tranquil222

Hey I know there are a lot of ways to achieve effects w/o filters that make the exact same changes in the picture as the filter. Like if you create a new layer on top of your image, fill it with white and set it to the difference blend mode, then that's the same as image, adjustments, invert. It would be really neat to set the effects on another layer rather than damaging the original. Any ideas on this would be awesome. [honesty]

My advice; wait until Photoshop 8 is released; it will have non-destructive Filter Layers

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...,804807,00.asp

tranquil222

That will be nice, but i'll probably be using 7 a couple years after the release of 8, so in the meantime....theres got to be another way besides duping the layer. I think Adobe probably already thought of filter layers before the release of 7, they just give consumers only enough to want to upgrade and no more(the healing brush, and custom brushes for 7). Thanks for the advice, though.
-isaac(my real name)

Bacardi

Perhaps I misunderstand you, but can't you simply copy your background (or original layer), then hide the original, and then merge visible, ie the white layer set to difference mode with the copy of the original?

tranquil222

Well, you'd never merge anything, the white layer would be just like a filter layer....perhaps I don't understand your conundrum [confused]

tranquil222

very cool website & art by the way, im very impressed! [righton]

Well, then the answer is simply...no.

You can use some tricks, like using masks or a 50% grey layer with overlay blending mode, but that's about it.

If you're not going to buy PS8, well sorry, but then you're outta luck.
It's just the way it is tranquil222

If I have to play Adobe's game to get the layer effects, then so it will be. If the price is going to be the same as the PS7 upgrade then it's going to be close to $139 US and that's still cheaper than plugins like AutoFX Mystical TM Lighting, Eyecandy 4000, Aurora, Grain Surgery, Imagealign Pro, etc

For me $139 is not a lot of money for a program that I use day in and dayyyy out and the time that I would save with Effect Layers is already worth the investment.

But hey, if someone was already willing to spend 600 bucks on a full Photoshop version... [innocent]

But of course I can't look in someone else's wallet...

Just my 2 cents

Blinky2004

Actually?... no, it's ALMOST the same but not completely.

Using the "Invert" Adj. Layer allows you to use any of the blend modes to further create a special visual blending effect. This "extends" the effect of only using the Difference blend mode itself. Try it, you'll understand what i mean. Add that Adj. layer and then change modes.


If i'm understanding your dilema right, then there IS a workable solution to your question... "painting the effects on".
Simply put... dupe your source image, apply the desired filter effect to the dupe, then add a layer mask filled with black, and last, grab an appropriately sized brush (soft most likely). and "paint" the effect over the original source image by painting white onto the layer mask in the areas you wish to 'effect'.

Simple really. :B

You can also change the blend mode of the 'painted' effects layer to create other visual effects.

Slightly higher doc size in the end if saved unflattened, but worth it considering there's no other alternative. [slick]

Not a brilliant example here, but i'm sure you get the idea. [honesty]