Tablet Design for Quilters

April 16- May 5, 2012  (3 weeks)
(registration starts on March 15, 2012 at 9:00 am PST)

Instructor: Carla Barrett
Cost: $70

Using a Tablet and Photoshop Elements, learn how to design quilts, plan your quilting design, create  a whole cloth quilt and learn other useful skills for quilters, machine quilters, and art quilters.  Demand for this class is expected to be high, so be sure and sign up early!

What will you learn in this class? This 3 week online class teaches you Carla's method of using a tablet and the software program Photoshop Elements to draw, design and plan out future quilting projects.   Students will learn through the use of videos, handouts, weekly live webinar meetings, creative exercises, and interactive classroom forum at StepOnPins.com. Plus, you will also learn how to design pantographs or edge2edge quilting designs, plus how to design a special wholecloth quilt top like my sample shown below:

In addition, you learn new Photoshop Element skills while you are creating new designs and creative exercises each week so you may practice the skills introduced.

Why does this class have a prerequisite? Last year, when I taught this subject at International Machine Quilters Showcase (IMQS), the feedback was to offer students a Introductory class first in how to use Photoshop Elements.

For this reason, StepOnPins.com is offering an Introductory class in how to use Photoshop Elements in March, 2012, and the Tablet Design class will start on April 16, 2012.

How do I meet the prerequisite? The prerequisite is met one of two ways; either:  1) Successful completion of the Pixeladies Intro to PSE Class; or 2) Equivalent proficiency working with PSE.    Students who are not sure if they meet the second prerequisite may email Carla at carla@quiltwhisper.com.

Supply List

*Students to have a Tablet capable of working with PSE.  (Please seeTablet buying guide below)

*I will be using Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 10 for all class instruction.

Download the free trial version at www.adobe.com/ products/photoshop-elements.html. The trial version lasts for thirty days, so download and install the program shortly before our course begins.

* Students may use Photoshop Elements (Versions 8-10).

* To view the videos, you need a viewer like QuickTime or Windows Media Player.

*To view the lessons, you need a PDF viewer like Foxit Reader or Adobe Reader.

* Recommended Web Browsers: FireFox, Chrome, Safari, or Opera. (Internet Explorer is compatible for class, with the exception of uploading images.  The solution for students using IE is to use a different browser when uploading images to the classroom.)

Tablets

For this class, you need to have a tablet capable of working with the software program Photoshop Elements. There are two types of tablets currently sold which are compatible with this class:

Wacom (or Competitor) Tablet
Wacom is the largest manufacturer of plug-in tablets.  This type of tablet plugs into your existing computer using a USB port (though Wacom does make a wireless model, too)  They have 3 main lines of tablets- the lower priced Bamboo line, the Intuos line and the high end Cintiq.  Bamboo Capture and Create often comes bundled with PSE, this is a budget friendly purchase option for budget minded students.  Other suggestions: Buy the largest sized tablet you can within your budget.

or

Tablet PC

A Tablet PC is a mobile computer which has a special display screen which allows you to draw with a  stylus pen directly on the monitor screen.  Some models also allow you to draw with your finger as well.  Tablet PC's use a Windows Operating System, also a stylist pen, and comes in 2 sub-categories.

1.    PC Tablet Slate- Window 7 and needs to run Photoshop Element.  Many brands are available. (Make sure your slate has enough memory to run PSE)

2.    PC Tablet Convertible- Laptop or Notebook with Tablet feature.

Need more information on Tablets?  Read this blog post.

I have an iPad or Android Tablet.  Why can't I use it for this class? Both iPad and Android tablets have different operating systems using Applications (Apps).  To date, an App cannot compete with a comprehensive software program like Photoshop Elements for functionality and power.  You may certainly use your iPad or Android tablet to view the classroom and the live meeting using the GoToWebinar App- however the drawing portions of this class is shown using a Tablet PC Convertible working in PSE 10.

If you have any other questions about this class, please contact Carla at carla@quiltwhisper.com

Why Take an Online Class?

StepOnPins.com eClasses provide a wonderful value for quilters and artists, especially when compared to other courses being offered online or in person.  Here are a few reasons why StepOnPins.com classes stand out:

* In-depth classes accessible when your schedule allows
* 1:1 Teacher: Student interaction
* Strong Visual, Auditory and Hands-On learning
* Creative Exercises and Fun Homework Provided
* Live Webinar Meetings
* Classes offer multiple, weekly Video Instruction, with Handouts
* Each Course is jammed pack with information
* Individual Teacher Feedback on Homework
* Forum for questions, instruction and social interaction
* Technical Support to assist students in accessing Course
* Unique Education software platform- used by colleges worldwide
* Entire Class Material available to students for an extra 6 months