Adobe Photoshop Layers Book: useful for Elements?

[willdoak]

For me, layers seem the hardest-to-understand part of Elements. I'm wondering if this book, even though written specifically for Photoshop, would be helpful in understanding the principles of using layers, or whether it's too tied to specific tools in Photoshop to be helpful.

Will

[Michel B]

I would be also interested in reviews or opinions on this book: I have learned so much with his Hiddenelements 4 book. As far as I know, the main limitation in Elements is that layers work only in 8 bits in Elements, which is not a problem to learn, understand and take advantage of the book. Probably parts of this book dedicated to unavailable options or commands (blend if...) won't be usable, which does not mean you won't understand. I expect there will be more than what is needed for Elements, but all that is needed and useful should be there. If you don't want to buy this book, you'll find the basics in his hiddenelements books and tools.
Just an example: even if you can use channels and channels mixer add-ons for Elements, his way to separate and recombine R,G,B channels as layers is so much more untuitive and flexible that I prefer to go this way, especially for B&W conversion. I would use it even in the full photoshop.

[willdoak]

Thanks, Michel. I've worked through most of Richard's book on Elements 3 and am about to jump into his book on Elements 4, which I've heard is an upgrade, itself.

I take it you haven't actually looked at his book on Photoshop Layers?

Will

[Michel B]

Originally Posted by willdoak

Thanks, Michel. I've worked through most of Richard's book on Elements 3 and am about to jump into his book on Elements 4, which I've heard is an upgrade, itself.

I take it you haven't actually looked at his book on Photoshop Layers?

Will

Right, just like you I was also waiting for some feed-back... Also, it takes 6 weeks to get the book from Amazon here! No news from Richard Lynch about PSE5 or PSE6 boks or tools? Elements users feel some frustration! I can confirm that the tools for PSE4 also work in PSE5 and PSE6 provided you know how to install them. Apologies to Richard for disclosing this info.

[Michel B]

I found those user reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/review/product...wViewpoints=1;
The last one states 'it's not difficult to adapt these techniques to Elements 6'.

[willdoak]

Thanks, Michel. I read those also. I was surprised at how much Richard contributed to that page. I guess I shouldn't have been. ;-)

In the introduction to HPPE 4, he asks people to contact him if they have a problem, not to post a negative review on Amazon. I guess that presupposes that people are willing to make a go of it, rather than falling back on their favorite how-to guide.

Also, in HPPE 4, he discusses how to get Photoshop actions to run in Elements, to the extent the functions are available. (All the Hidden Power Tools are actions.) So maybe that's a way to adapt his techniques in the layers books to Elements.

And eventually, I’ll have to stop speculating and buy the book!


Will

[Michel B]

Will,
I think I can get the book from Amazon UK... If that works, you'll still have to wait for weeks before you get my feedback!

[Richard_Lynch]

Hi,
Since my forums were moved here I have not been getting notifications, so sorry if there has been a lot of discussion going on and I'm just waiting to hear...

I have had some people get the new layers book, and while not all of it is applicable to Elements, I wanted to make it an Elements and Photoshop book and of course that was too radical for the publisher...It would confuse people. So it is written for Photoshop CS3, but really can mostly be used for Elements.

Here's a deal: find something in the book that can't be done in Elements and ask about it here, and I'll answer the question.

Get: The Adobe Photoshop Layers Book

If there are specific questions I can answer those!

[Richard_Lynch]

Originally Posted by Michel B

I can confirm that the tools for PSE4 also work in PSE5 and PSE6 provided you know how to install them. Apologies to Richard for disclosing this info.

I would think from my testing that this would NOT be the case. Some tools might work, but not all of them.

I have heard so little chatter about Elements 5 and Elements 6 while busy with other projects that I assume people were disinterested. If I hear some noise, I'd probably have more reason to get things going!

[Michel B]

Originally Posted by Richard_Lynch

I would think from my testing that this would NOT be the case. Some tools might work, but not all of them.

I have heard so little chatter about Elements 5 and Elements 6 while busy with other projects that I assume people were disinterested. If I hear some noise, I'd probably have more reason to get things going!

Glad to see you back, Richard!
I should have stated 'all the tools I'am interested in' do work. Even those who did not work in my French version do work in my PSE6 English version.
True, there has not been much discussion about Elements in this forum, but if you are curious and have a look at other Elements forums, you'll be surprised at the interest arisen by the new PSE6 version, especially because of the difficulty of installing actions. The main results seems that on that account, many advanced Photoshop Elements users have not upgraded to PSE6. Also did you have a look at what happened to the forum of photoshop Elements users? You might find interesting opinions in he two resulting forums: elementsvillage and photoshopcreativeelements...

[yvonne]

photoshop creative elements is a new and growing forum, come check us out.

http://www.photoshopcreativeelements.com/index.php

[Richard_Lynch]

I'd be interested to hear more about the split in the forums...I think no amount of reading time that I might have would bring me up to speed.

I've just visited the PCE forum...I'll have to see if I can talk there or need to be muted about real solutions as i often am. that's why I have this place ;-)

[yvonne]

You would be more than welcome there and not be muted at all. If you are familiar with Graffi, he is an active member there also. any and all input will be welcomed

[Richard_Lynch]

I've made a post, and maybe I'll get it on my list for visiting regularly!

[Michel B]

Originally Posted by Richard_Lynch

I'd be interested to hear more about the split in the forums...I think no amount of reading time that I might have would bring me up to speed.

I've just visited the PCE forum...I'll have to see if I can talk there or need to be muted about real solutions as i often am. that's why I have this place ;-)

In a nutshell, all began with the annoucement that the newsletter was to be stopped on economical reasons. Then all new subscriptions were stopped and it seemed that the forum was to be also stopped somewhere in the beginning of next year. There was a strong reaction as many forum members considered this forum as a real family and others wondered if their subscriptions would be payed back... Very quickly, (a technical feat) a new forum was created were people felt much more at ease. As a reaction, the old forum was moved and relabelled Elements Village...
As you can already see, you are more than welcomed in the PCE forum!

[yvonne]

Please do visit often..all are excited that you have joined us. The more the merrier

[Richard_Lynch]

Forgive me but the management of that project doomed it to being led into the ground. Not only were they not very friendly to authors, they paid very poorly, were very controlling, and almost didn't care about their own product as long as it had pages. Perhaps something else will spring up. I hope it is done by a group with stronger commitment to the users.

[Richard_Lynch]

By the way, who runs the new forum?

[Michel B]

Originally Posted by Richard_Lynch

By the way, who runs the new forum?

I would suggest contacting directly 'the team':
http://www.photoshopcreativeelements...p?mode=leaders
They will be more than happy to answer your questions privately or publicly. There is a sense of freedom and openmindedness in this 'community' and all have in common the desire to play, experiment, learn and become more experienced Elements users. (Photoshop and Lightroom users are welcome too)

[yvonne]

I am not sure what you mean by who runs it..it is a member based forum but was started for us by viovio (Christian).

[Richard_Lynch]

Originally Posted by yvonne

I am not sure what you mean by who runs it..it is a member based forum but was started for us by viovio (Christian).

Someone needs to be the ultimate moderator, owner of the forum who turned it on, hosts it, pays for it, etc. For example, it is Doug Nelson here at retouchpro.

If that is 'Christian' how do I get in touch?

Thanks.

[Michel B]

Originally Posted by Michel B

Will,
I think I can get the book from Amazon UK... If that works, you'll still have to wait for weeks before you get my feedback!

Last news: it's available from Amazon FR... I just ordered it. A fews days for delivery, then how long to go through it?

[Richard_Lynch]

Please don't rush through the book -- you'll miss a lot!

[willdoak]

Your layers book is now at the top of my Amazon wish list. I suspect I'll have it by Dec. 25. ;-)

BTW, I really like the enhancements you've made to your HPPE book for v4. I find it a lot easier to follow.

Will

[Richard_Lynch]

The Hidden Power 4 book was really by far the best of the lot. I concentrated on process and did away with a lot of the other distractions. Glad you noticed.

[Don Diego]

Dear Richard:
You stated:
"I have heard so little chatter about Elements 5 and Elements 6 while busy with other projects that I assume people were disinterested. If I hear some noise, I'd probably have more reason to get things going!"

Please take the time to visit http://www.photoshopcreativeelements.com
if you want to really hear a LOT of noise. We love to have you on board. There is freedom for authors like you there. Not only are you welcome we need you. You may contact Christian he owns the site and viovio.com also. BTW Christian is a fantastic guy. we have Graffi he sell PSE Actions and he is there because like you he found the other forum very restrictive. This forum is a family and I'm sure every single memeber will be happy to have you there sharing your knowledge with all of us.


When you get there tell them Mitchel B and Don Diego suggested that you joint the family. you won't belive the noise that is going on. Can't you hear it?
__________________

[Richard_Lynch]

Diego,
Thanks for thee invite. I will check it out. I did try to contact Christian as I have an endeavor where I'd like to borrow/buy the face he created for the forum/board for another discussion group I want to set up. I've not gotten him to respond. Perhaps you can give him a nudge and my email.

I hope the forum is like you say, and perhaps I'll find the reason there to pick up my Elements efforts.

[willdoak]

Back to the original point of this thread: I am finding the Photoshop Layers book helpful in understanding layers in Photoshop Elements, since the principles and implementation of layers is very similar in both products. The errata page for the layers book is here:
http://www.photoshopcs.com/errata.htm

Will

[Richard_Lynch]

Thanks for the update on your experience. Perhaps someday the publisher will listen and allow me to make it for both. My online courses for both are received quite well! (http://photoshopcs.com/photoshop_courses.htm)

[Richard_Lynch]

Please see the Elements forum for those reading the Adobe Photoshop Layers Book who use Elements:

Elements Layers Forum

You'll have to register for the forums at the site.