ACK!

In my absence Blogger has changed everything! So, I have to sort through everything and update to the radically different interface. But not tonight.

Just an update.

I had my appendix removed recently, so I haven't done anything for awhile. I just updated my Etsy shoppe. I've also started bookbinding. I shall return to my photoshop adventures soon, as I'm now able to spend longer periods of time in my computer chair.

I added a new website Kim Klassen Cafe, that looks intriguing and I will return shortly.
I've had about 700 views in my absence and I thank you for hanging in there.

My latest bound book.

Actions in PSE; It Can be Done

Go to any Adobe forum and you will be told that you can't run actions in PSE. But you can through the EFFECTS pallette. For those of you that don't know what actions are:
 ACTION - A series of steps used to alter a photo. You double-click the action and watch it run.

Here's an example of a picture that has had some actions run on it.

original Thanks to PPS DigiScrap

With Actions

Here are some links to get you started. Just try adding one or two to start with. Also make sure they are made for PSE. If they are not made for  PSE there will be commands in the action that Elements doesn't have so Elements cannot do the actions.
Here's the links:
http://www.thecoffeeshopblog.com/p/loading-actions-into-photoshop-elements.html

It tells you to put the database in the garbage. It's alright, if things go terribly wrong you can take the database out of the garbage and go for a walk to calm down.

Here are some PSE friendly Actions from the same site.
http://www.thecoffeeshopblog.com/p/coffeeshop-actions-and-presets.html

Here is a video if you prefer.
http://www.viddler.com/v/7ea7b063
They have some free actions, but you have to sign up to get them.

More useful info on PSE Actions.
http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/pselements/qt/actions.htm

Have fun. Hope this works for you. Leave a comment to let me know. Or you can send a small jpg of what you made with the actions and I'll post it here.

Just to let you know comments are moderated and I don't open anonymous comments as they are usually always spam.

stoneangel3's photostream

stoneangel3's photostream on Flickr.

New Store + Thanks

I've added a store to my blog. I'm just trying it out. So far everything works. I still have a way to go on this. Just to warn you, if you click on the buy button you'll end up at paypal.

Also I'd like to extend a big welcome to all the great folks that have begun to follow me recently. Of course, I really appreciate all of you that have been following.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Replacing Colour

Just like in real life: if you don't like the colour of your dress, you can change it. Unlike in real life you can't change the colour of someone else's dress.

Here's how:
Use your magic wand tool to select (in this case a coat). You can do this by double  clicking the wand on the coat. You will see the outline of your selection. You can expand or contract the selection by making the number in the TOLERANCE box at the top of your screen. I used 30 for this selection. Don't worry you can always change it back, or if things get really ugly you can DESELECT under the SELECT menu. Mac users can hit Command d and start again. Your coat should look like this.

Jacket is selected.

Next go to the ENHANCE drop down menu at the top. Pull it down and select ADJUST COLOUR. This will bring out a fly out menu asking how you want to adjust the colour. Click on REPLACE COLOUR. Here'swhat you will see.

Replace colour.

Now a new menu will pop up and it looks like this.

Replace colour menu.

Notice that it will show the coat selection. Also notice that SELECTION is picked. Don't change that. However, in future you could miss the selection steps and just select the entire photo to change the tint if you wanted to.

Now you can play around with it using this part of the menu. You will see the colours change as you drag the HUE slider. If you don't then increase the LIGHTNESS slider.

Change the colour here.

This is all much easier to see on a light coloured selection.
When you are happy hit OK. The box will disappear and then you can deselect the coat.
Good luck and any questions or comment are appreciated and answered.

Vintage photo from Quaddles.

Take a Look at those Links!

Okay, I have tendonitis. I really tried to stay off my computer. I tried using my tablet with my left hand. But tonight I couldn't stand it anymore.

So I decided to organize my link list. It is now organized into smaller lists under different headings. I hope this helps you to navigate through the links and find what you want. As always, if anyone finds some links they think are useful, send them along and I'll add them.
Okay, I'm going to find a bag of frozen peas for my arm.

ADVENTURES IN PHOTOSHOP: FREE Images

ADVENTURES IN PHOTOSHOP: FREE Images

I took a whole bunch more while in Britian. But sadly, I lost my Ipod in Oxford.

More of my stock here.

http://stoneangel3.deviantart.com/gallery/

Graphic lettering

Okay. Here's a quick and dirty update on this technique. You'll only need 2 layers for this technique.

Open a  a new transparent background.

First PLACE a background layer. Use any pics.

Next add your LARGE text layer on top.

Then switch the two layers. Picture layer on top of text layer.

If you can't see the text you are right where you need to be.

Hold down OPTION key and click.

I added a shadow and a GRADIENT layer which goes on the to.

If you don'twant the white background save as a png.

End of... 

You can download a .png of this on my Deviant Art account here.

  http://stoneangel3.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d4g56tr