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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Dual Monitors?
Allen Lester, Photographer
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Norfolk | VA | USA | Posted: 11:23 AM on 07.02.04 |
->> I understand that it is possible to utilize dual monitors with Photoshop – one for the menus and the other for the graphics. We have a Dell Dimension 4600 (Pentinum IV, 2.80 GHz, RAM 512) with the factory LCD monitor, but are using it with a 17” Lacie. The PC was ordered with the optional Radeon ATI 128MB video card, but also, contains the factory standard video card with a plastic cap over the connector. We are using CS under XP Pro.
Is it possible to configure this setup for dual monitor applications in Photoshop?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Allen |
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Caleb Simpson, Photographer, Assistant
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Dallas | Texas | USA | Posted: 11:29 AM on 07.02.04 |
| ->> Allen there is nothing you have to do in Photoshop itself. Just connect your second monitor and go to your properties-settings and configure the dual monitor there. You can tell it what direction you want windows drug in from, etc. In order to utilize this in Photoshop, just drag palletes over to the second monitor. I really wish I had this setup myself. It would make life a whole lot easier. For example. Have photo mechanic open in one monitor and word open in another to write captions, simply copy and paste without closing a window!!! You will love it!!! |
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Michael Ciu, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Lorain | OH | USA | Posted: 11:34 AM on 07.02.04 |
->> The dual monitors will work throughout Windows.
Plug in both monitors.
Check BIOS to make sure both will work. There should be something set to use onboard and 3rd party video cards.
Go to your display settings panel for Windows.
Under settings you will have all of the options for resolution for both monitors as well as setting one to primary and one for secondary. The onboard card will be set as primary, but can be switched through this panel.
If this doesn’t make much sense, email me and I’ll try to give a more detailed step by step walk through. Or check the windows website, they should have directions there.
I only use both monitors for Photoshop and Illustrator. If I’m just on the net or writing, I’ll shut the other monitor off. I’ve got a 19” running as my primary at 1024x768 and a 17” at 800x600 with pallets and menus.
Good luck, and enjoy the extra work space. |
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Thomas E. Witte, Photographer
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Cincinnati | OH | USA | Posted: 11:35 AM on 07.02.04 |
| ->> Or just get a 30 inch monitor. |
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Michael Ciu, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Lorain | OH | USA | Posted: 11:39 AM on 07.02.04 |
| ->> yeah, you can usually use the 42"+ plasma TV's as computer monitors. |
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Allen Lester, Photographer
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Norfolk | VA | USA | Posted: 12:53 PM on 07.02.04 |
->> Thanks for all the help!! As soon as I get my computer technician hat on, I'll it a try.
Allen |
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John Bethune, Photographer, Student/Intern
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Boone | NC | United States | Posted: 1:21 PM on 07.02.04 |
| ->> I'd shy away from the plasma screen as a monitor for any real use...they tend to burn in... |
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Worth Canoy, Photographer
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High Point | NC | USA | Posted: 2:34 PM on 07.02.04 |
->> My large system in the studio actually has three monitors!
The 21" to work on, the middle 17" for tools, etc, ant the 15" for channels, paths, etc.
Only way to go. |
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Walter Calahan, Photographer
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Silver Spring | MD | USA | Posted: 8:09 PM on 07.02.04 |
->> I dual. 22" and a 17"
The only way to PhotoShop. |
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Eric Hagen, Photographer
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Denver | CO | USA | Posted: 1:08 AM on 07.03.04 |
->> I've used dual monitors for years and I wouldn't go back. I feel handicapped not having it anymore. I'm so used to having a full-screen for Photoshop that the toolbars are always "in the way" when I go to other computers. Besides, when I am surfing, I'll have a chat window or email up on the second screen. When I'm doing photos I have toolbars or thumbnails on the other screen.. I like opening pics in full-screen with Windows XP's photo preview and then comparing the same shot on the other screen with Photoshop. I had to calibrate the monitors carefully to match eachother, but it's pretty good right now and I'm confident in the setup.
Go for it! you won't go back.
What was said about going into the system BIOS and enabling the "onboard" video card and simply plugging in the second monitor should work. You might have to find drivers for it... they should be available on Dell's support site. Then you just have to go to the Display Settings and hit the checkbox "extend my desktop onto this screen"
Piece of cake.
Eric |
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Greg Ferguson, Photographer
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Scottsdale | Az | USA | Posted: 12:03 PM on 07.03.04 |
->> Dual monitors are sweet for most anything you can do on a 'puter.
When you put them up, consider ergonomics. Long term use of computers is known to be hazardous to our necks, shoulders and upper-back, so make them sit at the right height and avoid having to turn your head to extremes just to see one or the other. Those long editing sessions can be murder.
After 20+ years working in front of computers and monitors that couldn't be adjusted because the company wouldn't adjust our workstations and desktops, I feel the effects - permanent muscle cramps in my neck that have defied massages and chiropractor adjustments.
But other than that, they're a blast. Try a good shoot-em up game with dual monitors and surround sound! |
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Allen Lester, Photographer
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Norfolk | VA | USA | Posted: 6:18 PM on 07.04.04 |
->> Wow...the dual monitor setup is so cool!! And a quick lessons learned...
On the Dell 4600, and I would assume most pc's, when the Radeon 9800 graphics card was installed at the factory it disabled the built-in graphics card on the motherboard. I was originally attempting to connect the second monitor to that “disabled” connection. The Radeon card had a second strange looking connection in addition to the standard DB15 connector but I hadn’t given it much thought. According to Radeon if you purchase their graphics card over the counter you get a good instruction manual and an adapter that will connect a standard DB15 monitor cable to the card’s DVI connection – the strange looking connector on the back of the card. I picked up the adapter locally and on the first boot-up the extended desk top magically appeared on the second monitor!!
Thanks to all,
Allen |
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