CoffeeShop "Texture and Frame" Fine Art Photoshop/PSE Action!

We had such a great weekend. The weather was gorgeous and we were able to go on two adventures in the Gooney. I will blog about  them later.

But today I am "chained" to my computer (hee hee!) so that I can get this new action finished and posted for you.

I "cleverly" call this Photoshop/PSE action "Texture and Frame". This action automatically applies your favorite texture on your image and then adds two adjustable light/dark textured frames.  Pick your favorite and you are good to go, or don't add the frames and simply enjoy your pretty textured image.

You can check out all of my free Fine Art textures here, or grab my favorite textures plus hundreds of professional photo storyboards, actions, and Lightroom presets in my MegaDownload pack. If you purchase any of my easy download packs you can get exclusive actions not found for free anywhere else and free updates of the pack for up to two years.  I usually update the packs with new stuff weekly.

Original images used in my tutorials: (Bird, white flower, purple flower).

CoffeeShop "Texture & Frame" Photoshop/PSE Action Tutorial:

Open your image. You can download this flower image if you want to follow along with this tutorial.

Start the "Texture and Frame" action and when prompted, open your texture. I used my free "Kismet Pecan" texture on this image.

The action will prompt you to resize the texture to fit your image. If you can't see the transfer lines as seen in my screenshot above, click Ctrl(Cmd)-0 (zero) to zoom out and repeat to zoom back in. 

Once you are happy with the texture placement, click the checkmark to accept.

You will be prompted to adjust the frame placement. You can adjust it symmetrically or asymmetrically as I did above.

This is my image before any adjustments. You have to turn on the frames, they are optional. :-)

I turned on the second "Texture" layer and kept it in Soft Light Blending mode. You can adjust the Blending Modes and Opacity of either/both layers. I usually use Soft Light, Overlay, Screen, and/or Multiply.

I have two textured frame options, a light or a dark version. In this example above I turned on the "Light Frame". Grouped to this layer is a "Desaturate Light Frame" layer that removes any excess color from the frame. You can turn this off, adjust the opacity, or open it and adjust it to taste.

You can also adjust the lightness of the frame by moving the sliders on the Levels adjustment "Frame" layer.

If you want a dark textured frame, turn on the "Dark Frame" layer instead and adjust it as suggested above.

I hope you enjoy this new action! I would love to see your own edits using it over 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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Limited Edition BMW i8 Roadster Models Coming to Boost Sales

The BMW i8 Roadster is currently being delivered to customers around the world. The embargo on the first driving impressions has been lifted and we even published our initial thoughts about the car yesterday. The new drop top from BMW delivers exactly in the areas where you’d expect it to, as it is an even better looking and more impressive take on the already stunning i8 Coupe. But will that guarantee success for the Roadster?

If you were to ask me, I’d say yes, even though the roofless model costs more than the version with the fixed roof. There’s just something about having just two seats and no roof that makes the i8 Roadster tantalizing, to say the least. However, some people want to offer even more to the occasional buyer and BMW Management is now saying that special editions are coming to further boost sales on the long run.

Speaking to Car Advice at the car’s launch event i8 product manager, Marcus Pluntke, said that they already have over 1,000 orders and that there are plans in motion to keep the demand high after the initial surge dies off. “We have already over 1000 pre-orders for the Roadster, so that will be a volume push,” he said, adding that special versions will help keep the momentum going. “You might have heard of the Editions we did for the i8 so far, last year and the year before? [also] To add more variety and more individuality, because the car is very special and customers asked for even more specialized version, so that is a nice tool we might come back to in the future.”

He’s referring to the limited-run versions of the i8 launched towards the end of production for the original model. Cars like the Frozen Black i8 or the Protonic Red version have turned quite profitable for BMW and spurred customers on, offering access to a very restricted club. In the future, similar approaches are definitely be used by BMW both for the i8 Roadster and for the Coupe version.

The article Limited Edition BMW i8 Roadster Models Coming to Boost Sales appeared first on BMW BLOG

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Can’t afford the new BMW 8 Series? Get an E63 BMW 650i

Right now, the BMW 8 Series is dominating all Bavarian automotive news. And deservedly so, as it’s a stunning looking car, even in camouflage, and could be the most exciting BMW on the market when it eventually debuts. So it’s no surprise that fans are getting excited about it. However, not many of those fans will be able to buy one, as the 8 Series is going to be very expensive. So what if you’re currently in an 8 Series mood but have a small budget, like most enthusiasts? Well, the E63-generation BMW 650i might be just the car for you.

The new BMW 8 Series is a replacement for the 6 Series Coupe, so the old 6ers are designed to be really the same car that the 8 Series is going to be. Just older. The E63-generation BMW 6 Series is probably the least loved, if we’re hones though. It was designed by the controversial Chris Bangle and its design has never really received universal praise. In fact, it was widely panned for its looks when it first debuted. Admittedly, it has aged better than anticipated and looks pretty good now but it’s still not the stunner that either 6 Series’, both before and after, were.

However, now that the E63 BMW 6 Series has gotten quite old, it’s also gotten quite cheap. Even the top-of-the-line, non-M BMW 650i. With a naturally-aspirated 4.8 liter V8 engine, a ton of interior luxuries and amenities and still potent performance, the BW 650i is still a helluva car. Sure, its rear end looks a bit funny still and, personally, I was never sold on those weird Kindey Grille mustaches that the pre-LCI E90 3 Series also shared. However, it’s a handsome car overall and, if done properly, could be very cool.

Inside, it has a pretty typical BMW interior of the era but it’s nice enough and it packs more than enough luxury for a daily sports coupe. The only real knock against it is the old-school iDrive system, which can be a bit annoying. Actually, that’s being kind, it’s a lot annoying.

That free-breathing V8 is the star of the show, though. With 360 hp, it’s capable of getting the big 6er to 60 mph in about five seconds, which is still plenty quick today. It also sounds absolutely fantastic and an exhaust upgrade could make it positively raucous. Plus, you can find some of these BMW 650i coupes and convertibles with six-speed manuals, which could make it more interesting than the 6 Series coupe that came after it.

Admittedly, the BMW 650i wasn’t the sharpest handling of cars but that can be fixed with some aftermarket upgrades. Fit it was some new coilovers, adjust the camber and give it stickier tires and you can have a pretty damn fun car on your hands. The best part? You can find decent BMW 650is for around $12,000 USD, which isn’t bad considering you’re getting what used to be a near six-figure car.

So if you’re in the mood for BMW’s new 8 Series but you don’t have the sort of budget to afford one, the E63 BMW 650i could quench that thirst.

[Source: Car Throttle]

The article Can’t afford the new BMW 8 Series? Get an E63 BMW 650i appeared first on BMW BLOG

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Video: Listen to the BMW M2 Competition Exhaust Unaltered

BMW apparently knows that some people will complain about using the S55 engine under the hood of the new M2 Competition model. It has been a polarizing topic for months now, ever since our first source told us that the new model will come with this powerplant under the hood. Since the M3 and M4 models which used this mill in the first place got a lukewarm reception regarding the sound they make, I’m sure some people in BMW’s HQ were concerned about how the M2 will fare.

That’s probably why BMW decided to publish a soundbite of the exhaust of the car, unaltered. I need to point out that one of the first videos of the M2 Competition also featured its soundtrack but it was mixed with music and other effects and you couldn’t really figure anything out.

From what we can make out, the sound was recorded after the car was warmed up as the S55 is known to be a bit raspy and metallic when cold. In this instance, things sound just right and you need to realize that this is the standard exhaust we’re listening to here. In the future, BMW will almost certainly offer M Performance parts for the M2 Competition and an exhaust will be part of the upcoming catalogue.

How will the new M2 sound like with an M Performance Exhaust on? That remains to be seen but for now, I truly like the way the Competition model sounds like and I imagine it’s going to be even better to hear it in real life, without some microphone and some speakers getting in the way.

The article Video: Listen to the BMW M2 Competition Exhaust Unaltered appeared first on BMW BLOG

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VIDEO: Rolls Royce Cullinan The Final Challenge — Shaheen Royal Falcon

Rolls Royce is currently in its final stages of testing its first ever SUV, the Cullinan. During its testing the Double-R brand has been taking it to some of the most extreme places on the planet to make sure that it can prove the brand’s “Effortless, Everywhere” claim. At the moment, the Rolls Royce Cullinan is in the UAE (United Arab Emirates) and we previously saw in tackling some very smooth and twisty roads with surprising aplomb. Now, though, we get to see the high-riding Roller in the desert and it’s even more surprising there.

In this new video, we see the Rolls Royce Cullinan tackling some genuinely tricky desert terrain. Deep, loose sand is one of the most difficult types of terrain for an off-road vehicle to conquer, yet the Cullinan truly seems effortless here. Toward the beginning of the video, there’s a close up shot of the front wheel in motion, at a decently high speed, and we can see the wheel and suspension moving up and down rather quickly, while the body stays almost perfectly still. Only big undulations seem to make the body pitch or heave. It’s remarkable how Rolls Royce has tuned this new suspension.

We also get a pretty good look at its styling in this video, despite it being wrapped in camouflage. It has a whiff of Range Rover to its design, which isn’t all that surprising considering that car has been a staple of British SUVs for decades and the Cullinan is also a British SUV. Its shape looks good and the new Phantom VIII design language seems to translate well to an SUV.

When they arrive at their destination, a falconer is there to greet them and show them the art of falconry. The Shaheen Falcon is part of the Perigrine Falcon family and is the fastest creature on earth, with the ability to achieve over 200 mph in a mid-air nose dive. It’s remarkable to watch the falcon do its thing and it’s a fascinating bird. One thing the narrator mentions is that the falcon is a survivor because it has to be, living in the environment that it does. The Rolls Royce Cullinan proved that it, too, can survive in that harsh environment. Except the occupants in the Cullinan can survive in the desert with quad-zone climate control, sumptuous leather and a champagne cooler.

The article VIDEO: Rolls Royce Cullinan The Final Challenge — Shaheen Royal Falcon appeared first on BMW BLOG

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Mallon and O Maologain claim McGinley Motors Rosapenna Scratch Cups

Noel McGinley of McGinley Motors, Letterkenny (left) and Rosapenna Captain Liam Breen (right) present the Rosapenna Senior Scratch Cup to Dungannon's Dwayne Mallon. Picture: Martin Fleming

Dungannon's Dwayne Mallon followed a 72 on the Sandy Hills Links with a 69 on the Old Tom Morris Links to win the McGinley Motors sponsored Rosapenna Senior Scratch Cup.

He finished one stroke clear of Malone’s Matthew McClean and County Sligo’s Ruairi O’Connor.

Gweedore's Pol O Maolagain won the Junior Scratch Cup by six shots on 10-over 153 from Vaughan Valley's Paul Duffy with Rosapenna’s Enda McMenamin third on 160 and Paul Daly fourth with 161.

Rory Leonard and Michael Ryan shot 68s in the morning to lead the Senior Scratch Cup by a shot from Stefan Greenberg and O'Connor with Niall Carroll carding a 71 and 72s for Dwayne Mallon, Kealan Quigg, Jack Madden, Matthew McClean, Owen Crooks and JJ Logue.

Noel McGinley of McGinley Motors, Letterkenny (left) and Rosapenna Captain Liam Breen (right) present the Rosapenna Junior Scratch Cup to Gweedore's Pol O Maologain. Picture: Martin Fleming

Former multiple winners Connor Doran (73) and Eddie McCormack (74) had work to do but there was also a 74 for 16-year-old local talent Ryan Griffin as Ben Best shot 76.

Showers sprinkled the afternoon play on the par-71 Old Tom Morris Links but it was Mallon who emerged victorious, carding a two-under 69 to claim victory by a shot from Balmoral's Matthew McClean on two-under 141.

Rosapenna Senior Scratch Cup (Sandy Hills Par 72; Old Tom Morris Par 71)

1. 141 Dwayne Mallon 72 69
2. 142 Matthew McClean 72 70 (bot)
3. 142 Ruairi O'Connor 69 73
4. 143 Kealan Quigg 72 71
5. 144 Ben Best 76 68
6. 144 Stefan Greenberg 69 75 
7. 146 Rory Leonard 68 78
8. 146 Connor Doran 73 73
9. 147 Michael Ryan 68 79
10. 148 Eddie McCormack 74 74

Nett

1. 1st Niall Carroll with 143 nett
2. 2nd Owen Crooks with 145 nett

Gross

• 2nd round: Gerard Copeland 69 (-2)

Junior 

1. Pol O Maologain (5) Gweedore GC  74 (+3) 79 (+7) 153
2. Paul Duffy Faughan Valley 86/73 = 159 total
3. Enda McMenamin of Rosapenna with 77/83 = 160 total
4. Paul Daly of Galway with 84/77 = 161 gross bot. 

Nett

1. Ronan O'Connor (Galway) 144
2. Sean Acton (Tuam) 147 bot

Gross

• 2nd round Patrick Keeling (Roganstown) 78 

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Evelyn Park claims East Leinster Junior Winter Series

Edmondstown's Evelyn Park

Edmondstown's Evelyn Park claimed the Golfer of the Year Trophy after the final event of the East Leinster Junior Winter Series at Powerscourt Golf Club. 

Five players were in contention of the overall honour, but it was  Evelyn who took the top prize with Chloe Maples Gaffney (Royal Tara), Nicola Lynch (Malahide) and Niamh Carroll (Royal Tara) claiming the class prizes.

Mary McKenna OBE attended to wish the competitors well before they teed off.

The winter series is organised by the East Leinster Junior Development Committee, and we run one every month for 18-hole stableford, 9-hole stableford and 6-hole scramble competitions.

"We would like to thank Blackbush, Headfort, The Grange, St Anne’s, Co Louth, Woodbrook and Powerscourt for allowing us the courtesy of their courses to run these events," said Margaret Tucker from ILGU Junior Development.

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