auto-painting, plug-ins, filters

[raven4ns]

What is the difference between these pieces of software? I am looking for autopaint software that I can manipulate a bit to have some control over. My skills are not that of a painter but an average amateur photographer yet I want to have a bit of control over the final look. Which of these do you think would allow me this control yet still do most of the work for me? As you can tell I am a novice at this aspect of photography and need some help before I make my selection. I have already bought PE4 because I got it for $12 so even if it isn't what I want there is no big loss. Your suggestions, advice and explanations are gratefully appreciated. Thank you.

[palms]

Do you know ( for me anyway ) it is a hard question to answer
As they will all do the "work" for you to different degrees

so maybe if it is possible can you be a bit more specific on the type of look you are trying to achieve, as it would be so easy to go down the wrong route with the advice, or maybe you could even provide links to the work you are wanting to emulate,

As for not being artistic i thought you written that you are a amateur photographer, that is artistic And between you and me i am not artistic either , but it does grow on you and is very enjoyable

Palms

[raven4ns]

I am trying to find out which piece of software will do what I want. I want to have software that will do an oil, pastel etc all by itself if I let it but I can alter/adjust the final painting if I so choose. Some of the watercolors I see on the internet, for instance, look like they are blurred but they appear to have a photo underneath the watercolor. This is why I want some measure of control over the process.
I have CS2, PSP, PE4 and have trialed Gertrudis GMX of which PE4 and Gertrudis have an autopaint feature. My problem is I don't understand how automated a filter or plug-in will be. Will they give me a similar automated process as PE4 or Gertrudis-GMX? Thank you.

[palms]

Tim

it is hard to come up with the answer that you are after, as a lot people are under the impression that turning photo's into art is a one click thing but on the whole that is far from the case, there are umpteen various techniques and as no two photographs are the same they all vary different when each technique is used, but in saying that some techniques take very little time some much longer

now for a list i have found for you to try out if they appeal to you

Dap probably the closest to what you are after but i am not sure how much input you can get ( i havent tried it )

Impressionist (free) ( plug in for windows and ps not sure on elements but there is plenty of support and tips etc on this site ) this you would use on a duplicate layer and tweek or blend to whatever you like

take a look at this thread look out for members Alexmeta and Alcar both masters with impressionist

snap art which is a plug in for photoshop + elements but newer versions than what you have i think for version 2 you would need to look for version 1 which i think may be free

Fotosketcher is another one (free) and the author is a active member here

So there are some more for you to look at, i think most of us will use a combination of filters, plug ins, etc as well as ps's or psp's own tools

another idea for you is to post a photo into the photo art section perhaps asking for different versions of say a watercolour ( and believe me there are a lot of interpretations of that style ) and if the members could attach a "how i did it " etc and take it from there

hope this has helped in some way and not put you off at all

Palms

[lkroll]

Dave just informed me that he recently released FotoSketcher 1.98. If you don't have this gem, then you should; it's free.

http://www.fotosketcher.com

[skydog]

Lyle...show me something you've done with this software..thanks

[lkroll]

Here's 3 that I recently done (previous version; just updated to the new version a few hours ago; it still has all the previous features and a few more).

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=36489193
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=36487994
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=36477551

[Alcar]

Does anyone know what is holding up DAP's forum?
Alan

[lkroll]

I believe it is a comedy of errors Alan. I'm very dissapointed too. Flickr has a user group, but doesn't look like too many post there. I still have some hope that the forum will come back into being; we shall see.