How to Install Action Scripts – Learning Photoshop Features
November 9, 2008
Photoshop is best known for its various resources and shortcut implements which puts on a certain action swiftly without going through the usual complicated process.
Scripts functionalities are just some of the best features of Photoshop and allow users to edit existing images and put on a new look, which are usually entirely, different from the original or flexed to produce a desired effect.
The use of useful Photoshop Scripts can be used to modify and create additional images on an existing picture to purposely enhance its outward look. They can also add colors, adjust hues, and other image media presentation requirements.
In order to get the best out of this fascinating software, it is important that the proper installation requirements are met.
In this article, you will find the best tips on how one would utilize this exciting feature and how learning the most basics and those that are frequently being used saves you time along the process.
The following shows the process of making use of the most profitable features of using Photoshop scripts and familiarizes you with the pre-installation process.
* Pre-Installation Consideration: A PC working on an MS program usually have different path and follows an entirely different process in copying and installing.
For regular PC using Microsoft Office, the following shows the correct path: C:\ Program Files\ Adobe\ Photoshop (CS or CS2) \ Presets \ Scripts\.
On the other hand, PCs utilizing programs from Mac, the following path is recommended: Applications> Photoshop (CS or CS2)> Presets> Scripts.
After the downloading the Scripts to be used, its time for you to go over the Copying process. These scripts should then be kept under s safe folder, called Scripts Folder.
* Using Scripts: To make use of the downloaded script, you will need to retrieve them from a location to where Scripts are kept temporarily for future use.
You can go over the File option, Scripts and choose the one which will provide you an image altering result for you’re image adjustment needs. The scripts can be easily identified for their uniform name/file endings as they all have .js or .jx extension in them.
Other scripts that are not easily navigable can be located by employing some simple steps. Others who have intentionally saved Photoshop Scripts on a different location are retrieved by using the Browse function under the scripts Menu from File, that is File>Scripts>Browse.
By selecting Browse, you will get to choose which Scripts is perfect for a particular image graphic/image editing needs.
* Running Automatic Photoshop Scripts – Some prefers to have Javascript program to run on their PC for the purpose of simplifying or expediting the process of import and transport of Script files from Photoshop. You can enable or disable either function through the recommended Photo Event Menu tool. Perform the following operation: Choose File> Scripts> Scripts Events Manager. Select Enable Events To Run Scripts/Actions.
After which, select Photoshop Event and choose among the desired event. The performance of this action will in turn provides the necessary opportunity to trigger the script and produce the desired vsisual effect.
If in the event that you would like to remove this function due to conflicting software usage or incompatibility or feature-related problems, you have the option to disable individual or the entire events options yet keep them on the list of events you have in your File list and limit their function.
Photoshop Lesson: How to Saturate a Bad JPG Photo
November 8, 2008
There are times that a person may think that he has already captured the best picture ever taken. But then once he has scanned it and uploaded it and made it into a digital format, the color of the picture suddenly changes.
One disadvantage in digitizing a photo is that it does not capture the real color that was captured in the film. Some are having difficulties on how they can treat saturated photos in JPG format. And most of the time, attempting to adjust the settings of the pictures only makes the problem worse.
That is why Photoshop is needed to do the work for the picture. Photoshop is a very important friend of those who love to take pictures and even digitize them. It is even used to make old pictures look new and it can be used to cure some scratches and blotches made on the picture. Most importantly, Photoshop is able to bring back the natural colors that were actually captured by the film. This will also remove the colorcast that was caused by the scanning process.
Here are the Lesson on how to saturate bad JPG photos using Photoshop.
1. One thing to always remember is to never try adjusting the photos using the Brightness and the Contrast tabs since they will only create too much noise in the picture. This is one cause why many people complain that their photos have too much noise once they have edited them.
2. The correct step is by going to the Curves tool. He may then click on the white eyedropper. He will need to change the G, B and the R settings and select 244. This will allow the pictures to preserve the colors especially if they will be printed.
3. He may then open the Info pallet, which is found on the Navigation palette. The cursor may then be placed on a white or black section of the photo. He can then open the curves again and select the eyedropper black and then click on the black area. This will then make all the colors in the image to change accordingly. The white eyedropper on the other hand will allow the person to get rid of the nasty colors that are not supposed to be in the picture.
3. After he has adjusted the colorcast, he may want to brighten the picture. It is not recommended to use the Brightness tab. He can make use of the Curves instead. He can move the tab of the Curves graph and bring it down going to the right. This will help in brightening the picture. It is not suggested to overdo this step since it will only overexpose the picture.
4. He can now proceed to the last step. The final step includes making use of the Saturation and the Hue tools. He can slide the Saturation tool up to 20 and this will not harm the picture. He may want to even saturate higher than 20 and will also bring good results.
These steps are effective in saturating bad JPG photos. It is important to be careful with the values placed on the palette. One main thing to avoid is to avoid selecting the Brightness and Contrast tabs as options in saturating the pictures. The steps may be tricky but the results will be better for the pictures.
How to Remove Wrinkles from a Face in Photos – Photoshop lesson
November 7, 2008
Here are some simple steps or techniques on how to reduce facial wrinkles from a photo using Adobe Photoshop:
1. Select a picture to be transformed.
2. Triplicate the original layer by pressing thrice “Ctrrl” + “J”.
3. Select the above layer and use the filter “Find Edges” by clicking “Filter” then “Stylize” then “Find Edges”.
4. Choose the center layer and put on a mask layer by clicking “Layer” , then “Add Layer Mask” and then “Reveal All”.
5. Utilize the tool “Apply Image” by clicking “Image” , then “Apply Image” to set the following.
• Merged Layer
• RGB Channel
• Unchecked Invert
• Normal Blending
• 100% Opacity
6. Remove the above layer and choose the present thumbnail in order for the mask layer to be deselected.
7. Use the tool, Gaussian Blur by clicking Filter, then Blur, then Gaussian Blur. Choose a Radius to know the required smoothing.
8. Utilize Eraser tool letter “E” to remove places that do not need smoothing.
9. To lessen its effect, set down the opacity on the above layer.
10. Overturn the figure to check the initial picture less the effects.
Photo Cleaning:
Healing Brush is the primary tool in photo cleaning. It can be utilized to remove anything like spots of water, dirt, dust, blotches even whiteheads or blackheads.
Healing Brush is utilized like the Stamp tool by pressing Alt then left click the parts of the image where you want to clean.
For people who are unfamiliar with this technique here is what will be done. For example, a person’s photo has a pimple on the cheek.
(Note: These processes will change the photo pixels. You should always duplicate the background layer in order to maintain the original. To do this, right click “Background” layer and choose “duplicate layer”.
• Begin by looking for a part of the face that is clear from blemish.
• Press on the Alt key and left click that part. No visible thing can be seen but what you did is to mark an ideal sample of that of what should be done to other parts of the image.
• Release Alt and drag the brush to the wrinkles.
• Set the size of the brush by clicking shortcut “[“. This will turn the brush lesser in size while the close-bracket will increase its size. You may start brushing out the wrinkles once you attain the brush size that you seem fit.
• During the brushing process, you can approximate what the program Photoshop will do. When the needed part is done, release the button of the left-mouse. Now, Photoshop will execute the revisions.
• You can now observe that the wrinkles from the face in the photo were removed. Do the process again to totally remove the wrinkles.
Here are some tips in removing facial wrinkles using Photoshop:
In rendering alterations started by the Healing Brush, it browses the areas of the image to compare lighting and texture. When you apply the brush too near to a part wherein the contrast is high, like at the center of a person’s cheek and the backdrop behind it, there is a chance that Photoshop might attract some of the undesired areas within the image. Just in the case you are having a hard time with the Healing Brush, you can revert back to the Stamp Tool.
How to Create Text Effects with Photoshop
November 6, 2008
The Adobe Photoshop program is capable of creating a variety of eye-catching texts that will add a lot of coolness factor to any creative material, printed or not. There are various techniques in producing awesome text effects, and they are immensely useful for those who would like to learn to create all kinds of special effects, and one can easily get acquainted with the numerous filters and commands that Photoshop utilizes.
There are a lot of choices available for text effects, and here are the directions for creating two of the most popular ones:
1. Alien-text effect
First of all, select an RGB image. For the foreground, use bright green, for background, use black. From the menu, select edit, then fill, then choose background color to make the background black. Again, from the menu, choose Type tool, then go to Type mask tool, from options located in the tool bar. Click on the document and write the desired text. To finalize text layer, select Check mark, located in the options bar. Then, go to Edit, then Fill, and select foreground color, which is green. After doing so, head to Select, choose Feather, in 2 pixels. Then select Filter from the menu, then choose radical blur. Without going through deselecting, repeat the blurring. Lastly, go again to Select, click on Inverse, then repeat the blurring step again.
2. 3D text effect
This is an attention-grabbing effect that gives texts either a melting or pop-up appearance from a background. To create a 3D effect, select a color from the color picker with same shade as the text selected, only a bit brighter. Click on the arrows in the menu to focus controls on the background color, then again, go to the color picker. Click on a shade that is darker than the selected foreground. Now, to fill the image with texture, open the texture option and press ctrl+a. Then select Edit and go to Define pattern. Close the texture option afterwards.
Now, focus on the main image. select Edit, click on Fill, then go to Pattern. Set opacity at 100%, unclick the Preserve Transparency option, and set the mode to normal. The background texture of the Web site will be visible in the graphic.
Go to the Type Mask tool option, and in the input field, type the text you want to be included in the graphic, then click Ok. Press alt-delete after producing a new layer so that the text will be filled with the color of the foreground. Produce another layer and do the texture filling procedure again, using a different texture now. Get the Opacity Slider while the top layer is still selected, drag it down to about 60%. Now, choose the Gradient tool option to create a new layer, and pull it down within the selected text. To view some of the texture at the back of the gradient, pull down the opacity slider.
Now, to create a shadow for the text, click the option for Background layer while the text is still selected. Go to Select, then Feather. To fill up the feathered text selected with a black shade, press D, then press alt-delete.
The Photoshop is a flexible tool that everybody can use, and the instructions on how to make amazing text effects are easy to follow. There will no shortage of effects for almost every creative material.
How to Restore Old Photos using Photoshop – simple lesson
November 5, 2008
There are times that people may have old photographs they would like to restore to save the memories. Photos usually get damaged through the times. The pictures may get blurred, the color fades and the picture might acquire marks and scratches. Thank the technology of today. People can now save and restore their old photos with the help of Photoshop.
Here are some steps to follow in restoring old pictures using the Photoshop.
1. The person may use the Elements in Photoshop, which are Dust and Scratch Filter to remove the marks, scratches an blots in the photo. The Dust and Scratches Filter is located on the Menu Bar and click on the Filter Tab. A drop down will list elements and then he can choose the Noise tab and select on the Dust and Scratches.
2. After clicking on the Dust and Scratches menu, a window will pop up with two control sliders. The first slider is for the Radius and the other one is for the Threshold. There will also be another window if the preview box will be checked. These are the main options that will be used in treating the picture.
3. Adjusting the Radius slider may remove the scratches. However, there is a tendency that overdoing it may make the edges blurred too. If that happens, the option is to adjust the Threshold slider and this will allow the details to go back and make the picture clearer with the scratches disappearing. The person should be careful not to set them too far or it will only create blotches on the picture.
4. In removing the marks, selecting the whole photo will not diffuse these marks. The option is to select only the part where the scratches are located. He may use the Lasso to do this.
5. He can then feather the edges of the selected area so that the selected area will not be obvious on the picture. He can do this by clicking the Feather option and click the Scratch and Dust Filter again. He can do the process again of adjusting the Radius and Threshold sliders to get the texture needed and remove the scratches.
6. It there are still visible marks on the other parts of the picture, he can do the technique again by selecting the areas he would like to adjust. To finish the process and make the picture presentable, he can crop the image enough to remove the cracks and torn edges of the picture. The canvas may be use to equally crop the image.
7. A person may add drama on the picture by adding a drop shadow on it. This will make the picture appear as if it has been lifted off the page. The color may also be removed using the controls Shift+Ctrl+U. He can then add color by putting a little amount of Sepia. He can do this with the Hue or Saturation tab. The contrast may be adjusted using the Levels option.
This is one easy way on how to remove the blotches and marks on an old picture. This is also a good way to make the picture look new but still appear classical. It will be a pleasant and easy way to display pictures kept on old albums and cabinets for a long time.
How to Change Eye Color in an Image – photoshop lesson
November 4, 2008
Do you like to make a plain looking eye color turn into a more attractive green or hazel color? Well, the eye color can be changed by making use of Adobe Photoshop.
In doing so, different methods can be used.
1. Color Replacement
2. Hue/ Saturation
Color Replacement Method
This method has been here since the creation of Photoshop. Tools to “Replace Color” are user friendly and powerful. This method is also very useful in various scenarios wherein one may want to transform the hue of an object.
Using Photoshop 7, click the following: “Choose Image” then “Adjustments” then “Replace Color”.
This will show up the “Replace Color Dialogue” that contains a small Mask thumbnail. Then choose the color that needs to be changed in the image window. Press the “Selection” button to see the image, or press the “Image” icon in order to view the entire image.
Eyedropper containing a Plus sign should be used to “add” hue to the choices. As this is being done, you will notice that the mask puts on color. This should be done carefully so as not to add too much hue. When you are contented with the choices, adjust the lightness sliders, saturation and the hue.
The “Minus” Eyedropper removes particular color from the choices.
The Photoshop CS
Photoshop CS is easy to use just by the help of using the tool replace color. Remember, the better option is to zoom in on the subject.
Then, the eye color chosen should be saved on a file and then press on the Option Key for Mac users or Alt Key for PC using the tool for color samples.
Then go back to the eyes that need to be colorized. Always check the options bar to fine-tune the tool.
Another way is to click “Adjustment Layer”, then “Hue” and then “Saturation”.
Although this is not as accurate, this is the simplest way in changing the color of an image.
To make your choice in the parts of the eye that you want to change color, utilize the “Lasso Tool”. “Red Eye” can also be used.
Another technique is to click “Layers”, then “New Adjustment Layer” and then “Hue” or “Saturation”.
On the keyboard, press the “Colorize” button.
Adjust the Lightness, Saturation and Color sliders until you are contented.
We are now going to change the color of the eye by applying the Tool on Color Replacement, Photoshop CS and CS2.
A way to begin this is to obtain a sample from a different figure that has the color of the eye that you like to copy.
As the object is open, make use of the “Eyedropper Tool” and press on in the blue part of the eyes to obtain a sample. You may also use other colors that you prepared. This new figure will now be the foreground.
Now, return to the initial figure. Make a copy of the genuine image before going on.
1. Use the “Color Replacement Tool (B)”
2. Go to the Option Selection and preset the brush and assure that the setting is into “Color”
3. Now brush on the genuine eye with the newly created foreground color.
4. If still not satisfied, undo the final procedure.
5. Double click the Foreground color and choose a new one from the Color Picker.
6. Repeat the process.
How to Color Black and White Photos – easy-to-follow steps
November 3, 2008
There are a myriad of applications that the Photoshop can do, and one of them is to convert black and white photos into colored ones. Now it is possible to give life to previous black and white images without much difficulty. This is especially useful for the restoration of old family photographs.
The usual approach practiced by artists to color photographs is to apply a multiple layer. It is the process where a fresh new layer is applied on top of an image, then the layered mode is changed for multiplying, then a selected color is applied. The disadvantage of this method is that it tends to produce color that is uninteresting and flat.
For old black and white photographs, it is recommended to scan them in the highest resolution that the scanner can provide in RGB. Initial restoration tasks can be done before the actual coloring. The photos can be adjusted in terms of contrast, and any blemishes can be erased. This can be done in both black and white and sepia photos.
Here are several easy-to-follow steps in coloring black and white photographs:
1. From grayscale, change the color mode of the picture to RGB. Also, any color image can be selected and desaturated.
2. Select a background texture. On the first layer, the mode should be converted to color. Next, the opacity should be set to 30. Gradually, the background’s texture will start to be visible. During this stage of the coloring process, one can start to experiment. There are several layer modes that can be utilized, such as Soft Light and Multiply.
3. To change the color of specific objects in the picture, choose the boundaries in a certain area where the color is going to be altered. Activate one of the original hidden layers. Choose the Inverse option, and erase all but the area selected.
Afterwards, deselect the chosen object and set the layer mode to modify. The opacity should be adjusted to 30%. Then go to the Image option, select Adjustments, the choose Hue/Saturation, then manipulate the layer to desired results. There might be some adjustments to be made in the saturation to establish compatibility of the color with the overall tone of the picture.
4. Do the same procedure with the other objects in the picture until the right color is achieved.
Opacity levels for each layer of the image can differ. Determine what is best for each.
In applying color to persons in photographs, one must consider the individuality of skin-tones. In retouching certain photos, such as wedding photographs, one can put “makeup” that will suit the skin tone of the person in the picture. Let the eyes be the guide for determining color.
Another helpful tip: Applying subtle sepia tones can flatter and help maintain the aged quality of very old photographs.
Also, one must not go overboard with the background. Never let the background detract from the main focus of the photograph.
Through Photoshop, any picture can be restored to its former glory. Coloring photographs can breathe new life into old, long forgotten images. With the help of Photoshop, anyone can convert black and white photographs without any difficulty at all.
An eye for color will go a long way in beautifying black and white images.
How to Whiten Teeth in a Photo – Photoshop lesson
November 3, 2008
Making a subject’s teeth whiter in photographs is one of the most common Photoshop tasks practiced by advertising agencies around the world. The reason why it remains a consistent practice is that teeth color plays a significant role in the perception of a viewer regarding the attractiveness of a model, therefore making it a factor on the willingness of a consumer to spend money on a particular product or service.
Here is a step-by-step direction on how to whiten teeth in photographs using the Photoshop program:
1. Download or select the image that needs to be retouched. Being in RPG mode may be necessary in opening file.
2. Press ctrl+j in the keyboard so that the file will be duplicated. Zoom in and focus on the teeth itself, using the mouse, select and outline the teeth evenly, taking care not to include the gums. For better results, a Quick mask option with Brush can be used. The selection border should be concealed to so that adjustments can be seen clearly.
3. To avoid looking like the photo is being retouched, the edges of the selection can be softened. From the Selection menu,
choose Feather. Once the Dialog box is revealed, make these entries, 1-2 pixels should be set for low-resolution images, and for pictures with high-resolution, enter 3-5 pixels.
4. There are two options to whiten the teeth, one can press shift+control+u or through the menu, go to Image, then to Adjustments, then to Desaturate.
5. Now press ctrl+h so that the selection will be hidden. Next, press ctrl+l to reveal the Levels Dialog box. From there, use and move the white handle towards the left side to get the desired result in the photo. Just remember not to make the teeth
too white though. It will make teeth look unreal. Afterwards, press Ok.
6. To make the teeth look authentic, the opaqueness of the Dublicate Layer should be adjusted. Gradient effects can be applied to the teeth’s edges to make it look real. Or one can just erase the edges of the teeth using the eraser tool so the teeth will blend in with the gums.
One tip is to simply lower the desaturation of the color, so the texture remains looking natural, and a neutral tone can be set for the yellowish parts.
New snapshots may also be created while in the process of retouching teeth color. This can be done by clicking “Create new snapshot” at the history pallet, the button is located on the bottom part.
To avoid the image from looking splotchy, blurring can be done up to the point that the splotches in the teeth have become smooth. If the rest of the image gets blurred, there is nothing to worry about since this normally occurs.
Some of these methods can be utilized to remove freckles from images too.
Another way to go about it is to do selective coloring. This can be done by selecting whites and yellows from the drop-down menus and adjust the colors as necessary. Then the adjustment layers should be filled out with black. To finish it off, paint the teeth white using the small white brush tool. Press the ctrl+e so that the adjustment layer and the original one can merge.
Beginners Guide To Photoshop – basics
November 1, 2008
This guide should get you started doing the basic things in Photoshop. You will need to open your Photoshop program and let it load.
How to alter the canvas size.
Open a new canvas in Photoshop by clicking on File and then New. You will see the Canvas Dialog with the Width and Height Fields. Enter the correct measurements in these fields and it will change the size of the canvas. You have a choice between inches to pixels. I find inches to be much more convenient when working on work to be printed.
How to alter the background color in the canvas.
If you look to the bottom of the Canvas Dialog Box you notice a field titled Background Contents. Use the dropdown box to alter the background color. To choose a color that is not white or transparent, click on the button Background Color. This is going to be the same color that you have in the toolbar. To choose a different color than is the background color in the toolbar, just alter the background color and start over.
Creating a New Layer.
There are a couple of methods to creating new layers. One way is to click on the icon at the bottom of the Layers Panel. The icon looks like a piece of paper. Another method is to click on the Layers, then New, then Layer menu at the top of the screen.
Drawing a Basic Shape.
Start by creating a new layer. After that select the Shape Tool from the toolbar. Hold the shape down and alter the shape as the menu drops down. After that, just draw the shape in the canvas that was created.
Loading all of the Custom Shapes at once.
First, click and hold the shape tool. Go to the Custom Shape Tool. At the top of the window, drop down the box that is next to the word Shape. Drop down that box and click on the arrow that is toward the right. Then click on the All button. Now you will be able to load all of the Custom Shapes.
Drawing a Custom Shape.
First choose the Custom Shape Tool, like I mentioned above . At the top of the Photoshop window, in the shape box, use the drop down menu and click on the shape to be added to the drawing. After that just draw your shape in the canvas.
Typing Text.
Click on the Type Tool that is in the toolbar. First create a rectangle across the canvas and start typing the desired text. If all of the text can’t be seen make the rectangle a larger size and you will be able to see it. Do do this select the corner with the mouse and pull it down and over to make it bigger.
Altering the Text Options.
Enter the text you want as in above. Keep the rectangle around the text and highlight the text. At the top of the Photoshop window are all of the choices for altering the text. Choose the font options that you desire.
Photoshop is not a difficult program to use. Explore with the software and you will soon find yourself creating beautiful visuals in no time.







