PSE 6 actions?

[Oshun]

Hi everyone.


Hey I'm new to the forums.I just got the program of PSE Elements 6.0 just a few days ago.And I'm trying to find out of it has a layer mask? I'm not sure if this was covered, in another thread or not.But does anyone know if version 6 has them? Because I orginally learned on Photoshop CS2.But one of my classes.The professor says Elements is easier to learn on.And for me Layer masks is really helpful for me to blend pictures together and other things as well.Could someone please help me? Thanks.

Oshun.

[Diana]

Hi Oshun & welcome to Elements Village,

Here's an old thread that should give you the information you need:

http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40538

Diana

[jjvera00]

To answer your question, it is both "yes" and "no" for does Elements have Layer Masks.

Elements have Adjustments Layers such as the Hue/Saturation Adjustment Layer, or the Levels Adjustment Layer with which both have Layers Masks linked to them. But unlike CS2, where you can click a button to add a Layer Mask to a Layer, you cannot do that in Elements.

But there are work-arounds for that. You can "hijack" a Layer Mask from an Adjustment Layer to the Layer you want. What you simple do is click any adjustment layer, do nothing but click OK. Then have you layer you want to have a layer mask above the adjustment layer you created. Then group them together by pressing Ctrl+G. This will group the two layers together, and the layer mask that is attached to the adjustment layer is now "linked" to the layer above it.

Another option that many of us has done is to install add-on's such as Grant's Tools (http://www.cavesofice.org/~grant/Challenge/Tools/Files.html) or the demo version of Elements+ (http://simplephotoshop.com/downloads/index.htm#elem+). Both are actions that were written in Photoshop, that create a Layer Mask to be connected to your layer directly.

[Oshun]

Hi Diana.


Hey Diana, thanks for the welcome.I have found the thread you gave me the link to.Now I have downloaded the grants tool.But now I have a new problem.I have managed to put them in my files under plugins.Because on my computer drive is I don't have the (Previews folder) that Grant does on his tutorial.But then once after I open my PSE6, they don't show up under the Effects.Inside of the Effects area above the Layers pallete.So what am I doing wrong? So can I get them to open inside Elements? Or sorry I'm a little lost here.


Hi Johnny.

Alright so I should try to do the other option then? Such as use the Ajustment layer, on one of the commands you mentioned.Then don't do anything and click ok.Got that part.Once I have the layer I want about the adjustment layer, just group them together? I will try that to see if it works for me.But I have downloaded the Grants tools though.But the problem I'm having is trying to get the Grants tools to open up in the Effects pallete, in PSE6 where I can see them.So far that is the part I'm having trouble on.

[jjvera00]

Try the free download for Elements+ (if you like it, you should purchase the full version for $12). The Elements+ free demo includes a layer mask and it self installs.

What O/S are you using. I know that there are different locations to install for both Vista and XP.

Try the grouping of layers to see if that works.

[Wendy]

Hi Oshun ..

... and welcome to the Village :)

First thing is did you download the version of Grant's Tools that are for PSE6 ??

If you did then take a look in the read me that is in the folder ... the install instructions for PSE6 are in that.

Here they are:

MAC.

Open the actions and pngs folder and place all the items that are in it in this folder:

Library\Application Support\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\6.0\Photo Creations\Photo Effects

Next open the xml files folder and place all the items that are in it in this folder:

Library\Application Support\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\6.0\Locale\ en-US or your own locale>Photo Creations Metadata>Photo Effects

Next rename the Mediadatabase.db3 to MediadatabaseOLD.db3 (it is located at Library\Application Support\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\6.0\Locale\ en-US) and restart Elements ... the Mediadatabase.db3 will rebuild but you may have to wait a while for it to do so

Wendy Williams



WINDOWS.

Open the actions and pngs folder and place all the items that are in it in this folder:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\6.0\Photo Creations\Photo Effects

Next open the xml files folder and place all the items that are in it in this folder:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\6.0\Locale\ en-US or your own locale>Photo Creations Metadata>Photo Effects

Next rename the Mediadatabase.db3 to MediadatabaseOLD.db3 it is located at C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\6.0\Locale\ en-US and restart Elements ... the Mediadatabase.db3 will rebuild but you may have to wait a while for it to do so

Vista is Vista is C:\ProgramData\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\6.0 ... etc

Wendy Williams

[Oshun]

Johnny:

Thanks for the help.And for what version I'm using its Windows vista.



Wendy:

Ok I have Windows Vista.So you say, all I have to do.Is to load the Grant's Tools under C:\ProgramData\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\6.0 ... etc and then they will come up? I don't have to do anything else? Like you have mentioned all that studd before on regular Windows? And do I have to extract then copy everything to that folder? Or just set it up inder that file first.And then load it to have it come up in PSE 6?

Oshun

[Erin DigitalPhotosForMoms]

Hi Oshun!

I agree - a layer mask is a must have when using Elements.

If you haven't gotten that layer mask working yet, my blog has instructions for installing actions into PSE 6 on Vista. http://digitalphotographyformoms.net/photoshop-elements-help/installing-actions-in-photoshop-elements/installing-actions-in-pse-6-vista/

Let us know if that doesn't work!

Erin

[Wendy]

Hi Oshun ..

You need to do the same installation as XP ... just the paths are different.

I have written the Vista paths out for you :)

Unzip the file ... then:

Open the actions and pngs folder and place all the items that are in it in this folder:

C:\ProgramData\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\6.0\Photo Creations\Photo Effects

Next open the xml files folder and place all the items that are in it in this folder:

C:\ProgramData\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\6.0\Locale\ en-US or your own locale>Photo Creations Metadata>Photo Effects

Next rename the Mediadatabase.db3 to MediadatabaseOLD.db3 it is located at C:\ProgramData\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\6.0\Locale\ en-US and restart Elements ... the Mediadatabase.db3 will rebuild but you may have to wait a while for it to do so.

Do let us know how you go on with it

Wendy