Short guide on Color mode selection

 

You might have across the RGB, CMYK mode and wondered what these are used for. I did not have any knowledge regarding these until one of the posters I designed was sent back citing the mode was wrong. And thus I decided to learn the valuable lesson about various modes of designing in Photoshop. Making it as simple as possible and condensing everything into a few lines, here is how you use it. (You can select the mode in the menu from Image>Mode).

RGB

Red, Green, Blue mode is used primarily for digital photos and those designated for computer screens like webpage graphics. Inkjet printers also use the same.

CMYK

So this is the one to select if you are doing the work for print purpose. All offset printing use this mode and so is for high-end inkjet printers.

Grayscale

This is the usual Black and white which can be used for both purposes mentioned above- printing and web-based images.

Indexed Color

This mode limits your color selection to 256 or a Color table. This is used for web-based images where the size of the image needs to be limited by saving it as GIF or PNG8 especially in case of buttons and banners.

Lab Color

Lab mode is used only when you need to use some filters like Sharpen filters (which will of course be prompted). We have to change the mode back to RGB or CMYK before saving the work.

Duotone

Meaning two color tones used throughout your image, it is used solely for commercial printing purposes, but not on inkjets.

Bitmap

Bitmap is simply Black and white and the difference is there are no gray tones in between as in grayscale. You can use it anywhere, but the image always looks so.

Multichannel

It is similar to duotone where premixed colors are used. It is used for commercial printing purposes and mainly for logo designing. 

But always remember that changing from one color mode to another reduces the quality of your image and hence need to be done beforehand. Moreover, converting back to your original mode does not retain the original quality.

Excellent Signatures and tutorial for creating them

Graphics on a smaller scale is graphic signatures. Hence it can be attempted by beginners as well as experts in the fields. How about giving a list of the signatures that I found wonderful from among the millions. And if you want to learn more about them, follow the links or this forum: Layeredgfx

Abstract Signature
Learn how to create a detailed signature using several filters and effects.


Abstract Walkthrough

20 Awesome Text Effect with PSD and Tutorials

Always thought about modifying your logo, banner or poster. Here are a few simple steps by which you can change the just simple looks. Those creative artists have done everything for you, you just need to follow suit as per the instructions provided. Take up the challenge and it will never leave your time unworthy. I have read most of my basic Photoshop and Flash lessons just by redoing those instruction may be a number of times till everything works out. Click the links and go to the websites.

1. Rusty Text

Rusty Text Text Effect tutorial

2. Bloody vein text

Bloody vein Text Effect Tutorial

7 Step Transparency Effect Poster Design Tutorial

I would love to share one of my recent creations with you. It was a poster for the release of a magazine in our college. Though not so perfect in any sense, it was a work which took just several minutes from a day. And I believe it is not that bad either.

So I had earlier decided that my next poster or brochure would be something based on the transparency effect. The inspiration behind this was the simple picture shown below, just the difference in its tones. It was much more beautiful than what I had done (but I had to move on with a theme background for the magazine).

6 Steps to Place a Picture in a Blog Post

When you have created the blog of your choice and written down the articles, the next thing that worries you would be the image in the post. Images pose an important means of attraction towards your blog post and hence should be given more importance than your post itself. Copying it from the source of your article is unworthy, when you can provide a new idea of your own.

1. Try working your creativity and make some humor out of it. Finding the idea would be more difficult than finding the right image. You have tons of these suiting any of your search criteria readymade for any situation. These custom made images can add a unique feeling to your blog and even the individuality you needed.

Stunning Rainbow Effect to Photos: Photoshop tutorials

Wouldn't you like to add an awesome rainbow to your photos. A simple but effective tutorial would guide you through all the steps. Its easier than ever before.

This photoshop tutorial would be more effective if you try on the sample image they had provided. And later you can try on your own. Get on...

This tutorial is from Photoshop Essentials

Type over a smooth glass Tutorial

A great type mode which I came across the net is here. Creating a smooth glass type is too simple than you had imagined. Downloading the psd file and modifying the typed font is enough for you to create this stunning
Here's a quick way to create some nice looking translucent glass type that'll work great on any background, made completely with layer styles.