Apple/Photoshop Saving Error

From John Knack at Adobe:

I've been getting quite a few inquiries about problems saving files from Photoshop directly to network drives when using the recently released Mac OS 10.5.3. (I'm told the issue can affect InDesign and maybe other apps as well.)

The short story is that we've been working closely with Apple to troubleshoot the issue and have identified the cause. Apple is working on a fix, and we expect they'll release it in the next System Update.

The slightly longer story is that saving directly to a network is a generally bad idea. Here's what I've heard from a contact in engineering:

Directly writing to a network filing system adds a level of complexity, which includes timing issues, network noise, performance, and other potential issues. We've occasionally run into bugs with different configurations/combinations, but as there are too many variants for us to reliably test and certify all the clients, servers, hardware and software, we recommend the safer course of working with files locally and then copying them up to a file server when you're done. While directly reading/writing to network file systems should work in theory, and while we do some limited testing in the most popular configurations to verify that it does, we can not certify that it will work reliably in your configuration.

I know that's not what you may want to hear, but it's a long-standing advisory. Saving files locally, then transferring them, offers better performance as well as greater reliability.

Apple does it again

Oh come on, like you are surprised. Steve Jobs has done it again. This time in two big tech announcements at MacWorld. (Ok there were several, but these are the two that got me tweaked). The first is, the new Apple Mac Air (not to be confused with Adobe Air). This has taken the laptop and really pushed the envelope. Speaking of envelope, lets start with that. This thing is so small (0.75" x 14") that it can fit inside an envelope. It weighs 3 lbs. and has the latest in wireless tech. It has a battery with 5 hours of life. The processor is as thin as a dime and as big as a nickel, but it runs at 1.8 ghz! The display is a 13.3" LCD which means less power and instant on. The ports are retractable on the side which is a great space saver and makes this look really sleek. Heres the best part - it starts at only $1800.00.

I can go on and on and geek out til my fingers go numb, but you can check it out for yourself, including the great commercial at Apple's website. This is going to really spark some great competition with other manufacturers and I am looking forward to seeing someone try to top this.

The next item stems from user complaints. The great Time Machine feature in Leopard is handy when you work on a tower and have a hard drive handy to plug in when needed. However, laptop users, like myself, found it cumbersome to drag around an external to run backups when working on-site. Now Apple has given us an answer. And it is called Time Capsule.

Time Capsule works in conjunction with Time Machine allowing you to make wireless backups. The key to this is the wireless 500GB or 1TB hard drive. Time Capsule can synch, back up and store files for each Leopard-based Mac on your wireless network.

Time Capsule can also be used as your wireless hub since it has a full-featured 802.11n Wi-Fi base station built right in. No need to go out and buy an Airport Base. You can find out more at Apple's website. Time Capsule retails at $299 for the 500GB model or $499 for a 1TB hard drive. Both will be shipping in two weeks.

I get the impression after watching the MacWorld Keynote, that these two items will really become the next gen benchmark for other tech. Now I just have to save up so I can go out and buy all of these toys!!

Adobe Leopard Compatibility

For those of you chomping at the bit to go out and upgrade your Macintosh to Leopard OSX, there are a few things to keep in mind before you do so.

Adobe CS3 is NOT completely compatible with Leopard, despite what your friends and coworkers may tell you. It took a while for them to admit it, but Adobe has finally leaked some incompatibility issues with CS3 and Leopard (see below). These issues should be addressed in the upcoming updates due out in January (hold your breath I dare you!).

The next big blow is that Adobe is no longer supporting CS2 software. It is a "forced upgrade" mentality when it comes to Leopard. If you currently run CS2, there are several critical bugs that will not have forthcoming patches or updates to help.

Apple and Adobe agree that when installing it is best to do an Erase and Install, not an upgrade or archive and install. Be aware that this does wipe your hard drive clean, so be sure to backup all important files and settings. After the install, re-install CS3 and many of these bugs are fixed.

Here are some of the known issues with CS3:

Adobe Photoshop CS3
Numerical fields for many tools refuses text input.



When you enter values in numerical fields to set sizes for the brush, crop, marquee, lasso, type, and other Photoshop CS3 tools, those values revert to previously entered values when you try to apply them. Here are the solutions offered by Adobe:

Workaround for tools with sliders: Instead of typing in a number, use the sliders to change the value.

Workaround for tools with pop-up menus: Enter a value for the size but don’t press Return/Enter to apply the value. Instead, choose it from the top of the Size pop-up menu to commit it.

Workaround for tools which do not have sliders or pop-up menus: For certain tools, such as the Line tool, you may want to set up presets that you can load to set common sizes. Alternatively, you can restart Photoshop CS3 to clear the problem. You will then be able to enter values again. However, the issue typically re-surfaces quickly.

Workaround for type/font input is to use the Character/Paragraph Palettes.

For a full list of bugs, click here.

Adobe InDesign CS3
This is actually a funny bug, InDesign will not hide. Also, if you import .eps files with a jpg compression, the clipping path will disappear and export or print with the full background in view.

The workaround for that is an easy one, convert your file to a .psd file and use the clipping path option in InDesign.

PDF Printer
The Adobe PDF printer(s) do not work in Leopard at this time, it processes into infinity and never creates the pdf. Try exporting in InDesign or worst case scenario, print and use the "save as pdf" feature in the print dialog box. Yikes!

Epson Printers

Users are reporting problems with specific Epson printers, not all. The Print module may not load. Epson has released a timeline for updates to some of their printers. Unfortunately, some older models are being left behind. Here is the link: Epson Macintosh Leopard Support

Power mail searching in Leopard (Mac OS X 10.5)

If you can remember from: , to: and subject: you will be able to get much more out of your mail searches, faster.

In any Spotlight search field (NOT just in the Mail program - this works in the Finder also) if I do a search structured like this:

from:erica to:tiffany

I get just the emails I've received from Erica that also were mailed to Tiffany (watch to make sure you don't put any spaces either side of the colon - search will break)

If I do the following search:

from:jfritz to:jsimon -subject:seminar

I get the mails I've received from jfritz that jsimon was cc'd on removing any results that include the word "seminar" in the subject (note the minus sign in front of subject)

This is a great way to narrow down your search results fast

QuickLook Plugins

My favorite feature of Apples new operating system Leopard is Quicklook. From the finder I can preview just about any file without opening it. Simply pressing the spacebar will open a preview of the file for review. Unfortunately the default installation doesn't work with Illustrator, InDesign, or eps files. I have found a few solutions.

The first is called SneakPeek Pro. The product does cost $15, but it lets you use quickview to open Illustrator, InDesign, and eps files.

If spending money is not your thing. Here are a few links for free plugins to quicklook.

To install them put the files in User/Library/QuickLook (you may have to create a folder called "QuickLook".

IF $15 is too rich for your blood, here are some links to free QuickLook Plugins.

Free EPS plugin

Free AI plugin

Free Zip file plugin

Bug in Photoshop CS3 and Leopard

There is a transform bug with Photoshop CS3(10.0.0) and Leopard(10.5.0). If you transform (cmd T) and type in any numbers it will work the first few times, but after multiple times transforming the control bar goes crazy and you can't type in any numbers.
If you restart Photoshop it will be fine for the next new transformations until it goes crazy again. The workaround is to either use the sliders or just use the mouse to apply your transformations. Adobe is aware of the problem, and hopefully a patch will be coming soon.

Quark 7 Leopard Update Coming

I just got back from the Quark symposium in Chicago today and here is what I learned about Quark and Leopard Compatibility.

Quark 6 is not supported on Leopard, and never will be. Use it at your own risk. I will be playing with it to find out if I can run into any problems. Stay tuned for updates.

Quark 7 (current version 7.3) works under Leopard, but there is an apparent issue relating to exporting PDF's. There is a patch in the works (7.3.1) that should under way in the next few weeks.

Quark Interactive design will not let you export to swf, which basically renders it useless until it gets patched. If this program is vital to your livelihood, please hold off updating.

Leopard Quick Look zoom trick

Paging all new Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard users:

A great new trick when using the "Quick Look" technology in Leopard: When you are looking at a PDF (and so far I've found it only works on PDF's) use the Command + and Command - keyboard shortcuts to zoom in and out of your PDF. Just like in Photoshop - slick.