Photoshop CS5 does have new features, but for those working with huge files, the 64-bit part is essential. It means that working with bigger files can be much faster, because operations can be performed in RAM.

The days of the scratch volume are over for Mac Pro users with adequate memory (excepting really monster jobs exceeding 60GB or so).

Memory usage

Memory in 32-bit CS5 is limited to 2100MB, nearly 1GB less than with Photoshop CS4 (3072MB vs 2100MB).

Problem is, many 32-bit plugins require 32-bit mode until new versions arrive. The only workaround seems to be run both CS4 and CS5 simultaneously.

The Cache Tile Size setting is a load of crap also. I mean… makes no sense!? The recommended default setting yields hugely impaired performance. And using a preset is well running blind. Adobe states “To quickly optimize these settings, click a preset…”. Rubbish!!! This is a careless decision (or maybe mistake). Something else should be done, perhaps maybe CS5 figuring it out automatically (self analysis).

Let’s just say that the performance levels were not to my liking. In fact, Photoshop CS5 performed worse than CS4. I was even more confused because Adobe touted the 64-bit nature of Phototshop CS5, which was supposed to bring all sorts of performance gains. I saw none of these, and in fact the opposite.

The Rotate View tool was sluggish and jumpy, brush resizing via the keyboard was jerky at times, zooming in and out was full of hiccups and lag.

Lest you think I’ve been holding on to some old outdated machine, I’m running a Mac Pro dual-quad 3.2 Ghz with 24 GB of RAM. And like I said, CS4 was blazingly fast for me. I was really disappointed in the upgrade. In fact, I was reverting back to using CS4 for my Photoshop needs.

Reaching the end of my rope, I finally did a Google search. I found the Mac Performance Guide article all about Optimizing Photoshop CS5 Performance.

The series of articles explains that most of the tips for CS4 were valid, but there were a few things specific to CS5 that could use a little work. In particular, the one tip that helped me was the Cache Tile Size tip. Seems this obscure little setting in the preferences has a huge impact on Photoshop CS5’s performance, and oddly it’s set by default to a number that kills Photoshop’s performance by up to 80% in some cases!

There’s also a Memory Allocation issue which — as the author suggests — is a bug and needs to be fixed by Adobe.

For general use, I’d probably use a history of 50 or so, because I like history then to these settings…

1024kb Cache   –   15 History   –   3 Cache levels
don’t even think about using 128K tiles with big files.

]]> http://slightlycurvedcube.co.uk/blog/more-free-wallpapers-to-download/feed 0 http://slightlycurvedcube.co.uk/blog/charity-website http://slightlycurvedcube.co.uk/blog/charity-website#comments Wed, 16 Jun 2010 09:52:54 +0000 admin http://slightlycurvedcube.co.uk/blog/?p=344

So what exactly do you get?

Logo design: The ‘logo package’ SCC offer is concise and thorough as we carry out a fair bit of research before we design anything on the computer. We will look at your competitors to see how you can be ‘different’ from them and shine through.

We hand render ideas on paper first to get a better understanding, as preliminary sketches are an important first step in designing a more effective logo.

From the initial ideas sketched, you will be supplied you with 6 logo ideas as a PDF. Each will vary in style, but stay within the aesthetic qualities your target market. Then from the 6 logos delivered, may we ask you choose one (or a couple)

Your chosen logo will be refined and tweaked with unlimited revisions until you receive the desired effect. On completion, we will deliver your logos as JPG, EPS, and AI in CMYK, RGB and Greyscale (if required).

Branding of Stationery (business card, letterhead and compliment slip): You will receive 3 designs initially, from which you will choose one design. From the design you choose, unlimited amendments will be made until you receive the desired effect. Designs will be for business card, letterhead and envelopes.

8 Page Company Brochure: Your 8 page brochure will be designed in Adobe Indesign CS4 to a superior standard, professional and corporate.

You will receive 2 styles to choose from. We do ask you to choose a preferred style to receive unlimited amendments to the stage where you are satisfied with the overall theme that is starting to ‘take-hold’. Once we get ‘the nod’, the remainder of the brochure shall be designed to the same standard, utilising and exploiting the qualities throughout.

Once complete, we will supply you with all the original files and a ‘ready for press’ PDF.

6 Page Web Design with CMS: You will receive 2 designs initially, with 2 pages per design from which you will choose one design. All work is carried-out in the industry standard Adobe CS4 and as layered PSD’s. From the design you choose, unlimited amendments will be made until you receive the desired effect.

Once you have chosen a design, the rest of the pages will be designed to your specification. Once the design is signed-off, we will pass the PSD’s through to web-development for 100% hand coded CSS and strict XHTML conversion. At this point the CMS will be integrated (Wordpress, Joomla or another Open Source Platform to suit your needs).

We are all aware of email (I’m sure), but did you know it was invented more than 40 years ago, and without it the internet would have never existed.

Google have been hard at work designing a totally ‘new’ email – they teamed up with all the ‘big players’ in net-apps and will be delivering this to us… Google Wave – Have a look at this simple yet informative Youtube video of what it’s all about.