Project 7 - Adam Staiger

1. Please describe your preferred method of creating text and the layer effects to
make it stand out.
Oddly, I don't like using paths for text; I prefer just using the text tool. While using paths definitely gives you more flexibility in terms of where and what the text does, it does take a bit of time to get up and jimmy with, so I prefer the faster, more straight-forward method of just using the text tool and layer effects.

2. In which way did you like results from using clipping masks for text and shapes?
Do you think you will use them in future projects? Why or why not?
It definitely makes things easier to work with on an individual basis. Yes, I think I'll use it on future projects because it adds flexibility to what I can do to an image and its various assets, without messing up the rest of the image.

3. What was your experience using the pen tool to create selections? Were you able to
modify your selection with the path adjustment tools?
It's something that I have to get used to, especially using the "stretch" part of it, where you can curve the line to various degrees and in different directions. That definitely seems like something that will take a lot of practice to really be able to use effectively.
I was able to modify my selection, though I only had to change 1 small bit of it in order to get what I wanted selected.

4. What challenges did you experience using the shape tools? Did you create a custom
shape? What was it?
The biggest thing was trying to figure out a shape that made sense, or didn't seem too far out of place. Even the cat tracks are a bit of a stretch, and I suppose you'd have to know that my composite was based on Actual Events™ where I was playing with a cat (acting like a shark) and utterly scared him; he ended up making a beeline for his "safe spot".

5. How will you use Smart Objects in future projects?
I actually don't see myself using Smart Objects all that often, because they seem like something for a very specific task; perhaps a site logo or something? But even then, I cannot think of a good reason to just have one portion of an image "editable".
6. What keyboard shortcuts are you using regularly now?
I've found myself using Ctrl+J more regularly.
7. Add link of your completed web page to your blog
Here is a link to my project page.