Question?

[idp]

I am a new subscriber to Elements Tecgniques. I have been pouring over the videos sections and picking up a considerable wealth of knowledge. The "Installing Extras" video dated: May 13, 2005, with Matt K. explains how to download the PET Plug-ins, which I have done. My question is ... How do you get the "Channel Mixer" and the "Curves" plug-ins to work? Whenever I click on those plug-ins I get a "Making Command does not work at this time" message. Can someone explain how to get those to work or if in fact they even do work?

[Daviskw]

Hi there

Just a quick off the top of my head.... be sure the picture you are working on is a RGB color... check Image>Mode

Butch

[GaryK]

One other thing.. I don't think some or the things work with PE4 if that is what you are using.

[idp]

Thanks Gary, I am using PE4! Do you know if there are going to be a Curves and Channel mixer plug-ins made for use in PE4?

[Shari]

I also got that message when trying Grants tools mask. It was because I was working on the background layer. By going Ctrl J (windows) it worked.
Shari

[Norm F]

Thanks Gary, I am using PE4! Do you know if there are going to be a Curves and Channel mixer plug-ins made for use in PE4?

There is a free curves tool which works in PSE 4 at http://free.pages.at/easyfilter/curves.html

[idp]

Thanks Norm... do you use this plug-in? I have always been a little leary about plug-ins I'm not familiar with. I'm sure you know what I mean.

[Norm F]

Thanks Norm... do you use this plug-in? I have always been a little leary about plug-ins I'm not familiar with. I'm sure you know what I mean.

I have installed it and it didn't give me any problems. My only "problem" is I don't have a flippin' clue how curves work. I find it very taxing on my little brain. Need to do some reading. This tool has been tossed around before on the forum and I'm pretty sure several people have installed it. I've heard no negative reviews. I think it's safe.

[idp]

Norm... Once again thank you...
I really appreciate your input!

[TonyW]

My only "problem" is I don't have a flippin' clue how curves work.

Just wait until you get that CS2 :D :D

Tony

[Norm F]

Just wait until you get that CS2 :D :D

Tony

I know you're right but hey, it doesn't hurt to push your boundaries a bit. Just a year ago, I couldn't do anything with an image and Photoshop totally freaked me out. PSE, this website, and this forum have really helped me get comfortable and grow.

[chas3stix]

idp,
Once you have the curves plug-in installed the fun begins....
Open a photo and make a copy to work on(ctrl J). Open the curves pallette and make control points and move the straight line to an "S" curve and watch what happens to your photo. If you don't like the results you can always edit undo. A little adjustment goes a long way.
Chas

[Norm F]

Chas,

You make it sound so simple. :)

[Shari]

I have the action curves with Grants tools. Is it any different than the plug in you are talking about?
Shari

[Wendy]

Norm ...

Bookmark this link ... it take all the mystique out of using curves. Its nicely written and easy to follow :)

http://www.thegoldenmean.com/technique/curves1.html

Wendy

[Norm F]

Thanks Wendy. I will give it a go.

[tfry]

My only "problem" is I don't have a flippin' clue how curves work.


That's scary...Norm sounds just like me... :twisted:

[Wendy]

Tami ...

:eek: :eek: :eek:

Wendy

[NYBOB1]

Thanks for the excellent link on curves Wendy.



Bob

[gsansoucie]

There is a free curves tool which works in PSE 4 at http://free.pages.at/easyfilter/curves.html

SWEET! And to think I was ready to buy the CS2 upgrades to get curves!!

I have PSE 3.0 and just installed the Curves Plugin for 3.0. I wish I had this plugin about an hour earlier while I was working on my pBase PaD, I had one of those photos that really needed curves and I was getting there through Levels & the Render Lighting filter. . .

[chas3stix]

Norm,
I didn't mean to oversimplify using curves. But too many folks get ajida, (heartburn) just mentioning curves. Using PSE can be hard work....but also a whole lot of fun!
Chas

[chas3stix]

Norm,
Got an off-topic question for you....What does "Bob's your uncle ",mean? It's not a common saying south of the Canadian border....:)
Chas

[Norm F]

Norm,
Got an off-topic question for you....What does "Bob's your uncle ",mean? It's not a common saying south of the Canadian border....:)
Chas

I couldn't tell you. It's not a common saying where I come from either. Sorry. :)

[kayser]

This came up before: http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-bob1.htm

[GaryK]

Kay

I like the first explanation best. That's the one I'm using.:D

[chas3stix]

Kay,
Thanks for the link,one click and Bob's your uncle....:)
Chas

[kimi_boo]

I have the action curves with Grants tools. Is it any different than the plug in you are talking about?
Shari

I have gran't tools also. Is the download different???? I know nothing about curves except everyone things they are cool. :confused:

[chas3stix]

Kimi,
Curves is like levels on steroids.....:) If any of your "Grant's tools" work, curves should also.
Chas

[Shari]

Chas - what I was wondering is - I have grants tools which includes curves - so is it necessary to download the plug-in you are talking as well? Thanks.
Shari

[Wendy]

Shari ...

I guess you are using PSE3 so the curves you have are just fine ... :)

Wendy

[Shari]

Thank you Wendy. I didn't know they were referring to PSE4 and thought I might be missing something! I am learning so much from this layers course that I now have a better understanding of the programme.
Shari

[chas3stix]

Shari,
I am using PSE 3.
Chas

[Wendy]

Hi Shari ...

I'm sure that it will work in PSE3 too but if you already have Grants tools then not too sure that you would gain much by installing it :)

Wendy

[chas3stix]

Hi all,
Just read a great article in the current "Outdoor Photographer" magazine.(September issue) It's about curves and levels. The author is none other than Moose Peterson.
Chas