Adobe Creative Cloud Tips
Pikes Peak Makerspace (PPM) has a subscription for the complete Adobe Creative Cloud for all members to use.
However, PPM does not currently offer any training or classes for Adobe Creative Cloud applications.
Use the PPM Slack channel #computing if you have any questions or problems.
Members can use the installed software on our (Windows) Design Workstations, and our dedicated computers, without any additional required training (Level 1).
No reservations are required for our Design Workstations at this time, they are "first‑come, first‑served".
Contact Us if you cannot find your answer here on our Wiki or if you notice any outdated information.
Adobe After Effects Tips
Adobe After Effects is a subscription-based, commercial motion design software package used to animate both still images and illustrations.
It is available for Windows and macOS, but not Linux.
- Planning your work
- Keyboard shortcuts in After Effects
- Get to know the After Effects interface
- Adobe After Effects Learn & Support
- Adobe After Effects Product Home Page
Alternatives to Adobe After Effects
- Blender — create 3D models, motion graphics, interactive 3D applications
- Canva — alternative to After Effects
- The Best Adobe After Effects Alternatives — alternativeto.net
Adobe Bridge Tips
Adobe Bridge is a subscription-based, commercial software package used to manage digital assets.
It is available for Windows and macOS, (but not Linux or mobile.)
Links to external sites:
- How to view & manage files in Adobe Bridge
- How To Manage And Organize Your Images
- Adobe Bridge Product Home Page
Alternatives to Adobe Bridge
- Adobe Bridge Alternatives — alternativeto.net
Adobe Dreamweaver Tips
Adobe Dreamweaver is a subscription-based, commercial software package used to design web sites.
It is available for Windows and macOS, but not Linux.
Pikes Peak Makerspace (PPM) has a subscription for the complete Adobe Creative Cloud, and Dreamweaver is installed on our (Windows) Design Workstation 2.
Links to adobe.com:
- Responsive web design basics
- Know the default keyboard shortcuts
- Code hinting and code completion
- Dreamweaver Tutorials
- Adobe Dreamweaver Product Home Page
Alternatives to Adobe Dreamweaver
- Canva Websites — alternative to Adobe Dreamweaver
- Adobe Dreamweaver Alternatives — alternativeto.net
Adobe Illustrator Tips
Adobe Illustrator is a subscription-based, commercial vector graphics software package used to generate illustrations(!)
It is available for Windows and macOS, but not Linux.
Links to adobe.com:
- Illustrator vs. InDesign
- When to use which design application.
- Essential techniques for beginners
- Measure and add dimensions
- Use actions to automate tasks in Illustrator
Open Illustrator Files Without Illustrator:
- ☐ Change the file extension .AI to .PDF, and open in your default PDF viewer.
- ☐ On a Mac, use Preview.
External Training
Links to adobe.com:
- Illustrator Get Started course
- Adobe Illustrator Product Home Page
- John Warnock: Bezier Tutorial — (1987) on YouTube (7:23 mins)
Alternatives to Adobe Illustrator
- Inkscape — open source alternative to Adobe Illustrator
- The Best Illustrator Alternatives — alternativeto.net
Adobe InDesign Tips
Adobe InDesign is a subscription-based, commercial software package used for page layout.
It is available for Windows and macOS, but not Linux or mobile devices.
Links to external sites:
- Illustrator vs. InDesign
- When to use which design application.
- InDesign Get Started course
- Adobe InDesign Product Home Page
Alternatives to Adobe InDesign
- Canva — alternative to Adobe InDesign
- The Best Adobe InDesign Alternatives — alternativeto.net
Adobe Lightroom Tips
Adobe Lightroom is a subscription-based, commercial raster graphics and photo editing software package.
It is available for Windows and macOS, but not Linux.
Links to external sites:
Alternatives to Adobe Lightroom
- Canva — alternative to Lightroom
- The Best Adobe Lightroom Alternatives — alternativeto.net
Adobe Photoshop Tips
Adobe Photoshop is a subscription-based, commercial raster graphics and photo editing software package.
It is available for Windows and macOS (and iPhone), but not Linux.
Pikes Peak Makerspace (PPM) has a subscription for the Adobe Creative Cloud, and it is installed on our Windows Design Workstations 2 and 3.
Links to adobe.com:
- Default keyboard shortcuts
- WebP files explained
- Create actions in Adobe Photoshop
- Photoshop Get Started course
- Adobe Photoshop Product Home Page
Alternatives to Adobe Photoshop
- GIMP — High Quality Photo Manipulation
- The Best Photoshop Alternatives — alternativeto.net
Adobe Premiere Tips
Adobe Premiere is a subscription-based, commercial software package used to create videos.
It is available for Windows, macOS, and iPhone, but not Linux.
Links to adobe.com:
Alternatives to Adobe Premiere
- DaVinci Resolve — "editing, color correction, visual effects, motion graphics and audio post production"
- The Best Premiere Pro Alternatives — alternativeto.net
Alternatives to Adobe Creative Cloud
- Affinity — professional photo, design, and layout software
Additional Help
Use the PPM Slack channel #computing
Note that we have a Slack channel (#job-board) for members to post, discuss, or accept job opportunities either within PPM or from the community.
Search the PPM Wiki — include Content pages as well as Multimedia.
Contact Us if you cannot find your answer here on our Wiki or if you notice any outdated information.