shaun
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 85
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Post by shaun on Aug 3, 2015 15:04:38 GMT
I've seen mention of Elements+ and looked at a couple of videos about it and also come across a plug-in called Elements XXL. The latter appears to be more integrated into the normal menus of PSE. Can anyone advise which one (if either) is better than the other? Hi Billie Jean I have both elements+ and Elements xxl. Yes Elements XXL does integrate into Elements, its like its always been there, you find it under the different file options and the new features are coloured blue. They both do pretty much the same thing but with elements+ you have several steps to go through via the effects panel, elements xxl is easier and more intuitive. I use XXl all the time but elements+ on the odd occasion for some scripts which they have on font layouts etc. The big difference is the price, Elements+ is a bargain at $12.00 and Elements XXL is not bad at $49.95, don't know what the amount in pounds is.
If you have a few quid to spare i'd also suggest that you buy the Elements bundle which includes Elements XXL, Layers XXL, Metaraw and FilterHub which is on offer until the end of August currently at $79.95. Layers xxl is something that I use often and filterhub on occasions as well and I use the Metaraw to open Raw files in an old version of Elements 5 and more often to open JPG's in the Adobe Raw Converter which is an excellent plugin to adjust photos.
A link to the Plugin site for elements xxl link A link to Elements+ page link
So I would say that if money is tight go for elements+ but if you can stretch to Elements xxl then go for it as I don't think you will regret it.
P.S They are working on elements xxl 3 and they have stated that if you were to buy now you would get elements xxl 3 for free. Its due out at end sept/early oct. They suggest that this will include 175 new features on top of what is in version 2 the current version.
Hope this helps, Im sure others on here may have there recommendations to share on what they think the two products have to offer.
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shaun
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 85
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Post by shaun on Jul 30, 2015 22:53:00 GMT
Hi Mike
Have you ran the script... Shortcuts +script before trying slice script. It says that you need to do this first. Click script icon, find folder called Tweaks and then you should see Shortcuts + script. Then try running the slice thing.
Id have a go my self but I haven't a clue about website things but I do have elements 12 and elements plus installed.
Hope this helps.
Link to pluginsite elements xxl link
They also have a discount running on some of their products
This is from the Pluginsite explaining what elements xxl can do with a slice link
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shaun
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 85
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Post by shaun on Jul 30, 2015 13:35:26 GMT
Hi mike. I don't know about extended short cuts but a plugin called elements xxl from thepluginsite has a slice tool. It's not a free plugin but I use lots of the other features which the plugin has. I have no experience of web work so never tried the slice feature. I can't post link as I'm on phone not computer. Hope its of interest
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shaun
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 85
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Post by shaun on Jul 27, 2015 18:51:46 GMT
Hi Bayla,
I was trying to write more or less what you had said in a different way as sometimes that helps me. I have to admit though that I had never thought of pasting the selection with magic wand onto its own layer (genius and simple). I used to fill selection with a colour and that created new layer to clip to, not any more now you have shared that tip.
Thanks
Shaun.
PS do you ever wish you could extend your hands out over the internet and show someone
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shaun
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 85
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Post by shaun on Jul 27, 2015 15:42:14 GMT
Use magic wand make sure contiguous option checked. While you have selection in place (marching ants on screen) hold down cmd & letter j. This will put selection on its own layer. (Contl j on windows PC). Paste your photo in above the new layer. Select the photo and click on insert menu( not sure if I have the correct menu) look for clipping mask option and click. You then should have photo clipped to layer below, use the transform handles which appear when you do this to change what part of the photo shows. You can also clip a layer by hovering the mouse between the two layers you want to clip, and mouse symbol changes, hit the alt key and left click mouse.
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shaun
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 85
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Post by shaun on Jul 14, 2015 18:45:17 GMT
Hi, another option is a plugin called metaraw from thepluginsite. I checked and your camera is supported. It works alongside elements. It costs £40.00. This takes the extra steps out. I use several of their plugins and would happily recommend the full set at £100.00. Elements xxl and layers xxl work very well and bring elements a lot closer to full Photoshop at a fraction of the cost.
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shaun
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 85
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Post by shaun on Jun 27, 2015 1:14:11 GMT
I had a problem with similarities to yours but different. Under the help menu in elements 13 I clicked on sign out as I was trying to see if update for adobe raw 9.1 was available. I then had a screen come up about a trial version. What I did was put my product code back in on one of the prompts, elements was back to normal. So i'm wondering if you have tried putting your product code back in or tried signing out and then back in with your product code. You also need to know your adobe password and email for when you registered the product. Just an idea to try
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shaun
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 85
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Post by shaun on Jun 26, 2015 22:01:38 GMT
The vintage look is to die for Sepiana; really really nice. I Looked up Filter Forge, and it says it is compatible only up to v12 of PSE; do you know if that is true? Thanks, Tom!
I have it installed as a plug-in in Elements 13; it works just fine.
EDIT: I forgot to say -- I have the Pro edition.
I have the pro edition as well but didn't see the plugin for elements 13. I tried to copy file from elements 12 into elements 13 plugin file, this failed which I assume is due to a 32 bit version of plugin. I next loaded filter forge from the start menu. Once the program had loaded I clicked on the tools option, located at the top left. From the tools drop down I selected 'updates' and there was one, so I clicked update. When I next launched elements 13, filter forge was available. I also found that that it was available in the CC version of photoshop as well. I don't know if this update is available for the standard version but it might be worth a look.
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shaun
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 85
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Post by shaun on Jun 19, 2015 17:35:12 GMT
Hi Sepiana, I have the layer folders option already but it would be nice to have it built in with options to edit inside the folder as full Photoshop does. Thank you so much for posting the link I,m sure others will appreciate the link. By the way do you ever sleep, your always there to help out, full credit to you.
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shaun
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 85
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Post by shaun on Jun 19, 2015 15:39:25 GMT
Lots on my wish list but here are a few. Curves (really want) Smart objects (really want) More options for layer styles and effects. (really Want) Actions recording Vibrance layer 16 bit options Better options to customise the work space. (Really want) Channels option Layer group folders (really want) Bring back the multi page PDF setting
I certainly hope that they do not make it subscription. Also they are trying to simplify the interface for the quick snappers but there are lots of us who like more advanced options and cant afford or want to have subscription. So I would propose an advanced tab to be added to some of the interfaces which require better understanding of the program. This way the first time user would not feel so intimidated by the options.
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shaun
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 85
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Post by shaun on Jun 8, 2015 22:27:33 GMT
Hi Gary. I think direct x 10 is part of windows 7 and not sure what version is on windows 8. Look at the graphics card that comes with the laptop to see specs for the GL version. I have the cc version of lightroom running on a intel core i7 with intel hd graphics card 4400 and it runs okay. I don't think the specs for CC or Lightroom 6 are different. Hope this helps
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shaun
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 85
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Post by shaun on Jun 7, 2015 23:58:27 GMT
Thanks all.
I think I will make the leap and buy the 18 - 300mm. If I type my pin in fast when paying i'm sure I'll hardly notice and then rush out and take pictures of my son, that way I'll feel it was a good plan.
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shaun
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 85
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Post by shaun on Jun 7, 2015 0:25:03 GMT
Hi All I'm after a little advice on what to buy. I have a Nikon d5300 with the kit lens 18 to 55mm which is great but misses a lot of shots. I don't think I will upgrade to a full frame camera so DX format lens are fine for me. There are considerable price differences between lens, so want to make an informed choice. These are what I have looked at so far.
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G VR Lens
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens (old version)
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR Lens (new version)
Tamron AF 16-300 mm f3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Macro Lens for Nikon Camera
I have also considered
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55 - 200 mm VR II Lens for Camera
Do I need 300mm zoom I guess is another question.
One problem I do have is when i'm out with my camera, I normally have my two year old with me. This means photography has to come 2nd which may make changing lenses hard. On the plus side he is a willing candidate for photos and indeed 98% of the pictures are of him, not all in focus I have to say.
So any advice would be much appreciated, especially if you own any of the lenses. Thanks in advance
Shaun
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shaun
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 85
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Post by shaun on Jun 2, 2015 11:31:57 GMT
I think your right Bayla, that solves a mystery that I was curious about. Also I think you could add layer masks to text layers which would allow you to have more control on what effect shows through on each text layer style. I can't recall which version of elements introduced layer masks but there are work around for that if its some thing which interests you.
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shaun
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 85
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Post by shaun on Jun 2, 2015 8:54:29 GMT
I don't know if this will give you what your after but try this. Select text layer, use short cut' control and j' this copies text layer. In the layers pallet select the paper clip item next to text layer to link both text layers. Apply your effect to the copy. Then alter opacity on both layers till you get what you want. As a side note you can purchase from the plugin site layers xxl and elements xxL2 which has lots of other options. I have these and really like them. I'm sure others may have alternative methods. Best of luck with your project
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