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Post by janegaelr on Dec 28, 2015 3:40:00 GMT
Hi, I downloaded version 14 and am on the trial period. I'm finding videos that take me step by step through a process and it isn't working for me. I'm not sure if the problem is the program. For example I did everything to select a photo, refine the edge as directed and still had a fuzzy haze of the background showing through. I was trying to cover a watermark and tried both spot healing and the clone tool. Both when moved picked up bits of the picture they were moved over so I had to constantly reselect the area I wanted to use to cover. For example, I was trying to fill in a hole in a stone wall with a bush next to it and I'd select the stone, click and heal/clone a spot, move my pen and suddenly there would be a bit of green from the bush and if I clicked a second time instead of getting just stone I'd get stone + bush, so I'd have to select stone again. It made it very tedious.
At the moment I'm unsure if I want to buy the product or not. What do you think?
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Post by hmca on Dec 28, 2015 3:56:15 GMT
Welcome to PSE&M, janegaelr! If photography is something you enjoy and you are looking to edit or get creative with your work then I think investing in Photoshop Elements would be a good decision. I'm not sure why you are having a problem with cloning, but I am confident that there are members here who can help you with that issue. Refine edge is a bit trickier to get the clean selection you may want. A lot depends on the background you are trying to remove something from. Did you have your selection saved with a mask? There are steps you can take to clean up a selection after the initial try.
My suggestion would be to stick with the trial and post your questions as they come up. It is also helpful to include a screenshot with your question. Do you know how to take one? You can upload it using postimage.
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Post by ritage on Dec 28, 2015 4:13:11 GMT
Your problem with cloning sounds as if it may be caused by the 'Align' option. Uncheck it in the menu and see if that helps.
Rita
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Post by Sepiana on Dec 28, 2015 4:25:30 GMT
janegaelr, welcome to PSE&M!
The Refine Edge problem -- It looks like you need to do more adjustments in the Smooth, Feather, and Shift Edge areas in the Refine Edge dialog. Also, take another look at the Radius amount you used in Edge Detection. It will help if you choose to output your selection as "New Layer with Layer Mask". If you still see a halo around your selection, make sure the mask is activated and select the Brush tool (black, Overlay mode). Then, paint around the edges of your selection; this should take care of any remaining halo/fringe around your selection. Or you could try the Defringe feature -- helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/using/modifying-selections.html#defringe_a_selection
The Spot Healing and Clone Stamp problem -- It looks like you are sampling too close to the area being repaired. Also, try reducing the size of your brush. In this kind of work, you should always choose a brush size that barely covers the area you are trying to repair. This will prevent contrasting material close to the area being repaired from getting "pulled" into the repair.
As far as you buying Elements 14 -- I am leery about telling anyone to buy or not to buy Elements 14. Why don't you wait until the 30-day trial is over? Then, you will be able to make an informed decision, one which will meet your needs and interests.
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Squirrel2014
Established Forum Member
Where's that cup of tea ... ???
Posts: 685 
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by Squirrel2014 on Dec 28, 2015 11:20:12 GMT
Hi janegaelr Photoshop Elements is a brilliant piece of software which has so many features, it takes a long time to become familiar with. Also, things such as dexterity come in to play too. At first, I found the whole concept difficult to understand. So, what I'm trying to say is that it can take time and practice to get things right and when you do, it's fantastic  Regarding cloning and getting bits of something else that you didn't want could be because of where the 'source cross' moved to. When you move the cursor along, there is a little 'plus' sign to show where the computer is taking the sample from. It's very easy to forget to watch this plus sign while also watching what the cloning is doing. So, I wonder if that is what you are doing. You'll get more experience as time goes by. There is a wealth of experience on this forum, as you've probably already realised. Also, no question is a 'stupid' question. Not everyone on here is totally experienced with PSE either - there are all levels of knowledge and experience. As Sepiana suggests, ride out the trial before deciding but, should you decide to go with it, you will get lots of support  |
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Post by Sepiana on Dec 28, 2015 21:42:53 GMT
Hi janegaelr,
I have thought of this. Have you seen this THREAD? You may find these Elements 14 resources helpful.
Now some tips on using the Clone Stamp tool . . .
The Clone Stamp tool seems to have a mind of its own; you need to keep it under control.
Try Rita's suggestion and turn off the Aligned setting in the Tool Options area. This box tends to "insist" on remaining turned on. When Aligned is turned on, you will see spots of a different shade appear during the cloning process.
Sometimes, when you select a new sample point, this tool won't reset itself. Click on the little four-line square at the right end of the Tool Options area and select "Reset Tool".
Click on the Clone Overlay button in the Tool Options area and turn off Show Overlay. When this setting is turned on, you will see a floating (ghostly) overlay of the source area where you are doing your sampling. This can be confusing (especially for new users of Elements). NOTE: If you want your cursor to be just an empty circle, turn off all the settings in the Show Overlay panel.
Hope this helps!
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Post by cats4jan on Dec 29, 2015 3:43:41 GMT
Going to butt into this thread, although I can see you are already in good hands, but ...
You are trying to do some things that take some time to learn to do effectively. You are doing things correctly, but doing selections and doing cloning isn't as easy as it looks. You can do it - but your results will most likely be mediocre until you learn how to do it better. It takes time and it takes finesse. When you see the tutorials, they are being done by people who have years and years experience doing the stuff.
You need patience and you need trial and error to do things well.
It's a wonderful program and it does a lot of things easy enough, but to do it well takes experience only acquired through working hard at it.
As you see above, there are ways to help you get better, though. Please don't give up. It's such a fun program to learn.
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