RP LIVE: "Selections & Pen Tool" w/Steve Caplin

[Doug Nelson]

Announcing the much-requested return of Steve Caplin to RetouchPRO LIVE.

This time Steve will be showing you more than you ever wanted to know about making selections using Photoshop CS4. He will place special emphasis on demonstrating and explaining the Pen Tool in great detail.

From Steve:
"Effective Photoshop work is all about making selections. We'll look at how to use modifier keys to extend the functionality of all the standard selection tools; how to use QuickMask to make awkward and soft selections; the best use of the Quick Selection tool, and some surprising uses for the Refine Edge dialog. And we'll also, once and for all, nail that most tricky of selection devices - the Pen tool."

As always, this is live so Steve will also be answering questions from the audience.

Wednesday, September 9, 2pm CDT (see link below for other time zones)

Click the following link for details and ticket sales:
http://www.retouchpro.com/index.php?page=caplin

[skydog]

Sounds great...but that terrible Wed afternoon time...hopefully a rebroadcast on the weekend

[photogryl]

An advance, across-pond "Cheerio" to Steve Caplin, from one of his very distant cousins! Can't wait for this "PENultimate" happening (which really means "next to last" and isn't, but couldn't resist the pen, I mean pun).

[Doug Nelson]

That's OK, at least no one is doing bad Sgt. Schultz impressions due to the showdate.

[Doug Nelson]

Steve provided some further detail about what he'll be covering, which I've pasted into the first post here and on the announcement page.

[Doug Nelson]

Steve tells me he's going to make practice files available for download after the show. Just so I'm not deluged with "how can I get the files" emails, here's advance notice that the link will appear here in this thread after the show is finished.

I'm experimenting with one thread for each show instead of two, so you'll also return to this thread to post your feedback after the show.

[Flashtones]

I'd like to put my pen questions out in advance:

1. Please spend some time explaining when and how to use the add, subtract, intersect, exclude buttons. Do you select those options before or after drawing the paths, or are modifier keys the better approach?

2. The other day I was turning paths into masks and my masks were turning out soft. I wondered if refine edge were applying settings to the mask but after a while I found by clicking on the path pallet options that I had a feather setting in place.

I use three basic shortcuts to turn paths to selections.

A) control+click (Mac) on the path with the pen tool. This opens a dialog box allowing me to set the feather. This is clear.

B) CMD+Click the path in the paths pallet.
C) CMD+Enter when the path is active.

Am I correct that with both B and C a feather may be applied to the selection as determined by the dialog box buried within the paths pallet? And is the paths pallet the only means to that dialog box with those shortcuts, or is there an additional modifier key I can use to access it on the fly (other than option A)?

Lastly, I implore that you guys not spend the first 1.5 hours going tediously slowly over masking 101 basics only to find you have little time left for more advanced aspects causing you to rush through the more challenging things. If this is going to try to be suitable for beginners and advanced users please pace it so both parties get equal time. This is being billed as more than we ever wanted to know about the pen tool, not more than we ever wanted to know about masking 101 followed by 15 hectic minute rushing through the pen tool.

[Doug Nelson]

You requests generally follow some of the outline we have in place. Steve did a show on masks already, so we shouldn't spend too much time on that (Quick Mask being the exception). Estimate is for 1/2 hour to be on the Pen Tool by itself, hopefully that will be enough time to cover it in excruciating detail.

I'll ask Steve to review this thread ahead of time, but don't be shy about asking questions during the show should I forget something.

[caplin]

Good points, Flashtones. I think we can be sure to cover all the issues you mention!

[Flashtones]

Thanks for respecting my concerns. My last suggestion is to not save the pen for the end. In the seminars I've seen so far questions and technical difficulties skew the program to start slow and end fast. Since the pen tool headlines this event can we let it open the show to insure it's given ample time?

[Doug Nelson]

The ticket sales link will close in 2 hours.

[Doug Nelson]

The ticket sales link will close in 1 hour.

[photogryl]

Hi Doug and Steve,
Could you both keep in mind that there are Webinar attendees with DIFFERING abilty levels? Some may have been extensively-published with lengthy vitae and have all the necessary hard and software, but are less knowledgeble concerning the ins and outs of selections beyond simple magic wand use.
Looking forward to this one!

[Doug Nelson]

Thanks for the reminder. The plan for this show is to offer something for every level. But, as is the case for every show, a lot depends on the questions, so if you aren't seeing what you need, let me know via the questions box.

[Doug Nelson]

The ticket sales link is now closed.

Here's a helpful page if you have audio problems (scroll 2/3 down)

If you haven't received your confirmation email, check your spam folder.

Come back to this thread after the show and tell us your thoughts about it. Also, give us your requests for future shows with Steve Caplin.

[bullwrinkle]

Now that the sales ticket office has closed is there any way to still register for the Steve Caplin course. I overlooked the fine print about the sales ticket office closing one hour before the start.

[Flashtones]

Good job guys. Thanks for keeping a brisk pace and answering all of my questions.

[caplin]

Originally Posted by Flashtones

Good job guys. Thanks for keeping a brisk pace and answering all of my questions.

Glad you enjoyed it. I had an eye on the clock the whole time and could see the Pen Tool space diminishing rapidly... I just hope we had enough time to do the thing justice.

[brianclark4]

Enjoyed the show immensely, covered the whole selection process.

[Doug Nelson]

Here's Steve's dummy/pacifier pic, with his path saved. Use it to practice with and compare your path to Steve's. Rightclick and save to your desktop.

http://www.retouchpro.com/live/dummy.jpg

[skydog]

Bad bad timing (day/time)...but I did what I could to attend...can't do this all the time, but definitely a great presentation...and I hope you make it available again for others. Would be nice to have a list of short cuts that were covered...hard to copy, listen and watch at the same time.

One technical difficulty...I could not send any comments...the comment dialogue area was grayed out and unavailable.

[TriniK]

Great webinar! Hate to confess, but as much as I love the webinars I have caught myself dozing off in a couple of them. I am always riveted by Mr. Caplin. As much as I enjoyed today's webinar however, it was very basic information and most of which I already knew. Picked up a few tips, like the rubber band with the pen tool which I did not know about, but I would love to see a webinar where more complex elements are selected such as hair.
That's a big big one, as nothing can take aim at an obvious add on more than a bad hair selection and of course bad lighting, but that's another story.

[haroldz]

The Selection seminar was filled with very practical information, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. My problem, however, is that when I am making a note or two, I seem to miss the next piece of helpful advice.
Is is possible to have a podcast or free replay for those who signed on for the original program?

[TriniK]

I don't usually look at the same broadcast twice, but on occasion have had to do so as stated above. I too find that there are occasions that one has to write notes and then unless it is one of those painfully slow presenters you miss vital information. Recording is not allowed, and UNDERSTANDABLY so. There was no mention however about screen shots, and every once in a while I will take a screen shot of something that I know I am not going to remember and do not have the time to write down. If I am lucky, when I review the still it triggers the process, and then again sometimes not... $10 is really not a king's ransom however, and if I missed a lot while writing or had questions which never made it to the presenter, ( which frequently happens, maybe they were not considered relevant or just stupid - I don't know) I will look at the rebroadcast as I might with this one, but just jump in when he gets to the pen tool and some of its tricks as the other stuff was all pretty basic. I would also really like it if the skill level of the broadcast could be posted in the advert/notification as there really does seem to be a wide spectrum of viewers and what is an "aha" moment for some, is really just kindergarten for another.
Thanks - looking forward to the webinar/s on hair selection though, and maybe some more complex stuff like trees and fine elements such as in the stock image of the mermaid.

[brianclark4]

I agree with your comments with regard to having to take notes and missing important information. It would be nice if there was a way of revisiting the web cast and cover the items that where missed. This could be done by signing in with the original log in code.

I don't usually look at the same broadcast twice, but on occasion have had to do so as stated above. I too find that there are occasions that one has to write notes and then unless it is one of those painfully slow presenters you miss vital information. Recording is not allowed, and UNDERSTANDABLY so. There was no mention however about screen shots, and every once in a while I will take a screen shot of something that I know I am not going to remember and do not have the time to write down. If I am lucky, when I review the still it triggers the process, and then again sometimes not... $10 is really not a king's ransom however, and if I missed a lot while writing or had questions which never made it to the presenter, ( which frequently happens, maybe they were not considered relevant or just stupid - I don't know) I will look at the rebroadcast as I might with this one, but just jump in when he gets to the pen tool and some of its tricks as the other stuff was all pretty basic. I would also really like it if the skill level of the broadcast could be posted in the advert/notification as there really does seem to be a wide spectrum of viewers and what is an "aha" moment for some, is really just kindergarten for another.
Thanks - looking forward to the webinar/s on hair selection though, and maybe some more complex stuff like trees and fine elements such as in the stock image of the mermaid.[/QUOTE]

[Janet Petty]

I found the broadcast and the teaching to be superb. What a joy it is to be able to take these seminars from well-known experts.

On this particular webinar, I was familiar with most of the subject matter. I did, however, get a total refreshment of a few things I had forgotten over time. Thank you for those small tweaks to make the workflow smoother and quicker.

As to taking notes... I take a lot of them and often miss important points as well. Therefore, I have taken to using the camera instead of screen shots to help remember an important point. I find that I can just write 'pic' on the notes and insert it later. It has saved me a bunch of time; and I get more out of each webinar by being able to concentrate wholly on the lecture.

Thank you again for these wonderful classes.

Janet

[TriniK]

Are you using a PC or Mac? Asking because I find that command/alt/4 is just so easy for taking small selections anywhere on the screen that I want, mostly just the layers panel and then I put all of the screen shots into an individual folder with that webinar's notes.

I am on an iMac.

[TriniK]

Janet I was reading your post again, and I am confused. What do you mean by using a camera? And the part about inserting the snap on the notes? Do you mean that you transcribe your notes on the computer and then add the pictures? Camera as in computer based, or independent equipment?

Thanks, I am just trying to see if I can fine tune my notes process.

[CJ Swartz]

Steve is a GREAT presenter and teacher -- he has a lot of knowledge, experience, and expertise AND is excellent at knowing how to show us how to do things. But he IS fast, and I join those who have gotten behind while trying to take notes or have forgotten something that he showed us earlier. I know I'll buy one of his book eventually, but it's SO much better actually seeing him at work. I did NOT know about the rubber band option with the pen tool, and I have used it (not well) for years. Thanks for that!
Doug, your experience showed well with your handling of the intermittent sound problems due to the intercontinental feed.

[Liz]

Unfortunately, I was away and missed this important (to me) webinar. Is it to be repeated, or have I missed that as well.