What is SVG?

SVG stands for scalable vector graphics. It’s an XML-based coded file format that enables us to use vector graphics in webpages.

Why Should You Optimize SVG Files?

Design apps such as Sketch, Adobe XD, and Illustrator code SVG files differently. Some produce cleaner code than others. Regardless of what app codes the SVG file, it’s likely that the code can be further optimized, offering cleaner code and a smaller file (which downloads faster). Loading speed is important because website speed is one factor that affects your website’s Google ranking.

Optimizing SVG files can have other benefits. Once we had an SVG file that Illustrator didn’t like. The SVG was exported from Sketch, and we were trying to open it in Illustrator. We got an error message and it appeared wrong in Illustrator. After optimizing the SVG file, it imported without error and looked correct!

What are Variable Fonts?

Variable fonts are a new kind of font that allows for amazing new levels of flexibility. With just one font file you can alter thickness, width, or just about any attribute you can think of... all while keeping the file-size small (important for websites).

Do not limit your thinking to the standard options that you’ve seen before (bold, italic, extended, condensed, etc.). Font designers can make variable fonts do all sorts of cool things!

Topics: Using custom hair brushes to create a selection/mask, Refining the hair mask, Removing a color cast

Exercise Preview

Photo courtesy of istockphoto, ProjectB, Image #5164255

Excel spreadsheets have been the standard in the business world, allowing people to leverage spreadsheets for everything from accounting to managing schedules. As one of the world’s most popular software programs, Excel is used in all facets of a company, from human resources to Finance. However, there comes a time when one may look to grow beyond Excel and foray into the world of databases and coding-based solutions.

Topics: Making a selection using Channels & Curves, Refining the selection with the History Brush, Refining the hair mask

Photo courtesy of istockphoto, ianmcdonnell, Image #8884668

Hair Selections & the Search for the Holy Grail

Hair Selections & the Search for the Holy Grail Everyone’s looking for the easy path. The internet is filled with so-called experts doling out “tips, tricks, and techniques,” and they may sound like they are the answer, but when you try them on your photos, you just get frustrated because they don’t work. You think there’s something wrong with you or your retouching skills, but maybe that technique only worked on that one photo and background combination! It’s not as easy as learning one tip or technique. Hair is more complex than that. A blonde on a dark background must be treated differently than a blonde on a light background.

The internet is full of noise about what counts as “real” data science. This genre is generally a waste of time, but for beginners it can be particularly pernicious. If you’re already feeling like a fish out of water, the last thing you need to hear is that you’re a “fake” data scientist. Nothing more demoralizing!

The thought of programming an app might sound intimidating to anyone who hasn’t tried it before. Never fear! Your brain is up for the challenge.

One of the first things you’ll do as a new programmer is choose a text editor to work with on a regular basis. Two of the most popular text editors, Atom and Sublime, offer features that can make your work a lot easier. But which one is better?

Each year Adobe comes out with new features, so what changed in Photoshop CC 2019? We’ll cover the most important changes we think you should know about.

Changes to Multiple Undo

Prior to Photoshop CC 2019, Cmd–Z (Mac) or Ctrl–Z (Windows) acted as a toggle. It would undo, and then redo the very last thing you did. I always thought this was because of Photoshop’s roots in photography. It was useful to compare the before and after states to see if the retouching/color correction you just applied looks good. Regardless of the reason, it did make Photoshop different than other Creative Cloud apps. CC 2019 changes the keystroke to work like InDesign, Illustrator, etc.

• In CC 2019 each time you hit Cmd–Z (Mac) or Ctrl–Z (Windows), you will go farther back in your file’s history.
• To redo, you now hit Cmd–Shift–Z (Mac) or Ctrl–Shift–Z (Windows).
• Miss the old toggle-style undo? Use Cmd–Opt–Z (Mac) or Ctrl–Alt–Z (Windows).

If you don’t like the new keystrokes, you can revert back to the prior behavior as follows:

1. Go into Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts.
2. Check on Use Legacy Undo Shortcuts and click OK.
3. Restart Photoshop.