#Image Processing on PC
10 messages in this thread
I uploaded a file "PHOTOSTY.TXT" that has tips for using Aldus PhotoStyler for
Windows with 3D Studio. It gives hints on how to use the alpha channel from a
rendering in 3D Studio as a grayscale mask in PhotoStyler to achieve special
photo composition effects.
Rod
If you haven't made a purchase yet, then you might want to check the
performance of Photostyler compared to Photoshop….also the third-party
support….and the feature set….
John,
By far, the most powerful, flexible and FASTEST image processing package I've
seen is HiRes QFX by Ron Scott. You will find that many on the forum swear by
it (and at it from time to time … but it's always our falt <g>). It is
distributed thru authorized resellers only (ala Autodesk) of which my company
is one. The package is very impressive. The other good news is that it
doesn't run in Windows!. If you would like further info, you can E-mail me
your name and address or better yet give me a call at (301) 236-5425 and I'll
send'ya a brochure (I do CIS from home so its a pain to remember to bring
address etc to work th enext morn). If you have a 16-bit/24-bit VESA 1.2 VGA
compatible, some TIGA boards or a Targa+, you can run the demo program in which
you can try out all the features (the only thing disabled is the save feature).
The program speaks for itself very well and comes highly recommended by the
"power users" on this forum.
Ang
You may not have noticed from the thread that I am reponsible for PhotoStyler
at Aldus <G).
I have compared the two products extensively and I am responsible for putting a
product that is better than Photoshop 2.5 on the market.
I like a challenge.
<G> Rod
Whoops! Is my face red! <g>
But now my curiosity is piqued, Rod — how would you characterize the
differences between Aldus Photostyler and Adobe Photoshop 2.5? From what I
understand, Photoshop 2.5 has a few bugs because of the code change from MacApp
to C++ — is this what you mean, or what else do you see?
I usually use Photoshop and Fractal Design Painter on the Mac, with a little
bit of ColorStudio — am just getting up to speed on the PC, and currently use
the tools provided with the Waite Group's "Image Lab" book, but am eyeing other
programs too. I've heard that Photostyler chokes on large images and is on the
slow side — is this true, or mere calumny?
Am also curious about alpha channel calculations (difference, blend, screen
etc) in both Photostyler and HiRes QFX — any tips? I assume that Aldus Gallery
Effects are supported — how about 3rd-party plugins like Kai's Power Tools
(currently just on the Mac, but awesome if/when they port)? And do any of these
programs support batch processing — taking an FLI file and automatically
compositing with a background image — and how would that differ from the (I
think) Video Post facility in 3D Studio? Any demos available online?
(btw, if the 3D Studio Forum is an inappropriate place to discuss these
image-processing tools, I'll happily follow this thread elsewhere.)
Thanks for any & all info,
John "still blushing!" Dowdell
The current version of PhotoStyler is 1.1a. As far as large files and speed,
PhotoStyler excels in that area, in fact many of our customers switched to
PhotoStyler specifically because it could handle large files that other
programs could not.
PhotoStyler has full grayscale masking, so image processing calculations can be
done with 256 levels of opacity. The alpha channel from 3D studio renderings
can be used for these calculations.
There are already a number of plug-ins that support PhotoStyler and many more
will be available for Windows in the coming year.
None of the image processing programs I'm aware of support FLI or FLC files.
Batch processing for those formats would be an interesting capability.
A free trial version of PhotoStyler is available by calling 800/685-3557
Rod Bauer, Aldus
Hi there Rod.
I'd like to know more about the "plug-in" programs for Photostyler. I recently
purchased it, and it's amazing!
Is there anything like Kai's Power Tools available for Photostyler?
Thanks
Alex K.
Alex,
You might be interested in Aldus' Gallery Effects (2 volumes, $99 by
calling 800/888-6293 ext. 2).
Kevin Krell – Computer Support Associates
Alex:
>> I'd like to know more about the "plug-in" programs for Photostyler. I
>> recently purchased it, and it's amazing!
How would you like to see most of those same programs available as IPAS
routines running within 3D Studio? <g>
We have the programming done, are just finishing up the documentation for
them as we speak!
Watch this space for more info…
Greg Pyros
Greg:
Gallery Effects-style IPAS routines sound like a great idea! I'd be real
interested in ordering some of them when they become available. Much of my work
involves extensive post-processing in PhotoStyler and Photoshop – mainly with
the plug-ins. To be able to accomplish this from within 3DS would be a real
time saver.
BTW- have you seen the new filters that come with Photoshop 2.5? Some are
really slick – like Lens Flare and Radial Blur. Also, check out Kai's Power
Tools (KPT) for some really interesting filters.
Keep me posted on your progress.
Tom Rzonca
RZONCAmultimedia