Software News Daily » graphics software

Last week to save big on AutoCAD LT 2012!

Kyle — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:50:25 +0000

Attention CADers! Your window of opportunity to get incredible savings on AutoCAD LT 2012 is swiftly closing. This is the final week to get $300 off of the already insanely low price at SoftwareMedia.com. All you have to do is buy AutoCAD LT 2012 before the end of the week, and you will be eligible for a hefty manufacturer’s rebate.

Again, this is the final week of the promotion, so head on over to SoftwareMedia.com and grab your copy, today!

Acrobat Standard vs Professional

Kyle — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 16:43:51 +0000

Standard? Professional? Super-ultra-mega-awesome edition?

Software applications often come in multiple editions, and it can be difficult to determine which version is right for you. Standard editions might be cheaper, but don’t always offer all of the necessary tools and utilities you need to get the job done right. Adobe Acrobat X is certainly one of those programs.

Acrobat is available in several different editions, each of which offer a different level of utility, from simple viewing and sharing of pdf files with Reader, all the way up to the full-service Acrobat X Suite, which includes numerous software programs (including Photoshop) that enable the widest range of PDF editing and creation capability.

Many people have difficulty in deciding which edition best meets their needs. Have no fear, this Acrobat Standard vs Professional buying guide is just the ticket to help you decide which edition is best for you.

AutoCAD 2012 LT New Features

Kyle — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:35:42 +0000

In March, Autodesk released its 2012 product line, including AutoCAD 2012 LT. We understand that some people are hesitant to immediately upgrade to a new version of a software product before they really get a chance to see some of the new features, improvements and upgrades that have been made to the program. So, we have put together a little video overview of some of the cool new features in AutoCAD 2012 LT. We think you’ll be as amazed about the advancements made to this version as we were!

Right now, you can buy AutoCAD LT 2012 at mega-low prices and qualify for a $300 mail in rebate!

For all of the latest software tutorials, free software guides, licensing overviews and product tours, check out our YouTube page! Our subscribers have access to all of our news and videos, plus exclusive promo codes, discounts and free software giveaways!

Final Cut Pro X Released to Negative Reviews

Kyle — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 21:21:43 +0000

Yesterday, Apple launched the newest incarnation of it’s professional Non-Linear Editing System, Final Cut Pro X. The long awaited release came amid a throng of negative reviews among app store reviewers and professional video editors. According to the angry mobs, Final Cut Pro X has been over-simplified to appeal to more casual, home-video editors despite its past, mainly professional user-base.

Final Cut Pro X is currently the #1 most downloaded app on the Mac App Store, and -ironically- also one of the lowest-rated. In an interesting move by Apple, the price for the newest version of Final Cut Pro has been drastically reduced to $300, in order to appeal to more casual home-users. This price drop -which would seem a good move on the surface- has apparently been made possible by sacrificing professional utility.

One of the most common complaints among FCP users regards the “dumbing-down” of the interface to make the program more accessible to amateurs, which alienates many professional editors who require the more difficult, advanced controls necessary for pro-quality editing. Final Cut Pro X is not backward compatible, making any of your Final Cut Pro 7 projects virtually useless – only iMovie events can be imported (what?!).

Here are some excerpts of Final Cut Pro X customer reviews:

“I run my my business on FCP and my first impression of the new app is that it is horrible. This is an enhanced version of iMovie. It DOES NOT open your existing FCP files.”
“I get the impression that folks at Apple that design software don’t actually run a production environment, and don’t understand our needs at all. Finally, this dot-zero release is extremely buggy, and abnormally ended (blew up) within 20 minutes of working on a project.”
“I love the idea of 64bit editing and all of the other features, but the basics for pros are gone. Here’s what’s missing:

We here at Software News Daily like to think of ourselves as optimists, and while many FCP users are disheartened at Apple’s new release, there are quite a few improvements and promising new features present in the software. For example:

64-bit support, allowing users to utilize the power of 64-bit systems(though Apple seems to be trying to catch-up to Premiere Pro and Avid)
Utilizing the graphics processing unit to allow faster renders, exports and more powerful effects processing.
Rendering effects in the background as you work, which is a considerable time-saver, as any video editor knows.
Resolution independence, allowing for increased flexibility in video formats, from SD to 4k.
ColorSync managed color pipeline, allowing for greater color consistency between FCP, Motion, Compressor and Quicktime.
Shared render engine, which provides for more consistent render quality between FCP, Motion and Compressor.

Despite the overwhelmingly negative reaction that Final Cut Pro X has received, it is important to keep in mind that the software is in its point-zero stage, and many users hold out hope that the features and precision controls required for professional editing will be re-implemented, and that the bugs and crashes will be addressed.

There are a number of powerful, professional quality non-linear editing systems available on the market today, and choosing the best one can often be difficult. Check out our Professional Video Editing Software Guide at SoftwareMedia.com!

Buy Enfocus Instant PDF 09 For Less!

Kyle — Sat, 14 May 2011 13:00:47 +0000

Adobe created the PDF file format back in 1993. Since then, many companies have produced their own PDF creation software. One of the less well-known PDF creators, and one that promises to give Adobe and Quark a run for their money, is Enfocus Instant PDF 09. For print professionals, Instant PDF 09 has the tools needed to get the job done quickly and efficiently.

No other PDF creator, editor or converter that I have come across has ever made the creation of press-ready PDF files so simple and painless. Instant PDF 09 controls and streamlines the entire PDF creation process, automatically correcting most common errors and giving users instantaneous visual feedback. That means even novice designers will have an easy time creating stunning, ready-to-print PDF files. Say goodbye to PDF queue headaches with the Instant PDF default database, which automates all of the settings needed to create high quality prints. Compatibility with design industry standards as InDesign, QuarkXpress and Illustrator These incredible design capabilities, adds to Instant PDF 09′s ease-of-use.

You can find Enfocus Instant PDF 09, along with other great deals on software, at SoftwareMedia.

QuarkXpress 9 Released!

Kyle — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 18:35:54 +0000

QuarkXpress 9 is now available! For those unfamiliar with the greatness that is QuarkXpress 9, it’s a cutting-edge layout and design program that allows users to create print and digital publications in multiple formats. With its incredible ease of use, powerful design tools and 25-year track record of all-around awesomeness (that’s a technical term in the software industry) it is no surprise that QuarkXpress is an industry standard, rivaling -and dare I say surpassing- Adobe InDesign. Designers in the industry already respected this program (and with just cause). Version 9 promises to deliver even more design capabilities and expand its enormous user-base.

So, what makes QuarkXpress 9 so great?

Design for the Blio eReader

With the Blio eReader being one of the most widely used ebook readers, it is no surprise that QuarkXpress has been enhanced with support for the rapidly growing format. QuarkXpress 9 allows you to create rich, interactive ebooks and then quickly and easily publish them for global distribution in the worldwide ebook market. Easily add video, slideshows, HTML and even web content to your ebooks. Did we mention that you can create ebooks for any device: smartphone, tablets, computers and the like?

Export to ePub

Remember all of those short stories you’ve written but never had the chance to publish, or that novel that you’ve been working on since grad school? You can now use QuarkXPress 9 to convert your QuarkXpress layouts into ebooks for other popular reading devices like iPad, Sony Reader, Nook or Kindle, and then publish them online to immortalize your words in the hearts and minds of millions!

QuarkXpress App Studio.

The market is exploding with smartphones and tablets galore and with many software companies scrambling to catch up to this booming technology trend, Quark is at the head of the game. The App Studio allows you to easily and efficiently create your own iPhone apps using all of the powerful design capabilities of QuarkXPress and then upload them via the online App Studio portal to manage and publish all the cool apps that you have created.

Loads of Other Features and Enhancements

Support for mobile devices and ebook publishing are not the only benefits of upgrading. QuarkXpress 9 is jam-packed with tons of new features and enhancements to make digital layout and design easier and more effective. Among those improvements (of which there are far too many to name in a single article) are the enhancements in creative styling, bullets and numbering, callouts and workflows. New and improved features like the ShapeMaker, Story Editor, ImageGrid, Linkster and Cloner all contribute to the complete, exceptional design software that makes QuarkXpress 9 an industry standard in digital publication, and a must-have software product for any designer.

Buy QuarkXpress 9 and harness the amazing design power that publishers have trusted for over 25 years; alternatively, if you already own version 7 or 8 you can Upgrade to QuarkXpress 9 and save even more!

Adobe Premiere Pro Tutorial – Learn How to Chroma Key

Kyle — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 21:41:52 +0000

Chroma keying (using a green screen to superimpose an actor onto a background) is one of the most often used and -at one time- difficult digital effects to execute well. Achieving a professional-quality key used to require countless hours of tedious, detail-intensive work. Now, Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 has an awesome tool called the Ultra Keyer which makes chroma keying easier and faster than ever. In fact, it sort of makes me wish that I didn’t spend $60,000 for 4 years of film school and just shelled out a few hundred bucks for Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 and a video tutorial program like Total Training for Premiere Pro. At any rate, I have put together an Adobe Premiere Pro tutorial video to help you learn how to chroma key, and begin your journey on the path to becoming a special effects Jedi… er editor.

Whether you think the old-school Muppets still look better than Jar-Jar, digital effects and computer generated imaging have become a staple in the modern film industry and the fact remains that computer imaging and effects are here to stay. However, despite the sad reality of the decline of Hensonesque animatronics and puppetry (Disney Corp. actually bought out the Jim Henson Creature Shop), there still exists a rich and interesting world of cinematic opportunity to explore, and digital effects are not nearly as difficult as many would have you believe.

Adobe Sets CS5 Launch Date Set for April 12th!

Lansia — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 23:22:45 +0000

Michael and Kevin hit me with a few links today that mention Adobe‘s April 12th launch of Creative Suite 5. I’ll admit, I’m stoked (my wallet may not be, but I am)!! I’m even more stoked after seeing sneak peek for the Content-Aware Fill tool in Photoshop CS5 — keep reading to see what I’m talking about…

It’s all been very exciting here at SoftwareMedia.com — some of us looking at it as a great marketing opportunity and others of us just projecting our Adobe Creative Suite nerd-self. However, before you start checking your bank statements to make sure you’ve got the cash to shell out for this new edition, CS5.org reminds us…

Before you get too excited, let’s get one thing straight: This is the unveiling, or basically an introduction to the public. Adobe is going so far as to call it a “launch” day but you will not be able to buy the software that day. Adobe has not announced a release day yet, but October 2010 makes sense to me (just a guess).

Never fear. Even before the April 12th launch, Adobe has an incredible… jaw-dropping… eye-popping… mind-blowing… earth-shattering…. uh okay, it’s just insane MAGIC before your eyes. Check out this video demonstration of the Content-Aware Fill tool in the soon-to-come Photoshop CS5:

What did I tell you? MAGIC! Make sure to head over to the launch site so you can join the launch event with Adobe in April.

New Product Release: CorelDRAW Graphics Suite X5

Lansia — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:16:36 +0000

Today, March 23, marks the release for CorelDRAW‘s new, updated Graphics Suite! Not familiar with CorelDRAW Graphics Suite? It’s the all-in-one solution for illustration, layout, tracing, photo editing, Web graphics and animation — it’s a comprehensive package, I don’t think I missed anything… What’s even better? It’s been designed for professional and aspiring designers alike. It’s got a quick, intuitive workflow, accurate color control and powerful design tools to help you turn creative ideas into professional results. Do more than you thought possible…

Version X5 newly packs in…

a built-in content organizer — speed up your workflow with Corel CONNECT, which instantly finds graphics, templates, fonts and images on your computer
blank document/image presets — choose from a range of preset destinations, document sizes and color settings with the Create New Document/Image dialogue
a locked toolbars option — prevent toolbars from moving by locking them in position, unlock and reposition them on your screen at anytime
Windows 7 Touch support and Windows 7 compatibility — work in the latest Windows environment with support for touch-screen navigation
curve tools — create smoother curves, using fewer nodes than before, with the new B-Spline tool
ability to coordinate drawing — precisely specify both the size of a new object and its location on the page with the live preview of the Object Coordinates docker
Flash animation tools — create stunning, interactive Adobe Flash animations, banners and mor with SWiSH miniMax 2, integrated into CorelDRAW Graphics Suite
photo effects — spice up your photos with Vibrance, Grayscale and Photo Filter effects
color management — set application color policies to achieve the most accurate representation
PANTONE spot color profiles — get support for the latest spot color profiles, plus new palettes from PANTONE
document color palettes — automatically generate a custom color palette on the fly for each design project, gain quick access to colors in the future
on-screen color proof — reliably preview how your artwork and colors will appear on different output devices or in other applications where you need to post artwork
multi-core support — complete tasks faster with powerful performance enhancements that leverage multi-core processing to maximize your computer’s power
Microsoft Visual Studio Tools for Applications — create dynamic add-ins with Microsoft VSTA technology, which gives you more automation flexibility
guidebook and insights from experts — do more than you thought possible with a visually rich guidebook that introduces each application workspace and provides insights from CorelDRAW experts

DRAW Graphics Suite X5 (Graphics/Designing - Complete Product - Standard - 1 User - Retail - PC - English)

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QuarkXPress 8 Magic Promo: $750 in Free Flash Resources!

Lansia — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:58:17 +0000

Did you know QuarkXpress 8 has the best built-in Web and Flash authoring capabilities of any professional page layout tool? Utilize the capabilities of QuarkXpress beyond print design. Step up your existing QuarkXPress skills to design for the web and bring your creations to full interactive glory – without having to learn Flash or coding.

Buy or upgrade to QuarkXPress 8 today to access $750 worth of exclusive Flash resources for FREE:

hundreds of exclusive, fully editable QuarkXPress 8 Flash assets
web templates, animations and video players
Flash tutorials, eSeminars and educational resources

After you have registered your product, access your free resources at Quark.com/Magic with a provided password.