Photoshop Elements

[Spectro is #1]

Jumping in to refrain starting another thread about Photoshop Elements 6.0. Hope you don't mind.

Does version 6.0 allow you to use actions on photos?

Yes and no. Elements as you know is a striped down version of Photoshop. I have had mixed results loading actions into 6.0. Some work and some don't. Some will partially work. By that I mean layers will load and you can see them in the pallet but can't do anything with them.
It seems to me there is a lot of code left from PS still in PSE. I have used layer styles and plug-ins that should only work in PS with PSE. You just have to try them. Be careful though, if you have any custom shapes or brushes you should back them up. Sometimes you will load something that is not compatible and you will have to reload PSE. I have had to do this only 3 times. I will post an action under this thread. (I have to upload one first)

 

[Spectro is #1]

PanosFX makes a few actions for PSE. This is one of their free ones. They have a few you can buy. I am very PSE savvy so I don't use actions because I can apply the effects myself but in the case of this action it is a real time saver. This takes a long time to do by hand.

 

[ElizK]

I've been trying to find a continuing education course that will teach me how to use Elements. There's not one during the summer at my local junior college, but there is a Photoshop class. Would this help me much? I know Photoshop does a lot more than Elements, but are the basics of the two essentially the same?

Thanks for your help!

 

[MinnieMouse73]

I have just installed Elements. Before I start to 'play' with some photos, is it possible to do the equivalent of 'save as' so I keep the original file as well as the one that has been edited?

For now, I shall just play with rubbish photos I don't want to keep anyway, as I don't want to start permanently editing my good photos while I don't really know what I'm doing! But I would like to edit the better ones too at some point!

(hope that makes sense!)

 

[Mckymousefn]

I have just installed Elements. Before I start to 'play' with some photos, is it possible to do the equivalent of 'save as' so I keep the original file as well as the one that has been edited?

For now, I shall just play with rubbish photos I don't want to keep anyway, as I don't want to start permanently editing my good photos while I don't really know what I'm doing! But I would like to edit the better ones too at some point!

(hope that makes sense!)

Myself, i make copies of all my photos... so no matter what i have the orignals.

 

[DVC Jen]

I've never seen one for Elements (not saying there isn't one out there). Have you thought about purchasing a "how to" book for elements?

I have seen a lot of classes for photoshop.

 

[MOmousefan]

I have used the Classroom in a Book for Photoshop Elements 5.0 in a high class that I have taught this year. It comes with a CD that allows you to learn how to manipulate photos with great examples. This book is from Adobe Press and is very well laid out.
I have Photoshop 7.0 at home and have felt intimitated by the complexity of this software. Elements is great for the casual user and easy to master. I also teach Premiere Elements and is also easy to use. You can buy the book at Amazon for under $40.

 

[The Grays]

I have just installed Elements. Before I start to 'play' with some photos, is it possible to do the equivalent of 'save as' so I keep the original file as well as the one that has been edited?

For now, I shall just play with rubbish photos I don't want to keep anyway, as I don't want to start permanently editing my good photos while I don't really know what I'm doing! But I would like to edit the better ones too at some point!

(hope that makes sense!)

I always leave the original file as is. When i work on a file I do a save as and add a "c" at the end of the file si I know I did a correction to it.
Dan

 

[My2Girls66]

I have Elements 3 and yes there is a box to check to save 'as copy'.

 

[boBQuincy]

Ed2Go has courses for Elements:
http://www.ed2go.com/cgi-bin/ed2go/newofferings.cgi?dept=DP

 

[Amy]

I always make a copy before I do anything to a photo - once you have the photo(s) you want in the Elements editor bin at the bottom of the screen, right-click and select "duplicate" to make a copy. Then you'll be working on the copy, not the original.

 

[ElizK]

Thanks, ya'll.

I have a really good book (The Missing Manual). Unfortunately, I'm one who needs to be shown how to do something. If I understand it I'll never have to be shown again. But me sitting down with just a book to try to figure it out is nothing but a lesson in frustration.

 

[MinnieMouse73]

Thanks everyone

 

[MinnieMouse73]

OK, another question (sorry, I've a feeling there may be a few of these! )

When I've tagged a photo then 'saved as' version 2 (or whatever) and edited it, is there a way of automatically tagging the new version so it also appears in the same keyword?

TIA!

 

[Lizziejane]

the new "save as" version will hold all the same tags as the original. The organizer will stack the versions so that only the most recently edited copy will be visible.

 

[MinnieMouse73]

Ah, it doesn't seem to be doing that automatically for me but I don't think I've set it to stack the images. Off to work out how to do that ...

Thanks!

 

[Lizziejane]

I've taken photoshop courses but use elements. There are a lot of similarities, and the knowledge is easily transferrable. Elements doesn't do everything photoshop does, but it only became a "problem" towards the end of the course, when we got into channels and such. So yes, a course for photoshop would help.

On the other hand, Scott Kelby has a great book for elements. His style of writing is very easy to read, and he gives step-by-step instructions. The book is organized into chapters depending on what it is you want to do - adjust levels, brighten teeth, when you forget to use fill flash, etc. It's my bible and has well-worn corners!

 

[ElizK]

I've taken photoshop courses but use elements. There are a lot of similarities, and the knowledge is easily transferrable. Elements doesn't do everything photoshop does, but it only became a "problem" towards the end of the course, when we got into channels and such. So yes, a course for photoshop would help.

Thanks! this was the info I was hoping for. I guess my dad and I will sign up!

 

[Lizziejane]

forgot to mention that the "paths" to actions is different in photoshop than elements, but they both contain a lot of the same actions.

 

[Lizziejane]

I believe when you have the "save" window open, there's a little box asking if you'd like to file it with the original in the organizer. I could be wrong though...