Anybody interested in a psd. file exchange?

[drewstrickland]

I've never used DigiMatz before. But, I say, use whatever helps you learn.

When I used to spend a lot more time coding software I always learned much faster by taking some code that did almost what I needed and customizing it to do exactly what I needed.

I would agree with David that the ultimate goal would be to grow past the template driven design. Of course, David's business model places a premium on quality for the discerning few.

The business owner side of me says do whatever works well and quickly. Fong also has some actions that are easy to work with for $99. It provides a starting point and keeps you in the full fledged Photoshop as you create. The Photoshop skills you develop will still have value long after you quit using whatever actions or templates you purchase.

In the end, good, fast and cheap don't ever come together. But you can try to learn what is the best balance of the three for your business.

[drewstrickland]

Edgar and Brian,

I think this is a good place to start. Please feel free to upload some templates like this if you want to start an exchange.

Please just provide a brief overview of how to use them for those who may not know.

The only limitation will be the file size. You can upload the file as long it is smaller than 500k.

[johnprendergast]

Just threw this together for a magazine advert we are doing.



Dead easy, using layers, blending modes, align and distribute controls.

What d'ya think of it?

P.S. Just because a design has been made without the use of a template and is "unique" doesn't automatically make it any good.

My advise to people is to try out the templates, watch how the design is produced then use the same, (now learnt skills) to design your own.

FA Cup Quarter finals:

Birmingham City 0
Liverpool 7

Annihilated! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lolwsign.gif[/img]

[pixel8]

[ QUOTE ]
P.S. Just because a design has been made without the use of a template and is "unique" doesn't automatically make it any good.


[/ QUOTE ]

Very true, but the salient issue is good by whose yardstick, we're in a market where taste, the client's taste is what pays the bills, I have made some stunning images that didn't earn a brass farthing and by the same token I have earned huge sums for horrendously tacky pages.

What am I in business for? to make money! Unique pays, good doesn't necessarily.

I name a dozen Fellows of the the world's top pro bodies who can't make ends meet, being good isn't feeding them. Being marketable feeds you.

PS nice advert

[southwindphoto]

While the PSD layout idea is great, Drew has brought us back to reality with how big PSD files are.

How about we post example of the finished product, 600 wide or so JPG files.. Same as we did on another tread. Usually seeing someone else’s idea come to life is enough to help point me in the right direction.

What do ya say?

[locofoto]

Last year I started the "storybook albums". Only did a few. This year I'm in to it deep. So far I've come to the conclusion that Photoshop smokes the template programs. I am proficient in PS and when compared to the clumsy template programs it wins hands down!

I have to tell you that The Book Album template program has some very, very cool layouts but it's sheer hell to deal with not to mention the fact that you can only use it if you want them to print and bind! What I've been doing is to replicate their layouts in PS, tweak it as needed and send the flattened files off to my lab.

I initially posed this thread without much experience with templates programs. After having invested in too many goofy template programs I have come to the inevitable conclusion that Photoshop is one hell of a template program. Totally flexible, fast, accurate and able to leap tall buildings with a single action. Working with the keyboard commands makes it so much faster than anything else out there. PS is where I spend the bulk of my editing time...it's the one program that know better than any other. It seems foolish that I even tried anything else.

Sorry about rambling on and on about my PS finings but I had to give PS it's props! Long story short...I think showing completed pages as examples is appropriate. That will stir the creative juices.

Brian

[AlubysPhoto]

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How about we post example of the finished product, 600 wide or so JPG files...Usually seeing someone else’s idea come to life is enough to help point me in the right direction...

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I think that this is a great idea for PS pros like some of us.
As for the Photoshop's PADAWANS, some techniques and enlightenment will be provide to ones in need.

I will post shortly my first sample, but I need to go to sleep now.

Karim
Aluby's Photography