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Island Journal

New Freebie - Skulls, Bones, Skeletons & Eyeballs Brushes Demo PS Brush Set

on October 09, 2012

New Freebie - Skulls, Bones, Skeletons & Eyeballs Brushes Demo PS Brush Set
This new freebie is a DEMO of Skulls Bones Skeletons Eyeballs Vol 1. Get this Skulls, Bones, Skeletons & Eyeball set just in time for Halloween! This DEMO contains 5 of the high resolution Photoshop brushes included in the full Skulls Bones Skeletons Eyeballs product. The product contains 100 Skulls, Bones, Skeletons & Eyeballs Photoshop brushes as well as matching PNG files. Check out the full 100 Skulls, Bones, Skeletons & Eyeballs Brushes Vol 1 product. 

New Freebie - Leaves Photoshop Users Design Kit Demo Set

on September 19, 2012

Leaves Photoshop Users Design Kit Demo Set
A new freebie is available today. This freebie is a DEMO of the PhotoshopIsland Leaves Photoshop Users Design Kit. This demo will give you a test for the complete Leaves Photoshop Users Design Kit. All the elements were created using the same 10 leaves as sources meaning they work together. These brushes or EPS files provide a fast way for designers to add a seasonal or green flavor to your design or project. Designers can use the included EPS files which allow you to include leaves on higher resolution images/designs, import into Indesign or edit in Adobe Illustrator.

If you need the complete designer kit consider the PhotoshopIsland Leaves - Photoshop User's Design Kit product.

Download the free PhotoshopIsland Leaves Photoshop Users Design Kit Demo here!

My Dog Ate My Photoshop Installation Disc

on August 19, 2012
I recently received an email from a PhotoshopIsland.com member with an interesting question and tough problem. Here's the problem and question…
I own all of the Adobe programs but have since left them all at my parents home and when my father died, my uncle threw out all of them. Problem I am having… is there any possible way for me to locate any of the Adobe Programs in the CS2 versions online any longer? I still have my license numbers for the programs but I can't seem to locate any free downloads for the Adobe CS2 Programs that I used to own.
 
I know that's not quite the dog eating her installation disc but the problem is the same. What to do? I'm guessing this person doesn't want to spend more money to get programs she's already purchased. That might not be possible unless she can find someone with the discs willing to loan them to her. Here's a few suggestions:
  • A friend maybe has saved this old disc and has them in storage.
  • A school might have the old discs that could be borrowed.
  • Shop around for what's called an "open box" version of the software that you already own and have the serial number for. It doesn't really matter if the box is open or if the serial number has been registered if you already have a product serial number. You can find open box software on ebay and craig's list.
  • Contact a friendly person at Adobe (not customer support). Someone like Russel Brown. He's a nice guy and might have a suggestion about getting old Adobe installer files. He gave me a cool Adobe thumbdrive when I attended Photoshop World so I know he's a nice guy right!?!
  • If you're really in a pinch you can rent the Adobe Creative Suite on a monthly basis
 
If you have your own suggestions please post them here!

FREEBIE & Sample - 2013 Monthly Calendar Cowboy Style

on August 16, 2012

New FREEBIE & Sample - 2013 Calendar Cowboy Style
Need a 2013 western style calendar! This new freebie is a set cowboy style 2013 12 month calendars (Jan. through Dec. 2013). This freebie is a single design set that is part of the PhotoshopIsland 2013 Monthly Calendar Brushes, EPS & PSD. The download includes 2500 pixels brushes compatible with Photoshop 7 and later & Photoshop Elements 2 and later. There's also a layered PSD with the monthly calendars as a Shape Layer. And if that doesn't cover all your needs try the included EPS calendar files which allow you to include calendars on higher resolution images, import into Indesign or edit in Adobe Illustrator.

If you need more calendar design options please consider the PhotoshopIsland 2013 Annual Calendar Brushes, EPS & PSD product.

Download the free 2013 calendar here!

 

2013 Annual Calendars Available at 20% off

on August 06, 2012

The new 2013 calendar brushes, EPS and new layer shape PSD is now available. And better yet, you can get them now for 20% off - just use the coupon code TWENTYOFF when you check out (discount coupon offer expires 08.24.12). The new 2013 calendars includes 50 calendar styles, a product catalog with design details. There's also a new tutorial that show you how to take advantage of the the shape layer calendars.

How to Open a .zip File on a Windows PC or an Apple Mac

on August 05, 2012

Since all the free and products available on PhotoshopIsland are delivered in the form of a .ZIP file I thought it might be helpful if I provided some detailed information regarding working with .ZIP files.

Compressed (.zip) files make transferring information across the Internet quicker and easier than with their full-size counterparts. Opening a .zip file is easy once you know the process, but if you do not, you can be left with a useless file. Following these simple steps will get you viewing and using those .zip files with just a couple of clicks.
 
Opening a .zip File on a Windows PC
Navigate to the location your file is stored. If you downloaded the file, it will most likely be in your Downloads folder. Once you have located the file, right-click on it and select “Extract All” from the menu. A dialog box will open up to allow you to specify where you want your files extracted to. If you do not specify a location, the files will be extracted in the same folder the original .zip file is located.
 
In that same dialog box, if you leave the option “Show extracted files when complete” checked, a new window will open that contains the files when you click “Extract.” From there, you can use, view or alter the files just like other Windows files.
 
Opening a .zip File on an Apple Mac
Locate your .zip file and double-click it to begin the extraction process. The extracted files will be located in the same directory as the original file. If double-clicking does not work, secondary click (by pressing CTRL + click or by two-finger clicking on the mouse pad, depending on your configuration) on the .zip file, select “Get Info,” and then “Open With.” Select “ArchiveUtility.app” and your file will be extracted. In that same screen, you can select “change all” to set all .zip files to open with Archive Utility in the future. This will allow you to open future .zip files by double-clicking.
 
Opening .zip files on a Windows PC or an Apple Mac is a simple process that allows you to view, use and edit files in just a couple of clicks. Since many files downloaded on the Internet come in .zip format, knowing how to open these files can help you make the most of your file sharing experience.

New FREEBIE & Sample - 2013 Calendar Cowboy Style

on July 28, 2012

Get ready for 2013 in western style! I just posted this new cowboy style 2013 calendar. The freebie is part of the PhotoshopIsland 2013 Annual Calendar Brushes, EPS & PSD product. The download includes 2500 pixels brushes compatible with Photoshop 7 and later & Photoshop Elements 2 and later as well as the very high resolution 5000 pixels brushes compatible with the just released Photoshop CS 6. There's also a layered PSD with the calendar as a Shape Layer. If those elements don't cover all your needs try the included EPS file which allow you to include calendars on higher resolution images, import into Indesign or edit in Adobe Illustrator.

If you need more calendar design options please consider the PhotoshopIsland 2013 Annual Calendar Brushes, EPS & PSD product.

Download the free 2013 calendar here!

New Hollywood Style Award Winner Photo Template

on July 12, 2012

This new PhotoshopIsland freebie is a rescue of a freebie from my old CampPhotoshop.com blog. This is a Photoshop high resolution layered template in a Hollywood styled award winner design. It's easy to drop in your own image or completely change it up. Note: Uses CinemaDemibold that can be downloaded here.

Download here!

PhotoshopIsland.com Updated

on June 30, 2012
Welcome to the updated PhotoshopIsland.com. Today I launched a new version of PhotoshopIsland.com with some design enhancements. The design changes were made to move the visual focus on the PhotoshopIsland freebies and products and away of the design of the site itself.
 
Additionally, the site is now on a completely new and faster server. I hope that upgrade enhances your experience when visiting PhotoshopIsland.com. 
 
In addition to the new server, you also all will notice a new product page in the near future as new products are launched and old products are updated with the new look. 
 
I’d appreciate your help if you notice any problems in the form of bad links, broken images or misinformation on the site. Just drop me an email and let me know: roger@PhotoshopIsland.com.
 
I trust you'll enjoy the new site.

Free JUNE 2012 BASEBALL CD Case Calendar

on May 31, 2012

Free JUNE 2012 BASEBALL CD Case Calendar
June is time for the boys of summer.  This June 2012 calendar template is in perfect begining of the summer season. It's a layered PSD and TIF plus there's an easy to follow tutorial! Includes a Photoshop template and a simplified .TIF version. Keep the PhotoshopIsland calendar design or add your image/design.Need a different month calendar or style? Check out these monthly calendar brushes. The easy to follow recycled cd case monthly calendar video tutorial shows how to make the calendar design in Photoshop. The tutorial also shows how to removed recycled CD case inserts, flip the case lid and insert your new calendar.

Download it here!

New freebie: 6 High Rez Vintage Postage Cancellations PS Brushes

on May 30, 2012

6 High Rez Vintage Postage Cancellations PS Brushes
This new freebie is a set of 6 High Rez Vintage Postage Cancellations PS Brushes. They are a perfect compliment to the Postage Stamp-Themed Photoshop Brushes Vol. 1.1. The brushes are grungy, gritty and vintage. This package includes two sets of brushes. One set is 2500 x 2500 pixels and compatible with Photoshop 7 to CS5, PS Elements 2 and newer, GIMP 2.2.6+. A second set is super high resolution 5000 x 5000 and compatible with the larger brush size allowed by Photoshop CS6.

Get this Photoshop brush set here!

35 Years of Star Wars!

on May 25, 2012

The very first Star Wars movie was released 35 years ago today and changed the world. Happy 35th Birthday Star Wars!

PRINT: The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated

on May 23, 2012

end of print?
John McWade’s blog post yesterday called “The vanishing master” inspired me to write down some thoughts of my own regarding the state of print graphic design. What follows are my thoughts and comment to Mr. McWade.
 
Let’s stop the doleful talk and embrace the future. I’ve been telling anyone who will listen for years that ‘print is not going away.’ Yes there will be less print. That’s already happening. There is no question about that. But print is not going to die. Additionally, I don’t think the print graphic design masters will go away.  They’ll be less demand hence less need for the skill in the marketplace. I think print is going to gracefully age into a premium or a specialty communication. Marketers will want to use print to get their client’s target attention. Because there will be less print around it will be special. I think that you will see print heading back to some of the finer, refined, higher end printed design pieces but very limited in distribution and quantity.
 
There’ll be some book subject matter that just won’t have the same impact digitally.  So in the long term, yes the masters in this universe are shrinking.  But I don’t see it going completely away.  I think you’ll see some kind of interesting resurgent just like you’ve seen with vinyl LPs where people appreciate that there’s something special about it, that there’s something different than the digital way of hearing music or in this case interacting with communications (or is this already happening?).
 
I personally love books and print. I love the ink on paper so I keep buying books and saving printed samples. I’m sure there are many others like me. I enjoy seeing fine typesetting and pictures printed on paper. There will always be some people like me!
 
Note: I used the 100 Skulls, Bones, Skeletons & Eyeballs Brushes product in the designing of the book cover for this post.

New Vote Button Layered Photoshop Freebie

on May 19, 2012

layered photoshop vote button
It's red, white and blue time! In celebration of a big election year this new freebie is a glossy vote button layered Photoshop file. All the elements are layered so you can easily customize and change it up. The file size is high resolution and includes .PSD and simplified layered .TIF files. The font used is Designer Notes - it's included in the download. 
 

New Cardboard Sign Layered Photoshop Freebie

on May 03, 2012

This new freebie is a grungy torn piece of cardboard layered Photoshop file. The type is a layer with a layer styler appled so ou can easily customize the messages on the sign. Or use the grungy cardboard as a graphic element in your web and graphic designs. The source file size is high resolution from a Canon 5D Mark II, so it’s very large. If the file is too large for your use, reduce the image size first for easier editing. Includes .PSD and .TIF files. The font used is Designer Notes - it's included in the download. There's a complete family of Designer Notes Pro available here.

Get the free cardboard sign here.

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