too! Need a holiday anyway? Let's add this up... spend a week in the middle of winter at wherever you are, or hang out in Mexico instead. Hmmm...

If you've ever thought about coming out for some Great Fun & Super Corel Training at the same time, this is as good as it gets. Sure hope to see some of you!

Go here for more info.

Sincerely,

Jeff Harrison

P.S. Right after the cruise, there is a awesome Convention for Imprinted Sportswear being held in Long Beach, just minutes away from the dock. 500 exhibitors! Foster told me the show is FREE for attendees! So, I'm planning on staying an extra day...

Ideas for protecting your designs

A loyal reader asked:

"I’m concerned about an area that I’m sure you are expert: people taking your quotes or designs down the street for a better price. Since we are just starting out, I tend to work for hours creating shirt designs for Christian Schools in the hope that they will select one or two for their kids.

We’ve been successful doing this, yet I’m also concerned that the computer proofs (PDF’s) I send them are being taken to my competitor, and the designs I’ve worked on for hours are being taken without my authorization.

What do you do to keep your stuff safe?"

Excellent question...

Some schools of thought:

1. Make the sale before any design work. This includes getting a deposit of 50% so a client can't walk away so easily. This is what I do now, since I'm so busy I don't need to propose ideas in hopes of future work. The economy is strong where I live.

2. Work on spec like you have been, BUT export art to a low-res bitmap with these guidelines. Or convert a copy of the art to a proof sheet, then convert it to 72 DPI at it's existing size. Make a PDF.

Then prospects can see your art on screen, but there are no vectors of it in the PDF. The art would have to be rebuilt by someone...

Mention that they art they are seeing is only a low resolution proof of the real artwork.

People also me also ask about releasing art. I'm happy to do it, if the art has been paid for. I don't hold the customer's original art hostage. If they want their original art to shop around, then I wish them luck. I desire a different type of client than the ones focused on price anyway.

Jeff

Change the stacking order of elements quickly

This macro allows you to intuitively change the stacking order of elements.

Shift-select them in the order you need, and run the macro. You can force the last item selected to be the bottom of the stacking order, or the top. The other shapes will correspond.

This ability is important for certain industrial processes. You can now determine where on the final output material the device will start cutting, by ordering the objects in a specific way.

Preview color separations quickly

Channels allows you to quickly preview color separations, right inside the CorelDRAW workspace.

Make a Key in CorelDRAW - Updated tutorial

If you have shaky CorelDRAW skills or want to see how I'd build a vector key, watch the video below.

In 5 minutes, I cover many fundamental CorelDRAW functions.

CorelDRAW X4 - Layer handling macro

Layer handling has changed dramatically in CorelDRAW X4. Some people love it, others hate it.

What's the change? X4 has independent layers per page. For Example: you can have 3 layers on page 1, and 20 layers on page 2.

However, some users prefer consistent layer quantities and layer names from page to page, across the entire document.

This macro from Brian Davies allows comprehensive control over the flexible layer infrastructure introduced in CorelDRAW X4. In my opinion, it's the best of both worlds.

Quick document navigation

Lars, a prominent CorelDRAW user wrote:

"I'd like to see a command for going to the first and last pages in a multi-page document.

We have the Page up and Page down key commands that flips the pages, but we also need a keyboard shortcut to go to the first and last pages of a document."

This macro allows you to quickly go to the first or last page of a multi-page CorelDRAW document.

I assigned the Home key to go to page 1, and the End key to go to the last page in the document.