elements ????

wen2tap · 01-07-2006, 08:10 PM

Hi all, this may sound silly but got to learn somehow, I have been d/loading
the page kits, when I drag into the LO the elements they are opening with
black/colours around the edges of the actual element causing distortion.
On most I have been using magic wand to cut these out to give clean lines,
but on fibres/complicated elements I cant do this. Are these meant to have a transparent back ground?
am i opening or downloading them wrong?
I'm using p/shop 5. I have tried changing the back grounds but that didnt help.
can anyone help me?

**shazzt** · 01-08-2006, 01:06 AM

I am not an expert but I think that the problem is that your are using an early version of Photoshop that doesn't support the transperancy of the png files the elements are made out of. Not sure what I can suggest other than upgrading to a program that does support that format.

BTW - hi there - I'm from NZ too! Hope you enjoyed the beautiful day we had today!

Starling · 01-08-2006, 12:16 PM

Photoshop 5 doesn't support png files.

Are you aware that for under $150 you can upgrade to Photoshop CS2 (the newest version). You will have to contact Adobe for a code to unlock the upgrade, but they give you directions for doing that if you have versions 6 or earlier in the box (which is why I know it is there).

Or for under $100 you can buy Photoshop Elements 4 (again the newest version). There are probably good buys out there for version 3 as well.

sempson · 01-08-2006, 01:00 PM

Wen2tap I am also having the same thing happen just recently. Everyone here knows I use a dinosaur program LOL! LOL! and I absolutely cannot afford to buy a new computer to support some of these AMAZING programs. I use Microsoft Picture It! Publisher version 4.0 on Win 95. What is strange to me is I never had problems before until recently. The newer kits by certain designers seem to all have black backgrounds behind the elements.....and then I wonder if it is a incompatibility with my program and the newer programs they are using. Like I said....I have a dinosaur I need to upgrade but just can't afford to spend a bazillion dollars. My browser isn't compatible with the newer programs and I can't afford a whole new system. I have let it go for so long I would have to replace EVERYTHING...scanner, printer, etc....LOL! LOL! LOL! I feel your pain. What I do is I have a option in PIP that allows me to remove colors. Basically kind of what you are doing. I think I may have more control because I can choose where it removes the color from so it leaves my element in tact. Then I save it and use that when I need it. LOL! LOL! LOL! I know this doesn't help solve your problem ...but, it is always nice to know you are not alone!! LOL! LOL!

Emma · 01-08-2006, 05:14 PM

yeah, it's a version problem, too old (PNG is a newer file type meant to replace GIF), and it has transparent backgrounds and so many more colors than GIF that it's perfect for scrap graphics.

Upgrading to the new version is a great option since you pay the same as someone only 1 version behind! If you don't want to do that, then extracting things will be a bit of a pain, as Steph said. You might try Select>Color Range if PS 5 has that, and click the black and delete it. YOu won't get the smooth subtleties on many things, but it's a good start.

If you try to covnert the file to any other type, then it will no have a transparent background anymore, but rather a white square, so that's not an option either.

Let us know what you think and if you need help deciding what to do?

wen2tap · 01-09-2006, 02:31 AM

thanks gals, looks like I feel some retail therapathy coming on. time to burn up that card. I want to achieve wonderful layouts like you lot. havnt had
the guts to post a layout yet, but have some that I think may make the grade. will attempt to post (havnt read how to yet !)
PS yes it was a wonderful day in beautiful NZ.
PSS I'm from across the ditch - an aussie that went the other way....LOL

sunnyscrappin · 01-12-2006, 10:13 AM

I am struggling with this too... I am currently using PSE4 and I am still getting the black around images. Does this mean I need to upgrade to the CS2 also? I thought I would be safe with PSE4 but apparently I am not. Does anyone know anything about this?

valeri · 01-12-2006, 11:55 AM

PSE4 shouldn't do this. It is a new program! is it every PNG image, or just certain ones? that is certainly odd

**shazzt** · 01-12-2006, 12:35 PM

I have no problems with PSE4 - not sure what I can suggest! And Starling, I suspect that deals like the $100 upgrade are not available to us plebs in NZ. The full version of CS2 costs about $1,400 here......this would be the reason I use PSE!

dobegal · 01-12-2006, 01:18 PM

I have PS Elements 3 and never had a problem!

Starling · 01-12-2006, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shazzt

I have no problems with PSE4 - not sure what I can suggest! And Starling, I suspect that deals like the $100 upgrade are not available to us plebs in NZ. The full version of CS2 costs about $1,400 here......this would be the reason I use PSE!

You are right. It would be more than $100 in NZ dollars. I was quoting in US dollars. The full version of CS2 costs over $600US. But we aren't comparing the costs between the full version and what I quoted, thank God, just the difference in US and NZ dollars. I rather imagine bread costs "more" in NZ dollars too. I don't know what the exchange rate is.

By the way PSE4 costs $79.99US from Amazon today. They are still listing it as $99.99US as the regular price. They've got a deal going and you don't need an old copy of PSE to take advantage of it.

Emma · 01-12-2006, 03:06 PM

that is so odd that PSE4 is opening PNG files improperly. There is no option to set the transparency because it recognizes PNG without issues.

Are you using File>Open As instead of File>Open? Make sure if you use Open As that you choose PNG from the drop down menu.

Also, you may be viewing them in the Organizer, and not opening them n the Editor. Let us know more info about how and where you're viewing and opening them, hopefully we can help.

Since PSE 4 is a current software you can call Adobe for free tech support if we can't figure it out. Since it seems none of us have a clue, try a call to them.
http://www.adobe.com/support/phonenumbers/main.html
for PSE call, in the US
Adobe Photoshop Elements
206-675-6358

You can also use the forums or other online support, especially for older versions or outside the US
http://www.adobe.com/support/