Photoshop and Macbooks

The Macbook Pros have arrived!

Thus far, I'm really enjoying it. It's the first laptop I've ever owned ( yes, I know I'm behind the times ), simply because I could never decide if I wanted a PC or Mac. Most of my software is already dual platform, so I won't be losing out on anything, plus we're going to keep the desktop PC anyway.

The only software I had to buy again was the Mac version of Adobe CS4, which is due to arrive today. I found the Master Collection for a stellar price at Journey Ed.  Only certain Colleges and Universities are eligible for this offer, and since the Master Collection features, as far as I can tell, each and every major Adobe program, the price was too good to pass up. I'm currently running the Production Premium bundle of Adobe CS4 on my Dell, and the Master Collection I just purchased was really not that much more, plus I get four more full-sized programs, including Dreamweaver and InDesign.

If you're in need of a new copy of CS4 (Mac or PC), and can spare the funds, check out this deal and see if you qualify:

http://www.journeyed.com/item/Adobe/Creative+Suite+Master+Collection/72691031QADSTCLPB

A program that I am beginning to enjoy is Corel Painter. I did a fair amount of experimenting with it today and really like the different drawing/painting options. It's a great companion to the Adobe programs. A good number of people are excited about the new Autodesk Sketchbook program, but so far I haven't seen how it is different from Painter. That's not saying anything good or bad about the program; from what I've been told, it's a good program, either by itself or in conjunction with the other Autodesk products.

In other news: Less than ten days until Clash of the Titans!

( Don't read if you don't want the movie to be spoiled!)

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/19532  is a great source of Clash clips, including the Medusa scene! I was really impressed with the graphics and the character design. Harryhausen's Medusa will always be my favorite, though. This is the more glamorized, polished version of Medusa, and she appears to have a real voice in this version. The addition of a sinister laugh might have been a bit cheesy, and so far, she more or less "grunts," rather than "speaks," but the lighter, more feminine voice gives her more of a human-like quality, rather than the straight-up creature version of the original. I'm not sure why the filmmakers made this change; either to support the fact Medusa is intended to be a villain in this story, or just because they wanted her vocals to resemble more of a woman scorned than a monster. I suppose that makes sense, seeing as Medusa, as legend goes, was not always a Gorgon, although I can't help but think of a Clash of the Titans/Mean Girls parody whenever I watch this clip.

I don't like the redesign of Calibos, however. I know he was supposed to be deformed as part of his punishment, but I like the satyr look as opposed to the ogre look.