You can try the dodge and burn tool with varying opacity on a duplicate layer and change the color blend mode. I use dodge and burn for a lot of my highlights and shadows...

hope it helps,
scott

The Preferences file records more than just the choices you've made in Photoshop's Preferences. It remembers the size of the new document you created, your last brush (for each of the painting tools), even how you left each palette. These are just some of the other things that are recorded in the Preferences file.

So how does it get corrupted? 

Keep in mind, the Preferences file is rewritten every time you quit Photoshop. One way to try to minimize the possibility of corrupting the Prefs file may be to allow sufficient time for the program to quit. Sometimes when you launch another "memory-intensive" program while you're quiting PS you can mess up the file. Some  clues that the Preferences file has gone bad are:

• Freezes and crashes.

• Unusual tool behavior.

• Menu commands unexpectedly not available.

• Missing or blacked-out icons in the Toolbox.

• Unusual colors for interface items.

The ultimate way to prevent corruption of the Prefs file is by making it a Read Only (Windows) or Locked (Mac) file. Remember, though, that Photoshop won't be able to update the file, so make sure that all of your preferences, palette locations, and tool settings are just as you want them before securing the Prefs file.

Here's a quick way to toss the Pref file:

Press down Command-Option-Shift (Mac) or Control-Alt-Shift (Windows) immediately after you start launching Photoshop. (Don't hold down the modifier keys before you launch, press them immediately afterward and hold them down until you see the dialog box.) You'll be asked if you want to delete the "Adobe Photoshop Settings File."

Hope this helps 

scott

 i was thinking of Bridge too. Though i haven't used Bridge in a while, (used it to view files, but now use Quick Look instead...)

thanks for the quick solution dreamer.

scott

Quote - will let you know. It's been happening for a few days.. so I might just re-install.

Thanks and hugs, Quest.

Gnite.. sweet dreams..

before you re-install (if you haven't already...) try and toss out your PREFs file for Photoshop.

 usually when things get wonky with the program, if you toss out the PREFs file and let photoshop rebuild it, it usually clears things up...

it's worked for me every time.

Scott

 are you increasing the brush size via the keystroke shortcuts " ] " and " [ " to decrease?

what is the brushes default size?

scott

 I don't usually wait. most of the time i need the program for a project or paying job and usually find the cost of the upgrade so soon after purchase to be minimal... 

i think if you need the program and you can get paying jobs from it, it'll pay for itself pretty quickly...

the only time i hold off on purchases is when the upgrade doesn't have any new features i need.

scott

 i've never tried to erase from multiple layers but i've SHIFT-SELECTed a bunch of  layers to change all the FontFace and Size and things like that... 

scott

 Are you creating the PDF from a single layer or from layer comps ?

i've used the "print as PDF" and the scripts that come in the FILE --> SCRIPTS --> Layer Comps to PDF menu... and even the FILE ---> AUTOMATE --> PDF Presentation worked out okay for me...

what are some of the requirements of your project?

scott

 i used one for a while during an expo, it sure was sweet while it lasted but like dreamer said, you gotta save a whole lot of pennies!!

i still would love to have one!!

scott

what method did you use for your "automatic fit" ? ?

i'd set up an ACTION to handle the resize problem.

let me know if you want help with setting up the ACTION.

scott

 i'm gonna make this "sticky" for awhile so it doesn't get lost...

Thanks for the mini tut :)

scott

 ...go figure!

this is another post i won't let the wife see ;)

(she already has enough stuff in her court to prove she's right)

scott

 thanks for the link too twist, now i understand what was being asked...

thanks too for sharing the knowledge above and beyond what is called on in the forums.

sometimes it's hard to get help, but i've always been proud of the members in this forum.

scott

 Doesn't Paint-Shop  Pro run some photoshop actions?

Not sure and i may be wrong (according to my wife, that is a "given")

scott 

 bummer, i can't open the FLA (still running CS3) ...would like to have seen the SWF to see what you were describing.

hope twist was able to help.
scott