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QUESTION: When I switch software, I really switch software! I used Paint Shop Pro 7 for years and still love its basic functionality for simple photo editing. However, now that I'm digitally scrapping, there's nothing that beats Photoshop Elements! My question here is about a PSP7 function that I can't seem to find an equivalent for in PSE9. It's most likely there, but I just don't know the name or the steps to take to achieve the same effect.
I'm referring to the "screen" function in PSP7. I've used it for years to easily and quickly lighten a photo without having to go through so many steps. It's a two-click procedure, here's what I do:
In PSP7: Duplicate layer> click on layer in Layer Palette, choose Screen> set Opacity at about 50% and voila, I'm done. Other choices in this drop-down menu are: Darken, Lighten, Hue, Saturation, etc. Any idea what I can do to achieve the same effect in PSE9?
ANSWER: It's pretty much the same in PSE9 (and other versions). To the right, where your layers are listed, you'll find your Blending Modes and Opacity setting right above the Layers Palette. The Blending Mode should say "Normal" unless you change it, or unless you use an action that changes it.
ORIGINAL POSTER'S RESPONSE: Thanks for such a fast reply! I'm off in a bit to play piano for a memorial service, but I'll take a look this afternoon and get back to you.
ANSWER: You might want to experiment with Enhance> Adjust Lighting in the top toolbar. You can play with the sliders in Levels or Brightness/Contrast or Shadows/Highlights.
ANSWER: "Screen" is a Blending Mode in PSE as well as PSP, so you should have no trouble working with it.
QUESTION: Help! Well, I decided to purchase PSE9 through Adobe (via download). After trying it out and doing a few layouts, I decided that things were working properly and decided to start uploading my brushes, actions, fonts, and styles.
Uploading brushes and shapes was quite easy... same as my old PSE6 version. However, actions and styles are a different thing. I tried the PSE6 instruction... that didn't work. I searched the site and found Scrap Girls ScrapSimple Instructions e-booklet. It mentions that I should save the style to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\9.0\Photo Creations\layer styles. I don't have the Photo Creations file... why?
I tried to copy the style to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\9.0\Preset\Styles. That didn't work.
The booklet also mentions that I should delete a MediaDatabase.db3. It should be found in C:\ProgramData\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\YourVersion\Locale\en_us. I do have that folder but there isn't any file called MediaDatabase.db3. As you can see, I'm not having a great day.
I finally decided that was enough... and bought Add-O-Matic. Downloaded it... and it doesn't work! So now I am left wondering if I need styles at all in my LOs.
ANSWER: I downloaded the instructions that came with the actions, etc. I am also battling with the same thing.
Go to My Computer C: and type Alt+T. This will bring up a menu. Click on "View" and check the box to "Show Hidden Files." Once you have found this folder, click on it, and choose "Paste." I did this yesterday, and it worked. That's as far as I've gotten. My husband came home from work, and I will have to wait till he goes off in the morning to carry on. Hope this helps. This was all taken directly from the folder that comes with the action, etc. Hope someone who knows what she's doing comes along soon to help!
ANSWER: I was having trouble with my styles in PSE9 as well. The above answer is right - you do need to make sure that you have selected the option on your computer to show hidden files.
I downloaded Add-O-Matic last night, and it worked when I installed two test styles. I did have to delete the Media Database file. I think I found mine at: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\9.0\locale\en_US (I could not find the file under the ProgramData\Adobe file path).
After using Add-O-Matic to install the test styles, then deleting the MediaDatabase file, it took several minutes to load PSE9 again, but the styles were there and functioning. PSE9 will be a learning process for all of us.
ANSWER: Would someone try this with their PSE9 and tell me if it works for them? It has worked for me with PSE6 every time I've added styles and/or actions, and using it saves you one step - you don't have to go into your software files and delete anything.
Instead of deleting the meta database files after you have added styles and/or actions (with xml files), try clicking on the All category (the one with the fx on it) in the Effects Palette - the one that brings up all of your styles and actions. If you have a lot of them, it will take quite a while to bring them up. This seems to bring in all of the new styles and actions that you've just added. Then the next time you look at the Layer Style or Action block, they should show up. I used the "Delete the Metadata File" technique the first few times and then tried this. It has worked every time since with my PSE6. It essentially does the same thing - forces the software to go out and look at all of the styles and actions you have loaded, rebuilding the list.
ANSWER: When I had the trial version of PSE9, I remember that I added styles while I had PSE9 open. If I remember correctly, you could do that from the styles section. You didn't have to add them in, as in previous versions of PSE. Unfortunately, my trial period was up, and I can't use it anymore. I just bought PSE9, and I am waiting for it to come in the mail, and then I'll be able to use it again.
I was adding styles in PSE8 by copying the ASL file and then pasting it in: C:/Program Data/Adobe/Photoshop Elements/9.0/Photo Creations/Styles.
ANSWER: Here is the path to my thumbbase file: C:\ProgramData\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\9.0. (I did unhide the Program Data folder first.) The file is called ThumbDatabase.db3.
I had to delete it when I put in my first styles. (I copied my whole folder from PSE 8 into Photo Creations - Layer Styles the first time I used PSE 9.) I can see a folder under 9.0 that is called Photo Creations Thumbnails, but it is empty. I have used Add-O-Matic with PSE9 to add actions, and it worked fine.
ANSWER: Add-O-Matic is working to install my styles and actions and things! Hooray! I do have to delete the MediaDatabase file each time, so it's an extra step each time. I'm just happy they work! The only issue I'm running into now is all the actions appear with the Add-O-Matic thumbnail - no preview thumbnail of the actual action. I think I need to take the PNG thumbnails from the action folders and make them into JPGs. I'll play around with that this weekend.
ANSWER: You don't need to make them JPGs; just copy the PNGs that came with the action and paste them into the folder where they actions have been installed. You'll be asked if you want to replace what is there (which is the AOM logo) and you just say yes. A couple of times I've had to repeat because one of a set didn't copy/paste, but it really is easy to do.
ANSWER: I now have styles. Thank you very much. I just love this community.
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