Released On: 8/25/2011

In this series, David Blatner and Anne-Marie Concepción, co-hosts of the web's top resource for InDesign tips and tricks, InDesignSecrets.com, share some hidden and sometimes surprising workflow tips that will make working in InDesign more efficient and more fun. The course covers built-in timesaving features such as Quick Apply and auto-expanding text, but also little-known tricks, such as using the eyedropper to copy and paste character and paragraph text attributes and making accurate selections by selecting through or even into objects.

New techniques will be added to the collection every other week, so check back early and often. Find more tips and tricks at indesignsecrets.com.

Released On: 10/20/2011

In this project-based course, author Chris Converse brings interactivity to a sample video gallery using the open-source JavaScript library jQuery. Working in Dreamweaver, Chris shows how to animate the captions and play icon, extend the thumbnails into filmstrips, and modify the filmstrip backgrounds to change on rollover using CSS. Exercise files accompany the course.

Take a look at the finished web site here.

Released On: 10/20/2011

In this project-based course, author Chris Converse brings interactivity to a sample video gallery using the open-source JavaScript library jQuery. Working in a coding environment, Chris shows how to animate the captions and play icon, extend the thumbnails into filmstrips, and modify the filmstrip backgrounds to change on rollover using CSS. Exercise files accompany the course.

Take a look at the finished web site here.

Released On: 9/29/2011

In the Douglas Kirkland on Photography series, well-known photographer Douglas Kirkland explores a variety of real-world photographic scenarios, sharing technical insights and critiquing the results.

In this installment, Douglas discusses the importance of developing a sense of photographic vision: keeping your mind and eye open for photographic opportunities, and maximizing those opportunities through composition and other creative decisions. The course begins with Douglas reviewing images from his personal collection. He discusses the importance of observation and exploration for a photographer, how to see art in everyday situations, and why one should always have a camera nearby.

Douglas then goes on location to shoot in and around Korakia Pensione, a resort in Palm Springs, California. He explains his creative and technical decisions as he shoots, and describes how natural lines created by architecture and light can help make an effective photograph. The course continues on a hike through a Palm Springs canyon, where Douglas captures images in the field, working with moving water, highly textured rock faces, and even some local wildlife. Finally, Douglas wanders through downtown Palm Springs armed with a simple point-and-shoot camera, proving that with vision and an open mind, great images can be made with simplest equipment.

Download a free companion guide to Douglas Kirkland on Photography: A Photographer's Eye from the Exercise Files tab. The guide contains photos, detailed camera-setting information from the shoots in this course, and more tips from Douglas on improving composition and maximizing available natural light.

Released On: 3/31/2011

Effective time management is an indispensible skill. In Time Management Fundamentals, Dave Crenshaw explains how to sensibly allocate time in order to achieve greater productivity. Starting with an exploration of productivity styles, Dave details a set of principles for staying organized, consolidating the workspace, keeping a clear mind, and developing a time budget. Also covered are techniques for managing a full inbox, processing email, and reserving time for the most important activities. Exercise files accompany the course.

Released On: 10/19/2011

This installment of the After Effects Apprentice series introduces 3D space in After Effects. Authors Chris and Trish Meyer highlight key design considerations for working in 3D and provide step-by-step instructions for enhancing a scene with 3D lights and cameras. The course explores integration between Photoshop and After Effects, including modeling 3D objects with Repoussé extrusions and creating dimensional still images, and offers tips on using the different Axis Modes and maintaining maximum quality in 3D. Exercise files accompany the course.

The After Effects Apprentice videos on lynda.com were created by Trish and Chris Meyer and are designed to be used on their own and as a companion to their book After Effects Apprentice. We are honored to host these tutorials in the lynda.com Online Training Library®.

Released On: 10/19/2011

Creating an Adaptive Web Site for Multiple Screens demonstrates how to build a web site that automatically adapts its layout to various screen sizes, orientations, and resolutions. Ray Villalobos shows how designers and developers can create a single HTML document and customize its display for desktop browsers and mobile devices such as the iPhone, Android phones, and tablets. The course covers creating a basic HTML5 structure and using reset templates, and styling the site with CSS. Exercise files are included with the course.

Released On: 1/11/2011

Deke's Techniques is a collection of short Photoshop and Illustrator projects and creative effects that can be completed in ten minutes or less. The series is taught by computer graphics guru Deke McClelland, and presented in his signature step-by-step style. The intent is to reveal how various Photoshop and Illustrator features can be combined and leveraged in real-world examples so that they can be applied to creative projects right away.

New techniques will be added to the collection each week. Exercise files accompany the course.

Released On: 10/18/2011

In Word 2010: Styles in Depth, author Mariann Siegert shows how to use Word styles to help save time in creating consistent and well-designed documents. The course demonstrates how to create, apply, and modify styles, as well as how to format documents with styles. It also covers generating tables of contents, building Quick Styles and style sets, and restricting styles in protected documents. Exercise files accompany the course.

Released On: 10/14/2011

In this course, interaction designer Luke Wroblewski shows how to create web forms that encourage visitors to enter information and covers ways to capture input without the use of forms. The course covers boosting conversion rates and customer satisfaction, organizing the structure of forms, aligning and grouping form elements, assigning the correct input field types, validating input, and handling data entry errors. The last chapter highlights alternatives to static forms, such as using dynamic inline forms, using web services, and leveraging device capabilities, which can be used to gather additional information or replace a traditional form altogether.

Released On: 10/14/2011

Compressor 4 Essential Training streamlines the processes of compressing and encoding media in Final Cut Pro X's companion compression software. This course introduces the fundamental concepts of compression, how to determine appropriate compression settings, and building and modifying encoding presets for a variety of outputs, including Apple and Android devices, DVDs, PowerPoint, and the web. The course also covers placing watermarks, setting destinations, and transcoding files automatically using droplets. Exercise files accompany the course.

Released On: 8/4/2011

InDesign FX is a collection of self-contained effects projects designed to be completed in ten minutes or less. Taught by expert Mike Rankin, the series explores every aspect of InDesign's graphic effects capabilities through real-world examples, all without relying on Photoshop or Illustrator. The intent is to reveal the quick, practical, and sometimes surprising application of InDesign effects to creative projects.

New InDesign FX installments will be released every other week. Exercise files accompany the course.

Released On: 10/13/2011

In this course, Joseph Lowery shows how to develop HTML5 applications for the two mobile operating systems supported in Dreamweaver, iOS and Android, and generate a native app for each OS, suitable for testing with the open-source PhoneGap framework. The course covers basic app creation, including working with the built-in starter pages in Dreamweaver, as well as creating custom apps from scratch. It then focuses on packaging and preparing finished apps for debugging prior to deploying to the Android Market and the Apple App Store. Development techniques particular to the mobile arena, including the use of jQuery Mobile, are emphasized for developers to create apps on multiple platforms. Exercise files are included with the course.

Released On: 10/13/2011

In this course, professional photo restorer Janine Smith describes how to use Photoshop to restore, retouch, and enhance old or damaged photos. It covers evaluating scanned images for imperfections, using the Clone Stamp tool and other Photoshop tools, and addressing common problems and their fixes, starting with the basics (fading, spots, and paper texture) and continuing with more complex challenges (rips, adhesive tape, ink marks, mold, and more). Also included are methods for fixing exposure problems and colorcast as well as advanced techniques in photo restoration, such as replacing backgrounds and recreating missing facial features and body parts. The course includes a project that takes an image from damaged start to restored finish. Exercise files accompany the course.

Released On: 4/7/2011

In Windows 7 Tips and Tricks, author David Rivers shares tips and shortcuts for working more efficiently and to get the most out of Windows 7. The course includes advice on controlling Windows with the mouse and keyboard, customizing the display, working with utilities, protecting your privacy on the Internet, improving the performance of the operating system, and more.

Released On: 10/12/2011

Creating Photo Books with Blurb presents three separate workflows for creating and publishing books that showcase photographs using the Blurb self-publishing service. The course starts with an exploration of photo bookmaking in BookSmart, Blurb’s free desktop software, then shows how to make a simple photo book in Bookify, Blurb’s online bookmaking service. The course also covers Blurb’s PDF to Book plug-in for use with custom books created in Adobe InDesign, as well as information on ordering copies of photo books and selling them in the Blurb online bookstore. Exercise files accompany the course.

Released On: 10/11/2011

Scanning Techniques for Photography, Art, and Design is a review of scanning techniques for graphics professionals and photographers, delving into workflow considerations and the advanced image-quality controls available in most scanning software. Author Taz Tally explains the core concepts, such as how resolution and interpolation affect scans; introduces the industry-standard SilverFast scanning software; and shares the settings to achieve the best results from a scan. The course also covers keeping your scanner and its parts clean and free of dust, and includes a variety of start-to-finish scanning tasks. Exercise files are included with the course.

Released On: 10/7/2011

This course offers an in-depth look at the rendering features of Revit, including photometric lighting, sun, and exposure and its basic animation tools. Author Paul F. Aubin covers creating 3D views; modeling wall layers, sweeps, and custom components; applying materials and custom textures to objects; and rendering the final scene with optimal quality settings. The course also shows how to create a walk-through that showcases designs. Exercise files are included with the course.

Released On: 10/7/2011

In Mac OS X Lion Server Essential Training, author Sean Colins shows how to configure a Lion Server installation, while highlighting its ease of use. The course gives an overview on servers: what they are, why they're necessary, and how to set them up quickly. It also covers file sharing, managing iOS devices with the new Profile Manager, and creating and sharing podcasts in Podcast Publisher, plus productivity services such as iCal, Address Book Server, and iChat Server, which keep shared calendars, contacts, and chat conversations securely in your possession. Exercise files accompany the course.

Released On: 10/6/2011

In this installment of the Illustrator Insider Training series, Drawing without the Pen Tool, Mordy Golding shows how to draw vector artwork quickly, precisely, and efficiently—without having to think about technical concepts like anchor points or control handles. The course highlights intuitive drawing techniques using the Pathfinder functions, Live Paint groups, Shape Builder tool, and variable-width strokes. It also describes the sketching workflow and features in Illustrator that use pressure-sensitive drawing tablets, allowing designers to focus more on their creativity. Exercise files are included with the course.