Recommended Photo Editing Software

Fergmiester Jun 30, 2006

  1. Train Kid

    Train Kid TrainBoard Member

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    I have the same problem Pete. Have CS2 and don't really want to upgrade. However I already see files not performing correctly in InDesign that are created in CS3 and CS4. :mad:

    It's a never ending battle and expense -- and not a cheap expense.
     
  2. Mark Watson

    Mark Watson TrainBoard Member

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    Maybe for the standard image editing, yes, but have you seen the new stuff CS4 is capable of? They added a whole new section on 3D model painting, which is quite break through for that industry. Before CS4, Photoshop was rarely used for texture painting (well, professionally). Now, its being watched with a very hopeful eye.
     
  3. Pete Nolan

    Pete Nolan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yes, texture painting was tedious before CS4, but it could be done with an understanding of the physics involved, and manipulations to mimic the 3D effect. Even without that understanding, artists could do pretty much a dead-on impersonation of the physics. I applaud Adobe for that advance; I'm just getting out of it these days. I'm not sure how I would use it for, say, drawing a layout. Could you give us an example, so that others might see what you and I are talking about? I don't have CS4, so I'm not sure of the routines for rendering.
     
  4. Mark Watson

    Mark Watson TrainBoard Member

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    No, I'm not talking about painting 3D effects on a 2D canvas.. I'm talking about painting in 3D on 3D objects. This process is most used in VFX for film (my area of study).

    Here's a simple video I found on YouTube.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH-8qtRvnD8


    For my own example, on the SP Daylight below, I had to manually unwrap the UVs (basically the process of creating a world map of from a globe) from every individual part in the model below. I then had to paint 2D textures on each map to line up with the 3D model. For the daylight strip, sometimes I would redo the map 4-5 times to get the alignment correct between cars.

    After CS4, I dont have to worry about UV mapping anymore. I can simply import my entire model, and paint straight on it. :)

    http://www.markwatson3d.com

    [​IMG]
     
  5. Train Kid

    Train Kid TrainBoard Member

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    Very cool Mark.

    Maybe CS4 is worth it. Dunno. I prolly wouldn't use it though.
     
  6. Pete Nolan

    Pete Nolan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Mark,

    We're talking apples and oranges. CS4 has some brilliant 3D capabilities, but you are still visualizing them on a 2D screen. I have seen a true 3D workspace in prototype. Yes, it is out of Star Wars, but with resolution that is hard to calculate. It is a screen that lies flat on your desk, and creates images both above and below the plane of your desk. It can also be on a wall, with resultant fore and aft depth.

    If you research the principles of horizontal perspective, you will understand the potential. Our screens are in 2D: X and Y. Horizontal perspective adds the Z axis, and it is unlimited. You might want to research the patents on this under Vesely, Michael.

    Yes, it requires polarized glasses. But Avatar is amateurish 3D compared to this. I can't go into detail, except to say the perspective and polarization scheme are so simple that, when revealed, you'll slap your forehead very hard. Unfortunately, getting that simple scheme into a production display has proven very hard. I've seen it with HD projector technology: incredible.

    Now if Infinite Z can only manufacture it!
     
  7. fitz

    fitz TrainBoard Member

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    I ran across a discussion on another board concerning a plug-in for PSE, which can create High Def images. They have a free sample software available, ReDynMix, by Media Chance. I downloaded it and it can do some spectacular things, including saving some poor images. Just Google ReDynMix. :tb-biggrin:
     
  8. Lenny53

    Lenny53 TrainBoard Member

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  9. Train Kid

    Train Kid TrainBoard Member

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    Gawd...I'm already two versions behind. Now this? :p
     
  10. Pete Nolan

    Pete Nolan TrainBoard Supporter

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    That's pretty amazing! I've been doing it by hand, and it takes a long time even when you understand what needs to be done. And this does it with curves! Whoa!
     
  11. Lenny53

    Lenny53 TrainBoard Member

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  12. Pete Nolan

    Pete Nolan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Not impressed with that one, Lenny. The puppet demo is really awkward compared to what Hollywood is doing--of course, with bucks we can't imagine. The rope trick is OK, but again cumbersome with its control points. And the panorama correction tool just seems way too simplistic, at least in this demo. I've been doing the panorama correction tricks for years, so it's second nature, and I'm afraid I don't understand the "optics" of this tool, which would make it harder for me to control.

    In the end, I will admit it's like mastering Bezier curves, and I'm getting to be an old fart. Bezier curves might be hard for some to understand (i.e., ME), but become indispensable once I understood how they worked.
     
  13. Lenny53

    Lenny53 TrainBoard Member

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    Apparently this processing is already available in Final Cut Pro. As far as control points go, Nik Software had been using them in NX.2 and now Viveza for non Nikon users, I have demo I still haven't got around to trying. I have not done a lot a panos, but haven't needed to do much correction work as I take the time and use a focusing rail on the tripod to center the lens properly rather than use tripod socket on the bottom of the camera. I had to use Bezier curves in Adobe Illustrator for a couple of college courses I took and found them to be a little tricky.
     
  14. Mark Watson

    Mark Watson TrainBoard Member

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    If you guys think Bezier curves are tricky, check out what a Roto-artist does for a living.

    In Visual Effects, on of the first tasks is to separate elements of footage so effects can be placed in front/behind those elements. How do we separate those elements? We trace them by hand with Bezier curves. Every. Single. Frame. (by the way, in case you dont know, there are 24 frames per second. That makes 172,800 frames in a 2 hour movie.)

    Here's an example of something that took me approximately 35-40 hours to complete, and it's done pretty sloppy by industry standards. Yes, the shot is only on screen for less than 3 seconds. Ugh. [​IMG]

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh0VF6m3Aa4



    And for anyone interested, this is sweet breakdown video of the Visual Effects in the Bourne Trillogy. I bet you didn't know that about 80% of the shots in those movies have some element of VFX. I sure as heck didn't know when I first saw the breakdown!
     
  15. Onei

    Onei New Member

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    You can get a free 30 day trial of CS4 if you go on the Adobe website. Definitely worth it so you can see what does.
    For image editing it has to be Photoshop, although as said in one of the previous posts you don't really need the latest version. If you have never used photoshop before the best way to learn quick and for free is probably going to be by using youtube.
     
  16. PAPatterson

    PAPatterson TrainBoard Member

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    I am not going to say anything bad to the Nikon users on the board, my first digital was a Coolpix l7, it served me well until an intoxicated friend dropped it and the lens would no longer zoom. However, I currently use a Canon Rebel xT.

    For adjusting the colours on my raw files, I use the Digital Photo Pro that came with my camera. For the remainder of the editing, I use Paint Shop Pro XI.

    I don't know how much the PSP cost, it was given to me by a former girlfriend.
     
  17. avwh

    avwh New Member

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    Lightroom 3 has won me over as an integrated editing & photo organization/tagging program. I also have Photoshop Elements, which I now only use for difficult cloning type editing. For everything else, IMO, Lightroom is better/easier than Elements.
     
  18. Jarrell

    Jarrell New Member

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  19. Pete Nolan

    Pete Nolan TrainBoard Supporter

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    I've heard good things about it, but I too already have the full version of Creative Suite 2.
     
  20. Burlington Northern Fan

    Burlington Northern Fan TrainBoard Supporter

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    Photoshop Elements 8

    Hows this program compare to others list here. I have bought this one and just wondering how it compares? I got it $99.99 with a $20.00 dollar rebate. I don't I feel I was hurt price wise. Just curious as to how it compares?
     

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