simplifying

[dr. bob]

Ido not really understand simplifying.
Why doyou simplify and when do you need to do it?

thank you

[Diana]

Hi Dr. Bob,

Here's Adobe's definition:
Simplifying: Converting a text layer, shape layer, solid color layer, gradient layer, or pattern fill layer to a regular image layer. You must simplify these layer types before applying filters or using the painting tools.

Here's some more information from:
http://www.indezine.com/products/photoshop/books/phototmm4b.html

Rasterizing Vector Shapes


Back in Chapter 3, you read about how the majority of your images (definitely your photos) are just a bunch of pixels to Elements. These images are known as raster images. The shapes you draw with the Shape tools work a little differently. They’re called vector images.
A vector image is made up of a set of directions, specifying what kind of geometric shapes should be drawn. The advantage of vector images is that you can size them way up or down without producing the kind of pixelation you see when you resize a raster image too much.
Your shape keeps its vector characteristics until you simplify the layer that it’s on. Simplifying, also called rasterizing, just means that Elements turns your shape into regular pixels. Once you simplify, you have the same limitations on resizing as you do for a regular photo. For example, you can make your image smaller, but you can’t make it larger than 100 percent without losing quality. Sooner or later, you may want to transform your vector image to a regular raster image so that you can do certain things to it, like adding filters or effects.
If you try to do something that requires simplifying a layer, Elements generally asks you to do so, via a pop-up dialog. To rasterize your shape, just click OK, or click the Simplify button in the Options bar. Remember that once you’ve rasterized a shape, if you try to resize, you won’t get the nice, clean unpixilated results that you got when it was a vector image. If you need to resize a shape, it’s easiest to start over with a new shape—if that’s feasible (which is yet another good reason to use layers).
Also, it may puzzle you that, where at one time you were able to change the color of an existing shape by clicking the color box, now, all of a sudden, the shape totally ignores what you do in the Options bar. That’s because you simplified the shape layer. Simplifying always affects the entire layer—everything on it is simplified, or nothing is. Once your shape is simplified, you have to make a selection and change the color the way you would on any detail in a photo.


Diana

[dr. bob]

Wow!!

Diane, you realy explained simplifying well.

you actually made it "SIMPLE".

many thanks,

dr.bob

[Byron Gale]

Diana,

Great job excavating those explanations!!

Byron