StylePix is a free image editing software, an alternative for Photoshop or Fireworks, with numerous advanced features.

It has an intuitive user interface where all the controls can be selected easily.

The software works with layers & offers multi-layer/group editing support.

Some features of StylePix are:

• various selection types (auto-range, color-range & rectangular, circular, polygonal, lasso area selection)
• batch processing
• 30 different filters
• thumbnail, histogram & waveform view for current image
• & more..

StylePix works on Windows OS & consumes very few system resources, even the installer is ~800kb, which makes it an ideal solution for less-powerful computers or running from portable devices (a portable version exists).

Online image editors have evolved so much in the last few years & became very mature + functional for designers at every level.

They generally offer a similar interface with the popular image editing softwares which lowers the learning curve so much.

Almost all of them are Flash-based (no extra installations -like plugins- are required) & load/work very fast.

Why To Use Them?

You may be asking yourself why to use a web-based one when there is a powerful image editing software installed on your computer like Photoshop, Fireworks, GIMP, etc.?

Portability

There is no need to have a software other than a browser to run such applications. Also designs created with them can be saved instantly online.

This function is specially handy for anyone working at different locations/computers.

The Price Factor

Most popular image editing softwares, except GIMP, are generally not cheap & every new version requires a new license.

Online image editing platforms are free or come with cheap subscription plans.

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Mastering frequently used applications increases the productivity significantly.

Controlling these applications via keyboard is a part of this "mastering process" which helps you use an application with 2 hands = much faster.

Also, knowing the tricks of tools inside these products definitely opens new doors for creating.

Specifically for designers, here is a list of cheat sheets for the most popular applications like Photoshop, Illustrator, Gimp, Fireworks & more..

Photoshop CS4 Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts are very well organized, both by menu & alphabetically.

Also, shortcut presets that add lots of extra shortcuts are provided too.

Keyboard shortcuts for previous Photoshop versions:

• Adobe Photoshop CS3
• Adobe Photoshop CS2
• Adobe Photoshop CS
• Adobe Photoshop 7
• Adobe Photoshop 6
• Adobe Photoshop 5

Photoshop Black And White Cheat Sheet

There are many different way & settings for converting images to black and white with Photoshop.

This is a Photoshop file presenting different filters/presets. Just update 1 file & see the various outputs.

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Designing with grids is very common as it helps creating identical, measured layouts.

960 Grid System is an effort to streamline web development (for rapid prototyping and for production environments) workflow by providing commonly used dimensions , based on a width of 960 pixels. There are two variants: 12 and 16 columns, which can be used separately or in tandem.

Why 960 pixels?

All modern monitors support at least 1024 × 768 pixel resolution. 960 is divisible by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 16, 20, 24, 30, 32, 40, 48, 60, 64, 80, 96, 120, 160, 192, 240, 320 and 480. This makes it a highly flexible base number to work with.

What is in the package?

In the download package, you can find PDF grid paper, templates for Fireworks, OmniGraffle, Photoshop & Visio, and CSS framework with demo HTML .

Web 2.0 styles, if you like the gradients and shiny looks, simply boost the design process.

Similar to the DezinerFolio Web 2.0 Photoshop gradients, 2EXPERTSDESIGN created a set of Fireworks Web 2.0 Styles which Fireworks users will find handy.