This may be old hat, but I just found the Sketch plug-in on the Akvis site. I'm very impressed with it and wondered what others think and if you have examples of what you've achieved using it. Here is my first attempt.

...and here is number two.

Good plugin!

Here's another example.

Steve C.

nice job, steve. good job, steve.

ok, that isnt going to work very well. so, i guess tiger steve is now tiger :)

i like the guy with guitar sketch, tiger.

Thanks for sharing your handiwork, Steve. I too was impressed.

See the following thread for more info (and the link to thee pBase gallery for some examples):
http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/photo-based-art/15744-akvis-sketch-plugin-review-gallery-examples.html

I prefer to use Akvis Sketch to render "non-color" output and add color later via separate layers.

~Danny~

I prefer to use Akvis Sketch to render "non-color" output and add color later via separate layers.

~Danny~

Hi Danny.

I have found that on "busy"-(i.e. lots of detail)-images, that if you add the color after processing that it will eliminate a lot of unwanted crosshatching. Then I either leave it with a bit of color if I like it that way, or convert to B & W.

Steve C.

nice job, steve. good job, steve.

ok, that isnt going to work very well. so, i guess tiger steve is now tiger :)

i like the guy with guitar sketch, tiger.

Hello Craig, Steve C. here. :masked:

Thanks.

Hi Danny.

I have found that on "busy"-(i.e. lots of detail)-images, that if you add the color after processing that it will eliminate a lot of unwanted crosshatching. Then I either leave it with a bit of color if I like it that way, or convert to B & W.

Steve C.Good point Steve (not Tiger :)). I should have been more specific.

One way to restore color is to make a copy of the original, unmodified layer, change its blend mode to "Color," and then move it above the Akvis layer. This retains the Akvis detail, plus makes it easy to lower opacity for a more subtle color effect, mess with Hue/Saturation on the color layer for bolder colors or to apply an overall tone for, say, a sepia look.

Another way is to add one or more layers above the Akvis layer, set the blend mode to Color and manually paint whatever colors anywhere you like.

Doing color manipulation outside of the plugin, to me, is faster and easier -- especially on high resolution images that take Sketch a long time to render on my sometimes painfully slow computer.

~Danny~

Thanks guys.

Danny, I used your colour suggestion after reading your review before I decided to download the demo. It works a treat.

I thought it was just my computer that was slow, but maybe not. Even though my spec is okay (AMD 3200+, 1024Mb SDRAM & nVidia 6600GT graphics) the Sketch plug-in takes an age to render 9Mb+ Tiffs. Is there a workaround like choosing the settings on a low res file and the only processing the actual image when you are happy with the effect the settings are having or is the low res image effect different to the high res? I've never drunk so much coffee since waiting for these renders. :grin:

All I have to do now is pay for my version as the demo runs out in 5 days!!! Oh well, it's only money. :cry:

Good point Steve (not Tiger :)). I should have been more specific.

One way to restore color is to make a copy of the original, unmodified layer, change its blend mode to "Color," and then move it above the Akvis layer. This retains the Akvis detail, plus makes it easy to lower opacity for a more subtle color effect, mess with Hue/Saturation on the color layer for bolder colors or to apply an overall tone for, say, a sepia look.

Another way is to add one or more layers above the Akvis layer, set the blend mode to Color and manually paint whatever colors anywhere you like.

Doing color manipulation outside of the plugin, to me, is faster and easier -- especially on high resolution images that take Sketch a long time to render on my sometimes painfully slow computer.

~Danny~

Haven't tried layers with Sketch yet, but your suggestions are very good. So will have to give that a shot ASAP. I like working with layering and blends anyway.

Steve C.