Psdtuts+ Recommended Resources
We utilize quite a few helpful tools and services on Psdtuts+, as well as teach how to use them through regularly published educational material on this site. Here are our top recommended resources for Photoshop creatives, which is put together by our editorial staff.
Note that some of the links below are affiliate links, which simply means we’ll earn a small commission if you purchase that particular tool or service. If you do, we thank you for supporting Psdtuts+.
Adobe Creative Suite CS6
Adobe Creative Suite CS6 is the industry leading suite of graphic design software. If you’re looking to work professionally in design, then this is the software package we recommend learning and investing in. The Design Standard edition contains Photoshop, Illustrator, as well as page layout software InDesign. Learn more over at Adobe.
Adobe Photoshop CS6 (Extended)
Yah, Photoshop flows through our blood here on Psdtuts+. Get started with our Adobe Photoshop Beginner Tutorials. Adobe Photoshop CS6 (Extended) is the leading graphic design software for creatives working with images. The new version of Photoshop has been given performance enhancements, so it’s faster, more stable, and yes it’s filled with imaging magic. Learn more over at Adobe.
Adobe Lightroom 4
The new Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 software helps you create amazing images. You can improve your photos with one-click adjustments and a full range of cutting-edge advanced controls. This app is great for organizing, quickly adjusting and sharing your favorite photos. Learn more over at Adobe.
GIMP
GIMP is an acronym for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It is a freely distributed program for such tasks as photo retouching, image composition and image authoring. We recommend this photo imaging software to get started with if you’re on a budget. It’s free software with an awesome toolset. Learn more over at GIMP’s website.
Filter Forge
This is a powerful set of tools to add to Adobe Photoshop. It comes with a pack of filters that generate textures, create visual effects, enhance photos, as well as process images. And with Filter Forge, best of all, you can build your own filters. Learn more over at Filter Forge.
CSS Hat
CSS Hat will accelerate your web design workflow. With this highly useful Photoshop plugin you can generate CSS3 based on your Photoshop layer styles. It generates valid, nicely coded CSS directly from your PSD layers in Photoshop. This plugin makes it super simple to translate your design from Photoshop to your browser quickly. Learn more over at CSS Hat.
GuideGuide
With this Photoshop plugin you can create accurate columns, rows, midpoints, and baselines. Grids can use multiple types of measurements. Best of all it’s free. Learn more over at GuideGuide.
GraphicRiver
At GraphicRiver you can buy and sell royalty-free, layered Photoshop files, vectors, icon packs, Adobe add-ons and design templates for just a few dollars. GraphicRiver is an Envato Marketplace and sister site to Psdtuts+. The site is home to a passionate community of graphic designers and illustrators. It’s a great community to get involved with. Learn more about GraphicRiver.
PhotoDune
At PhotoDune you can buy and sell royalty-free photographs and images starting at just $1. PhotoDune is an Envato Marketplace and sister site to Psdtuts+. Items are priced on the size/megapixels of each file. If you need quality, affordable stock photos for your next imaging project, then this is a great resource to tap into. Learn more about PhotoDune.
MyFonts
MyFonts is the world’s largest font collection available on one easy-to-use website. They pull together fonts from both large font companies and boutique outfits. Quality fonts are added daily. If you’re looking for a new font for your next client project, this is the site to find it on. Learn more over at MyFonts.
Fonts.com
The Fonts.com store from Monotype Imaging offers more than 150,000 font products for you to preview, purchase and download. Monotype has been around for ages and is a leading font producer. You can also learn about new typeface releases and discover typographic tips and techniques on their site. Learn more over at Fonts.com.
Adobe Creative Cloud
Adobe Creative Cloud is an ongoing membership that lets you download and install any of the Adobe Creative Suite applications. You also get online services for file sharing, collaboration, and publishing. Over time the cost of membership adds up, but it’s a great way to get all your needed tools for a low initial investment cost. With this service you’ll always have the most recent release of Adobe’s top design software. Learn more over at Adobe.
ConceptShare
If you’re working as a freelance graphic creative, then your business will benefit from ConceptShare. This cloud service helps creatives get client feedback on visual assets. It improves the client approval process and allows you to deliver polished results on time and on spec. Learn more over at ConceptShare.
B&H Photo
B&H is world renown as the place to go for all your photo, video, pro audio and digital imaging needs. Their downtown Manhattan, New York store is massive and impressive to walk into, but you can tap into their vast collection of creative tools via their site. Learn more over at B&H Photo.
Wacom
If you purchase a pen tablet, then you’ll need to learn how to use it. Get started with learning the Photoshop CS6 brush features here on Psdtuts+. Wacom produces cutting edge, industry leading pen tablets. They have choices that fit any budget, from Photoshop hobbyist to professional illustrator. Using a digital pen can transform the style of your artwork. Learn more about Wacom’s tools over at Amazon.
Rhodia – Art Supplies
These French orange notebooks have a cult following, yes creatives do fall in love with their tools. These economical pads are one of our favorites. We love to run our fingers across their grids, smooth paper and uniquely scored covers. Rhodia has been carried by artists since the 1930s, so using these feels like you’re taping into a rich creative legacy. Learn more about these notebooks over at Amazon.
Incase
We wouldn’t go so far as to say you need a stylish backpack or case, but who doesn’t want one. Incase makes some of our favorites. They make trend setting bags and cases that are perfect for carting your MacBook laptop, storing your creative gear, iPad, or iPhone. Learn more over on Amazon.
Pantone
Pantone offers professional color tools and services that help designers to perfect their color choices. Pantone sets the industry standard for print tools that make sure your clients get exactly the color their project needs. Learn more over at Pantone.
Adobe Ideas
Adobe Ideas is your mobile digital sketchbook, letting you capture and explore ideas anywhere you go. This mobile app lets you easily sketch using vectors, re-use specific colors using the Eyedropper tool, save and use multiple color themes. Adjust layer opacity, move, rotate and scale each layer independently. Learn more about this mobile app at iTunes.
Procreate App
Procreate is a great sketchbook and drawing app for your iPad. It’s fast to work with so you can get your ideas down quickly. It has a wide array of brushes to choose from, studio grade tools, and feels intuitive to draw with. Learn more about this app at iTunes.
SketchBook Pro for iPad
Autodesk SketchBook Pro for iPad is a professional-grade paint and drawing application. Using the same paint engine as its desktop counterpart, SketchBook Pro delivers a complete set of sketching and painting tools. This popular sketching app has lots of fans. It’s a great choice for drawing on your iPad. Learn more about this app at iTunes.
FontBook App
If you own an iPad and are a graphic designer, then you’ll love this beautiful reference app. FontBook is the world’s most comprehensive reference on digital typography. It documents the work of 118 renowned international type foundries, representing close to 1650 type designers, constituting 35,000 fonts from 8050 font families. The FontBook app presents this selection through 700,000 typeface samples which can be intuitively spread out, searched, layered, moved, scrolled and combined like a collection of maps – truly awesome. Learn more about this app at iTunes.
Photoshop Touch
Transform your images with core Adobe Photoshop features in this app designed for tablets. You can combine images, apply professional effects, and share results from the convenience of your iPad. Use popular Photoshop features designed for the tablet such as layers, selection tools, adjustments, and filters to create professional images. Learn more about this app at iTunes.
Photoshop Express
Adobe Photoshop Express software lets you use simple gestures to quickly edit and share photos from your mobile device. This basic photo editing app is free to download, though not feature rich. You can apply one-touch effects quickly, as well as simple effects. If you have basic photo editing needs, and want to do them on your iPad, then download this app. Learn more about this app at iTunes.
iPhoto App
iPhoto mobile app is built for browsing, editing, and sharing your photos from your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch. It has all the tools you’d expect at your fingertips including cloud sharing of photos. Learn more about this app at iTunes.
Snapseed App
Snapseed is easy to work with on your iPad. Anyone can enhance, transform, and share their photos with ease using advanced features and photo effects. Learn more about this app at iTunes.