Plugins & PSCS

[andyapc]

This is my first attempt at using plugins with PSCS. I'm trying to use Virtual Photographer and AutoFX. I'm working on an 8x8 transparent canvas (layer 1) with a 4x6 photo in the middle of it (layer 2). I found both of these plugins when I went under Filter, down at the bottom of my choices. My picture layer is my active layer.

Virtual Photographer: I turned my photo to b/w with this filter, but not only did it change my picture to b/w, it also changed the entire surrounding background to black (just on layer 2, layer 1 remained transparent in my Layers Pallette). I had to use my rectangular marquee tool to draw a selection around my photo, then invert and delete it to get rid of the black. Why did it do this, when my photo is only 4x6?

AutoFX: I wanted to apply a dreamy filter to my photo. When I clicked on this filter, it brought me to the usual page I'm used to seeing when I worked with it in DIP9, except that now, it's asking me for Name, Company & Serial Number. I don't recall having to provide that info when I used this in DIP9. It shows the following options: Get Serial # (when I click on this, I'm brought to this page: http://www.autofx.com/freeplugins/mosaic.asp?id=21 ); Cancel or OK. When I click OK, it demands my name and serial #. Where do I get the serial number, and why do I have to provide it all of a sudden? I never had to in DIP9.

[Amanda]

With virtual photographer it applies the affect to whatever is selected or the whole layer. so just hold down the CTRL key and click on your photo layer to select JUST your photo and then use Virtual Photographer.

Not sure why it is asking for your info again. But you should have received a serial number if you have a legal copy of it.

[andyapc]

The AutoFX filter I have was a free plugin that I downloaded several months ago. On that website that I was brought to, it references a mosaic filter and requested my email address to send me a serial number, so that's what I did - I'm waiting for it now. Don't know anything about the mosaic filter, 'cuz I've only ever used the dreamy filter for AutoFX. I guess I just didn't understand why I had to do this when I've used this plugin with no problem with DIP9 for months.

Thanks for the info on virtual photographer - didn't realize to hold CTRL and click on my layer to select just that item.

[Emma]

didn't understand why I had to do this when I've used this plugin with no problem with DIP9 for months.

Thanks for the info on virtual photographer - didn't realize to hold CTRL and click on my layer to select just that item.Not sure about AutoFX, but it may have been updated since you installed it last. It "phones home" and I believe gets automatic updates.

As for the Ctrl-click, check the 110 and 160 lessons where it says to select the layer contents by right clicking and Choose layer Transparency, followed by the keyboard command of Ctrl-click. It's the same operation, I think you used it to make mats in the first or second lesson.

Keep it up! You're really accomplishing a lot with these tutorials and new plugins.

[Angie]

[QUOTE=Amanda]With virtual photographer it applies the affect to whatever is selected or the whole layer. so just hold down the CTRL key and click on your photo layer to select JUST your photo and then use Virtual Photographer.

Amanda--- you are one smart little girl!!! I didn't know that. I have always been using the filter on my photo and then taking it into my layout..... thanks for the tip!!!