Return-Path: Received: from mta21.charter.net ([216.33.127.81] verified) by media-motion.tv (CommuniGate Pro SMTP 4.2.10) with ESMTP id 4631115 for ae-list@media-motion.tv; Sat, 18 Feb 2012 21:48:55 +0100 Received: from imp11 ([10.20.200.11]) by mta21.charter.net (InterMail vM.8.01.05.02 201-2260-151-103-20110920) with ESMTP id <20120218205518.IFCE5374.mta21.charter.net@imp11> for ; Sat, 18 Feb 2012 15:55:18 -0500 Received: from [192.168.2.6] ([24.205.88.47]) by imp11 with smtp.charter.net id bYvH1i00611HYT405YvHTF; Sat, 18 Feb 2012 15:55:18 -0500 X-Authority-Analysis: v=1.1 cv=rvNqJbVGdbt4egs52VbhtoJZG7AoPDG9H2iogr/sNfs= c=1 sm=1 a=nYNyULn6JoAA:10 a=yUnIBFQkZM0A:10 a=B+8qk+Kcu1Ba1jRfEkRdhQ==:17 a=pGLkceISAAAA:8 a=hOpmn2quAAAA:8 a=oMFMl4oSupiRm9P13T0A:9 a=mlUL27GleOX4IGUTV0MA:7 a=QEXdDO2ut3YA:10 a=RFaxJ1YKWH0A:10 a=p3b_eOXHgIUA:10 a=VE7Xo1yCvyMA:10 a=MSl-tDqOz04A:10 a=hUswqBWy9Q8A:10 a=BJuCaoGIA4yNcwkFvzAA:9 a=HJpYb7VdD4wSMTOaXq8A:7 a=_W_S_7VecoQA:10 a=B+8qk+Kcu1Ba1jRfEkRdhQ==:117 From: Jonathan Penzner Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v1084) Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary=Apple-Mail-76--896001075 Subject: Re: [AE] Isolating Objects from a PSD File Date: Sat, 18 Feb 2012 12:55:17 -0800 In-Reply-To: To: "After Effects Mail List" References: Message-Id: <4F913167-1EBA-44E3-8794-6487EF341B57@charter.net> X-Mailer: Apple Mail (2.1084) --Apple-Mail-76--896001075 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Removing paths and channels is not the same as flattening a file. = Flattening means reducing several, or many layers to one layer, usually = a background, that is not technically a layer at all. There is a = difference between a path, and a layer that is defined by a shape that = is integral to the layer. So for example, you can take the shape tool = and create an ellipse, then fill it with a gradient, give it a glow, = whatever. That vector shape is similar in some ways to a "path" but = Paths have their own Tab, as do channels. As for channels, the tab = includes your color channels =E2=80=93 if you're working in RGB you have = an RGB channel, separate Red, Green and Blue channels, and your alpha = channels. However, a layer with a vector shape, is a path that exists in = that layer. Deleting all your paths in the Path Tab does not delete the = vector shape in your layer. You can also have a layer with a mask built into the layer =E2=80=93 = and, just to confuse matters a bit =E2=80=93 that mask can be a vector = or a pixel mask. But these masks are also built into the layer and are = not affected if you delete all the paths from the Paths Tab or all the = alpha channels from your Channels Tab. Strangely enough, when you select = a masked layer, that mask will appear in the Channels Tab =E2=80=93 = temporarily. Same for a vector shape layer. If you've created an ellipse = with the ellipse tool, it will appear as a path =E2=80=93 temporarily = =E2=80=93 in the Path Tab. You may want to remove your masks and vector shapes when finalizing a = file, leaving those shapes intact. With a mask, you can Apply the mask = (right click on the mask to get this option) and the mask will cease to = exist while leaving the layer exactly the same as it was with the mask. = Similarly, you may rasterize a vector shape and leave the layer exactly = as it was but without the vectors. Figuring out which masks or vectors are making the picture look as it = does can be simple or complex, depending on transfer modes, groups, = adjustment layers, and so on =E2=80=93 a whole other ball of wax. Still have questions? Jonathan On Feb 18, 2012, at 11:26 AM, Enrique Gamez wrote: > Thanks for taking the time to fill me in, although this may be getting = into [OT] territory=E2=80=A6 >=20 > Is this tantamount to "flattening" a PSD? I have taken several PS = layers and flattened them to one that preserves the "look". But, sorry = for my newbieness, if a path is filled with some crucial picture element = like a gradient fill of some kind, then deleting that path also deletes = the fill =E2=80=94 thus, messing up the picture. What step am I missing = here? How do you preserve the image and still delete elements that are = crucial to its make-up? >=20 > -e >=20 > From: Evan Fotis > Reply-To: After Effects Mail List > Date: Sat, 18 Feb 2012 13:10:29 +0200 > To: After Effects Mail List > Subject: Re: [AE] Isolating Objects from a PSD File >=20 > just to add, that when exporting a final format image,one may not want = to include paths/masks to lower file size and not offer further editing = helpers. > Only "save for web" deletes paths on its own. >=20 > On 18-Feb-12 08:54, Jonathan Penzner wrote: >>=20 >> I'll often get a picture of a car that's been made gorgeous by other = artists, using paths for every conceivable aspect of the of the look. I = don't need 28 paths. I might need two, and those other paths get in the = way. Same goes for alpha channels. And for the final pic, I may not want = or need any channels or paths. >>=20 >> Paths and channels can useful for creating a picture but once the = look has been achieved they are no longer needed and can get in the way = when imported into other programs. So I'll save a file with all the = working paths and channels, then a copy with nothing but the finished = pic. >>=20 >> Hope that helps. >>=20 >> Jonathan >>=20 >>=20 >> On Feb 17, 2012, at 9:43 PM, Enrique Gamez wrote: >>=20 >>> I have an inkling that mine is a dumb question. But, here goes = , >>>=20 >>> Why would you want to delete paths and/or alpha channels? Wouldn't = doing that ruin your picture? >>>=20 >>> -e >>>=20 >>> From: Jonathan Penzner >>> Reply-To: After Effects Mail List >>> Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:38:33 -0800 >>> To: After Effects Mail List >>> Subject: Re: [AE] Isolating Objects from a PSD File >>>=20 >>> Fantastic. Thanks, Evan. Great tip. >>>=20 >>>=20 >>> On Feb 17, 2012, at 2:50 AM, Evan Fotis wrote: >>>=20 >>>> FWIW I use a script that deletes all channels and paths at once: >>>>=20 >>>>> #target photoshop >>>>> app.bringToFront(); >>>>> var theImage =3D app.activeDocument; >>>>> theImage.pathItems.removeAll(); >>>>> theImage.channels.removeAll(); >>>>=20 >>>> On 17-Feb-12 02:11, Jonathan Penzner wrote: >>>>>=20 >>>>> By the way, wouldn't it be nice if, in Photoshop, you could select = all the paths or alpha channels at one time and drag them to the trash? = I often receive files with dozens of paths and deleting them one at a = time is a pain. >>=20 >>=20 >> JONATHAN PENZNER >> SUNDANCE/REALTIME >> VIDEO EDITING =EF=BF=BD MOTION GRAPHICS =EF=BF=BD DESIGN >>=20 >> | STUDIO 626 345-0285 | >> | CELL 818 321-2890 | >>=20 >> SUREAL@CHARTER.NET >>=20 JONATHAN PENZNER SUNDANCE/REALTIME VIDEO EDITING =E2=80=A2 MOTION GRAPHICS =E2=80=A2 DESIGN | STUDIO 626 345-0285 | | CELL 818 321-2890 | SUREAL@CHARTER.NET --Apple-Mail-76--896001075 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/html; charset=utf-8 in that layer. Deleting all your paths in = the Path Tab does not delete the vector shape in your = layer.

You can also have a layer with a mask = built into the layer =E2=80=93 and, just to confuse matters a bit =E2=80=93= that mask can be a vector or a pixel mask. But these masks are also = built into the layer and are not affected if you delete all the paths = from the Paths Tab or all the alpha channels from your Channels Tab. = Strangely enough, when you select a masked layer, that mask will appear = in the Channels Tab =E2=80=93 temporarily. Same for a vector shape = layer. If you've created an ellipse with the ellipse tool, it will = appear as a path =E2=80=93 temporarily =E2=80=93 in the Path = Tab.

You may want to remove your masks and = vector shapes when finalizing a file, leaving those shapes intact. With = a mask, you can Apply the mask (right click on the mask to get this = option) and the mask will cease to exist while leaving the layer exactly = the same as it was with the mask. Similarly, you may rasterize a vector = shape and leave the layer exactly as it was but without the = vectors.

Figuring out which masks or vectors = are making the picture look as it does can be simple or complex, = depending on transfer modes, groups, adjustment layers, and so on =E2=80=93= a whole other ball of wax.

Still have = questions?

Jonathan


=
On Feb 18, 2012, at 11:26 AM, Enrique Gamez wrote:

Thanks for taking the = time to fill me in, although this may be getting into [OT] = territory=E2=80=A6

Is this tantamount to = "flattening" a PSD?  I have taken several PS layers and flattened = them to one that preserves the "look".  But, sorry for my = newbieness, if a path is filled with some crucial picture element like a = gradient fill of some kind, then deleting that path also deletes the = fill =E2=80=94 thus, messing up the picture.  What step am I = missing here?  How do you preserve the image and still delete = elements that are crucial to its = make-up?

-e

From: = Evan Fotis <evan.fotis@gmail.com>
Reply-To: After Effects Mail List = <AE-List@media-motion.tv>Date: Sat, 18 Feb 2012 = 13:10:29 +0200
To: After = Effects Mail List <AE-List@media-motion.tv>Subject: Re: [AE] Isolating = Objects from a PSD File

just to add, that when exporting a final format image,one may not want to include paths/masks to lower file size and not offer further editing helpers.
Only "save for web" deletes paths on its own.

On 18-Feb-12 08:54, Jonathan Penzner wrote:
I'll often get a picture of a car that's been made gorgeous by other artists, using paths for every conceivable aspect of the of the look. I don't need 28 paths. I might need two, and those other paths get in the way. Same goes for alpha channels. And for the final pic, I may not want or need any channels or paths.

Paths and channels can useful for creating a picture but once the look has been achieved they are no longer needed and can get in the way when imported into other programs. So I'll save a file with all the working paths and channels, then a copy with nothing but the finished pic.

Hope that helps.

Jonathan


On Feb 17, 2012, at 9:43 PM, Enrique Gamez wrote:

I have an inkling that mine is a dumb question. =  But, here goes <duck and cover>,

Why would you want to delete paths and/or alpha channels?  Wouldn't doing that ruin your = picture?

-e

From: = Jonathan Penzner <sureal@charter.net>
Reply-To: After Effects Mail List <AE-List@media-motion.tv> Date: Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:38:33 -0800
To: After Effects Mail List <AE-List@media-motion.tv> Subject: Re: [AE] Isolating Objects from a PSD File

Fantastic. Thanks, Evan. Great tip.


On Feb 17, 2012, at 2:50 AM, Evan Fotis = wrote:

FWIW I = use a script that deletes all channels and paths at once:

#target photoshop
app.bringToFront();
var theImage =3D app.activeDocument;
theImage.pathItems.removeAll();
theImage.channels.removeAll();

On 17-Feb-12 02:11, Jonathan Penzner wrote:
By the way, = wouldn't it be nice if, in Photoshop, you could select all the paths or alpha channels at one time and drag them to the trash? I often receive files with dozens of paths and deleting them one at a time is a = pain.


= JONATHAN = PENZNER
VIDEO EDITING =EF=BF=BD = MOTION GRAPHICS =EF=BF=BD = DESIGN

=
= 626 = 345-0285  = 818 = 321-2890 
=



JONATHAN = PENZNER
VIDEO EDITING =E2=80=A2 MOTION GRAPHICS =E2=80= =A2 DESIGN
| STUDIO 626 = 345-0285  CELL = 818 = 321-2890 SUREAL@CHARTER.NET

= --Apple-Mail-76--896001075--