Knowing Multiple Ways to Save Documents in InDesign CS3

<h1 style="font-size:20px;margin:0.25rem 0px;padding:0px 0px 0.5rem;border-width:0px 0px 1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:rgb(204,204,204);color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:17px;line-height:24px">The InDesign File menu contains a group of commands — Close, Save, Save As, Save a Copy, Check In, and Revert — that provide options for saving the active (frontmost) document. Here's a rundown of what each command does:</span><br> </h1> <ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li><b>Close</b> (Command+W, or Ctrl+W or Ctrl+F4) closes the active document. If the document has never been saved or if it has been changed since it was last saved, a dialog box lets you save, close without saving, or cancel and return to the document.</li> </ul><ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">To close multiple windows at once, use the shortcuts Option+Shift+Command+F4 or Ctrl+Alt+Shift+W.</ul><ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"> <li><b>Save</b> (Command+S or Ctrl+S) saves changes you've made to the active document since you last saved. (If you choose Save for a document that hasn't yet been saved, the Save As dialog box is displayed.)</li> </ul><ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li><b>Save As</b> (Option+Command+S or Ctrl+Alt+S) lets you save a copy of the active document using a different name (or with the same name in a different folder). When you choose Save As — and when you choose Save for an unsaved document — the Save As dialog box appears. This dialog box lets you create or choose a folder for the document, as well as name the document.</li> </ul><ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li><b>Check In</b> saves the current document as a version within a Version Cue project. (Version Cue is Adobe software that helps track different versions of your projects.) This latest save will be considered a version of the previously saved file. (This expert option is available only if Version Cue is enabled. It had been called Save a Version in previous versions of InDesign.)</li> </ul><ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li><b>Save a Copy</b> lets you create a copy of the active document in a different (or in the same) folder using a different (or the same) name. When you use the Save a Copy command, the original document remains open and retains its original name. It differs from Save As only in that it keeps the original document open.</li> </ul><ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li><b>Revert</b> undoes all changes you've made to a document since you last saved it.</li></ul>

Knowing Multiple Ways to Save Documents in InDesign CS3

The InDesign File menu contains a group of commands — Close, Save, Save As, Save a Copy, Check In, and Revert — that provide options for sav...

Read more »

Knowing Multiple Ways to Save Documents in InDesign CS3

<h1 style="font-size:20px;margin:0.25rem 0px;padding:0px 0px 0.5rem;border-width:0px 0px 1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:rgb(204,204,204);color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:17px;line-height:24px">The InDesign File menu contains a group of commands — Close, Save, Save As, Save a Copy, Check In, and Revert — that provide options for saving the active (frontmost) document. Here's a rundown of what each command does:</span><br> </h1> <ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li><b>Close</b> (Command+W, or Ctrl+W or Ctrl+F4) closes the active document. If the document has never been saved or if it has been changed since it was last saved, a dialog box lets you save, close without saving, or cancel and return to the document.</li> </ul><ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">To close multiple windows at once, use the shortcuts Option+Shift+Command+F4 or Ctrl+Alt+Shift+W.</ul><ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"> <li><b>Save</b> (Command+S or Ctrl+S) saves changes you've made to the active document since you last saved. (If you choose Save for a document that hasn't yet been saved, the Save As dialog box is displayed.)</li> </ul><ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li><b>Save As</b> (Option+Command+S or Ctrl+Alt+S) lets you save a copy of the active document using a different name (or with the same name in a different folder). When you choose Save As — and when you choose Save for an unsaved document — the Save As dialog box appears. This dialog box lets you create or choose a folder for the document, as well as name the document.</li> </ul><ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li><b>Check In</b> saves the current document as a version within a Version Cue project. (Version Cue is Adobe software that helps track different versions of your projects.) This latest save will be considered a version of the previously saved file. (This expert option is available only if Version Cue is enabled. It had been called Save a Version in previous versions of InDesign.)</li> </ul><ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li><b>Save a Copy</b> lets you create a copy of the active document in a different (or in the same) folder using a different (or the same) name. When you use the Save a Copy command, the original document remains open and retains its original name. It differs from Save As only in that it keeps the original document open.</li> </ul><ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li><b>Revert</b> undoes all changes you've made to a document since you last saved it.</li></ul>

Knowing Multiple Ways to Save Documents in InDesign CS3

The InDesign File menu contains a group of commands — Close, Save, Save As, Save a Copy, Check In, and Revert — that provide options for sav...

Read more »

Trekking through Web Design Tips

<h1 style="font-size:20px;margin:0.25rem 0px;padding:0px 0px 0.5rem;border-width:0px 0px 1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:rgb(204,204,204);color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><br></h1> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">The majority of Flash movies end up on Web sites. To help ensure that your Web site is as attractive and useful as possible, consider these pearls of wisdom, some of which apply to all Web sites and others are specific to those sites using Flash movies.</p> <h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Set your goal</h2><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> A general principle of Web design is to know why you have a Web site. Write out one main goal and perhaps one or two secondary goals. For example, the main goal of your site may be to sell used music CDs. A secondary goal may be to provide viewers with music reviews so that they can decide which CDs they want to buy. Avoid putting material on your site that doesn't help you reach your goal.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">How does your Flash movie help you attain your Web site's goal? Perhaps your movie displays the covers of your most widely sold CDs and plays some of the music, giving viewers an instant understanding of your site's purpose. On the other hand, if your Flash movie just displays an animated logo, it may even distract viewers from the important features of your home page.</p> <h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Keep pages clean and clear</h2><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> Unlike television, the Web is an interactive medium. Viewers need to understand the purpose of your site and how to navigate it. Clutter and complex structures are counterproductive. You can use Flash to create a simple, compelling navigational system. But you must be careful when mixing and matching HTML and Flash elements in order to avoid confusion. Let all your buttons look similar — don't create five different shapes and colors of Flash buttons just because you can.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">By default, the Flash HTML file loops your files. Looped short animations tend to look like the animated GIFs we all know and hate . . . and ignore. Avoid looped animation unless you have a good reason for it, especially if it moves across the Web page in a banner. Viewers may assume it's advertising.</p> <h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Don't overwhelm viewers with color</h2><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> Too many colors create a chaotic impression. While your Web site doesn't have to be dull, you don't want it to be overwhelming either. Of course, there's nothing wrong with full-color photographs or graphics, but use a maximum of three colors for the background, text, and navigational aids. Most of your Web content is probably text, which viewers expect to be mostly in one font and one color. Navigational aids, such as buttons and links, should be the same color throughout your site.</p> <h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Use fewer than four fonts</h2><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> To create a Web page design with maximum coherence and impact, you should probably restrict your page design to two or three fonts at most. It makes visual sense to use one font for the body of your text and one font for the headlines. You could perhaps use a third font for a logo or for some other special item, but this may look best if it has some kind of strong visual harmony with the other fonts you are using.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Use four fonts and people may start to think that you're designing a ransom note, not a Web page.</p> <h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Be consistent</h2><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> Each page on your site should have the same logo. Certain links should go on each page (such as a link to your home page) and be in the same place on each page. If you have other links, such as Search, E-mail, and so on, these should also be consistent throughout your site.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Text color, fonts, hyperlinks, backgrounds, buttons, and so on should all be consistent to avoid confusion and error.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">If you're combining HTML and Flash content, use consistent fonts and colors for both.</p> <h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">KISS</h2><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> As you may know, KISS stands for<i>Keep It Simple, Stupid.</i> Sketch out the map of your site and make sure the lines of navigation are short and simple. Don't use long explanations when a short one will do. Don't use lots of images when one will suffice.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Your Flash movies should also be as simple as possible. Animation goes by fast. If too many objects are moving at once, viewers don't know where to focus their attention.</p> <h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Know who's watching and how</h2><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> Many Web site hosts provide you with information on the browsers (including which version) and the resolutions used by your viewers. You may not be able to cater to everything out there, but you should try to create a Web site that the vast majority of people can see.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Many sites that use Flash offer a non-Flash alternative rather than force viewers without the Flash Player to download it. The non-Flash alternative has non-animated graphics in place of the Flash movie.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Remember that viewers on a screen with 640 x 480 resolution can see a lot less than viewers on screens with a higher resolution. Those with lower resolution may miss important parts of your Web page and Flash animation.</p> <h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Support the Flash Player</h2><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> You can choose to publish an HTML file that detects whether the Flash Player is installed on the viewer's computer. If not, it displays an image file. (You need to publish to one of the image formats at the same time for this to work.)</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">The default HTML text doesn't check for the Flash player, but it includes the location to download the player. In some situations, the Flash Player will download automatically when not available or a window will pop up offering the viewer the chance to download it. Many sites include a button that says, <i>Can't see the animation? Download the Flash Player here,</i> or something to that effect. The button links to<a href="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" style="color:rgb(1,69,138)" target="_blank">Macromedia's download center</a>.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Many Web surfers have no idea how Web sites are created and have never heard of Flash. Therefore, giving viewers a choice of Flash and non-Flash sites may not be meaningful. (Of course, if you're a Web site designer and you think potential clients viewing your site may be savvier than most viewers, you may have no problem in this regard.) In most situations, it may be better to use the words <i>animated</i> and <i>non-animated</i>. Of course, feel free to use the word <i>Flash</i> along with some explanation.</p>

Trekking through Web Design Tips

The majority of Flash movies end up on Web sites. To help ensure that your Web site is as attractive and useful as possible, consider th...

Read more »

Trekking through Web Design Tips

<h1 style="font-size:20px;margin:0.25rem 0px;padding:0px 0px 0.5rem;border-width:0px 0px 1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:rgb(204,204,204);color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><br></h1> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">The majority of Flash movies end up on Web sites. To help ensure that your Web site is as attractive and useful as possible, consider these pearls of wisdom, some of which apply to all Web sites and others are specific to those sites using Flash movies.</p> <h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Set your goal</h2><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> A general principle of Web design is to know why you have a Web site. Write out one main goal and perhaps one or two secondary goals. For example, the main goal of your site may be to sell used music CDs. A secondary goal may be to provide viewers with music reviews so that they can decide which CDs they want to buy. Avoid putting material on your site that doesn't help you reach your goal.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">How does your Flash movie help you attain your Web site's goal? Perhaps your movie displays the covers of your most widely sold CDs and plays some of the music, giving viewers an instant understanding of your site's purpose. On the other hand, if your Flash movie just displays an animated logo, it may even distract viewers from the important features of your home page.</p> <h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Keep pages clean and clear</h2><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> Unlike television, the Web is an interactive medium. Viewers need to understand the purpose of your site and how to navigate it. Clutter and complex structures are counterproductive. You can use Flash to create a simple, compelling navigational system. But you must be careful when mixing and matching HTML and Flash elements in order to avoid confusion. Let all your buttons look similar — don't create five different shapes and colors of Flash buttons just because you can.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">By default, the Flash HTML file loops your files. Looped short animations tend to look like the animated GIFs we all know and hate . . . and ignore. Avoid looped animation unless you have a good reason for it, especially if it moves across the Web page in a banner. Viewers may assume it's advertising.</p> <h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Don't overwhelm viewers with color</h2><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> Too many colors create a chaotic impression. While your Web site doesn't have to be dull, you don't want it to be overwhelming either. Of course, there's nothing wrong with full-color photographs or graphics, but use a maximum of three colors for the background, text, and navigational aids. Most of your Web content is probably text, which viewers expect to be mostly in one font and one color. Navigational aids, such as buttons and links, should be the same color throughout your site.</p> <h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Use fewer than four fonts</h2><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> To create a Web page design with maximum coherence and impact, you should probably restrict your page design to two or three fonts at most. It makes visual sense to use one font for the body of your text and one font for the headlines. You could perhaps use a third font for a logo or for some other special item, but this may look best if it has some kind of strong visual harmony with the other fonts you are using.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Use four fonts and people may start to think that you're designing a ransom note, not a Web page.</p> <h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Be consistent</h2><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> Each page on your site should have the same logo. Certain links should go on each page (such as a link to your home page) and be in the same place on each page. If you have other links, such as Search, E-mail, and so on, these should also be consistent throughout your site.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Text color, fonts, hyperlinks, backgrounds, buttons, and so on should all be consistent to avoid confusion and error.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">If you're combining HTML and Flash content, use consistent fonts and colors for both.</p> <h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">KISS</h2><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> As you may know, KISS stands for<i>Keep It Simple, Stupid.</i> Sketch out the map of your site and make sure the lines of navigation are short and simple. Don't use long explanations when a short one will do. Don't use lots of images when one will suffice.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Your Flash movies should also be as simple as possible. Animation goes by fast. If too many objects are moving at once, viewers don't know where to focus their attention.</p> <h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Know who's watching and how</h2><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> Many Web site hosts provide you with information on the browsers (including which version) and the resolutions used by your viewers. You may not be able to cater to everything out there, but you should try to create a Web site that the vast majority of people can see.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Many sites that use Flash offer a non-Flash alternative rather than force viewers without the Flash Player to download it. The non-Flash alternative has non-animated graphics in place of the Flash movie.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Remember that viewers on a screen with 640 x 480 resolution can see a lot less than viewers on screens with a higher resolution. Those with lower resolution may miss important parts of your Web page and Flash animation.</p> <h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Support the Flash Player</h2><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> You can choose to publish an HTML file that detects whether the Flash Player is installed on the viewer's computer. If not, it displays an image file. (You need to publish to one of the image formats at the same time for this to work.)</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">The default HTML text doesn't check for the Flash player, but it includes the location to download the player. In some situations, the Flash Player will download automatically when not available or a window will pop up offering the viewer the chance to download it. Many sites include a button that says, <i>Can't see the animation? Download the Flash Player here,</i> or something to that effect. The button links to<a href="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" style="color:rgb(1,69,138)" target="_blank">Macromedia's download center</a>.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Many Web surfers have no idea how Web sites are created and have never heard of Flash. Therefore, giving viewers a choice of Flash and non-Flash sites may not be meaningful. (Of course, if you're a Web site designer and you think potential clients viewing your site may be savvier than most viewers, you may have no problem in this regard.) In most situations, it may be better to use the words <i>animated</i> and <i>non-animated</i>. Of course, feel free to use the word <i>Flash</i> along with some explanation.</p>

Trekking through Web Design Tips

The majority of Flash movies end up on Web sites. To help ensure that your Web site is as attractive and useful as possible, consider th...

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Adding Dirt and Grime to 3D Game Animation

<h1 style="font-size:20px;margin:0.25rem 0px;padding:0px 0px 0.5rem;border-width:0px 0px 1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:rgb(204,204,204);color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><br></h1> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Although most game-animation textures are created externally and wrapped onto objects, most 3D software programs also include a separate set of tools for painting directly on the objects themselves. Using these painting tools, you can add details, such as dirt and grime, to the texture applied to the object after the texture image has already been applied.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">One helpful way to use these paint tools is to add realistic dirt and grime to objects. Adding these layers of dirt to the texture map can be tricky because you're not always sure where the map will match the folds of the skin or the edges and corners of an object where dirt is likely to accumulate. Painting tools are also helpful for defacing nice textures with spray paint to resemble graffiti.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">3D painting tools typically let you select from a selection of brushes that offer different styles. You can also adjust the brushes' size, pressure, and color. In some software, the painting tools work only if the surface has a texture file applied to it.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Follow these steps to use the painting tools:</p><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> 1. Choose the Create --> Polygon Primitives --> Cube menu command.</p><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> A polygon cube is placed in the center of the view.</p><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">2. Select the Lighting/Shading --> Assign New Material --> Lambert menu command to create a new material for the cube object.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">The Lambert2 node in the Attribute Editor is opened with the material properties for the assigned material displayed.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">3. Press the 6 key to enable a Texture view.</p><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> In Texture view, you'll be able to see the brush strokes as you paint.</p><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> 4. Select the Texturing --> 3D Paint Tool menu command to access the painting tool, and then select the Window --> Settings/Preferences --> Tool Settings menu command to open the Tool Settings panel to the right of the view pane.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">All the settings for the 3D Paint Tool are displayed within the Tool Settings panel. Initially, there isn't a surface to paint on, so you'll need to create one.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">You can also switch among the Attribute Editor, the Tool Settings, and the Channel Box using the three buttons located at the top right of the interface beneath the Minimize, Maximize, and Close buttons.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">5. In the File Textures section of the Tool Settings panel, click the Assign/Edit Textures button.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">The Assign/Edit File Textures dialog box appears.</p><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> 6. Set the SizeX and SizeY values to 256 and click the Assign/Edit Textures button.</p><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> This creates a texture that you can paint on top of that is saved with the scene file.</p><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> 7. Set the Brush Scale value to 1.0 and the color to light blue, and drag over the top of the image in the view pane.</p><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> The color is added to the texture image on all the cube faces.</p><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> 8. Select the File --> Save Scene As menu command and save the file as Painting tool.mb.</p><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> The ability to paint directly on an object's surface is very helpful as you add materials to objects.</p>

Adding Dirt and Grime to 3D Game Animation

Although most game-animation textures are created externally and wrapped onto objects, most 3D software programs also include a separate...

Read more »

Adding Dirt and Grime to 3D Game Animation

<h1 style="font-size:20px;margin:0.25rem 0px;padding:0px 0px 0.5rem;border-width:0px 0px 1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:rgb(204,204,204);color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"><br></h1> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Although most game-animation textures are created externally and wrapped onto objects, most 3D software programs also include a separate set of tools for painting directly on the objects themselves. Using these painting tools, you can add details, such as dirt and grime, to the texture applied to the object after the texture image has already been applied.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">One helpful way to use these paint tools is to add realistic dirt and grime to objects. Adding these layers of dirt to the texture map can be tricky because you're not always sure where the map will match the folds of the skin or the edges and corners of an object where dirt is likely to accumulate. Painting tools are also helpful for defacing nice textures with spray paint to resemble graffiti.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">3D painting tools typically let you select from a selection of brushes that offer different styles. You can also adjust the brushes' size, pressure, and color. In some software, the painting tools work only if the surface has a texture file applied to it.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Follow these steps to use the painting tools:</p><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> 1. Choose the Create --> Polygon Primitives --> Cube menu command.</p><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> A polygon cube is placed in the center of the view.</p><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">2. Select the Lighting/Shading --> Assign New Material --> Lambert menu command to create a new material for the cube object.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">The Lambert2 node in the Attribute Editor is opened with the material properties for the assigned material displayed.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">3. Press the 6 key to enable a Texture view.</p><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> In Texture view, you'll be able to see the brush strokes as you paint.</p><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> 4. Select the Texturing --> 3D Paint Tool menu command to access the painting tool, and then select the Window --> Settings/Preferences --> Tool Settings menu command to open the Tool Settings panel to the right of the view pane.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">All the settings for the 3D Paint Tool are displayed within the Tool Settings panel. Initially, there isn't a surface to paint on, so you'll need to create one.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">You can also switch among the Attribute Editor, the Tool Settings, and the Channel Box using the three buttons located at the top right of the interface beneath the Minimize, Maximize, and Close buttons.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">5. In the File Textures section of the Tool Settings panel, click the Assign/Edit Textures button.</p> <p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">The Assign/Edit File Textures dialog box appears.</p><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> 6. Set the SizeX and SizeY values to 256 and click the Assign/Edit Textures button.</p><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> This creates a texture that you can paint on top of that is saved with the scene file.</p><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> 7. Set the Brush Scale value to 1.0 and the color to light blue, and drag over the top of the image in the view pane.</p><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> The color is added to the texture image on all the cube faces.</p><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> 8. Select the File --> Save Scene As menu command and save the file as Painting tool.mb.</p><p style="margin:0.75em 0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:17px;color:rgb(51,51,51);line-height:24px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> The ability to paint directly on an object's surface is very helpful as you add materials to objects.</p>

Adding Dirt and Grime to 3D Game Animation

Although most game-animation textures are created externally and wrapped onto objects, most 3D software programs also include a separate...

Read more »

Becoming Familiar with the QuarkXPress Interface

You may notice that the QuarkXPress interface bears a strong resemblance to the features used by other Windows and Macintosh programs. If you use other programs, you already know how to use QuarkXPress components such as file folders, document icons, and the set of menus at the top of the document window.<br> <br>You create a document by choosing File --> New --> Document or open an existing document by choosing File --> Open --> Document.<br><br>When you display a document in either Windows or Macintosh, you'll see a few visual elements:<br> <br>The ruler origin box lets you reset and reposition the ruler origin, which is the point at which the side and top rulers are 0 (zero).<br><br>The name of the open document appears on the title bar, located below the menu bar on the Mac and above the menu bar in Windows. You can move the document window around in the screen display area by clicking and dragging the title bar.<br> <br>If you have reduced or enlarged a document, clicking the zoom boxon the Mac or the restore box in Windows, at the top right corner of the document window, returns it to its previous size.<br><br>You can make a document all but disappear by minimizing it (in Windows) or turning it into a window shade (on the Mac). To minimize a document, click the minimize box in the document's title bar. To make a document into a window shade, double-click its title bar or click its WindowShade box on the Mac.<br> <br>The vertical and horizontal rulerson the left and top of the window reflect the measurement system currently in use.<br><br>The pasteboard is a work area around the document page. You can temporarily store text boxes, picture boxes, or lines on the pasteboard. Items on the pasteboard do not print.<br> <br>QuarkXPress displays a shadow effect around the document page. The shadow indicates the edges of the document.<br><br>If you select Automatic Text Box in the New dialog box (which you access by selecting New Document from the File menu), a text box appears on the first page of the new document.<br> <br>Clicking and dragging the size box on the Mac resizes the document window as you move the mouse. In Windows, you can drag any side of the window to resize it.<br><br>The View Percent field shows the magnification level of the page that's currently displayed. To change the magnification level, enter a value between 10 and 800 percent in the field; then press the Return key or click elsewhere on the screen. Press Control+V on the Mac or Ctrl+Alt+V in Windows to highlight the View Percent field.<br> <br>Switch pages using the page pop-up.<br><br>Use the scroll bars, boxes, andarrows to shift the document page around within the document window. If you hold down the Option or Alt key while you drag the scroll box, the view of the document is refreshed as it "moves."<br> <br>Close a document by clicking itsclose box.<br><br>Menus<br><br>The menu bar appears across the top of the document window. To display a menu on a Mac, click the menu title and, if you're using an older version of operating software, hold down the mouse button. (In Windows or Mac OS 9 or later, just click the menu title; you don't need to hold down the mouse button.)<br> <br>From the menu, you can select any of the active menu commands. QuarkXPress displays inactive menu commands with dimmed (grayed-out) letters. When commands are dimmed, it means that these commands are not currently available to you — they're inactive.<br> <br>To select one of the active menu commands, hold down the mouse button as you slide through the menu selections. (As you get used to the program, you can avoid using menus by using the keyboard equivalents for menu selections instead. Keyboard equivalents are displayed to the right of the command names in the menu.)<br> <br>If an arrow appears to the right of a menu command, QuarkXPress displays a second, associated menu when you choose that command. Sometimes this secondary menu appears automatically when you highlight the first menu command; other times, you must continue to hold down the mouse and slide it to the submenu name in order to activate the menu. This may sound a little confusing on paper. But go ahead and try it. You'll find it's no big deal. (Again, in Windows or Mac OS 9 or later, you don't need to hold down the mouse button; just click the arrow to make the submenu appear.)<br> <br>Dialog boxes<br><br>Some menu commands are followed by a series of dots called an ellipsis (. . .). If you choose a menu command whose name is followed by an ellipsis, a dialog box appears.<br><br>Some dialog boxes also contain submenus. If a menu has a submenu associated with it, an arrowhead appears to the right of the menu entry. In addition to submenus, QuarkXPress includes several pop-up menus, which appear when you make certain selections in a dialog box.<br> <br>QuarkXPress uses tabs, a semi-new kind of dialog box that merges several dialog boxes into one. In fact, you'll often see six or seven of these tabs — similar to what you see on a file folder in an office cabinet — in a single dialog box. Like the file folders in an office cabinet, these tabs keep a large amount of stuff organized in one tidy spot. Click the tab, and it comes to the forefront, showing you the options for that tab. You simply work with each tab you want within the dialog box.<br> <br>Keyboard shortcuts<br><br>You can select some QuarkXPress functions through pull-down menus, some through palettes, some through keyboard shortcuts, and some through all three options. Most new users begin by using menus because menus are so readily available and familiar. But as you become more comfortable using the program, you may want to save time by using the other options as well, particularly the keyboard shortcuts.

Becoming Familiar with the QuarkXPress Interface

You may notice that the QuarkXPress interface bears a strong resemblance to the features used by other Windows and Macintosh programs. If yo...

Read more »

Becoming Familiar with the QuarkXPress Interface

You may notice that the QuarkXPress interface bears a strong resemblance to the features used by other Windows and Macintosh programs. If you use other programs, you already know how to use QuarkXPress components such as file folders, document icons, and the set of menus at the top of the document window.<br> <br>You create a document by choosing File --> New --> Document or open an existing document by choosing File --> Open --> Document.<br><br>When you display a document in either Windows or Macintosh, you'll see a few visual elements:<br> <br>The ruler origin box lets you reset and reposition the ruler origin, which is the point at which the side and top rulers are 0 (zero).<br><br>The name of the open document appears on the title bar, located below the menu bar on the Mac and above the menu bar in Windows. You can move the document window around in the screen display area by clicking and dragging the title bar.<br> <br>If you have reduced or enlarged a document, clicking the zoom boxon the Mac or the restore box in Windows, at the top right corner of the document window, returns it to its previous size.<br><br>You can make a document all but disappear by minimizing it (in Windows) or turning it into a window shade (on the Mac). To minimize a document, click the minimize box in the document's title bar. To make a document into a window shade, double-click its title bar or click its WindowShade box on the Mac.<br> <br>The vertical and horizontal rulerson the left and top of the window reflect the measurement system currently in use.<br><br>The pasteboard is a work area around the document page. You can temporarily store text boxes, picture boxes, or lines on the pasteboard. Items on the pasteboard do not print.<br> <br>QuarkXPress displays a shadow effect around the document page. The shadow indicates the edges of the document.<br><br>If you select Automatic Text Box in the New dialog box (which you access by selecting New Document from the File menu), a text box appears on the first page of the new document.<br> <br>Clicking and dragging the size box on the Mac resizes the document window as you move the mouse. In Windows, you can drag any side of the window to resize it.<br><br>The View Percent field shows the magnification level of the page that's currently displayed. To change the magnification level, enter a value between 10 and 800 percent in the field; then press the Return key or click elsewhere on the screen. Press Control+V on the Mac or Ctrl+Alt+V in Windows to highlight the View Percent field.<br> <br>Switch pages using the page pop-up.<br><br>Use the scroll bars, boxes, andarrows to shift the document page around within the document window. If you hold down the Option or Alt key while you drag the scroll box, the view of the document is refreshed as it "moves."<br> <br>Close a document by clicking itsclose box.<br><br>Menus<br><br>The menu bar appears across the top of the document window. To display a menu on a Mac, click the menu title and, if you're using an older version of operating software, hold down the mouse button. (In Windows or Mac OS 9 or later, just click the menu title; you don't need to hold down the mouse button.)<br> <br>From the menu, you can select any of the active menu commands. QuarkXPress displays inactive menu commands with dimmed (grayed-out) letters. When commands are dimmed, it means that these commands are not currently available to you — they're inactive.<br> <br>To select one of the active menu commands, hold down the mouse button as you slide through the menu selections. (As you get used to the program, you can avoid using menus by using the keyboard equivalents for menu selections instead. Keyboard equivalents are displayed to the right of the command names in the menu.)<br> <br>If an arrow appears to the right of a menu command, QuarkXPress displays a second, associated menu when you choose that command. Sometimes this secondary menu appears automatically when you highlight the first menu command; other times, you must continue to hold down the mouse and slide it to the submenu name in order to activate the menu. This may sound a little confusing on paper. But go ahead and try it. You'll find it's no big deal. (Again, in Windows or Mac OS 9 or later, you don't need to hold down the mouse button; just click the arrow to make the submenu appear.)<br> <br>Dialog boxes<br><br>Some menu commands are followed by a series of dots called an ellipsis (. . .). If you choose a menu command whose name is followed by an ellipsis, a dialog box appears.<br><br>Some dialog boxes also contain submenus. If a menu has a submenu associated with it, an arrowhead appears to the right of the menu entry. In addition to submenus, QuarkXPress includes several pop-up menus, which appear when you make certain selections in a dialog box.<br> <br>QuarkXPress uses tabs, a semi-new kind of dialog box that merges several dialog boxes into one. In fact, you'll often see six or seven of these tabs — similar to what you see on a file folder in an office cabinet — in a single dialog box. Like the file folders in an office cabinet, these tabs keep a large amount of stuff organized in one tidy spot. Click the tab, and it comes to the forefront, showing you the options for that tab. You simply work with each tab you want within the dialog box.<br> <br>Keyboard shortcuts<br><br>You can select some QuarkXPress functions through pull-down menus, some through palettes, some through keyboard shortcuts, and some through all three options. Most new users begin by using menus because menus are so readily available and familiar. But as you become more comfortable using the program, you may want to save time by using the other options as well, particularly the keyboard shortcuts.

Becoming Familiar with the QuarkXPress Interface

You may notice that the QuarkXPress interface bears a strong resemblance to the features used by other Windows and Macintosh programs. If yo...

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Increasing the Display Quality in Manga Studio

By default, Manga Studio has the page display set at a standard quality. However, if you have a strong enough system (and really, you'd need a pretty weak system for this not to work well), you can increase the display quality a bit so that lines don't look quite as jagged as you rotate a page.<br> <br>On the Page tab of the Preferences dialog box, the first option you see is the Display Quality drop-down list. When you click the list, you see three options (Standard, High, and Maximum). Try each of them out and see how your system likes the adjustments.<br> <br>You don't see any major difference in quality when the page is in its normal (zero-degree) position. The only time you see any difference is when you use the Rotate tool to turn the page as you work. The differences are slight, but you might find it more comfortable to work at High or Maximum quality than at Standard.

Increasing the Display Quality in Manga Studio

By default, Manga Studio has the page display set at a standard quality. However, if you have a strong enough system (and really, you'd ...

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