Photoshop's Modular UI

Now that you've seen some useful Photoshop panels, it's time to see how they snap together. Over the years Adobe has done a great job allowing the user to ta...

Now that you’ve seen some useful Photoshop panels, it’s time to see how they snap together.  Over the years Adobe has done a great job allowing the user to tailor their workspace, and one of my favorite aspects is the modular snapping system.  Whether you want to use tabbed panels, full-height columns, split vertical layouts… it’s all simple and clean.  In this video I’ll show how to use the tools, and you’ll be up and running in no time!   Afterwards, I encourage you to pick an aspect of your workflow that could benefit from unique tools - and design your very own workspace.  I’ll be doing the exact same thing between now and next video, so stay tuned to see how mine turned out!

Plugins and Extensions

Plugins and software mentioned in this video:

Brutus Symmetry

Renamy 4

Strokes Plus (windows only - not limited to PS)

Lazy Nezumi Pro (windows only - not limited to PS)

An often overlooked way to improve Photoshop is 3rd party plugins.  If you’re unaware, this is an entire marketplace of software that adds special functionality to Photoshop - generally aimed at niche workflows.  Sadly, much of this marketplace caters to graphic designers, app designers, and photographers - but it’s worth taking a look.  As I mention in the video, some plugins are a challenge to install.  Due to changing versions of CC, and a wide variety of plugin authors, the process can be a bit… frustrating.  But they’re cheap enough to make the struggle worthwhile.

Custom Brushes vs. Tool Presets

On a traditional drawing desk, one of the most important elements is the pencil cup.  Or paint brushes.  Or pen pouch.  It’s the collection of currently relevant tools for the artist, though it’s probably not their entire tool collection.  Photoshop might seem different at a surface level, but the same strategy applies.  You’ll make better art if you’re able to work with a small subset of your tools - the ones that are relevant to the current painting.  Photoshop offers two different solutions to this problem: tool presets and custom brushes.  Which is better?  This video takes a look at both options, and makes some suggestions for your tailored digital workspace.

Panels You Don't Need*

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"Less is more" is a common sentiment in the design community.  As we eliminate the unnecessary, what remains becomes essential.   This is as relevant to UI layout as it is to poster design, so today I'll examine Photoshop Panels worth eliminating.  Additionally - designing a custom layout is just easier when you start with fewer options to consider!  So let's get rid of some panels.

* You might still need them.  As you'll hear in the video, every artist has different needs.  This list is actually a collection of the panels I don't need.

Screen Real-Estate

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Before you build a house, you'd want to make sure you picked the best piece of land.  Maybe it's near your office, or perhaps it's by the beach - either way, location matters.  As you tailor digital painting software to meet your needs, the first step is to understand the value of your screen space, just like a plot of land.   As I explain in the video, certain parts of your monitor are more valuable than others!   

Your Digital Workspace

In the years that I've spent digital painting, the 'interface' (screen layout) has become increasingly important. Take control of you interface, and painting...

In the years that I've spent digital painting, the 'interface' (screen layout) has become increasingly important.  Take control of you interface, and painting becomes a much more natural exercise.  When left in a default mode, you're faced with unnecessary clutter and uncomfortable keyboard shortcuts.   So if you're investing your time in painting software, you owe it to yourself to take control of the interface.   

Rotational Symmetry Pt.3

Today we complete our look into designing with rotational symmetry in Photoshop.  In this video I showcase the amazing power of "Smart Objects" - and how they can allow for experimentation and iteration.  

If you're curious about Smart Objects, here's another great video to check out: Real-Time Design With Smart Objects.  

Rotational Symmetry Pt.2

This symmetry tutorial continues where the previous video left off.  With a under-drawing created in SumoPaint, now it's time to refine the image into a clean, layered, painting.  To re-create this yourself, a bit of math is required.  My example took the easy way out: 4 segments / 360 degrees = 90 degree rotation.   More frequently the rotation won't be so clean -- but the formula is the same: 360/ #of segments.  

In the next video I'll show an even more advanced version of this technique, allowing for more experimentation.  Stay tuned!

Rotational Symmetry

Do you know how to paint a rotationally symmetrical design like the one pictured to the right?  Perhaps.  With pencil and tracing paper it's possible, but time consuming.  In Photoshop, it's time consuming as well.  Is there a better way? To give you a peek into my concept art process, this three part mini-series shows an effective way to design rotationally symmetrical objects.

It starts in sumopaint.com, which is a free website.  This rare departure from Photoshop is all about design flow: SumoPaint automates the symmetry.  Though the results are fluid, they're not pretty -- so we'll return to Photoshop for refinement in the next video.

Browse Multiple Sub-folders Simultaneously

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Organizing your artwork into 'Project Folders' is a great idea.  But once you've done it, what happens when you want to browse all of the projects' images simultaneously?  "Saved Searches" are the key.  It's a useful skill, and one often overlooked by windows users.   

Did you miss the earlier videos about organization?  Here's one about folder structure.

If you're a Mac user, what similar technique exists?  I'm sure it's easy - so share it with us in the comments below.  

Why I Make Videos

It was about this time 5 years ago that I started recording videos for Ctrl+Paint.  A lot has changed since then - and I'm honored you guys have supported the project with such enthusiasm.  This video will probably make its way to the 'About' page at some point, but for now - enjoy a quick look behind the scenes.  Have fun painting!

The short version: I care a lot about beginners!  

Building a Better Mirror Command Pt.3

Part 1 and Part 2 showed how to make a mirror action.  This video demonstrates why: thumbnail sketching is made so much easier with symmetry!  Though this is only one use for the technique, I suspect you'll have no trouble envisioning others.  

Building a Better Mirror Command Pt.2

Sometimes your best intentions don't quite measure up.  That's what happened to our "Symmetry Action" in the previous video: everything was working... until it wasn't.  Unexpected roadblocks like this are part of life when it comes to automation - so learning to debug and re-engineer is essential.  In today's video I'll demonstrate a revised version of the symmetry action, and show how I got there .

Building a Better Mirror Command Pt.1

As a concept artist, Symmetry is extremely useful.  Thumbnail sketches, character designs, icons and more: symmetry saves time.  But Photoshop's mirror feature wasn't designed with illustrators in mind.  So let's fix the problem!   In this two part mini-series, I'll demonstrate how to design and build your very own symmetry action in Photoshop.   

Though the example used here is 'symmetry', Photoshop actions can be used for a huge variety of roadblocks.  What action will you design?

Color Constructor Pt.2: Exercises

Once you've downloaded Color Constructor, it serves as a great source for study material.  Today's video demonstrates two different studies, each using a Color Constructor screenshot as the starting point.  To follow along, make sure to download my homework .PSD below!

Color Constructor Pt.1

For me, learning is easier when I'm able to experiment.  Given the ability to change a single variable, and watch the result, helps to break down complex subjectmatter.  For this reason, I'm thrilled to showcase the Color Constructor software in today's video!  Created by a colorblind videogame artist, this software aims to simulate the effect of light on colored objects.  You're given what amounts to a 'color playground', where experimenting with light and its effects is a snap.  Even better, the software only costs $7 - and is available on Gumroad.  Give it a try!

To learn more about the software, this is a great 30 minute Q&A with the creator Murry Lancashire.

Gesture Shortcuts Pt.2

Today's video explores the nuts and bolts of "Gestures" in Strokes Plus. As you'll see in the video, the technical workflow is not very challenging. Setting ...

Example Code for a "Paste" gesture in Strokes Plus

acSendKeys("^c")

-- @ = WINKEY
-- + = SHIFT
-- ^ = CTRL
-- % = ALT

Today's video explores the nuts and bolts of "Gestures" in Strokes Plus.  As you'll see in the video, the technical workflow is not very challenging.  Setting up a gesture largely involves pasting the following code, and changing the contents of the ("parentheses" ).  The harder challenge is designing your shortcut 'vocabulary'.  What shapes make sense for your workflow?  What commands should be shared between software?  It's a tough, but worthy, challenge.  Have fun!

Gesture Shortcuts Pt.1

If you've been following Ctrl+Paint for very long, you know I'b a big fan of keyboard shortcuts. They're what make the software fade away, allowing you to f...

If you've been following Ctrl+Paint for very long, you know I'b a big fan of keyboard shortcuts.  They're what make the software fade away, allowing you to focus on the art at hand.  Today's video introduces my new favorite way to use keyboard shortcuts: gestures!  To try for yourself, make sure to follow the link below and get a copy of the (free) strokes plus software for pc. 

Let's Paint Bamboo Pt.3

In today's installment, you'll see the bamboo study completed. As with all paintings, the final step is the polish - and it's slow, patient work. In this pha...

In today's installment, you'll see the bamboo study completed.  As with all paintings, the final step is the polish - and it's slow, patient work.  In this phase it's time to zoom in, slow down, and use small brush strokes to clarify the image.  As I mention in the video, this phase is only possible once the block-in is successful --- it's dangerous to start polishing before the framework is complete.

Related Techniques Shown in This Video

On-Screen Mixing

Let's Paint Bamboo Pt.2

Continuing from our previously finished line drawing, it's time to start blocking in colors.  Though the act of adding color to the canvas is not technically challenging, selecting the correct color is.  Observing color accurately doesn't happen over night , and it's studies like these that help to improve your eye.

If you're curious about the 'masking' step that precedes the painting, make sure  to check out the videos linked to the right.  It's a bit confusing at first, but you'll be happy once you master it.

Related Topics Shown in This Video

Creating a 'Selection Layer' (Masking)

Masking a Layer Group

Color Relativity

Tweaking Your Colors With 'Curves'