PS CS2 Question on Merge

[Stecyk]

You're welcome.

Just as an update, the pen tool is becoming more intuitive now and it is amazingly accurate.

[jwright1]

I use: (make sure no layer is selected) A shortcut called, the CLAW. In PC it is: Contol L, Shift and Alt E. That will produce a flattened layer at the top of the stack. You must then remember that any changes underneath will not be reflected. To change the name of the file to "final" just double click the layer name shown on the layer

Jon

[R_Fredrick_Smith]

Originally Posted by Stecyk

Hi Roger,

The name of the book is The Art of Photographing Women by Kevin Ames.

http://www.amazon.com/Adobe-Photosho...6241676&sr=8-1

I sent an email to Kevin and he was kind enough to reply to that question as well as a couple others.

The answer is (for CS2), Control + Alt + Shift + E makes a copy of the visible layers to a new layer that appears above the active layer.

I am just wrapping up Chapter 6, of the 14 chapters. Overall, I am impressed with the book because it is thorough and detailed. The first 6 chapters are focused on workflow and some PS 2 basics. This book is literally the first book I am using for CS2. (Prior to CS2, I was using PS Elements.) Thus, the first part of the book is excellent for me because it provides the essential information for the remaining chapters.

The remaining chapters address more traditional Photoshop techniques for glamour.

One thing I am struggling is learning how to use the pen tool effectively. I have a suspicion that many don't use it a lot. But I want to try and master it, if possible. For those interested, here's a good site:

http://www.thegoldenmean.com/technique/pen1.html

Best regards,
Kevin

I'm not sure about why one would want to use the method he recommends. It seems to be a destructive method to the layers involved. Once you do the command, the layers have been combined into one layer. If you save the file, and then later open it, you can not roll back to get at the layers that made up final. That is why I usually prefer the Grouping method that I first suggested. Am I missing something somewhere in the discussion?

By the way, I have the earlier version of his book and didn't care for it much. It had lots of errors and there were problems. When I wrote him about them, he did respond and tried to help, but nevertheless, there were still bottlenecks that made it difficult to use. I assume that in this later version of the book, he's overcome some of the issues. But the example in question is still an indication of problems, since he should have included the control sequence he was using in the book to start with.

As to the Pen tool, it does take time to learn, but it is the absolute best way to do more difficult selections. Once you master it, you have a large head start on others who don't know how to use it. I found Katrin Eismann's book "Photoshop Masking Compositing" to be a good book in learning the Pen tool and other techniques in masking and selecting.

Cheers,
rfs

[Stecyk]

Originally Posted by jwright1

I use: (make sure no layer is selected) A shortcut called, the CLAW. In PC it is: Contol L, Shift and Alt E. That will produce a flattened layer at the top of the stack. You must then remember that any changes underneath will not be reflected. To change the name of the file to "final" just double click the layer name shown on the layer

Thank you Jon, I will try that.

[Stecyk]

Hi Roger,

Originally Posted by R_Fredrick_Smith

I'm not sure about why one would want to use the method he recommends. It seems to be a destructive method to the layers involved. Once you do the command, the layers have been combined into one layer. If you save the file, and then later open it, you can not roll back to get at the layers that made up final. That is why I usually prefer the Grouping method that I first suggested. Am I missing something somewhere in the discussion?

It's not destructive. The layers below remain present and intact.

Originally Posted by R_Fredrick_Smith

By the way, I have the earlier version of his book and didn't care for it much. It had lots of errors and there were problems. When I wrote him about them, he did respond and tried to help, but nevertheless, there were still bottlenecks that made it difficult to use. I assume that in this later version of the book, he's overcome some of the issues. But the example in question is still an indication of problems, since he should have included the control sequence he was using in the book to start with.

I am discovering a few bugs with this version, though nothing insurmountable. On the positive side, it forces me to think more critically to fully understand what I am doing. I am learning a lot, so I like his book.

Originally Posted by R_Fredrick_Smith

As to the Pen tool, it does take time to learn, but it is the absolute best way to do more difficult selections. Once you master it, you have a large head start on others who don't know how to use it. I found Katrin Eismann's book "Photoshop Masking Compositing" to be a good book in learning the Pen tool and other techniques in masking and selecting.

It's becoming more intuitive. I'll get there.

I am curious if many PS users use a Wacom tablet? Perhaps another thread with a poll and comment section?

Best regards,
Kevin

[Stecyk]

Originally Posted by R_Fredrick_Smith

I found Katrin Eismann's book "Photoshop Masking Compositing" to be a good book in learning the Pen tool and other techniques in masking and selecting.

I have marked your recommendation for purchase soon.

[johnw]

I will use the "Final layer" and duplicate it . It is the duplicate final composite layers that I use for sharpening and Noise reduction, instead of the Original.