Policies and Hours | Printing | Mac Lab User Tips | Applications Available For Use
Popular Graphics Software
Available in the Visual Arts Mac Lab
Take your time. These are complex programs that get easier with consistent use. Learning the quick keys within each program will speed up your work flow. The help menu in each application is a convenient resource for learning certain tasks. The tv.adobe.com web site contains free video training for many of their products.
The Adobe Creative Suite has cross-platform capabilities. The programs work on both PC and Mac systems. The major difference can be found when using quick keys. On Macs, most quick keys involve the 
"command" key. On the PC they use the CTRL key. If you have problems opening files, try opening the program first, then open the file manually.
Adobe Photoshop CS2 and 
CS3
Adobe Photoshop is the "industry standard" in photo manipulation. Contrast, brightness/darkness, and color saturation settings can be manipulated as with many programs that come with today's digital cameras and scanners. In addition, one can layer images with levels of transparency to create a variety of effects. Several images can be pieced together and cropped. Scratches and dust can be eliminated from scans of old photos using the clone tool and other painting tools in conjunction with special filtering functions.
- Photoshop can open most types of image files, including vector graphics and PDF files. These files are converted to pixel-images as they are imported. Photoshop can also save image files to any pixel-oriented image format needed—including those for the web.
- Under the File tab, “Browse” launches the Adobe Bridge application with allows one to look at a collection of images at one time. You can also select certain files/images and make a contact sheet, a PDF Presentation, a web gallery, a panoramic photo from several photos, or many other options. These options are displayed under the "Tools" menu.
- Under the “Filter” tab, there is a filter library that shows what every filter in Photoshop does. It will take your existing file and show the action before it is applied to the file.
- Read the section on scanning and resolution for important information about printing and screen performance.
Adobe Illustrator CS2 and 
CS3
This vector illustration program combines many powerful creative tools, including warp effects; liquefy controls; arc, grid, and shape tools; editable drop shadows, glows, and other effects; and editable compound shapes. It is best used for creating logos, maps, and other illustrations that need to be scaleable and editable without any loss of resolution quality.
- The most important tool to learn in Illustrator is the pen tool. Use the Help menu to find easy-to-follow tutorials on how to use the pen tool and other tools used to create shapes with smooth strokes.
- To create complex illustrations that may incorporate the representation of natural or animated objects, it is best to scan-in and trace hand-sketched drawings and trace them using the pen tool or other drawing tools within Illustrator.
- If trying to quickly "vectorize" a hand-created drawing, play with the settings of the "auto-trace tool.
- If you need to save your files down to an older version, 9, 8. 7...etc.
File » Export » Illustrator Legacy .ai or .eps
Adobe InDesign CS2 and 
CS3
This page layout program combines drawing elements of Adobe Illustrator with extensive copy-editing capability. Elements such as photographs and vector illustrations are easy to manoever once placed into the design. It is best used for multiple-page publications as well as brochure and poster designs that incorporate a large amount of text.
- All palettes are located under the WINDOW tab.
- To place a graphic: File » Place OR D
- To see the how an image will actually print: View » Display Performance » High Quality (this option will slow down your computer.)
- Links Palette shows all the images used in the document. Updates, re-linking, and editing can be done here.
- Special Effects like drop shadows, corner effects and graphic options can be found under the Object tab.
- Spellcheck: Edit » Check Spelling
Adobe Acrobat Professional 8
Adobe Acrobat Professional is a very useful program for sharing information with consistency in visual presentation. The "Pro" version allows one to:
- Combine PDFs and images into one file
- Create interactive links to the web and other documents
- Create forms into which data can be input and saved
- Optimize large multiple-page documents into small file sizes for sharing over Email or on the Web with minimal loss in presentation quality
- Send documents for high-quality printing without the need to send linked image files and fonts
Making a PDF
- In Microsoft Word: File » Print » choose Adobe PDF in the printer window
- In Photoshop/Illustrator/InDesign: File » Save As...» Adobe PDF
- Adobe Preset Options that you will use are "smallest file size," which creates files with images at 72 dpi (best for web-only viewing) or "high-quality print," which creates files with images at 300 dpi (for composite mock-up prints). The "PDF/x-1a" and other settings are for PDFs that are ready for sending to a commercial printer for digital offset printing.
Adobe Bridge CS3
Adobe Bridge is very helpful for browsing images on your hard drive or USB device. You can use it to easily add metadata to your images, making it easy to sort through images by kewords or other descriptions. Bridge also provides centralized access to project files, other Adobe applications, and settings to allow users to automatically create contact sheets, web galleries, and PDF presentations.
Adobe Dreamweaver
Dreamweaver is for web layout and design. The CS3 version, the first offered under Adobe, offers automatic coding of "Spry" javascript for sophisticated functions to deliver efficient and visually impactful web design.
Adobe Contribute
Contribute allows non-web designers to make changes and updates to existing websites without a need for knowledge of HTML and other web coding. This software works great for collaborative groups where at least one member can develop a web site using traditional tools like Dreamweaver. Other members of the group can make changes and updates in a browser-like interface. The site's remote login information is required.
Adobe Fireworks
Fireworks is for web image processing and design, designed to work seamlessly with Dreamweaver.
Adobe Flash
Flash is for interactive animation, web layout, and design.
Corel Painter
Painter has tools to create realistic effects of traditional media in two-dimensional artwork. This program precipitates very effective use of the Wacom Stylus Tablets available for use in the Mac Labs.
Google SketchUp
Google SketchUp intuitively enables the creation of 3D models, and it can be used to visualize ideas for 3D design and sculpture projects, product designs, as well as architectural structures.
iPhoto
Apple's photo organizer and photo editor provides quick and easy web gallery creation. It will also allow you to easily create calendars, slide shows, and photo books.
iWeb
Apple's web design program makes it easy to create beautiful image-rich web pages and blogs without any knowledge of html code. It works well with iPhoto and allows you to drag-and-drop image content into a variety of template themes.
Garage Band
Garage Band is an audio editing and midi synchronizing tool for original sound, music, and even soundtracks for your own movies and slide shows.
iMovie 
iDVD
Apple's basic and intuitive video editor, iMovie, has surprising capability to create professional-looking polished video. Just plug-in your firewire-capable video camera. Use iPhoto and Garage band with it to create custom animated slide-shows with sound.
With iDVD users can
easily burn DVDs of your videos and custom slide shows with menu themes that mimic that of Hollywood productions.
iTunes 
Photo Booth
Use iTunes to organize and play your music, RSS feeds, and videos.
Photo Booth allows users to take advantage of the built-in camera of the Intel iMacs of VA224.
Final Cut Express 
Live Type 
Soundtrack
Final Cut Express is a professional tool for video editing.
Live Type is a movie titling application for use with Final Cut Express.
Soundtrack is an audio editing application for use with Final Cut Express.
MS Word 
MS Excel 
MS PowerPoint
Word, Excel, and PowerPoint art of the Microsoft Office Suite for Mac. These software versions are slightly different from the versions available on PC.