Stump the chump

[Scott]

Every wondered why somethign is the way it is in Photoshop?

Here's your chance to ask...

10 credits to anyone who can stump me on a subject :)

[TrinityOfOne]

Why does the shear filter not have th option to display the background layer?

[Scott]

Because back in 198X when the filter what coded that was not possible due to the processing power and application structure at that time. The filter has not been updated since it's initial creation.

[PDG]

When actively typing text into Photoshop, how can I jump straight into another mode without clicking outside of the text box? Normally you can use keyboard shortcuts but while typing they're not available.

[TrinityOfOne]

This isn't part of it, just curious; was PS originally written for the PC or Mac?

[Scott]

Another mode? You mean for the type layer?

Actually.. you can't.

Since type is being input via the keybaord, the mode shortcuts just won't work because they need keyboard input to switch between them.

I assume your talking about the option(alt)-shift-+ and option(alt)-shift-- or option(alt)-shift-m, option(alt)-shift-o, etc. for mode shortcuts.

[Sweetums]

When you go to File>Automate>Fit Image, why are the height and width options only in pixels?

Second attempt: The "Default Photoshop Size" preset for new documents is 5" x 7," a horizontal dominant, but all other Preset sizes in inches are vertical dominant, and the image must be rotated, or a "custom" document size created. Why is this?

[PDG]

Is there anyway to pull out of keyboard typing mode without mouse-clicking in order to use a Keyboard shortcut?

[Scott]

1) because fit image uses resampling. Resampling changes pixel dimensions but won't change resolution. The only thing Photoshop really cares about are pixels. In fact, whenever Photoshop display's inches, it's calculating what they would be from the pixel dimensions. By only displaying pixels Photoshop is telling you it's not going to adjust the resolution. Now it <em>could</em> use inches or whatever and just calculate that. But they simply didn't code that into the fit image command. In most measurement fields youcan enter any dimension you like - 500px, 500in, 500pi, 500cm -- and Photoshop will use that. For some reason they didn't see the need for that functionality in the Fit Image command.


2) Document preset sizes can be changed to customize them. But in my version of Photoshop CS the 5x7 is vertical just like all the others.

[Scott]

[QUOTE=PDG]Is there anyway to pull out of keyboard typing mode without mouse-clicking in order to use a Keyboard shortcut?[/QUOTE]

Hitting the enter key (not the return key) will set the type. Same as a mouse click.

[Sweetums]

What is the difference between the "return key" and the "enter key"??? They are the same on my keyboard, are they not?

[PDG]

I believe the traditional Return key used to be located above the right Shift Key. The traditional Enter key is located by the number pad. Then ofcourse they had to go and rename them both the same just to confuse us more. :.

Whatever happens, don't ever ask a tech where the "Any" key is. That would be tragic.

"Press any key to continue."

</old tech joke>

[Scott]

<img src="http://internet.ls-la.net/pictures/images/Computer/Any-Key.jpg" />


Yeah, the enter key is with the numeric keypad. The retun key is above the right side shift key.

[TrinityOfOne]

[QUOTE=PDG]
Whatever happens, don't ever ask a tech where the "Any" key is. That would be tragic.

"Press any key to continue."

</old tech joke>[/QUOTE]

Similar to when one of my colleagues asked a client to press the Start button and they switched the PC off :)

Actually, thinking about it, the Start button is such a lame name...

[Scott]

gee.. I figured this thread would run a little longer.

[TrinityOfOne]

There's no point, you know too much :)

[Siouxie]

hm is there a shurtcut to set brightness/contrast?

[MaryMac]

What is the difference between "extract" and using quick mask to get rid of backgrounds?

[Scott]

Hi MaryMac,

Quick mask is basically a selection or mask as the name indicated. The extract filter offers a little more control and automates a couple steps.

With quickmask, you need to paint away everything you want to select and in turn remove. Basically with quick mask you need to paint everythign manually. (By the way I suggest using a layer mask rather than the quickmask tool. Layer masks let you edit the mask again at any time, quick mask does not give you that option.)

With the extract filter you can use the marker tool to highlight edges. Photoshop will then try to calculate where value and hue changes happen to create an edge for you. Sometimes this works great sometimes it's not too good. Using the extract filter is basically a way to have Photoshop do some of the work for you. The extract filter is often most benificial when dealing with hard to find edges like hair where there are a lot of tiny little elements.

The best way to extract and image from it's background often involves a combination of techniques. For instance, using the extract filter to get the bulk of the image extracted then using a layer mask (quick mask) to refine the extraction.

Another method to use for extracting an image is to use the advanced blending options to simply hide an area on the layer. This techniquie is used a bit in my <a href="http://www.pixeladdiction.com/bb/tutorials.php?aid=1&page=1&topic=">smoke tutorial</a>.

[Saber]

Something I've always wondered is, when I save jpegs for web, why does the color Red have so much artifacting at a lower quality? Any other image would look fine to the naked eye at 50% but if it has a decent amount of Red I usually bump it up to 80% to get it to look presentable.

[Scott]

Welcome Saber.

Red shouldn't generate any more artifacts than any other color. However, red artifacts tend to be more visible so they may simply stand out more. JPG files don't like edges either. So if you've got a red areas butted up against another area then you're going to generate more artifacts than normal, and they will be more prominent when using red because red is such a unique area of color. The dark sections of artifacts stand out more on a red field and the red artifacts will stand out more on an other field of color. Red is simply a more vibrant color range and doesn't blend as well with other colors.

[Raphael]

Talking of the 'Shear' filter, how come it only works sideways?

[Raphael]

Ditto the 'Wind' filter

[Scott]

Simply because Adobe hasn't updated those filters since they were released. And yes, I agree they should.

[blix]

I can't believe I haven't seen this thread before.

*blix runs off to think...:idea:*

-B