Phosphors

We all know that one way to make it difficult for other people to take credit for your photographs is to watermark the images before you post them on the Web. But have you heard of a watermark that could put your photos in front of four million people?

It’s called the “Photoshop CS6 Beta Watermark,” and the way it works is simple:

1. Download the Photoshop CS beta.
2. Create cool imagery in the beta.
3. Download the Powered by Photoshop CS6.zip file and drag the unzipped action onto your Photoshop CS6 application icon.
4. Watermark your image using the Powered by Photoshop CS6 action.
5. Upload the image to the Photoshop Facebook Wall and include the sentence “This image is powered by Photoshop CS6 beta” in your post.

The Photoshop team will choose two watermarked images each week as the cover image for the Photoshop Facebook page, which has more than 4 million fans.

If your image is chosen, don’t worry—they’ll give you credit.

For detailed instructions on the install and submission process, see Jeff Tranberry’s post. Contest rules are here.

Here’s a screenshot from today’s Photoshop CS6 beta Watermark Facebook gallery:

The Photoshop CS6 Beta Watermark Gallery

Steve Caplin, author of the How to Cheat in Photoshop book series, combined a still photo and 3D type to create a realistic new scene. He says that the new 3D tools in the Photoshop CS6 beta are so easy to use that it only took him minutes.

To see Steve’s before and after images and learn more about how he did it, read his post in the beta forum. He’s even offered to go through his process in-depth if anyone would like to know details.

For a soup-to-nuts walkthrough of every big feature in Photoshop CS6 Beta, check out this one-hour conversation with Senior Product Manager Zorana Gee:

http://bit.ly/PsCS6_beta

In this Ask A CS Pro session, Zorana not only provides detailed tips, but also addresses common questions from the large live audience. Dozens more questions are covered in the interactive Chat pod.

Photoshop CS6 Beta seamlessly integrates 3D into Photoshop workflows you’re already familiar with. If you’d like to do more 3D work but have been waiting for more intuitive tools, give the beta a try.

Then check out this set of 3D video tutorials from expert Daniel Presedo.

Want to get a head start on the next generation of digital imaging?

First, download the Photoshop CS6 Beta.

Then, check out the following tutorials to discover the revolutionary new features:

• iceflowstudios.com provides 12 videos that look in-depth at major improvements.

• video2brain.com devotes 30 full minutes to trainer Tim Grey’s top 10 new features.

• photoshopcafe.com presents a readable walkthrough of all the key features, plus five videos on their favorites.

• gavtrain.com includes a video overview of top features, and an in-depth look at the Content-Aware Move tool.

• modestudio.us looks at the new photographic toning presets in this video.

• TipSquirrel.com introduces the new 3D workflow in Photoshop Extended.

• Lynda.com provides free, comprehensive instruction on all the big new features.

• photoshopuser.com combines a collection of key tutorials in their CS6 Beta Launch Center.

• John Derry creates the Milky Way Galaxy with the new particle tip for the Airbrush tool.

• colortrails.com describes their favorite features for photographers.

In response to customer concerns, Adobe has improved upgrade options for CS3 and CS4 customers. While subscription plans offer some big benefits for future versions, a lot of users don’t want to make that leap just yet. So you’ll be able to purchase a standard upgrade until the end of the year.

John Nack’s excellent post lays out all the options.

When you want to change the color of objects in an image, you might first reach for Photoshop’s Color Replacement tool. But that’s not always the best approach. For more effective and flexible alternatives, check out these techniques:

• Dave Cross compares two approaches to color replacement
• Deke McClelland targets and tweaks a specific color range
• Photoshop Help walks through all the alternative approaches

Google sometimes favors older CS4 content simply because it’s been around longer. If that’s not what you want, just add “CS5″ to any search, and bingo–the new stuff appears.

If you prefer the direct route, here are links to key CS5 pages:

Photoshop Help main page

A rundown of all the new CS5 features

Many miss the old Picture Package feature from Photoshop CS3 and earlier. But did you know there are several ways to create packages in current Adobe apps?

Photoshop legend Michael Salinero provides several options, including a clever technique that uses Smart Objects to create flexible package layouts.

So you’ve installed Photoshop CS5 and started looking for that familiar Extract command. You could get it back by downloading an optional plug-in, but why take the time?

The new Select > Refine Edge produces far better results and is way more flexible. Fine detail like wispy hair is quickly captured, often without requiring any touch up. It’s really pretty stunning. If you want to fine-tune the results, however, non-destructive processing lets you revisit things at any time, simply by tweaking the related mask. (In contrast, the old Extract command permanently erased pixel data. Bad news when you want to revert a saved file.)

Here are a few online resources to get you started with Refine Edge:

• Get a video overview from Dr. Russell Brown

• Walk through the process with several tutorials