Image Help - - Doing a Tutorial Need help with set up

nebgranny · #1 03-12-2005, 07:29 PM

I am doing the tutorial on layers by vicki. I do not have photoshop but I do have a 30 day trial of photoshop elements. I somehow messed up the layers pallett. Can someone help me get it back . It seems to be closed . Also there was to be a function on the bottom of the pallett to use but it is not there to use. Thanks Neb

Ken Fournelle · #2 03-12-2005, 08:23 PM

Go up to the top of the screen to Window and check Layers

k

nebgranny · #3 03-12-2005, 09:03 PM

Thank You, got it!
I wonder if you or someone can help me with another question. I am using a 30 day free trial of PhotoShop Elements. Here is the step I am working on.

Hold down the Alt key while pressing the layer mask button on the bottom of the Layers palette.
This will add a black layer mask along side the image. A black mask will hide the image it's connected to - in this case, it should be hiding the top layer where we applied the Dust & Scratches filter.

I can not see the layer mask button in Elements. I wonder if it has it within the program. Does anyone know about this. I would love to get through the tutorial , but maybe it does not have that functionin elements!! Thanks. Neb

Gary Richardson · #4 03-13-2005, 12:07 AM

Hi Neb, Photoshop Elements does not support Layer Masks, exept for with adjustment layers.

Therefore, if you want to use a layer mask, do what it is you want to do on a new layer, then add a adjustment layer but make no adjustments, then link the two layers. To make the mask black click on the layer mask next to the adjustment layer in your layer palette, then Image/Adjustment/Invert.

A bit complicated, but once you get used to it its not too difficult.

nebgranny · #5 03-13-2005, 07:26 AM

Thank you and I will try it . Does anyone know if PSP supports this function. I have that program as well. If so would someone please let me know and how to find it in that program.

I have used masks to change the look of picture borders, but do not know if ths is the same area to do what Vikie is suggesting!.

Thanks Neb

Gary Richardson · #6 03-13-2005, 11:10 AM

Hi Neb, I don't use PSP, but I believe it does support layer masks. Not sure if that applies to all editions. There's plenty of PSP users here though, so one of them will no doubt be able to clarify the situation.

If you've got PSP, in general it has more functionality than Elements.

nebgranny · #7 03-13-2005, 11:22 AM

Hi Gary: Thank you for responding. Was about to give up. I have PSP8 and like it very much. I am however thinking of getting Photoshop if I stay with this forum. Seems like most use it.

I am glad to hear some use PSP here. I do hope someone will respond who uses it and let me know where to find the function's in psp so I can use it to try Vicki's tutorail. To be honest I pulled a search in the help of psp and just could not find anything, maybe not putting in the right words. I did try and proceed on my own....but no luck.

I pulled up elements as I thought it would allow the function mentioned in the tutorial. OH well...guess just not ment to be!! Thanks Neb

nebgranny · #8 03-13-2005, 11:35 AM

Hi Again Gary:
I just did another search in help using the words layer masks and got a LOT

of options. Now just need to figure out which one to do using vicki's tutorial

. Thanks Neb

Fizzgiz · #9 03-13-2005, 12:25 PM

Hey Earline,
You're getting along great with all of this new info to digest which can be overwhelming to begin with. I know it has to be more difficult trying to learn and translate into PSP at the same time. I have a trial version of PSP and started to play with it, but I've been busy this weekend. I actually really like the program and my purchase it myself to have more options. My goal is to see if I can come up with a sort of list to correlate between PS and PSP. As we learned earlier, Flipping in PS is Mirroring in PSP. I'm going to do the best I can, but I'm posting this instead of PMing you, because maybe someone reading this can help as well. If anyone uses both programs, or just has both, or maybe switched at some point, any help would be appreciated. If we work together and get a good reference page, I'll get it up on the site. I'll ask Doug where it should go. In the mean time Earline, just keep plugging along!!
Jessy

CJ Swartz · #10 03-13-2005, 07:52 PM

Neb, here's one link that explains about how to "fake" layer masks in Photoshop Elements as Gary explained --

http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/pse...layermasks.htm

She includes a free action file to help do it:

http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/pse...layermasks.htm

nebgranny · #11 03-13-2005, 07:55 PM

Hey Jess: Thanks for your encouragement. At this point I need it. Your idea sounds great. It would be great to have tutorials which can be switched to be used with both languages..LOL programs. Having the list you suggest would be WONDERFUL...I love working with pictures and want to learn all I can..also remember I m a senior citizen and my learning curve is slower now..

But My spirit is young..and it will perservere.

Neb

CJ Swartz · #12 03-13-2005, 08:20 PM

The PSP User Group has free online classes and tutorials here:
http://www.pspug.org/edu/edu.shtml

http://www.pspug.org/tut/tut8eff.shtml

--------------------------------------------------------

Some links to other tutorials on PSP8 that look promising can be found here:

http://www.putertutor.net/paint/psp8.htm

Here's one on layers (it's a link from the above page)
http://www.jpkabala.com/paranormal/layers.html

Here's a quote from the above tutorial (it's a good one for all of us to remember)

:
"There's a lot of information here, and the sheer volume can be a little intimidating.

Don't let it get to you. If you can cook a simple meal, drive a car, change a tire or do the laundry, you can do this.

Actually, if you managed to get dressed this morning you already did something a whole lot harder than using layers. The only difference is that you've had a lot more years of practice with buttons and shoelaces than with graphics software."

Ones you might want to start with before going on to more advanced tutorials --

http://www.designsbyjoy.net/Starting...Basicinfo1.htm
http://www.designsbyjoy.net/Starting-n-PSP/new2psp.htm

http://psptoybox.com/Newbieville8/prefs8.html
http://psptoybox.com/Newbieville8/8overview.htm

http://www.designsbyjoy.net/Starting-n-PSP/one.htm

http://jpkabala.com/paranormal/

http://jpkabala.com/paranormal/retouch1.html -- scratch removal

CJ Swartz · #13 03-13-2005, 09:11 PM

An older comparison of photo editing software by PC Magazine (Sept. 2003)

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1217067,00.asp - PC Editor's Pick - Photoshop Elements (V2)

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1213618,00.asp -- PSP8

Fizzgiz · #14 03-13-2005, 09:27 PM

Thanks CJ!! I will check out those links tomorrow to see if they help with my list. I've seen this as being a problem for PSP users coming here and having a hard time with most of us using photoshop. I like the quote of information and volume being intimidating, because I just said that in my formal introduction in the Salon forum under New Members Intros. I feel like we need to bridge the gap betwen the two programs, and from what I see it's not that hard, just a matter of language like Neb says.
Jessy

CJ Swartz · #15 03-13-2005, 11:02 PM

Intro to PSP 8 -- overview of interface
http://www.graphicallusions.com/tuto.../surkit01.html

One person's view of PSP and Photoshop:
http://edhiker.home.comcast.net/Photoshop_or_PSP.htm

I'm trying to hunt down some webpages that show the different names for similar commands in both programs, but I haven't been successful yet.