Help on free download - midnight sepia

[Allyson]

Hi,

Anyone out there using PSE3 and able to use this plug-in? It gives a nice effect on the right photo, the link was sent to me by a photographer friend, but she uses photoshop, and was not sure if I could use it with PSE3 -- anyone know?

Here is the link for the free download:
http://www.atncentral.com/download.htm
any help on getting this installed to run with PSE3 would be great.


Thx

[graficalicus]

Hi, Allyson -

it's an action, so there's a bit more work to be done to get it to work in PSE - - it's not a plugin that can just be plopped in and ready to use - - Luckily, actions in PSE are pretty easy to get working once you know the trick:

first, download this (http://graficalicus.com/boards/MidnightSepiav2.zip) (I zipped the action and a PSE-ready thumbnail up for you) and extract it to your Photoshop Elements 3\Previews\Effects\Image Effects folder - you should have other action (*.atn) and thumbnail (.psd) files in there already - this will just be an add-on to them. You can, of course put them into a different folder in the Effects directory if you want - but they can't be any deeper than the others (i.e., a folder inside a folder inside a folder inside the Effects directory just won't work :p )

Now dump the effects cache (you don't need to worry about the Filters cache - you aren't adding any filters!) - open Previews\Cache\Effects Cache and delete the three files in there -
Start PSE and you'll find the action in the Styles & Effects palette, under the Image Effects category (or wherever you put it within the Effects folder). These folders are the same for Windows or Mac -

EDIT: there are new utilities available for this now - Windows users can grab the Automatic Cache Cleaner here (http://www.graficalicus.com/downloadbasket/details.php?image_id=125) and mac users can download one here (http://www.graficalicus.com/downloadbasket/details.php?image_id=126) (choose your version of PSE from the links on that page).

There are more in-depth articles on Actions In Elements are all over these forums - mine is here (http://www.graficalicus.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=164)

(psst - if you use Windows, more effects like this that install themselves are on my site. - "GlamPhoto!" is the latest ..:cool: )

[Allyson]

Dave (ok, I assume it is Dave, as I got that in the action) ---

Thank you, thank you, thank you -- It is an awesome action and I really appreciate people like you (who know so much about Photoshop) taking the time to write them for people like me (who know very little about PSE).

Thanks again, and I will enjoy looking at what else you have on your site,

[graficalicus]

it's Mike (or Graffi, online) - Dave's the guy who made the action. He did all the real work!

[Allyson]

Thanks Mike!

[graficalicus]

no prob! http://www.graficalicus.com/modules/PNphpBB2/images/smiles/graffidude-mini.gif

[tbrannon]

Mike you rule!!!
Thanks for making life easier.
I checked this out and what a GREAT effect.
I LOVE IT.

Now off to your site. =)

[graficalicus]

Mike you rule!!!
Only if I clear it with Mrs Graffi first...:cool:

[photobobbie]

I love this action, it works beautifully and creates wonderful effects. Thanks so much.

[Maureen]

Grafi,

Is there any way to get midnight sepia to work in PSE 4? I get a "command Make not currently available" message.

Maureen

[graficalicus]

it should work -

what layers are in the Layers palette when the "Make" error pops up? (That will help troubleshoot what step(s) are causing it)

[Maureen]

Grafi,

I'm at the office now, so I'll get back to you on that this evening.

Thanks,

Maureen

[Maureen]

Grafi,

These are the layers I get when I run the Midnight Sepia effect, from bottom to top:
Background Layer
Levels Adjustment Layer
Hue/Sat Adjustment Layer
Dark Gray Thumbnail Layer labelled Dodge and Burn w. Mode set to Soft Light

At this point, a dialogue box appears saying "The command "Make" is not currently available" with options 'Continue' and 'Stop'. If I click Continue, I get a message with instructions to use a soft brush at 25% opacity (these options are already selected) and with Dodge layer active, paint with black to darken, white to lighten. So, it does seem to work, but I have to say, the effect seems weak to me. The image is nicely softened but only slightly darker, not really a sepia effect.

Please don't go to any trouble with this. My needs are few. My wants are many. Thanks.

Maureen

[mel]

Thank you so much Graffi for this great action. I just installed it and tried it out and I love it :) :)

[graficalicus]

These are the layers I get when I run the Midnight Sepia effect, from bottom to top:
Background Layer
Levels Adjustment Layer
Hue/Sat Adjustment Layer
Dark Gray Thumbnail Layer labelled Dodge and Burn w. Mode set to Soft Light


It *should* create an additional layer between the Hue/Sat adjustment & the Dodge & Burn layer - a Color Balance Adjustment layer. What version of PSE do you use, and (more importantly) is Color Balance available as an adjustment? They tweaked so many things... I have it working in PSE1, but don't have working versions of the others to test... just expired trial versions.

My needs are few. My wants are many. Thanks.

HAHA! Me too! And it's no problem - I'm the only one at work today. Everyone else has already taken off for the beaches for the holiday. I drew the short straw (plus I'm the only one with kids in school, so I'm stuck here anyway!).

Thank you so much Graffi for this great action. I just installed it and tried it out and I love it

All I did was make it Elements-happy. It was originally created by someone else - see the first post in this thread - but thanks!, and glad it works!

[fgrule]

1-Open image....duplicate backgroung to new layer(rt. click & dupe).

2-Working on dupe layer,go to Enhance>Adj.Color>Hue/Sat and set values to these,working from top down:(45,20,0).Make sure Colorize Box is checked.Click "OK".

3-Still on dup layer,apply a Gaussian Blur of 15-20(filter>blur>Gaussian blur set to 15-20 approx).Setting here determines how blurry it will be.Click "OK".

4-Set the Blending Mode to Multiply and Flatten the layers.

5-Now,back to only one layer,dupe it and set Blending Mode to Screen(will lighten image).Adjust Opacity to your preference and flatten.Repeat step 5 to lighten image even more.

I've seen it called "Gothic Glow" and "Midnight Sepia" interchangeably,but it may be 2 different processes.The effect is nice.

[Maureen]

Grafi,

I'm using PSE4. There is no Colour Balance Adjustment Layer, nor is there a colour balance option under the Enhance menu. I guess its a PSE3 and previous feature. Anyway, thanks for looking into it for me. I tried fgrule's method and it didn't produce much of an 'effect'. Of the two, I prefer the one I downloaded from your thread.

BTW I just recently visited your web site for the first time and I must say, it has given me 100 more excuses to stay up too late and become increasingly obsessed with PSE. How do you find the time to keep it up? The web site, I mean.
Maureen

[mom to 4]

Maureen:

I am using PSE 4 also. I tried it quickly on a few photos and liked it, but I didn't get into any color balance. I will try to try it on another photo this evening and see what happens. I do think you must have the right photo for the effect to really look good. I tried it on a photo of a tree lined street and it was just way to dark. I tried it on another of a meadow with only a few trees and a mountain in the background and I really liked the way it looked. I'll try to remember to let you know about the color balance on my PSE 4.

[graficalicus]

Curses! The old "it's available in PSE3 but not in 4" thing again. Wonder why Adobe would remove that? I'll hunt for a workaround....


BTW I just recently visited your web site for the first time and I must say, it has given me 100 more excuses to stay up too late and become increasingly obsessed with PSE. How do you find the time to keep it up?

Thanks! I do a lot of graphics work at my regular job (I'm a programmer) so I'm on the computer a lot. I also have a lot of time at work while things compile or run, so I do a lot of "ideating" - as well as just playing - while I'm there.

The 'ole workshop has been building since it first went on back in '98 or '99 - so it's been a gradual process.... and is always a work in progress. But then again, aren't we all? :cool:

[mel]

All I did was make it Elements-happy. It was originally created by someone else - see the first post in this thread - but thanks!, and glad it works!

Well thank you then for making it Elements-happy ;) It makes our life easier :D

[Marlis Bennett]

What a great download. I downloaded and watched in utter amazement how the file installed itself. The effects are wonderful! And so easy...
marlis

[graficalicus]

:)

Glad you like 'em! Takes about 5 seconds to do, too.

[MJWillick]

I just followed your instructions, and it worked wonderfully! THANK YOU! I know that I'll be playing with this one for hours!

Here is my before photo:

http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1OVVpJfRMqPK5HPRpms8SPW2ehvA1

and here is my after picture:

http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1IQYWCEU19CYlE4goXisSPZxpZYoAz

Thanks for looking!

Melissa :D

[fgrule]

Nice job,Melissa!
I think the effect works particularly well with landscapes(particularly fall colors are nice).
Fred

[Tami Simpson]

Ok. So this is an old thread, and the link to "download this" no longer is available.
I'm trying to get Midnight Sepia to work on my PSE 6.0.
The only help I've seen so far says to put it into "Photo Creations" under "Locale."
I have neither of these folders.
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!!!
Thanks,
Tami

[Tami Simpson]

This was supposed to be on the Midnight Sepia thread. That was weird. I' ll go put it over there where it belongs. sorry about that!

[fgrule]

Here is one way:
(1)Open an image and duplicate layer(rt.click & dupe layer).

(2)With the dupe layer selected,go to Enhance>Adjust color>Hue/Saturation and set the following values from top down (45,25,0) and make sure the "colorize" box is checked>OK

(3)Still on dupe layer,apply a Gaussian Blur of 16-20 depending on how blurry you want it(Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur 16-20>OK).

(4)Set Blending Mode to "multiply" and flatten layers.

(5)You now have only one layer.Dupe that layer and on the new layer,set the blending mode to "Screen".This will lighten the image.Adjust the Opacity to your liking and flatten.Repeat this step if it is still too dark.

[Wendy]

Hi Tami ...

Are you using Windows (Vista ... XP) or a Mac ??

PSE6 install instructions are different for each version ..

Wendy

[mom to 4]

Tami:

I think it was a smart move to resurrect this old thread..... (I wish I had the answer, but someone will.).... everyone that posted on it got the email and someone will surely know how to direct you....right Wendy????;)