How to Tilt-Shift using PSE 6

[madfos]

Hey guys, I googled for hours on how to tilt-shift using PSE 6, but I couldnt find any, and I end up in this forum, could anyone help me? Thx in advance

[athegn]

Hey guys, I googled for hours on how to tilt-shift using PSE 6, but I couldnt find any, and I end up in this forum, could anyone help me? Thx in advance

I'm note sure if you can do genuine tilt-shift in any photo editor i.e. shift plane of focus after the image is taken.

However if you mean correct converging/diverging verticals i.e. emulate a rising/falling front on a camera, there is the perspective tool:-

Image > Transform > Perspective

[madfos]

Tilt shift can be done in PSE 6, except that I do not get the instructions clearly in this link(http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35475). I'm still really confused about the steps to be done

[Bayla]

Take a look at THIS THREAD (http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17304).

Also the Creative Homework thread you mentioned above does have two different versions for achieving the effect in PSE. I think the actual tutorial link is no longer available but if you scroll down, under Notes you'll find two different ways.

Bayla

[athegn]

I stand corrected re tilt/shift

[graficalicus]

another step-by-step here (http://www.graficalicus.com/wp/archives/572)

[madfos]

@Bayla I tried the first method, but I was confused with it, could you help me with it. I tried the second method and the transition from the blur to the focused part is not smooth

[Bayla]

Which part don't you understand or are you having trouble with? I did find that I had to redraw my gradient several times until I was happy with the result. Also I had to experiment a few times with different images to find the right one.

Bayla

[madfos]

@Bayla What is a quick mask? These are the steps I've taken: 1. make a layer from the original image 2. apply gaussian blur to the layer 3. how do I apply a mask on the copy? 4. With the mask active, colours set to default black as foreground, use the reflective gradient tool to draw on the mask. This will probably take some trial and error to get it just right. Once you are satisfied, with the image active (not the mask), Ctrl U to bring up the hue/sat dialogue box and increase the saturation to really boost the colour. I don't know how to do steps #3 & 4. COuld u help me with it? Thank you so much

[Bayla]

OK, you need a Layer Mask which doesn't come with PSE. Personally I installed Grant's Tools (http://www.cavesofice.org/~grant/Challenge/Tools/Files.html) which are free and have several very useful items but especially a Layer Mask. Make sure you download and install the correct one for your version of PSE. If you need help with the installation get back to me (although I'm off to bed now so may not get back to you - but there are plenty of other helpful people out there who can point you in the right direction!)

Let me know how you get on.

Bayla

[madfos]

@Bayla THe instructions for installing Grant's Tools don;t even match the folders I have for PSE 6

[Wendy]

Hi ..

Did you download the Tools for PSE6 ... if so the install instructions are in a read me file with the tools.

Wendy

[madfos]

@Wendy yeah, I did download the file, but when I read the readme file, the location of the files mentioned in the readme file is not the same as the files in my computer

[Byron Gale]

Perhaps if you would cite the differences, some advice could be given.

[Sepiana]

madfos,

First, are you using Windows? If so, XP or Vista? Or are you on a Mac?

Second, do you have your folder options set up to Show Hidden Files and Folders? This may be the reason why you're not getting the same file locations as in the readme document.

[madfos]

Library\Application Support\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\6.0\Photo Creations\Photo Effects In my folders, I dont have any folder named PhotoCreations. I'm using Vista, and I've already enabled viewing hidden files

[Sepiana]

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

These are for Mac.

Here are the instructions for Vista:

HOW TO INSTALL GRANT’S TOOLS IN PSE6 (VISTA)

NOTE: Before installing any action make sure that:

- PSE is closed.
- Your hidden files and folders are visible. Go to Documents. In the Folder Options windows, click on the View tab, and select "Show hidden files and folders."

Now you need to do this:

1. Locate the PSE6 Grant’s Tools zipped folder you downloaded and extract the files.

2. Open the extracted Grant’s Tools folder. There will be 2 folders inside -- actions and pngs, and xml.

3. Open the actions and pngs folder.

4. Copy the .atn and .png files and place them in: C:\ ProgramData\ Adobe\ Photoshop Elements\ 6.0\ Photo Creations\ photo effects\

5. Go back to the extracted Grant’s Tools folder and open the .xml folder.

6. Copy the .xml files and place them in: C:\ ProgramData\ Adobe\ Photoshop Elements\ 6.0\ Locale\ en_US (or your locale)\ Photo Creations Metadata\ photo effects\

7. Now go to: C:\ ProgramData\ Adobe\ Photoshop Elements\ 6.0\ Locale\ en_US (or your locale) and delete the MediaDatabase.db3 file.

Don't worry! When you open PSE6, this file will be recreated.

8. Open PSE6.

Grant's tools will be in the Effects Palette.

[madfos]

THANK YOU SO MUCH SEPIANA!!!! Now I just need to try those methods again!

[Sepiana]

You're most welcome! Glad to help. Grant's Tools are a wonderful add-on to PSE. You'll be using them quite a lot.:)

[madfos]

Btw Sepiana, how do I do the layer mask thingy?

[Sepiana]

- In the Layers palette, select the layer you want to apply the mask to.
- In the Effects palette, bring up Grant's Tools and select Masks Layers (the b/w thumbnail).
- Click Apply.

[madfos]

[Wow!!!] It works!!! THX MATE!!!! really really reallly a BIG THANK YOU!!!

[madfos]

Hey Sepiana, SOrry for buggin u again and again. I tried the tilt-shift technique, but none of my pictures has that toy-look elements, what do I have to do? I tried changing the gradient, but I never got it.

[Bayla]

Hi, glad you got the Layer Mask/Grant's Tools sorted out - I knew someone would be round whilst I was getting my beauty sleep. (Thanks, Sepiana and everyone else ;))

With regard to the miniature look, it really does depend on the image you use. I found that taking things from a higher perspective works well, as does images of cars, boats, houses.

Here are a couple of examples (which I think work reasonably well) that I just did to illustrate:

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1wvz0Q8NAREW4zbacbmjBjIP9sLq0P_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1wvz0Q8NAREW4zbacbmjBjIP9sLq0P)

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1yXdPDWd7Qrny1e6TcJwKSO8MmQ1r_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1yXdPDWd7Qrny1e6TcJwKSO8MmQ1r)

I must have tried about twenty photos before I was satisfied, and even then I had to redraw the gradients several times!

Bayla

[madfos]

I was wondering what is the best possible blur pixels that will result in the best toy-like elements