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Posts Tagged ‘interface’

Video: A BTS look at what went into Hasselblad’s X System’s ergonomics, materials and user interface

26 May

Hasselblad is back with another video in its ongoing behind-the-scenes series, ‘Hasselblad’s Home.’ In the inaugural video, titled ‘The Design Philosophy Behind Creating the X System,’ Hasselblad shared an inside look at what went into developing the company’s mirrorless medium format camera. Now, in episode two, Hasselblad shares what’s gone into developing the ergonomics, materials and user interface of the Hasselblad X System.

Hasselblad’s factory in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The five-minute video, titled ‘The X System’s Ergonomics, Materials and Hasselblad User Interface’ shares an inside perspective of the decision-making process that went into making some of the most important components of Hasselblad’s X System. In Hasselblad’s own words:

This episode takes a deeper look into what went into creating the X System’s deep grip and the different materials tested for it before choosing the final one, the materials used for the camera itself, button choice and placement, as well as the thoughts behind building the Hasselblad User Interface (HUI).

Regardless of whether or not you’ve ever used a Hasselblad camera, it’s a fascinating video that explains the rationale for the design decisions that are typically confined to within the walls of Hasselblad’s Gothenburg, Sweden operation.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Halide camera app comes to iPad with revamped interface, ‘Pro Mode’ and more

18 May

Lux, the team behind the popular iOS camera apps Halide and Spectre, has announced a major update to Halide that adds support for Apple’s iPad tablets.

The Halide experience on the iPad will be familiar to those who have used the iPhone version thanks to a similar design language, but the interface has been redesigned from the ground up to make to a more streamlined shooting experience on the larger display.

As a whole, the interface is more spread out across the edges of the display and Lux’s custom typeface is now bolder for easier viewing. Lux even took into account the radius of the iPad screen’s corners so they could match the radius of the buttons to neatly nest into the interface for minimal distraction. To minimize the need to reach across the screen when changing settings, Lux has included what it calls an ‘expandable honeycomb’ next to the shutter button that brings up the most commonly needed settings and tools

Since iPads tend to be more two-handed devices, Lux has also added a feature that will ‘flip’ the interface so it’s left-hand oriented for the southpaws out there.

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Lux has also addressed the issue of the iPad’s unusual aspect ratio that can sometimes make for a confusing experience when shooting. It’s called ‘Pro View,’ and what it does is shrink the liveview display into the center of the screen so it’s easier to see the entire scene and compose a shot. Doing this also adds extra space on the display to more prominently display the histogram, waveform, manual focus and other pro features, ensuring nothing overlaps with the liveview. Pro View can be toggled on and off in the bottom left-hand corner of the interface (bottom right-hand if you’ve flipped the interface).

The iPhone version of Halide has also been updated with bug fixes and other improvements, including a few UI changes inspired by the iPad update.

You can download Halide for free in the iOS App Store. An in-app purchase will unlock additional features for $ 1.99 per month or $ 9.99 per year.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Pixelmator Pro 2 announced, featuring all-new interface and Apple M1 support

17 Nov

Pixelmator has announced Pixelmator Pro 2.0. Pixelmator calls it ‘the biggest update to Pixelmator Pro yet,’ and it includes an all-new design, support for Macs using Apple’s new M1 chip, full compatibility with the upcoming macOS Big Sur (macOS 11.0) and much more. Further, the update is free for all existing Pixelmator Pro users.

Pixelmator Pro’s editing engine is underpinned by Metal code, allowing the team to take full advantage of the unified memory architecture of the Apple M1 chip. The result is ‘much speedier and much more responsive image editing.’ Tasks relying upon machine learning, such as ML Super Resolution, are up to 15 times faster on the new Macs equipped with the M1 chip. Pixelmator Pro 2.0 remains a Universal app, meaning it runs natively on both M1 and Intel-based Apple devices.

Regarding the all-new design, Pixelmator has worked hard to make Pixelmator Pro 2.0 a more intuitive application and has given it a modern makeover. The team states that ‘almost every tool, every menu, and every button has been updated to make the app more intuitive and more fun to use…’ Further, users can customize the Pixelmator Pro interface, including the app’s list of tools and its toolbar. There are also four new workspace presets to choose from, including photography, design, illustration and painting.

You can see the new ‘Photography’ workspace in Pixelmator Pro 2 here. Image credit: Pixelmator. Click to enlarge.

In terms of tools, Pixelmator Pro 2.0 includes a new Effects Browser, a new Presets Browser (including over 200 new presets) and more. There are seven new color adjustment preset collections and eight new effect preset collections. You can read the full list of updates by clicking here.

Pixelmator Pro 2.0 will be available on November 19. For existing Pixelmator Pro users, the update will be free. For new customers, Pixelmator Pro is available for $ 39.99 USD. You can purchase the app now in the Mac App Store and receive the major update at no additional charge on November 19. To learn more about Pixelmator Pro, click here.

Image credit: Pixelmator. Click to enlarge.

While you do not need a Mac with the M1 chip to take advantage of the new features in Pixelmator Pro 2.0, the software does especially benefit from the performance gains granted by the M1 chip. You can learn more about the M1 chip and the new Macs by checking out our coverage.

Via 9to5Mac

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ON1 Photo RAW 2020.1 released, delivering improved user interface and better performance

20 Mar

ON1 has announced that the new version of ON1 Photo RAW 2020 is available now. ON1 Photo RAW 2020.1 includes new user interface updates, new features, performance enhancements, and new camera and lens support.

For photo editing improvements, ON1 Photo RAW 2020.1 includes improved highlight recovery. The software utilizes a new algorithm, which promises better recovery in highlight areas while maintaining more accurate hues. Further, ON1 Photo RAW 2020.1 now includes the ability to quickly edit a single image. You can drag the photo onto the application to edit a single image, with results saved non-destructively. A finished file is then ready to share without any fuss.

ON1 Photo RAW 2020.1 includes a new highlight recovery algorithm. The algorithm has been designed to deliver better highlight recovery with more natural colors.

If you enjoy using focus stacking techniques, ON1 Photo RAW 2020.1 includes a new focus stacking algorithm. The focus stacking tool also provides users with additional options to control the output.

The user interface has seen numerous improvements. There is a new and improved map view, which incorporates higher quality maps and improved search results. In the metadata pane in the new version of Photo RAW 2020, there is now a location tab and users can sync location metadata across multiple selected photos.

Inside the Browse section of the user interface, fast browse mode and cataloged folders mode now have their own tabs. There is also a new Copy to Catalog Folders option, which works like a quick import function to copy your photos from one location to another.

To help you find your images faster than ever before, ON1 Photo RAW 2020.1 has enhanced search features. There is now a simple search at the top of the Browse section. Users can now choose which cataloged folders to search as well, rather than searching all of them simultaneously.

Browsing large folders of images, such as hundreds or thousands of images from a single shoot, should be quicker in ON1 Photo RAW 2020.1. It is now faster to scroll through large groups of thumbnails images, rather than needing to wait for the thumbnails to appear on your screen.

Other speed improvements include a much simpler and quicker initial setup for first-time ON1 Photo RAW users. There’s also a new ‘getting started’ dialogue that guides new users through the process of finding images and making the first edit.

ON1 Photo RAW 2020.1 adds support for a number of new cameras and lenses. Newly supported cameras include the Fujifilm X-T4, Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III, Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III, Nikon D780, Nikon Z50, Canon EOS 1D X Mark III, Panasonic Lumix S1H, Sony A9 II and more. New lenses from Canon, Fujifilm, Leica, Meike, Minolta, Nikon, Panasonic, Sigma, Sony, Voigtlander and Zeiss are now supported as well. To view the full list of new cameras and lenses supported in ON1 Photo RAW 2020.1, click here.

To celebrate the launch of ON1 Photo RAW 2020.1, ON1 is offering a special promotional 20 percent discount for new users. Upgrades from prior versions of ON1 Photo RAW can be purchased for $ 63.99 USD. New users can buy ON1 Photo RAW 2020.1 for $ 79.99. If you already have ON1 Photo RAW 2020, the latest 2020.1 update is available for free. Release notes and download links are available here. For more information on ON1 Photo RAW 2020.1, visit ON1.

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Corel PaintShop Pro 2020 launches with new ‘Photography Workspace’ interface

11 Aug

Software company Corel has taken the wraps off PaintShop Pro 2020 and PaintShop Pro 2020 Ultimate, the newest version of its image editing application. The updated software brings a new Photography Workspace interface designed for photographers who need to make ‘quick edits,’ as well as new tools, performance enhancements and what Corel calls a ‘streamlined workflow.’

PaintShop Pro 2020’s new Photography Workspace is a touch-ready interface with support for 4K Ultra HD displays. Users get ‘simplified’ access to what Corel considers essential tools used by photographers to make quick image edits. Joining this new interface is an overall streamlined workflow, according to Corel, that includes various features and performance improvements that expedite getting work done.

In addition to the new interface, PaintShop Pro 2020 brings a new Smart Clone content-aware cloning tool and Refine Brush for selecting objects with ‘extreme accuracy and precision.’ As well, existing tools like Pic-to-Painting are faster than before due to performance enhancements, according to the company. The updated software also brings support for the newest graphics tablets, styluses and new raw camera formats.

PaintShop Pro 2020 on its own is available from Corel for $ 79.99 USD. The Ultimate version includes PaintShop Pro 2020 bundled with other software, including Painter Essentials, Parallels Toolbox, and more, plus a collection of backgrounds, brushes and textures for $ 99.99 USD.

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Obscura 2 app updates interface, adds new histogram visualizer and keyboard shortcuts

08 Feb

Obscura 2, an iOS camera app developed by Ben McCarthy, has released an update that adds a histogram visualizer, iPad keyboard shortcuts, a redesigned image viewer and more.

The most obvious change in the updated is the new image viewer interface. Now, the various settings, controls and filters are organized into card-style dialogs within the interface. While this does take up more real estate for each setting, it provides a cleaner look and helps to compartmentalize the various settings.

The new histogram integration provides real-time exposure data by overlaying bars on the bottom of the the the app, behind the buttons. It’s nice the histogram is subtle, but it’d be nice to have an option to change the color/opacity on the bars, because the dark grey on black can sometimes be difficult to see.

On iPads, the update adds keyboard shortcuts for taking photos, switching between camera and library modes, applying filters, and navigating through photos that have been captured. Sure, the iPad isn’t a camera-first device in any sense, but it’s nice to see McCarthy add this sort of functionality.

Overall, it’s a solid update with a cleaner UI and a number of functional improvements. Obscura 2 is available on the iOS App Store for $ 4.99.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Palette update brings its physical editing interface to Capture One on MacOS

14 Dec

Palette, a modular collection of buttons, dials and sliders designed to give photo editing a more tactile experience, has received an update making it compatible with Capture One 11 and 12 on MacOS computers.

The new support, which comes in the form of a software update to the proprietary PaletteApp, gives ‘access to hundreds of Capture One function items.’ Like their Adobe counterparts, Capture One users can now use the modular sliders, dials and buttons to adjust nearly every detail of an image with a more tactile approach.

On its FAQ page, Palette Gear addresses the lack of Windows support saying, ‘Simply put, the macOS release of Capture One offers developer tools that the Windows release does not. Our aim is full Capture One support on both platforms; we don’t play favourites. After careful consideration, we made the decision to offer Capture One support for macOS users while continuing to advocate for Windows support.’

Palette Gear also points out that while Palette does has ‘limited support’ on Capture One 9.3 and 10, it recommends using Capture One 11 or 12 for the best possible experience. Below is a list of Capture One functions Palette includes ‘comprehensive support’ for as well as the hundreds of other functions:

• Tonal adjustments: exposure, white balance, levels, high dynamic range, and more
• Detail adjustments: clarity, sharpening & noise reduction, grain, and more
• Tagging and rating: Assign a specific tag or rating with a single button press; Increment ratings and cycle through color tags
• Universal control: Use a single Palette dial to adjust any C1 slider, simply by hovering over it
• Slider module support: Palette sliders can now be assigned to C1 functions; Set custom range for each slider
• Multi-function dial support: Press and turn for coarse control, press to reset

In addition to a software update to bring Capture One compatibility to older Palette kits, Palette Gear has also created a new Capture One Kit that includes one core with a color screen, four buttons, four dials, and two sliders. Like other kits, it’s entirely plug-and-play via Micro USB. It’s currently priced at $ 349.99 and will eventually get bumped hip to $ 409.96, according to Palette Gear’s product page.

For more information on the update, head over to Palette Gear’s dedicated Capture One product page.

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Phase One releases Capture One 12 with new interface, third-party plug-in support

30 Nov

Phase One has released Capture One 12, the latest edition of its image editing software. The updated product features a redesigned interface, revamped menu aligned between the Mac and Windows versions, linear and gradient masks via the new Parametric Masking Engine, luminosity masking and a new plug-in ecosystem.

Capture One 12’s new plug-in ecosystem supports third-party extensions and will soon have access to plug-ins for sharing and editing, as well as connecting the software to “specialized editing tools,” according to the company. Phase One’s Capture One Plugin SDK enables developers to create their own plug-ins for the software.

The updated product also adds new Fujifilm Film Simulation, lens, and camera support, expands AppleScript support for macOS users, and features a redesigned keyboard shortcut manager. Capture One 12 supports more than 500 camera models across all major brands.

Phase One is offering Capture One 12 with a perpetual license to new customers for $ 299 USD, but existing customers can purchase the update starting at $ 149 USD. Alternatively, the company offers Capture One Pro Sony 12 and Capture One Pro Fujifilm 12 for $ 219 USD. Buyers also have a subscription option starting at $ 15/month for Capture One Pro 12 and $ 14/month for the Fuji and Sony editions.

Redesigned and reimagined for the needs of today’s creatives, expanding for tomorrow’s solutions

COPENHAGEN, November 29, 2018: Phase One, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-end digital camera systems, today released Capture One 12, the next major milestone in the evolution of the industry’s premier RAW conversion, image editing, and asset management software. This release takes a top-down approach to streamline, modernizing, and improving the user interface to continue the program’s tradition of providing powerful features in a customizable, uniquely-configurable interface.

New masking tools and improved workflow features continue Capture One’s tradition of providing the most powerful image editing tools available, while a new plug-in ecosystem will allow third-party developers to connect their services and applications to Capture One.

Capture One 12 furthers Phase One’s commitment to providing unparalleled RAW editing, with unmatched tethering, color handling and precise editing on images captured with any of more than 500 different camera models.

Capture One 11.3 introduced support for all Fujifilm cameras and their unique sensors. Capture One 12 now enhances that support with the ability to correctly read and interpret Fujifilm’s legendary Film Simulations.

“Capture One has long been recognized as the industry standard for RAW image editing and image management,” says Jan Hyldebrandt-Larsen, VP Software Business at Phase One. “With this update, we focused on creative control — updating and improving the user interface, adding powerful new masking tools, and extending the Capture One ecosystem through plug-in support. These updates further our commitment to ensuring that Capture One continues to be the industry’s recognized leader in accuracy, performance, and customizability.”

Download Capture One 12, as well as find resources and tutorials at: www.captureone.com/12

New features and tools in Capture One 12

Powerful, refined interface

Capture One 12 introduces a newly re-designed, contemporary interface, designed to make Capture One easier to use during long editing sessions and to make discovery, experimentation, and customizability easier than ever. New iconography better conveys tool functionality, and the new slider design, the spacing of the tools, and font size increase improves both the look and the usability of the program.

The result is a new environment that feels more welcoming for new users while being more customizable for power-users.

Revamped menu system

Every menu item in Capture One 12 has been evaluated, categorized, and organized according to its logical function and grouped along with associated tasks, which makes it easier to find the desired controls and settings, and brings the Mac and Windows menu options into alignment.

Luminosity masking

One of a trio of new masking tools, Luma Range allows users to quickly create masks based on the brightness of pixels in an image and is the most powerful luminance masking tool of its kind.

This masking technique is particularly powerful in landscapes and high-key portraits, as it allows for nearly-instantaneous masks in complex scenes based on brightness—eliminating the need to tediously paint complex masks. Once a luminance range is created and adjusted using the precision mask-adjustment tools, nearly any editing tool can be applied to the mask.

The masks created with the Luma Range tool are dynamic and can easily be tweaked and modified at any point in the workflow. Unlike a hand-drawn mask, Luma Range adjustments can be applied from one image to another, and the effect will be based on the luminance of each image. This functionality is a huge time-saver as it eliminates the need to create precision masks for each frame in a shoot.

The new Luma Range selection masks open up an incredible range of editing possibilities, from selective noise reduction to precise color grading.

Linear Gradient Mask

Capture One 12 takes gradient masks to the next level, allowing for editable, moveable, rotatable—and best of all—asymmetric gradient masks. Using a brand-new Parametric Masking Engine, Capture One allows for adjustments in the size, shape, and symmetry of the masks with simple mouse clicks and key presses, truly redefining the possibilities of linear gradients in Capture One. Rotate, feather and adjust a mask with a precision never before possible.

Radial Gradient Mask

The new Radial Gradient mask tool enables quick, flexible radial masks, useful for vignette and other adjustments with a desired falloff effect. Using the same Parametric Masking Engine as the Linear Gradient mask tool, radial masks can be adjusted, rotated and moved after creation for extreme control over desired effects.

Redesigned Keyboard Shortcut manager

Capture One is known for its ability to custom-assign and custom-configure virtually every task to a keyboard shortcut. With more than 500 individually-assignable and customizable commands, it’s essential to be able to find the exact shortcut, without having to hunt through hundreds of choices.

Users can now search by the specific menu command, or by the assigned keyboard shortcut, making it easy to find and manage shortcuts. To unify the interface between the Mac and Windows versions the new menu system has been moved to the same location on both platforms, making it easier for workgroups to stay in sync.

New plug-in ecosystem

To address the needs of photographers and creatives looking to share, edit and collaborate on their images, the new Capture One plug-in ecosystem will allow for powerful third-party extensions. The new Capture One SDK will allow any developer to create custom solutions to expand Capture One, and to transform Capture One into an open ecosystem.

Users of Capture One will be able to extend the platform with the upcoming addition of plug-ins that allow for sharing, editing, and that can connect Capture One to a variety of specialized editing tools.

For developers, the Capture One Plugin SDK—available as a free download—will provide access to the broad base of passionate professional and enthusiast photographers that use Capture One. Developers are now able to create solutions that leverage the image-editing and organizational prowess of Capture One, and the added capabilities of third-party resources.

The initial Capture One Plugin SDK allows for plugin development, and can be leveraged for common tasks like sharing, sending files to external editors, and allowing images to be opened in other applications, and more.

Fujifilm Film Simulation support

Fujifilm X-Series and GFX-series cameras feature Film Simulations, which are in-camera tonal adjustments that faithfully reproduce the color and tonality of classic Fujifilm photographic films. Sixteen Film Simulations are available, ranging from color stocks like Provia and Velvia to black and white film like Acros. These simulations give Fujifilm users the ability to digitally capture images with the feel of beloved photographic films.

Thanks to the collaboration between Capture One and Fujifilm, photographer’s using Fujifilm’s renowned X-Series and GFX-series cameras will be able to edit photos complete with Fujifilm Film Simulations. These in-camera settings have been faithfully reproduced in Capture One, to provide an identical experience when working with files, resulting in images that appear the same as if the Film Simulation picture profiles were applied in-camera.

Extended AppleScript support

Users of Capture One on Mac OS can take advantage of extended AppleScript support for automation and workflow streamlining. More than a dozen of Capture One 12’s areas and properties can now be directly modified with AppleScript, adding to the existing, robust AppleScript support in previous versions of Capture One.

New camera and lens support

Capture One provides users with the most accurate and powerful image editing available, and the wide-ranging support of cameras and lenses is a hallmark of the software. For enthusiasts and professionals alike, Capture One continually evolves to handle the newest cameras and lenses.

Phase One carefully evaluates and interprets each camera’s RAW formats, allowing Capture One to present images with the utmost fidelity, often bringing out nuances that other programs can’t even perceive.

In addition to the RAW support for more than 500 cameras, Capture One also provides profiling and image correction support for more than 500 lenses. Like with the RAW file interpretation, Phase One carefully measures the optical characteristics of each supported lens and builds correction algorithms that compensate for the various optical imperfections of various designs. As a result, Capture One can correct for numerous common optical issues such as vignette, and chromatic aberration as needed for each of the supported lenses.

New camera support:

  • Nikon Z7
  • Nikon Z6
  • Fujifilm GFX 50R
  • Canon EOS R
  • Canon EOS M50

For a complete list of supported cameras, please go to: www.phaseone.com/supported-cameras

Availability and pricing

Capture One is available in several versions. Capture One Pro 12 supports more than 500 cameras from all major camera brands, while Capture One Pro Sony 12 and Capture One Pro Fujifilm 12 supports cameras from those brands, respectively.

Phase One is committed to providing customers a choice when it comes to how they acquire their software, so Capture One Pro 12 is available for purchase, or via subscription. The perpetual license for Capture One Pro 12 is available for $ 299, with upgrade pricing from previous versions starting at $ 149. Capture One Pro Sony and Capture One Pro Fujifilm are available for $ 219

For those that prefer subscription models, Capture One Pro 12 is available for plans as low as $ 15 per month, and Capture One Pro Sony and Capture One Pro Fujifilm subscription plans start at $ 14 a month.

For a complete list of all products and licensing options, please visit: www.phaseone.com/store to learn more.

A 30-day fully-featured free trial of Capture One 12 is available. Download the trial here: www.captureone.com/download

Via: PDN

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How to Set Up the Photoshop Interface and Workspace for Maximum Efficiency

03 Aug

You wouldn’t start cooking dinner and go to the supermarket each time you need an ingredient, that wouldn’t be very efficient, right? For any activity you want to undergo in life it’s always best to have everything you’re going to need before you start, don’t you agree? With the Photoshop interface, it is the same.

You will be able to work more efficiently if you set up your workspace according to what you need right from the beginning.

Photoshop interface - Get to Know Your Interface Setup Your Interface

The Photoshop Interface

In order to set up your workspace, you need to know what tools are available to you, how they behave, and what are the options. All of these things combined are called the interface, so let’s get to know it.

The big central area is called Canvas.

How to Setup the Photoshop Interface and Workspace for Maximum Efficiency

What is in the canvas area

This is where your image will be displayed, therefore it’s quite an important component. All around the canvas area you’ll find tools and information to help you manage your image.

On the right-hand side, you have the panels. There are tabs here that provide you with information about what you have on the canvas. Which tabs are there is entirely up to you as it is completely customizable, but I’ll get to that later on.

On the left-hand side, you’ll find the Tool box which, as the name suggests, contains the various tools you can use to modify your image. I’ll show you later how it can be moved but as a default, you’ll find it here.

On top, there’s the Option bar which provides the setting options for each tool that you select from the Tool bar, therefore it is constantly changing.

And on top of that, you’ll find the menu bar with many options to control your canvas, file, and interface.

How to Setup the Photoshop Interface and Workspace for Maximum Efficiency

When you put together these sections you can transform your workspace. Now that you know what everything is and where to find it you can start personalizing it according to your needs. Let’s get to it.

Personalizing your workspace

The very first thing that catches your eye, and therefore is something you want to decide, is the color. If you go to Menu > Photoshop > Preferences > Interface you’ll find the options.

You’ll notice on the image below that I have used the lightest shade of grey. But the choice is completely personal, try all of them and see which suits you best.

How to Setup the Photoshop Interface and Workspace for Maximum Efficiency

No matter which one of those you choose, you can change the color of the canvas any time because each photo may need a different background.

For example, if you are working on a black canvas and you start working on a black photo you might not be able to see the edges of the image. Just right-click anywhere on the canvas area and choose any of the default colors or make a custom one.

I’ll make it a really evident green, not because it’s something I would recommend using, but because I want you to be clear on which area is changing with this option.

How to Setup the Photoshop Interface and Workspace for Maximum Efficiency

Usability and function

Now that you fixed the look of your Photoshop interface and workspace, it’s time to move to the practicality aspects.

As a starting point, you can use any of the default workspaces that Photoshop has built-in. To find them just go to the drop-down menu on the top right corner. Feel free to try them all out.

However, since you are reading this in a Digital Photography School article, I’ll suggest you start with the Photography Workspace and we’ll start building up from there.

How to Setup the Photoshop Interface and Workspace for Maximum Efficiency

To start personalizing, it’s worth knowing that most panels can be detached and dragged anywhere on your workspace. You can just click on the top of the panel where there is a dotted line and let go wherever you want the panel situated.

How to Setup the Photoshop Interface and Workspace for Maximum Efficiency

However, this can get very messy really quickly. So if you want to move the panels around, I suggest you still attach them into another available slot. To find them just hover over the workspace and look for the blue lines as they indicate snapping points.

Panels

Let’s now focus on the panel area as it’s the most flexible of all. In here, you have different information windows in tabs that can be grouped or stacked. You may think that it would be helpful to have all of them open but that would take away space on the canvas for your image.

So it is actually much more practical to have as little as possible opened at one time. Therefore, let’s start by closing the ones you don’t need from the default setup. To close a tab just go to the top right corner of the tab and click on the drop-down menu, from there choose “Close”.

How to Setup the Photoshop Interface and Workspace for Maximum Efficiency

You’ll notice that the panel area is divided into smaller boxes. This is because tabs can be grouped. To move tabs from one group to another just drag them. And to close an entire group just choose Close Tab Group instead of Close from the drop-down menu.

How to Setup the Photoshop Interface and Workspace for Maximum Efficiency

Editing the Panels

If you need a panel that didn’t come with the default preset, you can access it by going to Menu > Window and select the desired option. It will be dropped into the collapsible column on the left of the panels which is a collapsible extension of the panels.

If you need it open all the time, like the Layer panel for example, then you can have it on the right so it displays all the information all the time. But if it’s something you need just on occasion, you can keep it collapsed on the left and just click on it when you need it.

If you don’t need a panel at all you can always make it disappear from that column just by right-clicking it and then choosing “Close”.

How to Setup the Photoshop Interface and Workspace for Maximum Efficiency

This column can also be customized to show the icon and name of the panel or just the icon. Just click on the arrow at the top to choose.

While I’m on that, let me tell you that the Tool Bar has a similar feature by giving you the choice of one or two columns. Keep in mind that expanding it means losing Canvas space, so I like to keep it in the slimmer version.

How to Setup the Photoshop Interface and Workspace for Maximum Efficiency

Finishing up

Now you know how to customize your Photoshop interface and workspace.

But, if you work on different projects (i.e you’re a photographer but also do design) you may need different workspaces according to each specific needs. Or if you use a shared computer with another family member or a co-worker then you also might need different workspaces for each of you.

This is why you want to save your customized workspace so you can come back to it easily each time without the need for repeating this process.

To do this, go back to the drop-down menu of the top-right corner and choose New Workspace. Name it and go back to it any time you need.

How to Setup the Photoshop Interface and Workspace for Maximum Efficiency

Furthermore, if you are in your workspace but still find that are some changes from how it’s supposed to look, just click reset and everything will be back to normal. One last tip, from the bottom of the Tool box you can also choose the screen mode you want to use.

How to Setup the Photoshop Interface and Workspace for Maximum Efficiency

Okay, no more procrastination, get to work!

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Snapseed app updated with new interface and presets, adds perspective tool to iOS

20 Sep

Google has just pushed out an update to Snapseed, the popular mobile image editing app for iOS and Android. The update (version 2.18) is for both versions of the app, and offers users on both mobile platforms a new interface and 11 new image presets. Additionally, the iOS update has brought the app’s Perspective Tool to Apple’s mobile devices, enabling users to adjust the horizon and “skewed lines” using their iPhone or iPad.

The update was announced on the Google Plus Snapseed page, where the team explained that Snapseed 2.18 is redesigned to make accessing features more efficient while speeding up the overall editing process. The new interface, meanwhile, moves Looks to the main screen, a feature that enables users to save their favorite edits so they can be applied to multiple other photos quickly.

Other changes are minor, and include switching the app from a dark to a light theme, as well as making certain tools and the export function accessible in a menu at the bottom of the display while editing. Both the Android and iOS updates are available now through the Google Play and iTunes App Stores, respectively.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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