Archive for August, 2007

Quick Tip: Beveled Text without Filters or Effects

August 20, 2007 | Posted in Illustrator | 20 Comments »

Every once in a while we might find ourselves needing to get that “inset” or “beveled” look for text, probably more often for buttons and web design, than anything else. But whatever reason you might need or want inset text, here’s a quick tip to get that effect without using a filter, effect, layer style or appearance. Why? By not using filters, your file is more solid and reliable, you can open it in previous versions of the same software with less headache, and if you send vector files to print it will give you less errors by only using paths instead of filters/effects. I will be using Illustrator in the example, but this technique can be applied to just about any software you use to set your typography.

Quick Tip: Beveled Text without Filters or Effects
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Random Free Vectors - Part 7: Flowers

August 15, 2007 | Posted in Freebies | 48 Comments »

Time for another free vector pack folks. These vector flowers are available in AI, EPS, and SVG for your designing pleasure. I never get to use shapes like these, but I like making them, so hopefully some of you can put them to good use.

Random Free Vectors - Part 7: Flowers
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Improve Your Illustrator Workflow with Layer Masking

August 8, 2007 | Posted in Illustrator | 60 Comments »

You may or may or may not know/use this Illustrator feature, but Layer Masking is a very under-used feature of the Adobe Illustrator series of software. I’m not talking about making a clipping mask. This is entirely different altogether. By making a “layer mask,” you can save precious time by not having to release and reapply clipping masks, and even better - there’s a toggle button in the Layers Palette! Tutorial below.

Save time in Illustrator with Layer Masking
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Geek Freebie: iPhone-Inspired Photoshop Buttons

August 6, 2007 | Posted in Freebies | 20 Comments »

You read the title right. I totally dweebed out on you and made a set of Photoshop buttons inspired by the elegant iPhone interface. These buttons aren’t meant to be exact copies of the iPhone interface, but some of the translucent menus were a big inspiration. Available in PS CS3, CS1, and PNG. Hope you like em.

Geek Freebie: iPhone-Inspired Photoshop Buttons
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