Sims Editing Workshop ~ Closed

https://i.imgur.com/Ke81T8y.png
Welcome to our first mini workshop (named Challenge 1.5)!

We are covering editing programs to ensure that you actually understand your program going forward, which will make teaching and learning easier for everyone.

As usual, I recommend Gimp or Photoshop as your main program because they are quite powerful and have the most resources out there, as well as the most tools/features. If not and you use a weaker program, I recommend at least using PS or Gimp for any missing features in the weaker program or find a plugin. Things like layer masks, a liquify/warp, clip masks, multiple layer modes, controllable filters, clone stamp, gaussian blur, etc. are important tools that you are going to need down the road. So hopefully a plugin exists if the tool is missing, or just use a side program.

Also, majority of the vets have no idea how to use Kritika, Fire Alpaca, Paint.net, etc. as we mostly excel in Photoshop, Gimp, and/or Lightroom. While we can track down similarities and figure out the tools, we are not experts and can only help so much and cover so much in the Workshops. And since we are doing live challenges we can’t write a new tutorial for each program as it would take too long. Therefore, if you are dedicated to your program you need to learn the program to fill in any gaps we, or others, can’t cover. This way you don’t fall behind and can translate any tutorials if they aren’t for your program.

And if you want to switch but are intimidated, don’t be! The links down below will easily help you locate the similar tools you used in the previous program and teach you the new ones, making switching easier. It’s all a matter of patience and practice. Back in the day, as a beginner, I went from Gimp to PS in about a month, switching back for anything I was confused on but always returning to PS for practice. I eventually became familiar with PS’s common tools that I used to use in Gimp, then made the full transition. This was without any guides, etc. just exploring and messing with tools, so with guides it will be easier. (Btw, I have a PS CS6 download if people do want to transition.)

Now let’s get down to business. For this workshop I will list tutorials and misc. links that will help you learn your program. These will either be from the creators themselves, from a vet, from Youtube, etc. and may be about shortcuts, how to add plugins/brushes/etc., what each tool does, etc. Also, if your program is not listed please let me know and I will see what I can do. I will not cover internet programs (like using Photobucket or Flickr to edit), drawing programs, Microsoft Paint, Picasa, PhotoScape, etc. Please do not use those for your main editing program. Also, please keep in mind that Krita and Fire Alpaca are digital art programs (like Paint Tool SAI), meaning they are missing some editing related features. We are still going to cover them here for those that use them but please locate plugins, or substitute with Gimp/PS, for missing features later down the road.

Note: I have all of these programs downloaded and have used them to figure out their capabilities. This will also allow me to help those struggling to locate/use features.

Outline:
Overall Manual: This is the go-to guide for anyone who is new or has basic knowledge of their program, and who needs guidance for editing and program setup and use. If you know every tool, setting, option, etc. then you probably don’t need to read this, but if you only know a handful of things then you should read it.
Setup: Covers how to setup your program for optimal use, moving windows around and getting things ready, and/or explains what the main windows/tabs/etc. do.
Settings: Covers settings and other preferences you can change to make your experience better, including shortcuts.
Tool/Feature Explanation: Covers the tools and features so you know what they do and how to use them.
Shortcuts (to print or write down): List of all the keyboard shortcuts available to improve your workflow and make you faster.
How to Add Plugins/Scripts/Brushes/Fonts/Etc.: Covers how to add plugins, scripts, brushes, fonts, etc. to your program to improve or fix features. Fonts are generally added the same way for majority of computer systems, but I left a link that explains any limitations for that program or any special steps.
Quick Tutorials: Tutorials from the creators, or others, but has a list of quick tutorials to refer to.

Photoshop CC
CC is the latest version of PS and the most powerful editor. It is also no longer expensive (compared to what they wanted before) only costing $9.99 every month, which includes Lightroom as well (a second program focused on photography editing). It receives constant updates and new features.

• Overall Manual: (2016 only, no 2017+) https://helpx.adobe.com/pdf/photoshop_reference.pdf
  https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/user-guide.html
  
• Quick Manual (my tutorial): https://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/comment/13875980#Comment_13875980
  
• Setup: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/workspace-basics.html
  https://retouchingacademy.com/customizing-your-workspace-in-photoshop/
  
• Settings: http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=2115887
  https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/photoshop-cc-the/9781491905593/ch01s04.html
  
• Tool/Feature Explanation: (You can find more info about features in the manual, but here are some links to get you started)
  https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/tools.html
  https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/using-tools.html
  https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/filter-effects-reference.html
  
• Shortcuts (to print or write down): https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/default-keyboard-shortcuts.html
  
• How to Add Plugins: https://en.softonic.com/articles/how-to-install-a-plugin-in-photoshop-3
  
  
  
  • Scripts: https://forums.adobe.com/thread/983573
    
  • Actions: https://sleeklens.com/how-to-install-photoshop-actions/
    
  • Brushes: https://bwillcreative.com/2018/01/31/how-to-import-brush-packs-into-photoshop-cc/
    
  • Fonts: https://www.digitaltrends.com/photography/how-to-install-fonts-in-photoshop/
    
  
  
• Quick Tutorials: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/tutorials.html
  https://www.youtube.com/user/PhlearnLLC/playlists
  

Photoshop CS6
CS6 was the last version before Adobe switched to PS CC, making it the next best option for editing either as a onetime purchase or finding a free download (like I have available). CS2 is actually free from Adobe if you want PS but don’t want CC or CS6, but the features are basic.

• Overall Manual: https://help.adobe.com/archive/en/photoshop/cs6/photoshop_reference.pdf
  
• Setup: https://www.photoshopessentials.com/basics/managing-panels-in-photoshop-cs6/
  https://www.photoshopessentials.com/basics/photoshop-cs6-workspaces/
  
• Settings: http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1915790
  
• Tool/Feature Explanation: (You can find more info about features in the manual)
  https://www.agitraining.com/adobe/photoshop/tutorials/tools-panel-in-photoshop-cs6
  http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1925615
  
• Shortcuts (to print or write down): https://training-nyc.com/legacy/photoshop_cs6_all_keyboard_shortcuts_sheet.pdf
  
• How to Add Plugins: https://en.softonic.com/articles/how-to-install-a-plugin-in-photoshop-3
  
  
  
  • Scripts: https://forums.adobe.com/thread/983573
    
  • Actions https://sleeklens.com/how-to-install-photoshop-actions/
    
  • Brushes: https://bwillcreative.com/2018/01/31/how-to-import-brush-packs-into-photoshop-cc/
    
  • Fonts: https://www.adobe.com/products/type/install-instructions.html
    
  
  
• Quick Tutorials: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/atv/cs6-tutorials.html
  

Gimp 2.10
These links are mainly for 2.10, which came out this year. If you haven’t yet, make sure to update to the newest Gimp for the latest features.

• Overall Manual: https://docs.gimp.org/2.10/en/ (If you need it in another language: https://www.gimp.org/docs/)
  
• Quick Manual (my tutorial for 2.8, but still useful):
  https://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/comment/13875942#Comment_13875942
  
• Setup: https://docs.gimp.org/2.10/en/gimp-concepts-main-windows.html
  https://docs.gimp.org/2.10/en/gimp-image-window.html
  https://docs.gimp.org/2.10/en/gimp-concepts-docks.html
  
• Settings: https://docs.gimp.org/2.10/en/gimp-pimping.html
  
• Tool/Feature Explanation: https://docs.gimp.org/2.10/en/gimp-function-reference.html
  
• Shortcuts (to print or write down): http://www.gimpusers.com/gimp/hotkeys
  https://jeffkayser.com/static/cheatsheets/cheatsheet_gimp.png
  
• How to Add Plugins: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/GIMP/Installing_Plugins
  
  
  
  • Scripts: https://docs.gimp.org/2.10/en/install-script-fu.html
    
  • Brushes: https://docs.gimp.org/2.10/en/gimp-using-brushes.html
    
  • Fonts: https://docs.gimp.org/2.10/en/gimp-using-fonts.html
    
  
  
• Quick Tutorials: https://www.gimp.org/tutorials/
  https://www.gimp.org/tutorials/list-all.html
  

Krita

• Overall Manual: https://docs.krita.org/en/user_manual.html#user-manual
  
• Setup: https://docs.krita.org/en/user_manual/getting_started/navigation.html
  
• Settings: https://docs.krita.org/en/reference_manual/preferences.html
  
• Tool/Feature Explanation: (You can find more info about features in the manual)
  https://docs.krita.org/en/user_manual/getting_started/basic_concepts.html
  https://docs.krita.org/en/reference_manual.html#reference-manual
  
• Shortcuts (to print or write down): https://defkey.com/krita-shortcuts
  https://shortcutworld.com/Krita/win/Krita-Painting_3_Shortcuts
  
• How to Add Plugins: https://docs.krita.org/en/user_manual/python_scripting/krita_python_plugin_howto.html#getting-krita-to-recognize-your-plugin
  https://docs.krita.org/en/reference_manual/preferences/python_plugin_manager.html
  
  
  
  • Scripts: For this program the scripts are plugins
    
  • Brushes: https://docs.krita.org/en/reference_manual/resource_management/resource_brushtips.html
    https://docs.krita.org/en/user_manual/loading_saving_brushes.html#sharing-brushes
    https://docs.krita.org/en/user_manual/loading_saving_brushes.html#making-a-brush-preset (Creating your own)
    
  
  
• Fonts: https://www.reddit.com/r/krita/comments/6s93ai/how_to_install_fonts/dlbduwj/?st=jqfq8by7&sh=f8d0a3ae
  
• Quick Tutorials: https://docs.krita.org/en/tutorials.html#tutorials
  

Fire Alpaca

• Overall Manual: http://everythingfirealpaca.tumblr.com/post/80735096595/firealpaca-tutorial (close enough, lol)
  
• Setup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F632SztGENc&t=879s
  
• Settings: N/A
  
• Tool/Feature Explanation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F632SztGENc&t=64s
  https://www.deviantart.com/atsusakaneytza/art/FireAlpaca-Guide-pt-1-346953677
  https://www.deviantart.com/atsusakaneytza/art/FireAlpaca-Guide-pt-2-346953627
  https://www.deviantart.com/atsusakaneytza/art/FireAlpaca-Guide-pt-3-346953565
  
• Shortcuts (to print or write down): https://66.media.tumblr.com/81165677a33dc6a012083fa005aeb4a2/tumblr_inline_p7hoox4aUO1qfqfue_400.png
  https://www.deviantart.com/atsusakaneytza/art/Secret-FireAlpaca-Shortcuts-489284543
  
• How to Add Plugins: Plugin features do not exist
  
  
  
  • Scripts: Only for brushes https://www.deviantart.com/rimirinchan/journal/FireAlpaca-Brush-Scripts-535291287
    
  • Brushes: http://everythingfirealpaca.tumblr.com/post/159852638907/how-do-i-download-brushes-not-from-cloud
    https://www.deviantart.com/cocobunnie/art/Tut-Brush-Installing-Tutorial-471727135
    https://firealpaca.com/en/topics/Add+brushes%21 (Creating your own)
    
  • Fonts: http://everythingfirealpaca.tumblr.com/post/151129460077/how-do-i-import-downloaded-fonts-like-i-have-some
    
  
  
• Quick Tutorials: http://firealpaca.com/en/topics/list/
  

Paint.Net

• Overall Manual: https://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/index.html
  
• Setup: https://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/MainWindow.html
  
• Settings: https://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/SettingsDialog.html
  
• Tool/Feature Explanation: (You can find more info about features in the manual)
  https://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/ToolsWindow.html
  https://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/AdjustmentsMenu.html
  
• Shortcuts (to print or write down): https://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/KeyboardMouseCommands.html
  
• How to Add Plugins: https://www.getpaint.net/doc/latest/InstallPlugins.html
  
  
  
  • Scripts: For this program the scripts are plugins
    
  • Brushes: https://forums.getpaint.net/topic/25792-photoshop-brush-filetype-2018-12-23/ (Plugin to load PS brushes)
    https://forums.getpaint.net/topic/25792-photoshop-brush-filetype-2018-12-23/?tab=comments#comment-385683 (Installing PS brushes with plugin)
    
  • Fonts: https://forums.getpaint.net/topic/26781-adding-fonts-to-paintnet/
    
  
  
• Quick Tutorials: https://forums.getpaint.net/forum/18-tutorials-publishing-only/
  

Submission:
For this challenge it’s time to get creative! First, read the links and play around with your program. Poke at all the tools and features and once you have discovered your favorite, create a picture with it! This can be either a Sims or person/animal/object edit, or you can create some art. Complex or simple, multiple tools and features, whatever you want! When you submit, explain why the main tool or feature used is your favorite (which can also be as simple as “it’s fun”). Feedback will not be provided this round unless you request it, since this was just meant to be a fun activity to get you guys working with your programs.

Regardless if you submit or not, please make sure to read the links and learn your program. You have no idea how much they’ll help you now and later when you get into the other topics. If you are confused on anything or need more info on something, just message me or post.

Due Date: January 17th