graphic design Archives

Winsage

February 17, 2025

Upgrade Your Windows 11 Experience with These 10 Free Alternatives to thew Standard Apps

- ImageGlass is a fast and versatile replacement for the default Photos app, supporting various image formats and basic editing tools. - Files App is a modern alternative to File Explorer with features like split tabs, compact views, and smooth navigation. - LibreOffice is a free, open-source office suite that provides alternatives to Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. - GIMP is a powerful, open-source image editing tool with advanced features like layer management and color correction. - ShareX, Lightshot, PicPick, and SnipPaste are enhanced screenshot tools offering features like screen recording, annotations, and workflow automation. - ScreenBox is a VLC-based media player with robust format support and a sleek design. - Nora is a modern audio player with dynamic controls, playlist management, and an equalizer. - PDF Gear offers advanced PDF features like annotation, editing, and built-in OCR. - Zen Browser is a privacy-focused web browser built on Firefox, emphasizing security and customization. - Fluid Cast is a dedicated podcast app with offline downloads and progress tracking. - Qalculate! is a versatile calculator supporting basic and complex calculations, while SpeedCrunch is a keyboard-focused calculator for quick calculations.

Winsage

December 18, 2024

How to extract text from screenshots with the Snipping Tool in Windows 11

Microsoft's Snipping Tool in Windows 11 now includes Optical Character Recognition (OCR) capabilities, allowing users to extract text from screenshots and images. This feature enables direct copying of text, formatting as a table, or redacting sensitive information. To use it, users must have version 11.2308.33.0 or higher, which can be confirmed in the app's settings. The process involves opening the Snipping Tool, taking a screenshot or opening an existing image, clicking the Text actions button, and then copying the extracted text to the clipboard. Similar OCR functionalities are also available in Microsoft Photos and PowerToys.

Winsage

December 1, 2024

The best Cyber Monday Surface Laptop and Surface Pro deals already available

Cyber Monday features significant deals on Microsoft Surface devices. - Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 13.5-inch Refurbished: 0, 38% off, Intel Evo Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, 18 hours battery life. - Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 15-inch Refurbished: 0, 38% off, Intel Evo Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, 17 hours battery life. - Microsoft Surface Pro 13-inch: ,350, 33% off, Snapdragon X Plus CPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, includes keyboard. - Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 14.4-inch: ,282, 11% off, Intel Core i7-13800H, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU. The Surface Pro is a tablet with a detachable keyboard, while the Surface Laptop offers a traditional laptop experience.

Winsage

November 22, 2024

5 cool things to do with virtual machines on Windows 11

Windows 11 simplifies the setup of virtual machines (VMs) using Hyper-V or Oracle's VirtualBox, allowing users to quickly establish VMs for various purposes. Users can run legacy applications and games that struggle on modern systems by utilizing older operating systems like Windows XP or Windows 7, or using DOSBox for very old games. VMs enable users to operate multiple operating systems simultaneously, catering to different needs such as programming or graphic design. They can also help maintain privacy against workplace monitoring by isolating personal activities from employer-mandated tracking software. Additionally, VMs allow users to safely explore potentially harmful software for cybersecurity purposes, although caution is advised due to the risk of sophisticated malware escaping the VM. Backing up an entire operating system within a VM is straightforward, involving the management of files like virtual disk images and configuration files, but users should be aware of legal considerations regarding sharing or duplicating VMs.

Winsage

September 27, 2024

This clever 3K OLED laptop with RTX 4060 graphics builds a unique dial right into the touchpad — but a divisive design choice leaves users like me at a disadvantage

The ASUS ProArt PX13 2-in-1 laptop is designed for professionals in video editing, digital drawing, graphic design, and photo editing. It features an AI-boosting AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU and an NVIDIA RTX 40-Series GPU, with prices starting at ,699.99 and going up to ,999.99 for higher configurations. The laptop includes a flexible design for switching between laptop and tablet modes, weighs just over three pounds, and comes with the ASUS Pen 2.0. It has pre-installed software such as MyASUS and ProArt Creator Hub, and includes MuseTree for AI image generation. The display is a 3K OLED screen with HDR support and high color accuracy, achieving 100% of sRGB, 96% of AdobeRGB, and 100% of P3. Battery life averages around five hours under standard use but drops to just over an hour under heavy workloads. The keyboard has well-spaced keys, and the touchpad is spacious and responsive, featuring the ASUS Dial for quick access to functions. The laptop includes an FHD webcam and a quality microphone, though it lacks a physical webcam shutter. Alternatives include the ASUS ProArt P16 and PZ13 models, which offer different specifications and battery life options.

Tech Optimizer

September 25, 2024

Hackney die-stamping business put up for sale – Printweek

Founded in 1926, the firm specializes in bespoke, high-quality stationery using Waite and Saville die-stamping machines. Under the leadership of Perrott, the company generated a turnover of £25,600 and a profit of £12,000 for the 2023/24 fiscal year. The firm operates three Waite & Saville machines, a two-colour AB Dick 9810 offset press, a single-colour AB Dick 375, a Babs guillotine, a Therm-O-Type card slitter, and a Wahli envelope feeder. Perrott, who joined in 1971, plans to mentor others in the industry as he approaches retirement. He emphasizes the unique qualities of die-stamping, noting its fine detail and the skill required to produce such work. Perrott maintains relationships with other engravers and die-stamping printers in the UK and has introduced graphic design students to die-stamping machinery, which they found impressive. He expresses a desire to remain involved in the trade without the pressures of job acquisition.

AppWizard

September 17, 2024

See how hard Space Marine 2’s photo mode goes in the hands of an expert Warhammer 40,000 painter

Louise Sugden is a wargamer and artist known for her work in Warhammer and miniature painting. She has a background in graphic design, photography, and illustration for Games Workshop and currently creates content on her YouTube channel, Rogue Hobbies. The release of the Space Marine 2 video game has generated significant excitement in the gaming community, capturing Louise's interest as a fan of Warhammer 40k. She enjoys the game's brutal combat and customization options, using its photo mode to capture stunning visuals. Louise has taken striking shots during gameplay, including a memorable moment with a melta weapon and a Matrix-style shot while dodging a psychic blast. She reflects on the game's tribute to Warhammer fans and its ability to draw in newcomers. Louise frequently pauses gameplay to capture impressive graphics and dynamic action, suggesting players take breaks to photograph characters in idle animations. The game features diverse environments, including an imperial ship against a civilian city, and Louise's timing allows her to capture humorous and epic character poses. The intuitive camera options enable dramatic shots that highlight the game's detail, and she celebrates her victories, such as defeating a carnifex, with high-definition snapshots.

Winsage

July 31, 2024

Galaxy Book 4 Edge inches closer to pro-grade viability thanks to Adobe

Samsung has launched the Galaxy Book 4 Edge, an ARM-based laptop powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite chip and running Windows 11 on ARM. The initial launch faced compatibility issues with many popular applications. Adobe has released a beta version of Illustrator for Windows on ARM, which allows graphic designers to use the Galaxy Book 4 Edge for their work. Additionally, Adobe plans to introduce a beta version of Premiere Pro for Windows on ARM in the future. Users can also access other Adobe applications like Acrobat, Photoshop, and Lightroom on the device.