Return-Path: Received: from crisantiandco.com ([216.222.200.218] verified) by media-motion.tv (CommuniGate Pro SMTP 4.2.10) with ESMTP-TLS id 4631386 for AE-List@media-motion.tv; Sun, 19 Feb 2012 12:26:58 +0100 Received: from [10.0.1.58] (adsl-75-2-248-59.dsl.chcgil.sbcglobal.net [75.2.248.59]) by crisantiandco.com (8.13.1/8.13.1) with ESMTP id q1JBX4vU015892 for ; Sun, 19 Feb 2012 06:33:08 -0500 X-Orig: adsl-75-2-248-59.dsl.chcgil.sbcglobal.net [75.2.248.59] X-Authentication-Warning: crisantiandco.com: crisanti owned process doing -bs From: Paul Crisanti Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v1084) Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary=Apple-Mail-45--843439344 Subject: Re: [AE] Isolating Objects from a PSD File-Just chiming in here... Date: Sun, 19 Feb 2012 05:31:18 -0600 In-Reply-To: To: "After Effects Mail List" References: Message-Id: X-Mailer: Apple Mail (2.1084) --Apple-Mail-45--843439344 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 As one solution, you could create a new layer and with all other layers = you want included (visible), then to create a = copy. With that new layer selected you could copy it to a new PSD or = save a a PNG 24. It is creating an extra file but at least you leave the = original intact in case you need it later. Not sure if this is = helpful... On Feb 19, 2012, at 1:30 AM, Enrique Gamez wrote: > I wouldn't dare ask another, at least for a while. This latest answer = has sent me back into the manuals something fierce! Thanks, > -e >=20 > From: Jonathan Penzner > Reply-To: After Effects Mail List > Date: Sat, 18 Feb 2012 12:55:17 -0800 > To: After Effects Mail List > Subject: Re: [AE] Isolating Objects from a PSD File >=20 > 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. >=20 > 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. >=20 > 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. >=20 > 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. >=20 > Still have questions? >=20 > Jonathan >=20 >=20 > On Feb 18, 2012, at 11:26 AM, Enrique Gamez wrote: >=20 >> 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 >=20 >=20 > JONATHAN PENZNER > SUNDANCE/REALTIME > VIDEO EDITING =E2=80=A2 MOTION GRAPHICS =E2=80=A2 DESIGN >=20 > | STUDIO 626 345-0285 | > | CELL 818 321-2890 | >=20 > SUREAL@CHARTER.NET >=20 --Apple-Mail-45--843439344 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/html; charset=utf-8 As = one solution, you could create a new layer and with all other layers you = want included (visible), then <command-option-shift-e> to create a = copy. With that new layer selected you could copy it to a new PSD or = save a a PNG 24. It is creating an extra file but at least you leave the = original intact in case you need it later. Not sure if this is = helpful...

On Feb 19, 2012, at 1:30 AM, Enrique Gamez = wrote:

I wouldn't = dare ask another, at least for a while.  This latest answer has = sent me back into the manuals something fierce! =  Thanks,
-e

From: = Jonathan Penzner <sureal@charter.net>
Reply-To: After Effects Mail List = <AE-List@media-motion.tv>Date: Sat, 18 Feb 2012 = 12:55:17 -0800
To: After = Effects Mail List <AE-List@media-motion.tv>Subject: Re: [AE] Isolating = Objects from a PSD File

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

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-45--843439344--