Posts
PhotoImpact does not provide a real equivalent for the Cutout filter and for the Poster Edges filter.
The free plugin Amphisoft Simplifier filter will provide some of the functionality.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Gradient Map
Using Photoshop's Gradient Map is another example of the more refined control of PS over PhotoImpact.
If all you want to do is use a Gradient Map with two colors, then use the Enhance > Duotone filter in PI. PS will allow the use of more than two colors as well as making special adjustments not available in PI.
If all you want to do is use a Gradient Map with two colors, then use the Enhance > Duotone filter in PI. PS will allow the use of more than two colors as well as making special adjustments not available in PI.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Healing Brush
Photoshop has the Healing Brush (which is different from the Spot Healing Brush). The PhotoImpact equivalent is the Touch-up Tool.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Missing Blend Modes
A number of Photoshop layer blend modes are unavailable in PhotoImpact. I have not found an equivalent for Color Dodge, Color Burn, etc.
The PS blend mode called Screen appears as Reverse of Multiply in PI.
The PS blend mode called Linear Dodge appears as Addition in PI.
The PS blend mode called Linear Burn can be created by inverting the background layer and then using the Subtraction blending mode in PI.
For a mathematical explanation of the various blending modes, see this detailed page.
The PS blend mode called Screen appears as Reverse of Multiply in PI.
The PS blend mode called Linear Dodge appears as Addition in PI.
The PS blend mode called Linear Burn can be created by inverting the background layer and then using the Subtraction blending mode in PI.
For a mathematical explanation of the various blending modes, see this detailed page.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Hue/Saturation/Lightness
The HSL control in PhotoImpact is a simplified version of that in Photoshop, but ends up being more complicated.
In PS, you can select, for example, just to change the HSL of the Reds. It looks like this is the same in PI as setting the Method to Range and then setting the 4 sliders to the red part of the range. What each of the 4 points does is not explained. In PS, the sliders are given a default setting, just by selecting the Reds.
One of the differences between PI and PS is the scale used for each slider. PI uses a range of -180 to 180 for Hue. PS uses a range of 50 to -50 for Hue.
To convert a PS value to PI, use this formula:
PI value = (-3.6 * PS value)
For Saturation and Lightness, PI uses a range of -100 to 100. PS uses a range of 50 to -50.
To convert a PS value to PI, use this formula:
PI value = (-2 * PS value)
In PS, you can select, for example, just to change the HSL of the Reds. It looks like this is the same in PI as setting the Method to Range and then setting the 4 sliders to the red part of the range. What each of the 4 points does is not explained. In PS, the sliders are given a default setting, just by selecting the Reds.
One of the differences between PI and PS is the scale used for each slider. PI uses a range of -180 to 180 for Hue. PS uses a range of 50 to -50 for Hue.
To convert a PS value to PI, use this formula:
PI value = (-3.6 * PS value)
For Saturation and Lightness, PI uses a range of -100 to 100. PS uses a range of 50 to -50.
To convert a PS value to PI, use this formula:
PI value = (-2 * PS value)
Sunday, January 11, 2009
L*a*b Color
Photoshop supports multiple color channel models. One of these is the L*a*b model. PS also allows the user to individually select channels and manipulate them.
PhotoImpact supports only the RGB model. There is not an easy way to access the individual channels.
One method for increasing saturation is the switch to the L*a*b color mode, and, on each of the a and b channels, increase the steepness of the diagonal curve. This can be done if the EasyFilter SmartCurve plugin is used.
Using that plugin, switch to L*a*b mode. Select first the a channel and then the b channel, and make the changes to the curves. Finally, accept the changes.
PhotoImpact supports only the RGB model. There is not an easy way to access the individual channels.
One method for increasing saturation is the switch to the L*a*b color mode, and, on each of the a and b channels, increase the steepness of the diagonal curve. This can be done if the EasyFilter SmartCurve plugin is used.
Using that plugin, switch to L*a*b mode. Select first the a channel and then the b channel, and make the changes to the curves. Finally, accept the changes.
Transparency Versus Opacity
Photoshop uses the concept of Opacity for its layers. When a layer is opaque, it is completely visible and no layers below it can be seen.
The opposite of Opacity is Transparency which is what PhotoImpact uses. To convert from Opacity to Transparency, just subtract the former from 100%.
An opacity of 100% in PS is a transparency of 0%, which are the default states for all new layers. Similarly, an opacity of 40% in PS is a transparency of 60% (=100% - 40%).
In any PS instruction or tutorial you see on the Internet or in a book, it is very simple to adjust the instructions for PI.
The opposite of Opacity is Transparency which is what PhotoImpact uses. To convert from Opacity to Transparency, just subtract the former from 100%.
An opacity of 100% in PS is a transparency of 0%, which are the default states for all new layers. Similarly, an opacity of 40% in PS is a transparency of 60% (=100% - 40%).
In any PS instruction or tutorial you see on the Internet or in a book, it is very simple to adjust the instructions for PI.
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