Extra Elements 2 - Tools
Welcome to my tools for Photoshop Elements 2.

Photoshop Elements 2, while being a major improvement over Photoshop LE and a minor improvement over the original version of Elements, is still missing several key functions, such as being able to create layer masks, edit selections in Quick Mask mode and make curves adjustments. Additionally there are several functions in Photoshop 6 that are not in Elements 2, such as Actions and Channels.  This package of tools goes some way to addressing these limitations.

All of the commands listed below are available in Elements 2 but as they are not on any of the menus, or available via keyboard shortcuts, there has been no way of invoking them.  I found that the only way of using them is to create an Action in Photoshop 6 and invoking them from an Elements 2 Effect, which is where this package comes in.  Note that I haven't added any functionality to Elements 2, only provided a way of getting to commands that were already included but had been "hidden".  While these commands are undocumented in Elements 2, many of them are used by Adobe themselves in their provided recipes.

Each of these commands is in its own effect and is invoked from the Extra Tools category in the Effects palette.  If you need help with a command, read the descriptions provided below.  Where possible I have used the same terminology as Photoshop 6 so you should be able to get additional help from any good Photoshop 6 book.

In my original version of this package these tools were invoked via recipes which was much more flexible than using effects, but currently there is no way to create your own recipe in Elements 2.


Adjustment Layers
  Curves Adjustment Layer
  Channel Mixer Adjustment Layer

Use Red, Green or Blue Channel
  Use Red Channel
  Use Green Channel
  Use Blue Channel
  Use RGB Channel

Layer Masks
  Add Revel All Layer Mask
  Add Hide All Layer Mask
  Disable Layer Mask
  Enable Layer Mask
  Remove Layer Mask
  View Layer Mask
  View Layer Mask in rubylith

Quick Mask Mode
  Quick Mask Mode
  Standard Mode

Note that some of the tools in my original package are not included here.  The number of Layer Mask tools has been reduced to just the Add Revel All Layer Mask tool as the rest can be done with keyboard short cuts.  The Save & Load Selections tools are no longer required as Elements 2 can already do this.  The Make Snapshot tool does not work with Elements 2 and has been removed.

License

The contents of the package are supplied "as is" and without any warranty what so ever. You are free use the tools contained within the package in any way. You may also copy and distribute the package provided no fee is charged. Commercial distribution is totally prohibited.

Feedback and comments are welcome; I do not provide support.

I hope you find these tools of use.


© Copyright 2002 Paul Shipley
,

pshipley@melbpc.org.au

http://member.melbpc.org/~pshipley