Curves layer in new PSE?

I usually use Photoshop CS for my editing, but I'm buying a laptop that is not as powerful as my desktop, so was thinking of going with a photo editor that is a bit 'lighter' that PS, so looking at PS Elements.
I understand that you can create files with layers, and that PSE includes a few adjustment layers as well; and also that you can apply a full range of blending options (screen, multiply, overlay, soft light, hue, color, etc.). I have a few questions:
Does the newest version of PSE include a curves adjustment layer? And if not, does it at least have a Curves adjustment, even if not as a layer adjustment? and/or I've heard of some plug-ins that provide a curve feature--are these any good?
Does PSE save images as .PSD files, and if yes, I assume that I can open them in PS too, is that right?
Does PSE have a High Pass filter?
Are there any limits to the file depth: 8-bit, 16-bit, etc. and can I work in AdobeRGB color space?
Finally, is there any file size limits in PSE, either the file or the image size?
As an aside to all this, I wish Adobe would make this type of basic information more easily available. They seem to be caught up in providing us with so much fluff on their website, that they don't give us the information we need.
Best, David.

Does the newest version of PSE include a curves adjustment layer? And if not, does it at least have a Curves adjustment, even if not as a layer adjustment? and/or I've heard of some plug-ins that provide a curve feature--are these any good?
PSE has an odd curves tool, called color curves that doesn't create an adjustment layer. You can use one of the many add-on toolsets to add a curves adjustment layer to PSE, but it will always be for the combined RGB channel, so of limited use. In windows, the free Smart Curve filter is good, but there is no mac equivalent.
Here is a screenshot of the PSE color curves dialog:
Does PSE save images as .PSD files, and if yes, I assume that I can open them in PS too, is that right?
Yes.
Does PSE have a High Pass filter?
Yes.
Are there any limits to the file depth: 8-bit, 16-bit, etc. and can I work in AdobeRGB color space?
You can work in Adobe RGB and you can use both 8 and 16 bit files, but the use of layers and artistic filters on 16 bit files is still severely limited in PSE. It's about where PS was back in CS1 in that respect.
Finally, is there any file size limits in PSE, either the file or the image size?
In the editor the limit is 30,000 px per side. For organizer, see:
http://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/kb/maximum-image-size-limits-photoshop.html
I would suggest doing the trial and giving it a good hard workout. Ask here if you have more questions. Adobe's attempts to simplify the interface mean that it's not always easy to know what all is available, even with the program open in front of you.

Similar Messages

Installing new layer styles in PSE 7

What is the correct way to install new layer styles into pse 7? ( I use Vista)
Do I move my extracted style file into the layer styles folder by following this pathway: program data>adobe>photoshop elements>7.0>photo creations>layer styles.
Do I need to create a metafile too?
Thank you for helping me, I have about a dozen styles I need to add, but I am unsure how to get it done properly.

Hello,
You need to create a metadata.xml file too to view it in a specific category of your choioce.
You need to paste the two things :
1) .asl file.
2) metadata.xml,
to the following location:
C:\ProgramData\Adobe\Photoshop Elements\8.0\Photo Creations\layer styles.
Here you need to add the two files and relaunch PSE. This will show you the presets in the layer styles category with.
While creating the metadat.xml file you need to take care of two things:
1) Add a new category name so that you can easily find them.
2) You need to verify that Type value is set "Style as mentioned : <type value="style" />
Hope this helps you.

Creatiing curves layer in Photoshop CS2

Anyone know the applescript command(s) for creating a curves layer in Photoshop? I can create a layer but not a curves layer with the following:
tell application "Adobe Photoshop CS2"
make new art layer with properties {kind:curves layer} at current document
end tell
I can't find any documentation regarding this.
Pedro

Hello
Try something like this. (Not tested)
--SCRIPT
tell application "Adobe Photoshop CS2"
tell document 1
make new art layer at end with properties {kind:curves layer}
end
end tell
--END OF SCRIPT
cf.
http://partners.adobe.com/public/developer/photoshop/sdk/index_scripting.html
AppleScriptReferenceGuide.pdf
Regards,
H

Query Curves Layer for current settings

Hi All,
I am trying to work out how to query a curves layer for it's current settings. I have used the script listner to capture the code on how to apply settings but can't work out how to query the settings. The output from the script listner when applying new settings is as follows:
// =======================================================
var idsetd = charIDToTypeID( "setd" );
    var desc19 = new ActionDescriptor();
    var idnull = charIDToTypeID( "null" );
        var ref13 = new ActionReference();
        var idAdjL = charIDToTypeID( "AdjL" );
        var idOrdn = charIDToTypeID( "Ordn" );
        var idTrgt = charIDToTypeID( "Trgt" );
        ref13.putEnumerated( idAdjL, idOrdn, idTrgt );
    desc19.putReference( idnull, ref13 );
    var idT = charIDToTypeID( "T   " );
        var desc20 = new ActionDescriptor();
        var idAdjs = charIDToTypeID( "Adjs" );
            var list3 = new ActionList();
                var desc21 = new ActionDescriptor();
                var idChnl = charIDToTypeID( "Chnl" );
                    var ref14 = new ActionReference();
                    var idChnl = charIDToTypeID( "Chnl" );
                    var idChnl = charIDToTypeID( "Chnl" );
                    var idCmps = charIDToTypeID( "Cmps" );
                    ref14.putEnumerated( idChnl, idChnl, idCmps );
                desc21.putReference( idChnl, ref14 );
                var idCrv = charIDToTypeID( "Crv " );
                    var list4 = new ActionList();
                        var desc22 = new ActionDescriptor();
                        var idHrzn = charIDToTypeID( "Hrzn" );
                        desc22.putDouble( idHrzn, 0.000000 );
                        var idVrtc = charIDToTypeID( "Vrtc" );
                        desc22.putDouble( idVrtc, 0.000000 );
                    var idPnt = charIDToTypeID( "Pnt " );
                    list4.putObject( idPnt, desc22 );
                        var desc23 = new ActionDescriptor();
                        var idHrzn = charIDToTypeID( "Hrzn" );
                        desc23.putDouble( idHrzn, 127.000000 );
                        var idVrtc = charIDToTypeID( "Vrtc" );
                        desc23.putDouble( idVrtc, 127.000000 );
                    var idPnt = charIDToTypeID( "Pnt " );
                    list4.putObject( idPnt, desc23 );
                        var desc24 = new ActionDescriptor();
                        var idHrzn = charIDToTypeID( "Hrzn" );
                        desc24.putDouble( idHrzn, 255.000000 );
                        var idVrtc = charIDToTypeID( "Vrtc" );
                        desc24.putDouble( idVrtc, 255.000000 );
                    var idPnt = charIDToTypeID( "Pnt " );
                    list4.putObject( idPnt, desc24 );
                desc21.putList( idCrv, list4 );
            var idCrvA = charIDToTypeID( "CrvA" );
            list3.putObject( idCrvA, desc21 );
        desc20.putList( idAdjs, list3 );
    var idCrvs = charIDToTypeID( "Crvs" );
    desc19.putObject( idT, idCrvs, desc20 );
executeAction( idsetd, desc19, DialogModes.NO );
I want to query the Hrzn and Vrtc parameters for 0, 127 and 255 on an existing curves layer.
Any help in working out how to do this would be greatly appreciated.
Thx in advance.

This is a bit of a hack but it should give you a place to start.
// Works with RGB or CMYK images.
// Does not work at all with greyscale, or indexColor
// Does not work correctly with Lab
function convertBCD( num ){
    var res = new Array;
    if(num > 16 ){
        res.unshift(1);
        num = num - 16;
    }else{
        res.unshift(0);
    if(num > 8 ){
        res.unshift(1);
        num = num - 8;
    }else{
        res.unshift(0);
    if(num > 4 ){
        res.unshift(1);
        num = num - 4;
    }else{
        res.unshift(0);
    if(num > 2 ){
        res.unshift(1);
        num = num - 2;
    }else{
        res.unshift(0);
    if(num == 1 ){
        res.unshift(1);
    }else{
        res.unshift(0);
    return res;
function getCurve( numberOfPoints ){
    this.getPoints = function(){
        this.tempArray = new Array;
        this.tempArray.push( rawDesc.charCodeAt( pointer ) );
        pointer = pointer + 2;// set pointer to next point
        this.tempArray.push( rawDesc.charCodeAt( pointer ) );
        return this.tempArray;
    this.pointsArray = new Array;
    for( var i = 0; i < numberOfPoints; i++ ){
        pointer = pointer + 2;// next point
        this.pointsArray.push( this.getPoints() );
    pointer = pointer + 2;// next curve
    return this.pointsArray;
var ref = new ActionReference();
ref.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID( 'Lyr ' ), charIDToTypeID( 'Ordn' ), charIDToTypeID( 'Trgt' ) );
var rawDesc = executeActionGet( ref ).getList( stringIDToTypeID( 'adjustment' ) ).getObjectValue( 0 ).getData( stringIDToTypeID( 'legacyContentData' ) );
var pointer = 2;// used to read rawData similar to reading a file
var flag = rawDesc.charCodeAt( pointer );// char at offset 2 always == 1 so use to validate data
if( flag != 1 ) forceError;// unknown problem with rawData
    pointer = 6;// update pointer to BCD byte
    var bcd = rawDesc.charCodeAt( pointer );
    if( bcd < 0 || bcd > 31 ) forceError;// check for valid value
    if( bcd == 0 ) forceError;// an empty adjustment - no curves to process
    var bcdArray = convertBCD( bcd );
    var numberOfCurves = bcdArray.toString().match(/(1)/g).length;
    var curvesArray = new Array;
    pointer = 8;// set pointer to start of curve data
    for(var i = 0; i < numberOfCurves; i++ ){
        var numberOfPoints = rawDesc.charCodeAt( pointer );
        curvesArray.push( getCurve( numberOfPoints ) );
// now need to map rawData curves in curvesArray to known channel curves
var acvArray = new Array;
if( bcdArray[0] == 1 ) {
    acvArray.push( curvesArray.shift() );
} else {
    acvArray.push( [ [0,0],[255,255] ] );
if( bcdArray[1] == 1 ) {
    acvArray.push( curvesArray.shift() );
} else {
    acvArray.push( [ [0,0],[255,255] ] );
if( bcdArray[2] == 1 ) {
    acvArray.push( curvesArray.shift() );
} else {
    acvArray.push( [ [0,0],[255,255] ] );
if( bcdArray[3] == 1 ) {
    acvArray.push( curvesArray.shift() );
} else {
    acvArray.push( [ [0,0],[255,255] ] );
if( bcdArray[4] == 1 ) {
    acvArray.push( curvesArray.shift() );
} else {
    acvArray.push( [ [0,0],[255,255] ] );
if(app.activeDocument.mode == DocumentMode.RGB){
    var cNames = ['RGB','Red','Green','Blue'];
    for(c=0;c<acvArray.length-1;c++){
        alert(cNames[c]+': '+acvArray[c]);
if(app.activeDocument.mode == DocumentMode.CMYK){
    var cNames = ['CMYK','Cyan','Magenta','Yellow','Black'];
    for(c=0;c<acvArray.length;c++){
        alert(cNames[c]+': '+acvArray[c]);

Marking points on a curves layer

ive always adjusted dynamic range by doing a CURVES layer
then alt-clicking on a photo to mark the points on the curve, then
stretching the points apart. that was cs3...
now in cs4 that no longer works; i cannot alt-click on photos
to mark points on a curve, i have to add a step of clicking on that
'pointer-finger' icon in the curves dialog in order to mark points
(personally the old way shouldve not been removed; 'adding' a step
to mark points is not really progress to me).
now that theyve added an extra step of having to click on the
finger-point icon to mark points on a curve, is there a way i can
add this icon to the configurator?
AND
is there a bit of coding which can allow someone at least to
mark a point on the curve AND mark that same point with a color
sampler point? that way i can see on the curve where i am as well
as see on the photo where i am; otherwise i have to mark it on the
curve than mark that same point again with the color sampler
point....this option shouldve been some ALT or CTL addon to marking
curve points, so one can do both at once. so can this be done with
a single configurator tool, marking both at once?
tx for anyone who finds the solution, unless there is some
way of marking points on a curve and im just overlooking it, all i
know is the old quick way no longer works...

I agree Gary that in some ways the new curves is worse than
the old CS3 modal curves dialog, for the reasons you have said. Did
you know that you can still bring up the old curves dialog? which
still has the command place points shortcut, and the control TAB
shortcut to switch between points - if you record an action in CS3
and read the action into CS4 yoyu will find it brings up the old
dialog. These actions can of course be assigned to F key shortcuts.
There is also a configurator panel that John Knack put on his blog,
which has buttons to do the same thing.
Incidentally its the command key and not the option key that
used to place points

Save layer style in PSE 9

I have just learned how to make a layer style in PSE 9 but I do not
know how to save it as a layer style. Could someone please help me
or direct me to someplace that can help me.
Thank you so much

I’m not really sure; it could be a Mac problem.
This is the Adobe statement on Lion:
Mac OS 10.7 has some exciting new features such as Autosave, Restore, Versioning, Full Screen Mode, and more multi-touch gestures. For Adobe applications to fully support these features, additional product development is required. Adobe is working to address this issue.
There is one other thing you could try. Open a photo in the Editor and then hold down the Cmd+Opt+Shift Keys and press the letter S
It’s also possible to delete the save for web preferences and then re-start the program to re-build them. This involves holding down Cmd+Opt keys and clicking Save for Web under the File menu. However this may not be possible if save for web is grayed out.
Please let us know if you get it fixed.

Can I get rid of the guide lines in the new PSE 10 crop tool?

The title really says it all. I dislike the guide lines in the new PSE 10 crop tool. Is there a way to get rid of them so the tool looks like it did in PSE 9?
Thanks!
Beth

Select "None" from the "Overlay" option in the Crop Tool options bar:
Ken

Changing the LTS mapping in BMM layer to new Physical Alias table

Experts
I need to change the source table mapping in my BMM layer to new physical tables aliases.
I have finished BMM layer design (column name changes, business friendly names etc.) before actually creating the alias tables in the Physical layer and I know I hv to run for hiding now. I expected changing the logical source mapping to the new aliases will work but it's not the case though it works partially. Since the Column names are changed in the bmm, I have to manually change the Expression, Physical Table in the LTS column mapping tab for each non-matching name logical columns.
Column mapping is intact where both the BMM columns and the new Physical alias names match.
eg: CALENDER_YEAR(BMM) ---> CALENDAR_YEAR(Physical alias) mapping is intact but
Week Day(BMM) ---> WEEK_DAY(Physical alias) need to be changed manually.
Any tips/suggestions will be appreciated.
Regards,
Tom

Hi Tom,
I too do not see any other options here other than manually modifying the individual logical columns. When there is a new logical column, we have to map it manually to the physical column explicitly because the Admin tool will not know which physical column to pick up.
Hope this helps.
Thank you,
Dhar

I just downloaded photoshop elements - have opened an existing pdf drawing - 1) I am trying to create layers; however, the option is not available? (i.e. greyed out rather than black) from the drop down menu - "layer" - "create new"? what do i do

i just downloaded photoshop elements - have opened an existing pdf drawing - 1) I am trying to create layers; however, the option is not available? (i.e. greyed out rather than black) from the drop down menu - "layer" - "create new"? what do i do

You'd better ask here:
https://forums.adobe.com/community/photoshop_elements

My slideshow is built with PSE 7 (32 bits)(file : *.psess). I want open it with my new PSE 13 (64bits)

My slideshow is built with PSE 7 (32 bits)(file : *.psess). I want open it with my new PSE 13 (64bits)
Is this possible ? How ?

Let's go step by step through that second set of instructions. Here are screen shots of what happens when I move a catalog named "Test" that's starting out in the location Catalogs Accessible By All Users (after doing the first set of instructions). If you don't see similar screens, perhaps you can describe exactly where it goes different.
After doing File > Catalog, the Catalog Manager window looks like:
After step 1. Select Custom Location:
After step 2. Click the Browse button and select the destination location for the catalog. I'm selecting an external drive G:
After clicking the OK button:
Note that it now says G:\ underneat Custom Location.
After step 3. Select the current location of the catalog: All Users:
Note that you also need to click on the catalog name ("Test" here) to allow the Move button to be clicked.
After step 4. Click the Move button:
After step 5. Select Custom Location:
After step 6. Click OK:
The catalog Test is now in the custom location G:\.

Recreating merged curves layer by guesswork

Hi folks, I have a picture I once added a curves adjustment layer to. Unfortunatley I don't have the .psd anymore, only a composite .png (the final image) and the source image.
I tried to recreate the curves adjustment layer on top of the source image and compare it to the final image, but I don't get anywhere close to it. I must say though, that generally speaking I have decent curves skills I would say, I intuitively know how they react and affect the output. But the curves layer I used back then involved independent R,G and B curves plus a RGB curve, with about 3 to 4 control points each.
So intuition and guesswork didn't get me anywhere, that's why I was wondering if there was something like a more strategic method defined by rules which would inevitably lead to the correct result if followed correctly ?
If not, is there a different way of recreating the final image from the source image?
Many thanks.

If its just one curve, you can probably do it. But all three, plus a master adjustment might prove too much if the change were drastic. Still worth a go. Even if you just place the 4 color samplers in quarter tones, you might have some luck.
As I said above, it doesn't matter whether it's 1 or 3 curves, because
the RGB channels are treated independently (both by color picker and the
curves layer). The master adjustment is more problematic, right,
but theoretically it shouldn't be a problem either, because two curves
can be "merged" ... well, not in Photoshop (I might suggest that as a
feature one day), but mathematically.
Curves are functions. Take an easy function like f(x) = 1.5*x + 2x
this equates to: f(x) = 1.75 * x
(where x = input and f(x) = output in Photoshop curves adjustment)
I have started working with this method and so far it looks promising,
hope it turns out right
I'll let you know
You inspired me to finally get at what Martin Evening was doing below. If you only had a gray strip in each channel...
http://photoshopnews.com/2007/09/05/how-to-express-blend-modes-as-curves/
Looks very interesting. I'll have a look at it one rainy day ...

Color sampler onto curve layer?

I believe I knew how to do this but the brain cell that had the information must have died......
I BELIEVE I used to take the color sampler and put a sample on my image. Then I created a curves layer. AND, by holding some combination of shift/ctrl/alt and clicking the color sample, the values would transfer to the red,green, and blue layers of my curves layer. From there I could make adjustments...
In CS4 I'm trying to do this, and I can't get it to work... It isn't the same as using the eyedroppers on the curve OR the hand above the eyedroppers. It actually copied the color sample values onto the individual color channels..... How do I do this in CS4?

OK, I may just be having an extraordinarily stupid day, so bear with me..........
The url's in the previous reply don't work any more - I presume this is because the forums have been reorganized?
But, beyond that - here's what I RECALL doing in the past.......................
In my image, create a color sampler point using the color sampler tool.
Create curve adjustment layer and make that layer the current layer.
Go back to my image and press ctrl+shift and click on the color sample.
This would put the rgb values (puts a point on the curve) from the color sample on the red, green, and blue channels of the curves layer.
After reading the last couple replies, I did the same thing. And I went "back to my image" and clicked on
the color sample. I'm STILL not getting the values on my curve layer......
What am I missing 'cause this can't be as difficult as I'm making it.........?

Why does new PSE 8 and 9 both crash on my new Toshiba laptop with Windows 7?

I bought new PSE Elements 8 and 9 and both crashed immediately on my new Toshiba Satellite P 755 laptop with Windows 7 64 bit OS. I tried going into Properties of PSE 9 and going to Compatability and putting in Windows 7 but it didn't do any good. Please help!

Hi,
Please try couple of probable solutions as mentioned below:
Solution 1:
1. Close Elements.
2. Launch the Photoshop Elements Welcome Screen and hold down ctrl + alt + shift as you click Editor.
3. Continue to hold the keys until you see a message box asking if you want to delete Photoshop Elements settings file; click Yes. Elements will open with default preferences.
Solution 2: In case any network printer is attached try to launch without network or printer uninstall or make different printer as default.
Solution 3: Try launching with anti-virus off or removing PSE from conflicting list.
Solution 4:
On the drive on which you have installed PSE,on my machine it is on C:
Go to C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop Elements 10\Locales\<locale>\Plug-Ins\Import-Exportand you will find twain plug-in. Remove that plug-in from that location and copy it somewhere else.
Now launch PSE and check if it works.
For related post for Twain please see this:http://forums.adobe.com/message/2954743#2954743

I'm a new PSE 12 user, would like to find a step by step guide to import photos

Marco here, I'm a new PSE 12 user, and would like to find a step by step guide to import my thousands of photos, which are on my hard drive. Want to get it right the 1st time. Thank you.
Been searching for hours on Adobe help, Linda videos etc. Thank you !
Marco

I have decided that my external HD wasn't organized enough and spent days making folders of special events and by years.
I will point out that none of this organizing in your operating system is necessary, it can be done in Lightroom as well, and you can organize in Lightroom with tools that you don't have in your operating system, tools that are more powerful than your operating system, and tools that were specifically designed for photos (which folders were not). These tools are keywords, captions and other metadata. My suggestion is that instead of moving photos and folders from one place to another to achieve organization, you instead use keywords, captions and other metadata to achieve organization.

New PSE 11 and Old PSE 7

I want to replace my PC version of PSE 7 by my new PSE 11 for Windows 7. Should I uninstall PSE 7 or does PSE 11 do the uninstall as part of the installation process?

Hi,
When you start PSE 11 Installation it will not ask you to uninstall any previous version as they may co-exist on the Machine. If you dont want PSE 7 then uninstall it first and then install PSE 11.
regards,
Abhijit

Curves layer in new PSE?

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