Join me to learn about making greeting cards using Adobe Photoshop Elements. During this class we will talk about layouts, printing, and even designing gift boxes using your photos or artwork. We will also talk about resizing, resolution, and resampling. You will learn to design envelopes and do creative folds, as well as designing your cards. Besides being a great photo editor, Photoshop Elements allows your creativity to shine with composites, collages, and other artwork. Whether you just use Elements to edit photos or you use it for artistic images, you can create one-of-a-kind greeting cards with ease.
IMPORTANT: There are two versions of this course: one for Adobe Photoshop and one for Adobe Photoshop Elements. You can find course information on the Photoshop version of the class here. Self Study DIY courses
Prerequisites:
This is an INTERMEDIATEclass. As such you will be expected to know the basics of using the software. You will need to know the basics of using Elements, and be proficient in using the text tool, and you must understand and be able to use layers to complete this course. If you have not completed the beginning course for your version of Photoshop Elements, you should take it before attempting this class, or have equivalent knowledge.
An understanding of your computer and operating system is required. You must know how to unzip a file and locate it and open it in Elements once you have unzipped it. You must understand the use of menus (File > Open, or any other command) and keyboard shortcuts. This means knowing how to use commands for your operating system, such as command + V means paste on the Mac and control + V means paste on the PC.
To post homework, you will have to be able to either build a simple webpage, use one of the free web hosts or photo gallery sites. Ideas for free or low cost web space can be found here: http://www.northlite.net/homework.htm
Previous class recommendations: You should take PSE3: Get Up to Speed, PSE 4: First Steps for Mac or PSE 4: First Steps for Windows before taking this class (the same computer knowledge prerequisites apply to this class as well). An understanding of layers and some more advanced concepts is absolutely essential to successful completion of the exercises in this course. PSE 2 users: If you want to attempt this class using PSE 2, you must have taken Photoshop Elements from the Ground Up. The differences between PSE 2 and the newer versions of PSE will not be covered.
In this 6 week course on Discovering Blogging with Wordpress you will learn:
1) How to Setup WordPress using cPanel
2) Setting up a FTP connection
3) Working in the Admin Panel
4) Discovering WordPress Themes
5) Working with Plug-ins
6) Tips & Tricks
This course is designed to give you a basic understanding of installing and working in WordPress so you can begin blogging right away.
Prerequisites: You will need a domain name and web hosting that uses cPanel to be able to follow this class. HTML knowledge is helpful but not required.
It is recommended that you have your web hosting account before the class starts.
If you do not have web hosting you can check out Eclectic Academy Hosting which is specifically for students of the school. Or, you can check out the resource page for other options.
Note: This class has been updated to include Excel 2007
Learn how to use Excel to create and edit spreadsheets to produce inventory reports, invoices, budgets, customer databases, and more. Topics covered will include a walkthrough of the Excel interface, creating and editing various types of spreadsheets, using different formulas, creating charts, and basic sorting and filtering of data. For a complete syllabus for all the classes please visit Linda's class page
prerequisite: You must have either Excel 97, 2000, 2002, 2003 or 2007 installed on your computer. A basic understanding of Windows file management is necessary. No other versions of Excel will be taught in this class, including Mac versions.
Learn how to REALLY get the most out of your Excel spreadsheets using the more advanced features of Excel, including macros, advanced filters, named ranges, consolidation, pivot tables and pivot charts, web pages, advanced and nested formulas, Goal Seek, validation, and subtotals. Also learn how to accurately print those large spreadsheets. For a complete syllabus for all the classes please visit Linda's class page
prerequisite: You must have either Excel 97, 2000, 2002, 2003 or 2007 installed on your computer. No other versions of Excel will be taught in this class, including Mac versions. It is highly recommended that students complete Excel 101 first, or at least have a full understanding of all of the basic Excel features taught in the 101 class, including simple IF statements. This class does not include VBA programming.
Expression Web Designer is Microsoft's new web editor tool for building and enhancing web sites with new design elements, such as cascading style sheets and personalized task panes.
It has been released and a trial can be downloaded now. Come join us in learning your way around EWD. It's absolutely jam packed with features you will want to try out.
Expression Web Designer gives you all the tools you'll need to produce high-quality standards-based Web sites. Specialized task panes, and tool bars that allow you precise control of page formatting and layout.
The new design tools give you greater flexibility to create sophisticated looking websites and creativity to help bring your web sites to life with remarkable CSS design layouts.
Get a JUMP START NOW in learning to navigate and explore Expression Web Designer.
Prerequisites: The Student needs to have Expression Web Designer installed before the class starts. You can download a 60 day trial at http://www.microsoft.com
For homework requirements the student will need to have in advance before class starts, an active domain name and web hosting account and be prepared to upload any required homework to their site.
‘Learning how to learn is life’s most important skill’ Tony Buzan.
Mind Mapping was first ‘discovered’ by Tony Buzan in the 1970’s. Mind Mapping techniques can and do help the young and older get ‘their brains’ round huge problems or tasks which they would have normally walked away from in shear frustration. I have seen so many people start to be able to solve problems and learn things that they would have struggled with until they learnt the simple Mind Mapping techniques. This course will introduce you to the basic theory and practice of Mind Mapping. I will introduce you to the techniques and skills required to enable you to use Mind Mapping to help you unlock you thinking potential. The course will give you techniques, skills and ideas where Mind Mapping can be used (from the home, study to business). For parents you will be able to help your children study and use the same skills yourself in the home or business environment. I am passionate about Mind Mapping because I believe that it unlocks the door for so many people’s learning and development.
On completion of this course you might like to consider the second course (available later this year) which will give you more in-depth knowledge and understanding of Mind Mapping techniques.
Adobe Lightroom 2's superior organizing tools make it a snap to get your photo collection under control, and you can edit photos without ever leaving Lightroom using powerful tools like the Clarity tool, set white balance, edit exposure using the Tone Curve, and crop. You can even fix blemishes with the Spot Removal Tool and remove red eye, and use the Adjustment Brush to brush on corrections only where they are needed...all this without leaving Lightroom! You can even send photos to Photoshop or Elements for further work.
Lightroom lets you save custom settings as presets so you can apply the same settings to other photos in a snap, and supports plugins to send photos to online sites like Flickr. Share photos with online galleries and prints.
Prerequisites:
You need Lightroom 2 for Windows or Mac installed on your computer. Much of the class will work for Lightroom 1.
For most of the lessons the homework will consist of posting comments on your experiences with the program on the class message board, the other weeks you will need somewhere to post photo homework. You can post them to your own web site or there are ideas here for more posting places: http://www.northlite.net/homework.htm
This class is the first of a two part class for Painter IX.5, and Painter X. This is also suitable for those using Painter 11. With Corel Painter you can create digital art projects which appear as if they had been created with Real Life Media, such as oil paint, pastels, crayons, and watercolors to name just a few. Painter X contains over 8,000 brush variations, so no matter what you want to create, or how you want to create it, the tools you need can be found within the program.
When you open Painter for the very first time, you may be intimidated by the vast array of palettes, tools and what-nots. Have no fear! As you go through each lesson, you will be gently lead by the hand as you explore the wealth of Painter's possibilities. The class will focus on learning to get around in the workspace, exploring and using many of the tools and palettes, various customization features, and a general overview of the program. We will also cover the basics of cloning in Painter for those of you who are interested in turning your photographs into works of art.
Please note that this class has been written using screenshots from Painter X, but the majority of the lesson content also applies to both Painter IX.5 and Painter 11. Those features which are only available in Painter X have been specially noted in the lessons.
Prerequisites:
You must have Painter installed, (version IX.5, X, or 11) and be familiar with basic Windows or Mac operating system commands, such as creating folders, saving items to folders and navigating to saved item. You also must know how to download and unzip files.
Painter has been developed to integrate with pressure sensitive tablets such as the Wacom Bamboo, or Intuos. Although you can use the program with a mouse, you may want to consider buying a tablet at some point in time because many of the program features do not work correctly unless you are using a tablet. There is initially a bit of a learning curve, but once you begin to use the tablet and pen with Painter you will be both amazed and excited by how real the painting and drawing effects seem as you work within the program.
Note: If your Operating system is Mac Leopard, many of the features in Painter X will not work properly unless you are in Rosetta mode.
Beginning PSP X is for anyone new and just starting out with Paint Shop Pro. In this class, you'll explore the palettes, tool bars and generally become comfortable with program so that you can use it to create graphics in more advanced classes. While the program has not changed dramatically in this latest version, the interface is slightly different and beginners will find it easier to start with this beginning class rather than with previous versions of Paint Shop Pro.
Beginning Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 is for students looking to learn to work in this new version. In this class, you'll explore the tool bars, how to make tubes, create graphics and generally become comfortable with pspX2 so that you can use it to design graphics and edit photos. In this version you will see that the interface is slightly different and beginners will find it easier to start with this beginning class rather than with previous versions of Paint Shop Pro.
Prerequisites: You will need to have a trial version, available at Download.com (NOTE: DO NOT install until after the first lesson is posted since this is only a 30 day trial) or a full version installed on your computer before class starts. Students will be required to take screen shots of their work and upload to a photo sharing site.
This class will teach you how to take your photo's and turn them in to Painting's using Painter Essentials 3.
This new version of Painter Essentials let's you do quick an easy cloning of your Photo's turning them into work's of art. If you are someone interested in doing something more artistic with your digital pictures then this class is for you. Over the course of six weeks you will learn techniques that will turn your pictures in to works of art. So come join the fun.
Prerequisites: You must have a working knowledge of your computer. Web space to upload your work to is helpful but not mandatory.
Using a very limited brush set, DrEddie will take you step by step in creating "Six Unique Environments" with Painter, ranging from a snow scene, a sunset, a castle, an alien plant, a deserted Island, and a jungle scene. You will learn simple yet basic tricks that can speed the creation of your paintings.
DrEddie teaches a basic approach or method to creating a painting that you can apply to anything you wish to paint. This class assumes a basic understanding of Painter.
But it is just the beginning of where DrEddie hopes to take the interested student!
Prerequisites: A working knowledge of Painter. A website to upload your work is helpful but not mandatory.
Photoshop is the "Cadillac" of all graphics programs, It's the one used by professional graphic designers. It allows you to manipulate images, create amazing graphics with equally amazing effects.
Do you have an old photo that needs to be "fixed?" Is it faded, cracked, or otherwise damaged? Photoshop has the tools that can make that image almost better than new. You can even colorize your old black and white photo, or freshen up a faded one.
You can create your own graphics from scratch and with Photoshop's tools, do amazing things with them. So, the bottom line is you'll discover the treasure that is Photoshop. You'll learn about all the tools, how to use them – all the basics you need to get you up and running and starting to create your own wonderful images. There is a free 30 day trial version of Photoshop but, unfortunately, that's not long enough for this class. It's best to already have either Photoshop 6, 7, or CS in order to take this class. Folks who have CS2 or CS3 would also benefit from this class, as it utilizes the basic tools and they are the same in all versions.
Prerequisites: Students must have working knowledge of their operating system, how to save and locate files, and how to unzip files.
Adobe Photoshop is the industry standard image manipulation tool used for many tasks, from photo retouching to creating posters. One of the most versatile and powerful programs available to the designer, it is essential for a professional finish.
This is true not only because Photoshop is available on a wide array of platforms ranging from Mac to Windows to UNIX, but because after four generations of development, Adobe Photoshop has the most intuitive user interface, the most complete set of tools, and the largest number of reference books around.
We use Photoshop to color correct and sharpen scans. Photoshop gives us the ability to make great looking reproductions of not-so-great looking photographs. It lets us create whatever we want, from scratch and come out with amazing results.
The Intermediate class is designed to continue from the Beginning class and introduce you to more of the wonderful things you can do with this program. Armed with the knowledge of how the program works, you can now put that to use with more advanced skills.
We will learn more special effects created in Photoshop without using any third party filters. This class is a sequel to Pizzazz! but it is not linear and may be taken before, after, or at the same time as the Pizzazz! class. In the first class I showed you all the filters and how to use them. This time we will use the filters for even more dazzling effects. Because I explained what the settings mean in the Pizzazz! class, this class will be written as tutorials. They will be step by step, and you will be able to follow them even if you have not taken the first class. Most of this class will work with Photoshop Elements as well as Photoshop CS.
Prerequisites: You must have a good working knowledge of Photoshop or Elements, and understand layers.
This class is all new for Photoshop Elements 6! Learn to correct your photos for color and exposure problems, and to use the new tools in PSE 6 for great results! Learn to convert your photos to make dramatic black and white images and use levels, color curves, and much more. Learn many sharpening secrets and how to use the new Adjust Sharpness filter.
Prerequisites: THIS CLASS IS FOR BOTH MAC AND WINDOWS USERS! You need Photoshop Elements 6 for Mac or PC installed on your computer, and you should have taken the PSE 6 Ready, Set, Go! classes for either Mac or WIndows, depending on your platform.
Students must be familiar with their operating systems. This means you must know how to unzip files and open the file in Illustrator, you must understand what a menu is, and basic commands like copying and pasting, as well as Save and Save As.
You will need some sort of web presence to post homework. You can post them to your own web site or there are ideas here for more posting places: http://www.northlite.net/homework.htm
NOTE: This class has a limited enrollment and seats are going fast! If you would like to be in the September class don't wait to enroll. The class limit is 60 students. After the limit is reached you will be put in the November semester.
Learn to Organize your Photos with Photoshop Elements 6 Organizer! The organizer is a feature of Photoshop Elements for Windows. You will learn to import your photos and tag and sort them. You'll learn to add them to a map and how make photo creations like album pages, slideshows, and web photo galleries, as well as print your photos in photo layouts. Learn to make photo books and CD/DVD jackets and labels!
Prerequisites: This class can be taken concurrently with the PSE 6: Ready, Set, Go! classes. For some projects in this class, you may need web space if you intend to post homework.
Students must be familiar with their operating systems. This means you must know how to unzip files and open the file in Illustrator, you must understand what a menu is, and basic commands like copying and pasting, as well as Save and Save As.
IMPORTANT:This class works for PSE 6 for the Mac and PC, and PSE 7 for the PC. Although the Mac does not have the Organizer, it does have almost all of the Create and Share features we will be using in this class. Mac users are welcome.
The goal of this class is to shed some light on the creative side of the Organizer. The Organizer is more than a way to organize your photos; it is almost a program in itself, working alongside the Elements Editor providing features that were handled by the Editor in older versions of Elements, such as creating photo layouts, contact sheets, batch processing, PDF Slideshows, and HTML Web Galleries. The Organizer doesn't stop with taking over many of the tasks that used to be taken care of in the Editor; it goes much further, adding DVD and CD labels and jackets, HTML email, creating professionally printed photo books, ordering prints of your photos online, and much more. Join me to learn to use Elements Editor and Organizer together to create great projects and share them with others.
NOTE: The previous class, Photoshop Elements 6: Using the Organizer, deals with the organizational aspects of using the Organizer. It covers importing and cataloging photos, using tags and albums as well as version sets and stacks. It covers the different viewing methods in the Photo Browser and how to set properties and ratings for your photos. It covers setting and understanding Organizer preferences, and how to manage your photo and media collection with ease, even if it is huge!
Prerequisites
We will be using layers and text, so you should have taken the Elements 6: Ready, Set, Go classes first unless you are already very familiar with these features, as they will not be covered in detail in this course. You should also have taken the first Organizer course, Photoshop Elements 6: Using the Organizer if you are a Windows user. For some projects you may need web space if you intend to post homework. Note please that some projects require a web space the allows FTP; if you do not have web space with FTP capability or do not know how to use it, you will not be able to post some of your projects; however, no one will be penalized for an inability to post those assignments. You can post them to your own web site or there are ideas here for more posting places: http://www.northlite.net/homework.htm
We’ve all got them: shoeboxes of old photos waiting for us to fix them. They have cracks, they’re faded, they have mildew…in this six week course in photo restoration you will learn to fix all that and more. Join me to learn secrets the pros use to breathe new life into old photos!
Prerequisites
This class is for both Windows and Mac users, and covers both PSE 6 and PSE 7.
We will be using layers and text, so you should have taken the Elements 6: Ready, Set, Go classes for Windows or Mac or the PSE 7 basics class first unless you are already very familiar with these features, as they will not be covered in this course. This is an advanced course using advanced techniques, and the student will need a very good understanding of layers, the Enhance menu and the photo tools in the toolbox. All of these have been covered in the Ready, Set, Go Courses for both Mac and Windows.
You will need web space if you intend to post homework. You can post homework to your own web site or there are ideas here for more posting places: http://www.northlite.net/homework.htm
IMPORTANT: This class is the beginning class for Photoshop Elements 7 for Windows only. If you have any other version, there is a separate class.
This class is the first part of a two part beginning course on Photoshop Elements 7. We will be covering the interface and tools, as well as the new tools in PSE 7, such as the Smart Brush Tool and the basics on the Action Player. (Installation of Actions and more advanced usage is not in this course, but instead is found in the course Photoshop Elements Create and Share, which covers both PSE 6 and PSE 7.)
Prerequisites:
You must have Photoshop Elements 7.0 installed, and be familiar with basic Windows operating system commands, such as knowing how to use menus and to save and open files. You also must know how to download and unzip files because there will often be files needed to complete class exercises.
To post homework, you will have to be able to either build a simple webpage, use one of the free web hosts or photo gallery sites. Ideas for free or low cost web space can be found at http://www.northlite.net/homework.htm. If you are really new to web pages then I suggest one of the gallery sites like Picassa or Flickr which is free or pbase which is very reasonable. Neither of those options require you to know any html.
IMPORTANT! This course is the second part of a two part course in Photoshop Elements 7 Basics. The first class consists of Lessons 1-6; this class picks up where that one left off with Lessons 7-12. You MUST take the previous course before taking this one!
This class is the second part of the Photoshop Elements 7 Basics class, and picks up where the first class left off. You will learn to understand and use layers effectively, use layer blend modes, use the Preset Manager, create and save custom brushes, use type and vector shapes, and much more.
This class does not cover the Organizer. Because of the scope of the Organizer and the fact it is as feature-packed as a separate program, it has its own classes. The organizing aspects of the Organizer is covered in a separate class, Photoshop Elements: Using the Organizer. The creative aspects of the Organizer, such as Web Albums and PDF slideshows, is covered in Photoshop Elements: Create and Share.
Prerequisites:
You need Photoshop Elements 7 for Windows installed on your computer, and you must have taken the PSE 7 Basics class for Windows first, because this class is a continuation of the first course.
You will need some sort of web presence to post homework. You can post them to your own web site or there are ideas here for more posting places: http://www.northlite.net/homework.htm
With so many third party filters available for Photoshop Elements, people tend to forget about the ones native to the software. Native filters are the ones you will find under the Filters menu. These filters can produce some dramatic effects whether used alone or combined with others, how to use these filters is the focus of this course.
One more problem is often these filters aren't very intuitive, so even if you have noticed them, or even experimented with them, you may not know what the sliders and settings mean, or when you might want to use a particular effect.
Through six weekly lessons, we will cover quite a few of these filters to enhance photographs, create paintings and make your text stand off the page. I believe in learning by doing so we'll be creating images as we go to learn more about these filters.
Lessons will include making paintings from filters, beveling text and adding texture to photographs using the Lighting Effects filter, using the Texturizer and Displace filter, using the 3D Transform Filter, and much more.
Prerequisites:
You need Photoshop Elements installed on your computer. This is NOT a beginner class, and as such, you should have already taken the beginning classes for your version before taking this class or you need to be very familiar with layers and selections as they are not covered here.
This intermediate class is for both Mac and Windows Elements users. The class was written with Elements 7 for Windows, but will work with earlier Mac and Windows versions for the most part, as many of these filters have not changed since Elements 1.
You will need some sort of web presence to post homework. You can post them to your own web site or there are ideas here for more posting places: http://www.northlite.net/homework.htm
CPanel is a fully featured web-based control panel that allows you to manage your web hosting space and domain name through a web interface. This easy to use interface is packed full of useful features and is provided free with some web hosting services.
Inside cPanel website owners can manage site statistics, backup their site, manage email accounts, manage their files, create message boards and more. Learn to explore your cPanel and benefit from quick tips in discovering how to use the different features in cPanel.
Enroll today and unleash "The Power of cPanel for your website!"
Prerequisites: The Student should know that they have cPanel available through their web host provider. You should already have an active website in order to take advantage of cPanel features. Be sure you can access your cPanel before the class starts.
Opening QuickBooks can be over whelming and confusing. In this 6 week introduction course you will learn how to setup a new company. How to navigate within the program. Learn to add customers and create invoices and link the billing info to your customers listed in the program. Pay Bills, Writing Checks and Receiving Customer Payments are also covered.
Prerequisites: Familiarity with your computer/operating system. Have a working copy of QuickBooks 2004 or 2005.
With each new version QuickBooks has added new features, but older features have not changed significantly. By the end of this course, you should have a basic understanding of how to work in QuickBooks so you can manage a small business.
Quicken makes it easy to pay bills, track your spending and see where your money is going. Simplify your life with all of your finances, all in one place. It's the perfect way to see where your money is going with all the tools you need to budget, balance and track your finances. See where your money goes. See what's coming in, what's going out, and what's left over. Easily monitor your cash flow. Get a detailed picture of your monthly financial picture. Plan ahead so you'll have enough money in your account to avoid late fees or interest charges.
The list goes on and on of the ways Quicken will simplify your financial life. Learning as much about it as you can will save you future headaches.
Learning Objectives: Students will learn how to manage their checking and savings accounts, credit cards, and investments, all within the Quicken program. Students will learn how to analyze and track their cash flow, investments and debt, keep track of their loans. They will learn to create reports and how to get their information into Turbo Tax, making their tax preparation easier.
Requirements: Quicken Basic 2007 software. Other versions will work, but lessons will be based on the Basic 2007 version.
Prerequisites: Students must have a working knowledge of their operating system, how to save and locate files.
There is no one tool in Adobe Illustrator that is typically used alone or to the exclusion of the many other options available when working with a project.
HOWEVER…
There is one tool some Adobe Illustrator users leave untouched when creating… This is the "Pen Tool." Many artists seem to experience a sort-of "emotional block" when they try to use the "Pen Tool" and, as a result, default to the "Pencil Tool" for their drawings.
It's the opinion of this instructor that the "Pen Tool" resides more in the "physical/mechanical" world than the "artistic," hence the difficulty artists experience trying to use it.
This is NOT an advanced course in Adobe Illustrator. It's a series of six very basic classes intended to walk the Adobe Illustrator user (whether novice or experienced) through the process of becoming more comfortable with the "Pen Tool," its several uses, and methods of coordinating it with the many other tools and capabilities Adobe Illustrator has to offer. This is a generic set of instructions intended to help the student become more familiar with the Pen Tool regardless of their edition of Adobe Illustrator.
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