Pixel Time at CityArts

Photoshop vs. Elements

Skyler — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:59:14 +0000

Here’s a question I get often: What’s the difference between Photoshop and Photoshop Elements?
Photoshop lets you work in CMYK, RGB and indexed color modes, Elements only does RGB and Indexed color. CMYK lets you make color separations, which are important for color print publishing, but not of concern for on-screen imagery, ink-jet printing or photo processing printing.
Elements doesn’t have all the Web design features, such as rollover creation.
Photoshop lets you create Actions to speed up production, Elements doesn’t.
Elements is really two programs in one–the Editor for Photoshop tools and the Organizer to organize and tag your photos (like iPhoto only more powerful).
Elements also includes many creative tools geared for digital scrapbooking and has beautiful templates for sharing photos (interactive slideshows published directly to photoshop.com). See http://graphicssoft.about.com/cs/photoshop/f/elementscompare.htm for more detailed comparison info.
FWIW, here’s what I say: Every one of these tools costs $ PLUS a large amount of time to learn. Unless you are preparing images for color print publishing, cut down your expenses and start with Elements.

Pixel Time: Quite Possibly the World’s Perfect Gift

Skyler — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 21:25:20 +0000

OK, I’ll admit we’re biased! But sometimes the gift of Pixel Time experience can be the perfect fit.

We offer Pixel Time gift certificates: You choose the amount, and the lucky recipient can apply the gift to any Pixel Time class. Buy a gift certificate here.

You can also choose a specific class, which is fun if you want to buy a class for a friend and attend together. You just sign up online in the usual way, and on the registration form let us know the class is a gift.

Whatever gifts you choose this season, we wish you the very best of holiday fun and many joys in the new year!

Pixel Time Gift Guide: Tablet edition

Skyler — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:30:35 +0000

Second in the 2011 Holiday Guide to All Things Pixely: the Tablet category.

This one’s easy: Tablet = Wacom. The Bamboo line is perfect for photo enthusiasts, digital scrapbookers, and novice designers and artists. Three models range from $64 – $189.

The Bamboo Connect is a small pen-only tablet intended for home and office use for quick sketching, document markup, doodling, and so on.

The Bamboo Capture is a small tablet with both pen and multi-touch input, intended for digital photo enthusiasts and beginner designers.

The Bamboo Create is a larger tablet with both pen and multi-touch input for users looking for a larger work area

Click here for a chart that compares the 3 models.

Connect

Capture

Create

The perfect companion for anyone lucky enough to have a Wacom tablet? A Pixel Time Digital Pen class. Participants in Drawing with Your Digital Pen learn tablet techniques while completing four step-by-step projects. Save by signing up early–purchase a class on our Digital Pen registration page, or use our Gift Certificate page. $66 – 132.

Pixel Time Gift Guide: iPad edition

Skyler — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 02:35:33 +0000

First up in the 2011 Holiday Guide to All Things Pixely: the iPad category.
Happily, we’ve got every budget covered, from $2 to $2000.

Best Gift Ever: The iPad2.

When you give an iPad, you’re giving a digital camera, a video camera, an e-reader for an entire library of books, as well as access to amazing apps in his/her subject area. That price tag doesn’t look so steep when you look at everything they’re getting! iPads on Amazon: $500 – $2000

iPad Basics class!

Already have an iPad?
A Pixel Time class makes a great gift! If your giftee already has an iPad, Pixel Time’s iPad Basics class is the perfect companion! They’ll think of you everytime they use their iPad, we promise. Save by signing up early–purchase on our iPad Basics registration page, or use our Gift Certificate page. $38 – 46.

The perfect accessory for the iPad artist…
Anyone who draws and writes on their iPad will love this Wacom Bamboo Stylus. Sure, it’s pricier than some other styluses (styli?) you could get, but it’s worth it! This stylus is perfectly balanced in your hand, and has a smaller bezel for smooth writing and graceful sketching. $26.

iPad apps: gifts that fit any budget
With over 140,000 apps available, you can find the perfect app for every personality.

Apple makes it easy to send someone an app as a gift. From your own iPad or iPhone, go to the app you want and open the information and preview page. You’ll see a link that says, “Gift This App” at the top right on iPad and the very bottom of the page on iPhone and iPod touch. Follow the prompts to buy and send it.

If you don’t own an iOS device yourself, you can still purchase apps for others through iTunes. Just find the app you want in the iTunes Store. Click the drop down arrow next to “Buy App” beneath the app’s image at the top left, and select “Gift this App.

My favorite app to give is Digits — we all need to work with numbers sometimes, and I love the big buttons on this calculator. It also displays a uniquely correctable tape–I never have to worry whether I’ve entered a number correctly. I can even label each entry and total, and print and email the calculations. Digits Calculator $1.99.

new! Digital pen class

Skyler — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:27:07 +0000

Digital Pen (Wacom tablet)
Ever try to draw with your computer mouse? The preferred drawing tool for digital artists and scrapbookers is the tablet and stylus—which offers much better control!

Learn how to use a digital drawing tablet with Pixel Time’s newest classes:

Drawing with Your Digital Pen
In this class, you’ll learn incredible tablet techniques as you complete four step-by-step, projects. Learn more …

Digital Pen Projects
More creative fun with your Wacom tablet Every lesson we’ll create a fun project that explores your tablet’s capabilities and sparks your creative genius. We’ll be drawing with the pen tool, making selections, tracing and working on our brushwork and typography. Learn more …

If you already own a Bamboo Connect, Bamboo Capture, Bamboo Craft, or other Wacom tablet, you’re ready to start on this creative journey at Pixel Time. A digital tablet is a great tool to have!

iMovie Everywhere

Skyler — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:06:56 +0000

Edit movies on your iPhone? Sure, with the iMovie app!
We’ll be using iMovie on the iMacs at Pixel Time to have more fun with family photos and movie clips with iMovie. You can learn how to edit your movies with these two Pixel Time classes: iMovie Basics and Family Moviemaking.

iMovie Basics
With iMovie, you can combine photos and video clips, add titles, transitions, music and special effects to make your own movie. In this class, we’ll show you how, and you’ll get hands-on practice building a movie from clips and photos we provide. Learn more…
Family Moviemaking with iMovie
In this fun class, you’ll build your own movie from your family photos and your camcorder clips. You’ll learn about the language of film and how your movie can speak it. We’ll be using iMovie to bring it all together. Learn more…

Work Smart with WordPress

Skyler — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 04:21:05 +0000

Building and running your Web site doesn’t have to be a chore. If you want to “work smarter, not harder,” there’s no simpler, cheaper, or more powerful way to build and manage a Web site than WordPress. And Pixel Time’s WordPress classes are the smart start to building your best site.
We offer five WordPress classes~take your pick, or pick the whole series for a bargain price.

An Intro to WordPress (for Novices)
If you’ve never set up a website before, take this class first. More info…

Setting up your own Site in WordPress
If you already have a website (set up by yourself or someone else), and are ready to take control, start with this class. More info…

Marketing your WordPress Website
Learn how to publicize and socialize your website. More info…

Selling from your WordPress Site
An overview of advanced options for commerce on your site. More info…

SEO for your WordPress Site
Search Engine Optimization is how you make sure people find YOUR site when they search Google, Yahoo, and other search engines. More info…

Optimize your WordPress Site for iPhone/iPad/Android
Make sure your customers get the most from your site when they use their smart phones and tablets. More info…

new! Pixels & Ink

Skyler — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 03:47:21 +0000

Our newest classes explore the creative option available when you combine digital media, Copic markers, and collage techniques. This series of classes honors the adventurous spirit who won’t be limited by only one medium!

Up and Running with Photoshop Elements
An intro to digital arts for digital artists and scrapbookers
Get started with Photoshop Elements, Adobe’s lower-cost but highly capable software for manipulating photos and creating art. This two-lesson intro shows you the basics and minimizes the technical jargon. Click for more info…

Intro to Copic Markers
Copics are the markers created for creative people. Find out what’s so great about them and why are they’re so popular. Your instructor, a Copic Certified Designer, will present demos of the creative techniques possible with these art markers. Click for more info…

Pixels & Ink workshop
This ongoing class explores the creative options available when you combine digital media, Copic markers, and collage techniques. Click for more info…

iPhoto class in November…

Skyler — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 21:35:07 +0000

New for 2012

Skyler — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:17:29 +0000

I’ve been busy working on big things in January for Pixel Time at CityArts (and for some Top-Secret other Big Doin’s at CityArts!) I know you like to peek, so just go to this page for a preview of what’s coming for 2012.