Frequently Asked Questions About the Tutorial

What is it?
The tutorial is a computer based video that demonstrates many of the techniques that I use to create my fine art digital paintings as well as explains some of the important concepts of digital imagery from start to finish. Much of it is like standing over my should as I explain each mouse movement as I transform a photo into a realistic oil painting.

Do I need any special programs to run it?
You only need a browser and a Media Player capable of running either Quicktime Movies or AVI files (Windows Media Player). The tutorial utilizes both sound and moving graphics to show the techniques.

Do I need any special equipment to run it?
You do not need anything other than your basic vanilla computer to run the tutorial other than a graphics card capable of 24 bit color and a sound card.
In the tutorial I cover some of the basic and optional equipment and computer configurations that I would recommend to create this type of work.  

What programs are demonstrated?
The two programs that I use to create my effects are Microsoft Digital Image Pro, and Corel Painter. 

Do I need these programs to re-create the techniques?
One nice things about the tutorial is that you can learn how to do these techniques in these programs without having to buy them.  To be able to reproduce the techniques shown, you will need the above mentioned programs.

Can I do the same things in Photoshop?
There are some techniques that you can do the equivalent in Photoshop, although I do not use Photoshop in the demos. Most of the techniques, especially the artistic effects, require both Microsoft Digital Image Pro and Corel Painter to re-create them successfully (Sorry Photoshop users!).

What about Mac users? 
I've created a version of the tutorial that will run on a Mac via the Quicktime Player. Unfortunately some of the programs demonstrated are only available on the PC platform. It is still possible to use these but you must use one of the PC emulation programs and run the PC version on you Mac via the emulator.

How complicated is the tutorial? Can a Beginner understand it.
I have intentionally created the tutorial to bring someone with little or no experience through many of the concepts of creating digital imagery. It does presume you know how to scan a photo or at least start with a digitized photo. From that point on, I presume little prior experience from the user and I take you through each keystroke and mouse click, explaining each technique. The advantage of this is that you can stop and rewind and re-view at any point.

Will they run on my TV DVD Player?
No. These are meant to be run on your computer's DVD player either DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, or DVD+RW.