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Editor's Corner: Feeling Moody
It's ironic, really. I was sitting at my desk, completely empty of any good ideas for this weekly newsletter intro. Then my eye fell on an unfamiliar URL in one of the scores (yes, scores) of sticky notes on my desktop: moodstream.gettyimages.com.
Out of sheer procrastination, I clicked on the link, and joy of joys, it's a brainstorming tool! Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, and its name is Moodstream. Moodstream is, at its heart, a way for Getty to sell its assets, but it's also a wonderfully organic (and free) way to find stock photography and footage based on words like "happy," "serious," "warm," and "lively."
Here's the main interface:
Check it out. Even if you never buy one image, I bet you'll find a good idea the next time you're blocked.
Create Smart Text Effects in Photoshop
Russell Brown, senior creative director at Adobe, demonstrates how to use Photoshop CS3 to convert a text layer to a Smart Object, then apply Smart Filters. You'll create amazing special effects that are nondestructive, so you can edit the text at any time.
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Related Reading: Get smarter!
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TypeTalk: Say No to Word's AutoFormatting
Microsoft Word may think it's being helpful when it automatically formats your text with numbers, bullets, hyperlinks, and so on. But if you've had enough, let Ilene Strizver show you how to take control.
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Related Reading: More ways to crack the Word whip.
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Scanning Around with Gene: The Best Type Book with No Typesetting
The 1927 edition of Studio Handbook by Samuel Welo is 233 pages of beautiful type and timeless design advice. Only this book comes with a twist: Every page was hand-lettered by Welo. Gene Gable shares many samples.
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Related Reading: Gene's father tried his hand at hand-lettering.
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Review: Capture NX 2
Ben Long says that version 2 brings important upgrades to this innovative image editor, including major interface revisions, workflow improvements, and important new editing tools.
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Related Reading: Many of Capture NX 2's best features are also available in the Photoshop plug-in Viveza.
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Going Beyond HTML
Dave Sawyer McFarland walks you through adding interactive Web site effects without a lot of programming. Although the code you type may look stranger than friendly ol' HTML, you don't have to do much to get a lot of visual and interactive punch.
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Related Reading: Does the word "JavaScript" send you into a panic? See how easy it can be.
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CreativePro Creative Diversion
Could you combine several of these pipes with fittings and make cool structures? I bet you could.
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Wacky Web Site of the Week
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