Wednesday, February 28, 2018

New M Performance Parts launch for the new X4 and X3

BMW’s latest SUV – the X4 – is now getting prepped for some aftermarket upgrades. In a press release today, BMW M has unveiled some of the M Performance Parts which will be available at market launch.

The new BMW X4 can now be configured with kidney grilles in black high-gloss, films in Frozen Black, exterior mirror cap in carbon fiber and 21 inch alloy wheel Y-spoke 701M bicolor. 19 inch alloy wheel Double spoke 698 M Orbit Grey are also part of the accessories program.

One discreet customization option that also adds a definite touch of exclusivity at the same time are the BMW LED door projectors. They replace the standard entry light and project a graphic onto the ground when the door is opened. The selection of motifs include the BMW M logo as well as various motifs from an M Performance slide set.

Just like the X2 we’ve seen earlier, the new X3 and X4 can be customized with an M Performance Steering wheel, covered with Alcantara and red motorsports marking in the 12 o’clock position, and finished with a silver-grey, hand-sewn cross-stitch seam.

For the BMW X3 and BMW X4, the shift paddles are available in high-gloss carbon fiber. They are covered in an extremely fine carbon mesh, enhanced with a PUR finish and a high-gloss polish, and also feature plus and minus symbols in anodized red.

Here is a photo gallery:

The article New M Performance Parts launch for the new X4 and X3 appeared first on BMW BLOG



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BMW launches M Performance Parts for the new X2

The recently launched BMW X2 gets a series of M Performance Parts that aim to enhance its already sporty appearance. In addition to accentuating interior and exterior design, many of the M Performance Parts also meet functional criteria and enhance lightweight construction, for example.

M Performance front radiator grilles in high-gloss black are available for the BMW X2, along with exterior mirror caps in carbon fiber and the lower section of the front bumper painted now in black.

The interior of the BMW X2 gets M Performance floor mats made of velour velvet with a leather-look surround and contrasting decorative seams. The M Performance steering wheel ensures the driver of a BMW X2 retains a perfect grip on everything. It has distinct, specially lined grip areas which are covered with Alcantara. The upper and lower part of the steering wheel are also covered in high-quality leather, as is the accompanying steering wheel trim panel. A red motorsports marking in the 12 o’clock position matches the silver-grey, hand-sewn cross-stitch seam.

A 20-inch summer complete wheel set Styling 717 M is available for the BMW X2, in matte black finish.

While not as extensive as the M Performance Parts program for other models, the X2 program is sufficient for those that aim to add extra flair to their cars.

The article BMW launches M Performance Parts for the new X2 appeared first on BMW BLOG



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Paula Grant heads Irish in rain-delayed Spanish Amateur

 Lisburn's Paula Grant. Picture: Pat Cashman Photography

Lisburn's Paula Grant. Picture: Pat Cashman Photography

Lisburn's Paula Grant shot a four-over 76 to trail leader Frida Kinhult of Sweden by five shots in the opening qualifying round of the rain-delayed Spanish Ladies Amateur Open at Barceló Montecastillo Golf in Jerez de la Frontera.

But she's still tied for fourth in the clubhouse in the battle to make the top 32 after 36 holes after a day that saw just two of Ireland's six-strong contingent finish their opening rounds.

Lurgan's Annabel Wilson is provisionally tied 21st after a 79 with Valerie Clancy (level after 4 holes), Lauren Walsh (+3/4), Georgia Carr (+6/9) and Ciara Casey (+11/9) set to resume play on Friday morning.

The top 32 after 36 holes will make the matchplay stages.

Copa S.M. La Reina,  Barceló Montecastillo Golf (Par 72), Jerez de la Frontera

Detailed scores

Clubhouse leaders 

T1 KINHULT, Frida -1  71
T23 KIBSGAARD NIELSEN, Sofie +3   75
T23 NOBILIO, Alessia +3  75
T36 TAMBURLINI, Chiara +4 76
T36 BJORGVINSDOTTIR, Gudrun +4  76
T36 GRANT, Paula +4  76
T36 FULLER, Annabell +4  76
T36 HENSELEIT, Esther +4  76
T36 MAHE, Candice +4  76
T36 WARDLE, Isobel +4 76
T36 BONTAN, Zhen +4 76
T63 WILSON, Annabel +7 79

Irish to resume on Friday

T3 CLANCY, Valerie Par after 4 holes
T23 WALSH, Lauren +3 4 holes
T57 CARR, Georgia +6 9 holes
T83 CASEY, Ciara +11 9 holes



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McLarnon leads the Irish challenge in windy Spain

 Tiarnan McLarnon during last year's FedeCup win with Caolan Rafferty in Colombia

Tiarnan McLarnon during last year's FedeCup win with Caolan Rafferty in Colombia

Massereene's Tiarnan McLarnon fired a two-over 75 to lead the Irish challenge in the Spanish Amateur Open Championship for the King's Cup at a windy Real Golf La Manga Club in Murcia.

He's tied for 16th after a day of 25 mph winds, four shots behind leaders Ángel Hidalgo from Spain, England's Gian-Marco Petrozzi, the Czech Republic's Jiri Zuska and French star Edgar Catherine, who were the only players in the 120-strong field to break par with two-under-par 71s.

Dundalk's Caolan Rafferty and Castle's Gleeson are just a stroke outside the top 32 who will qualify for the matchplay stage after 36 holes, tied for 33rd after four-ove 77s.

Naas' Jonny Yates and Mallow's James Sugrue are the next best, tied for 53rd after six-over 79s with Kilkenny's Mark Power and Castle's Robert Moran 82nd after 82s and Maynooth University's Ronan Mullarney 98th after an 83.

Copa S.M. El Rey 2018, R.C.G La Manga, Murcia (Par 73)

Detailed scores

T1 ZUSKA, Jiri -2 71
T1 PETROZZI, Gian-Marco -2 71
T1 HIDALGO, Angel -2 71
T1 CATHERINE, Edgar -2 71
T5 DIMITRI, Mary Par Par 73
T5 PIERRE JUNIOR, Verlaar Par 73
T5 TISSERAND, Hubert Par 73
T5 BURNAGE, Jake Par 73
T5 FITZPATRICK, Alex Par 73
T10 LENCART, Pedro +1 74
T10 ESPINOSA TRUEBA, Samuel +1 74
T10 DENK, Luca +1 74
T10 CHARMASSON, Clement +1 74
T10 SLOMAN, Tom +1 74
T10 LOPEZ-LANCHARES ECHEZARRETA, Jon +1 74

Irish scores

T16 McLARNON, Tiarnan +2 75
T33 RAFFERTY, Caolan +4 77
T33 GLEESON, Alex +4 77
T53 SUGRUE, James +6 79
T53 YATES, Jonathan +6 79
T87 POWER, Mark +9 82
T87 MORAN, Robert +9 82
T98 MULLARNEY, Ronan +10 83



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Video: 2018 BMW X3 Review Hints at New Boss in the Segment

The 2018 BMW X3 has been getting glowing reviews ever since it first came out. However, the competition in the segment is fiercer than ever, with cars like the Volvo XC60 and Mercedes-Benz GLC raising the stakes pretty high. Could the X3 rise to the top once again?

The guys from Cars.co.za definitely hinted so in their latest review thanks to a carefully picked out comparison right at the end of the video. As it turns out, the GLC won their Best SUV Of The Year Award at the beginning of 2018 and that means the Merc managed to fend off competition from Volvo, Audi and even Jaguar, and come up on the top spot of the podium. Nevertheless, now there’s a new challenger out there in the shape of the X3 and things are looking…interesting.

According to them, the BMW is cheaper while delivering the same amount of torque, more power and a considerably faster acceleration than its equivalent rival. At this point we should mention the guys are testing the xDrive30d model, coming with the brilliant new-age B57 3-liter straight six engine tuned to make 265 HP and 620 Nm of torque. Hooked up to the 8-speed ZF gearbox we’ve grown used to, the xDrive30d X3 is faster than a Golf GTI, for example, and drives beautifully.

As a matter of fact, that’s one of the things that impresses the most in the X3 as BMW managed to put together a suspension that can be extremely comfortable or hard on the spine, without the two different characters getting in the way of each other. That’s definitely something you rarely get to see today. Overall, the guys do seem to hint that the new X3 can better the GLC but until they actually get to drive them back to back, it’s still up for debate.

The article Video: 2018 BMW X3 Review Hints at New Boss in the Segment appeared first on BMW BLOG



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CoffeeShop Photoshop/PSE Editing Tutorial: "Professionally Remove Texture Effects from Skin"


I love using fine art textures on my images. And since I am getting back to my roots and taking more "real" photos and editing them to display on my walls, I wanted to share my favorite way to remove texture from skin (or anywhere else) without removing the color tint/contrast added by the texture.

I am using this lovely photo and one of my favorite fine art textures for my tutorial below. You can download both if you want to do this tutorial with me! If you want to get all of my favorite professional fine art textures/overlays/storyboards in one download check out my Digital Design Pack and support this blog!!!


When you add a beautiful texture to your image, you are often adding contrast and color (no action necessary!). This original image is very cool and I wanted to add some warmth and texture to brighten it up.

But beautiful fine art textures can really wreak havoc with skin as seen in the image on the left above. It can make skin so blotchy and unnatural looking.

You can always add a layer mask to the texture layer and paint the texture off the skin. But then you also remove any contrast/color added to the image by the texture and this can make the image look quite fake and off color.

Today I am going to walk you through the way I remove texture from skin without removing the color/contrast enhancements.




I added my Fine Art Texture 3 from this Texture Set.


I put the texture in Overlay blending mode.


I love everything about this edit, except the blotchy texture on the skin and dress.


I clicked on the layer with the image and used the Quick Selection Tool (W) to quickly select the couple, but you can use your own favorite selection method. Make sure you include all of the skin and dress, but don't be too worried about precision.


First I will show you what you don't want to do! 

You can reverse the selection and then add it as a layer mask to the texture layer. But if you do this it also removes the extra color and contrast boost added by the texture. The original image had a cool tint, but the texture is very warm. So the skin tones in this edit look off.


If you pull back you can see how the couple looks like they have been photoshopped onto the background, and not very well!  But there is an easy way to remove the texture without removing the color and contrast for a beautiful realistic edit.


Click on the layer with the image and then use your favorite selection tool to select the couple. You can add some feathering if you want.


Then click on the Texture layer to select it and go to Filter < Blur < Gaussian Blur.


Yuck, blotchy skin!


Smooth beautiful skin! Dial up the Gaussian Blur filter until you don't see any of the blotchy texture on the skin.

Doesn't it make an incredible difference?


I think that the couple's skin is a little too warm (orange) and this is another easy fix.


Add a layer mask to your texture layer and click to select it. Then grab a soft, low opacity (around 15-20%) brush and carefully paint over the skin to remove some of the warmth.


I love how this edit turned out! Now it is warm and looks like it should be hanging on a wall or on a printed card.

And remember, you can use the same technique to remove texture from anything, not only skin.

I hope you enjoyed today's tutorial! If there is something specific you would love to see me post or write a tutorial for, please leave a comment below. And I would love to see your own edits using any of my freebies on my Facebook page.

Do you want to download my favorite CoffeeShop PSE/Photoshop Actions and Lightroom Presets or Design Elements in one convenient zipped file AND help support this blog? Just click here for my action pack or here for a download of some of my most popular design elements, storyboards, and textures.

For complete info on installing all of my actions, click here.


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