The New Hidden Power Book (and Tools) for Elements 4

[Richard_Lynch]

Adobe has thrown another wrench in the works for Elements 4, and I've been spending a very long time on making everything work again. I have just completed the writing, so the book should be out in a few months (February). I will have the tool set complete in the beginning of January...this time with over 100 tools (40 more than before)...and I'll be making that available from the web site as an upgrade/new release. These include work-arounds for Curves, Color Balance, Channel Mixer, Guides, CMYK separations, and all of the other things you may have heard elsewhere were removed from Elements.

I've re-written the book and done a lot of re-arranging to focus more specifically on image correction and adjustments, rather than some of the more esoteric materials (animation) and web concerns that were covered in the final chapters of previous versions. Conceptually, the whole seems to me to be even more cohesive than before. I've updated all examples that I retained and changed about 50% of them completely.

I hope for this release to build the Elements user community that has been all too elusive, centered on sharing progressive actions for Elements. If you have suggestions for what you'd like to see, please post them in the Elements 4 area: http://www.retouchpro.com/forums/a/

I'll be copying this post there too...

[Richard Ellis]

Hi, Richard,

I see you are planning a new book for PSE4. I was about to buy the Book for PSE3. Since i am a Mac user, I do not use PSE4, and am not sure I will when it is issued. My question is - should I go ahead with the existing book, or wait until version 4 comes out. Will the new book apply to PSE3?

Thanks

Richard

[Richard_Lynch]

This is such a good question that I don't know if I can answer it completely at this time. I have not yet tested the Elements 4 tools in Elements 3, as I am working on Elements 4...And because Mac users will not be seeing a version of Elements 4 soon (no, I have no news of a timeline or if it is even in the works), it may be best to get the Elements 3 book: http://aps8.com/hppe3.html if you are on Mac. HOWEVER, and that said, everything I have built for Elements 4 *should* work in Elements 3 as it is--I just haven't tested it. I think the new book is significantly improved in methodology, and departs from some of the more esoteric stuff that was included in parts of the Elements 2 and 3 books. It is written strictly for the PC, though, so any reference to keystrokes and all screen shots will be PC oriented (I am a 50-50 Mac/PC user myself).

The only thing I can say is: the Elements 3 book will certainly work with Elements 3...so it is the safest bet. You could get it and the Elements 4 tools when they come out on the website (in January: http://hiddenelements.com/downloads.html), or even go the other route and get the Elements 3 tools only (again on the download page) to use those immediately and wait till the Elements 4 book comes out (http://hiddenelements.com/hppe4.html) to get the updated tools and procedures. If anything doesn't work, you can complain, and if it is a valid complaint, I'll issue a Mac fix. I don't expect there will be problems, because I have built the tools pretty solidly, and expect that they will even work on foreign language versions of the product -- which had been a problem in the past.

Does that help?

[Richard Ellis]

Thank you very much for such a prompt answer. I'll go buy the Book.

Richard

[DannyRaphael]

Richard:

Congratulations on your ongoing success with this series.

From what you've seen so far with PSE4, will actions be handled the same as PSE3 or did Adobe mess with that again, too?

~Danny~

[Richard_Lynch]

I keep hearing that things are different for Elements 4, Danny, and they aren't. There are a bunch of things that Adobe disconnected to make it more challenging, but I've worked around everything--and this time it won't be so easy for copycats. Come January my Elements 4 set will be available, at that point I'll be updating my website and then getting up some free stuff. Any suggestions for inclusion in my free tool set are welcome...that would include whatever you think is most popular from your "mother of all.." set for Photoshop if you are willing to suggest!

[Ph 413]

Hi, Richard --

Have you any information as to a limit on the number of plug-ins that PSE4 will allow? I've found that PSE4 will only install a set, undetermined number of plug-ins when this application starts, the workaround not being a workaround at all as what I must do to access a plug-in I wish to use is to move to a temporary folder other plug-ins. This restriction is not evident in PSP nor to my knowledge did I find this with PSE2.

I've tried to post this question to Adobe to no avail thus far.

Thank you!


Chummy

[Richard_Lynch]

hmmm. Mind listing all the plugins you are trying to install? My experience is not what you are describing at all. In fact, I've loaded over 100 things at a time. I probably have an answer, but first I am more interested in the details of what you believe is failing. I don't want to answer the wrong question.

PS -- My goodness, how many things are you trying to load anyhow? Are there really so many adjustment tools that you need? What is the source? If so, I am doubly curious as to what they are...

[Ph 413]

Nothing unusual, Richard, and it appears to be around 75 in all. What I find is that only a portion of these are installed when PSE4 starts up and while all are not needed during any one session I've found it to be very helpful from a creative perspective to have access to all the tools in my set to achieve the results I'm seeking.

And as I've written all install when, for example, I instead am working with PSP.

[Richard_Lynch]

Are you on a mac or PC? if you are on a PC I can write a little command line ditty that will list them in about 5 seconds. I'm curious to see what is important to users. I've done 100 tools for the new book, and can't imagine needing another 75 plugins (all likely with multiple capabilities)...are they plugins or actions? If they are proper plugins, you may be running into memory issues, which might explain the hit-or-miss loading.

[Ph 413]

Hi, Richard --

I finally found time again to revisit and appreciate your offer. I have a PC, a Dell Dimension 8300.

I would like to add that I've also since last writing upgraded my Paint Shop Pro to its current Version 10.02; I have absolutely no difficulty whatsoever with the use of any of my plug-in filters within said application. They all install and work just fine. It's only with Adobe Photoshop Elements 4 in which I've encountered the barrier.

As to the number of plug-ins, there are occasions when I begin a project in which I do not think in advance of what I am trying to create and thus rely upon the flexibility to decide what to do based on what is in my so-called toolbox. I just simply begin and allow my creative blessing to go forth.

I do not equate a creative session with that of a round of golf where the rules limit the number of clubs that one may have in one's bag on the course, but rather that if I've acquired the tools and placed them in my workshop I should be able to grab any that are needed and work with it on my bench.

[Richard_Lynch]

PSP is a different application with different requirements. Loading plugins takes memory, and if you have too many plugins (too many in the sense that your system is unable to handle them) then you can run into problems. I am betting it is the fault of the system and not the application. While 75 plugins are a lot, Adobe generally builds very sturdy programs...at the same time they are demanding of the system. The variation in the loading says to me that you are running out of memory.

I need more information about your system...the type is not enough. How much RAM do you have? How much free harddrive space? How many programs do you keep open at the same time? Do you play music on the computer? Do you have a firewall, internet connection and virus protection?

To use your analogy about the tools, if you have 50 power tools and 5 power sockets all running on a single breaker (not referring to the limitations of PS or PSE, but of the system and RAM), you may be able to run the table saw, router, drill and lathe (though I don't know anyone who could use all those with two hands), and then when you turn on an extra flood lamp to see what you are doing, everything goes black.

No one is asking you to limit your creativity, I just find it hard to believe that 75 plugins are necessary. After 15 years of photoshop use and 20 in digital imaging, I run exactly 0 plugins, unless you consider my tools a plugin (they are actions), or if you count standard plugins that come with the program. I don't know that I'd even be able to find 75 plugins to download, and can't imagine what additions can do that my own enginuity can't. It may be helpful to see a gallery of your images. Like I said, I am curious as to what you have in the plugin folder that is that valuable, and I'll post the command line (I'm not on a PC right now) so you can list them easily. Everyone learns to work differently and in accord with their style...I am betting we can find the solution for you to continue yours.