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Post by Tpgettys on Jun 19, 2016 17:04:49 GMT
I don't really understand this issue of having the action written to target the top layer in the stack or the currently active layer. I did a quick series of experiments using the actions I have installed. Not surprisingly, they were uneven in how well behaved they were, as they were written by PS users with a variety of skill levels. What I did was take an image, duplicate the background layer twice, the alter the two new layers so I could easily tell which layer the actions was acting on. I also renamed the background layer to layer 0 and made the middle layer the active layer. Two of them balked because there was no layer named background. Most of the others acted on the top layer in the stack; only one used the currently active layer. I hope that is helpful. EDIT: that isn't to say what a action *should* do; that is up to the action's author. In my opinion, a really well-written action would include a note about what it does and what it will act on. |
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Post by Sepiana on Jun 19, 2016 18:15:27 GMT
I did a quick series of experiments using the actions I have installed. Two of them balked because there was no layer named background. Most of the others acted on the top layer in the stack; only one used the currently active layer.
Yes, that's understandable. However, it all depends on the kind of command the action is giving Photoshop or Elements as well as the kind of layer which is at the top of the stack or is the currently active layer. From what you said earlier, you were trying to run this action with an adjustment layer targeted.
There is a problem with your action; I found that it crashes if I create a hue/saturation adjustment layer, for example. Also, apparently there must be a layer named background. I had added an adjustment layer and then ran the action, but it quits with an error saying it could not complete the command because no pixels were selected. I think the biggest problem though is that the action as written requires that there be a layer named background.
The problem is not with my action (although I admit I am new at this) but it is that you were trying to make Elements do something that this program cannot do. Photoshop would not be able to do it either. Just take a look at the steps in my action in the screen shot below. How can Elements (or Photoshop for that matter) sharpen an adjustment layer, or invert it, or apply a Gaussian blur to it?
Also, you need a background layer to duplicate it for the sketch effect.
BTW, this background layer serves another purpose too. It gives you another way to bring color back into your sketch besides just lowering the opacity of the B&W Sketch layer. You can duplicate the background layer, drag this duplicate layer to the top of the stack, reduce its opacity, or even try different blending modes.
When I created this action, I made provision for you to bring some color back to your sketch if you wish to do so. Once you have finished running this action, the layer stack should display two layers -- the B&W Sketch layer and the original background layer. Just reduce the opacity of the B&W Sketch layer to let some of the original color come through. You can also do some selective colorization by adding a layer mask to the B&W Sketch layer and with a soft brush (color - Black) painting over the area(s) where you want to hide the B&W effect to allow the original colors to come through.
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Post by Tpgettys on Jun 19, 2016 18:34:43 GMT
I should have been more clear about the adjustment layer; I wasn't trying to run the action on it, but rather the stamp layer which incorporates the adjustment layer. Please, I was just trying to be helpful, not argumentative.
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Post by Sepiana on Jun 19, 2016 19:01:18 GMT
I should have been more clear about the adjustment layer; I wasn't trying to run the action on it, but rather the stamp layer which incorporates the adjustment layer.
Still, I don't see it as there being a problem with this action.
1. Created not one but two adjustment layers (H/S and Levels). 2. Created a Stamp Visible layer (Layer 1), a composite of the background layer and the two adjustment layers. 3. With this layer activated, ran the action. 4. Voilà! The action did its job.
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Post by Paul Whiting on Jul 9, 2016 15:30:13 GMT
Might as well throw my hat in the ring! This is a tepee, home of Chief Plenty Coups (Crow tribe) just outside of Billings, Montana. I gave it the title "Facing East". Thanks, Sepiana, this is fun! Paul  |
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Post by Sepiana on Jul 9, 2016 15:42:18 GMT
Paul,
You are most welcome! Glad you threw your hat in the ring and had fun doing so. You did an excellent job! I love how this sketch effect brought up the lines, shadows, and texture in the tepee.
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Post by Paul Whiting on Jul 9, 2016 21:39:02 GMT
Thanks, Sepiana,
I was happy to finally contribute to a thread without bringing up a problem - but!
I use QTR for printing black and white, and it allows you to resize a large file (mine was 3000 x 4000 pixels) to fit the paper. I wanted to print on 5x7, but no matter what I tried it came out more like 2x3. Are you familiar with QTR? It's short for QuadTone Raster Imaging Processor (whatever that means!). Maybe I need to tell you more. (My posted image was reduced to 600x800 and that worked fine.)
I belong to a Yahoo group on QTR and I can ask there but I thought I'd run it by you here first.
Paul
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Post by Sepiana on Jul 9, 2016 21:57:44 GMT
Paul,
I am not familiar with QTR at all but some of our members may be able to help you.
I suggest you create a thread about this issue in the Other Software board. In this way, your inquiry won't get buried in this thread here and will get the attention it deserves.
UPDATE: Paul created a thread on this issue. Those of you willing to help him, please, post in his new thread. Thanks!
Any QTR users out there? |
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Post by Paul Whiting on Jul 12, 2016 13:51:09 GMT
Problem solved... follow the link (in red) that Sepiana listed, in the previous post.
Thanks everyone!
Paul
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