Of Bitmaps and Alpha Layers

I've got PhotoShop downloading, but there's about 5 files and the first 3 are pretty big. Haven't started the 4th and 5th one yet.

Yeah, it's tricky to get to the actual downloads, I made a few wrong choices myself before I accidentally found it.

At this page ( http://www.redmondpie.com/download-adobe-photoshop-cs2-for-free-legally-while-you-still-can/ ), there's a link at step one. You will have to start up an Adobe account to download it, but they'll prompt you for that. Anyway that page has the step by step instructions.


It also has the link for PhotoShop alternatives which is how I found Paint.Net

I was reading the comments section and it seems that there is quite likely some issues with CS2 involving compatibiltiy with 64 bit systems and possible copyright issues as some are saying that it's only for people who already own it. We'll see. I just want to see how 10 year old Photoshop stacks up with Paint.net

Just started the download on both parts 4 & 5. Still some pretty massive files.
 
FWIW,
Running the free cs2 on two win7 64 machines and one vista 64. Of course I cannot remember how I installed it... Prolly PSD ptsd
 
Willy said:
I've got PhotoShop downloading, but there's about 5 files and the first 3 are pretty big. Haven't started the 4th and 5th one yet.

Yeah, it's tricky to get to the actual downloads, I made a few wrong choices myself before I accidentally found it.

At this page ( http://www.redmondpie.com/download-adobe-photoshop-cs2-for-free-legally-while-you-still-can/ ), there's a link at step one. You will have to start up an Adobe account to download it, but they'll prompt you for that. Anyway that page has the step by step instructions.


It also has the link for PhotoShop alternatives which is how I found Paint.Net

I was reading the comments section and it seems that there is quite likely some issues with CS2 involving compatibiltiy with 64 bit systems and possible copyright issues as some are saying that it's only for people who already own it. We'll see. I just want to see how 10 year old Photoshop stacks up with Paint.net

Just started the download on both parts 4 & 5. Still some pretty massive files.
Click to expand...

64 bits on the laptop - runs perfectly.

Can Paint.net handle Alpha channels?
 
Okay, just tried to install and it's stuck on wanting Disc 2. Apparently it won't recognize the Disc 2 installer program as Disc 2.

Oh well.. It was a thought anyway.
 
Dunno Nigel about the Alphas with Paint.net as I just installed it this morning and am still poking around in it. But then I've been makimg mine from scratch and adding them with DXT/bmp when I save as DXT or 32bit. But it should be interesting to find out if it does. If not as downloaded, I'd almost bet money there's a plug in for it.


Yep, several plug ins to do alpha layers. Take your pick.

http://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?/topic/15260-plugin-index/page-1#entry252078

I hope yall don't think I'm trying to start a fuss about what paint program is best, as that is not my intention. I've been using 4 different ones to do my paints as each has their strong points in different areas. Crude, but it does work. What interests me about Paint.net is that the user interface is much like MS Paint which is one of the 4 that I've been using so I'm somewhat familiar with it from the git-go. And with the psd file plugin, it's opening psd files with ease that I haven't been able to open before (TDS 727 Master for one). And with the plugins, I can customize it like how I want it. And layers are starting to make sense to me with it. Win - win (for me)
 
Willy said:
Dunno Nigel about the Alphas with Paint.net as I just installed it this morning and am still poking around in it. But then I've been makimg mine from scratch and adding them with DXT/bmp when I save as DXT or 32bit. But it should be interesting to find out if it does. If not as downloaded, I'd almost bet money there's a plug in for it.


Yep, several plug ins to do alpha layers. Take your pick.

http://forums.getpaint.net/index.php?/topic/15260-plugin-index/page-1#entry252078

I hope yall don't think I'm trying to start a fuss about what paint program is best, as that is not my intention. I've been using 4 different ones to do my paints as each has their strong points in different areas. Crude, but it does work. What interests me about Paint.net is that the user interface is much like MS Paint which is one of the 4 that I've been using so I'm somewhat familiar with it from the git-go. And with the psd file plugin, it's opening psd files with ease that I haven't been able to open before (TDS 727 Master for one). And with the plugins, I can customize it like how I want it. And layers are starting to make sense to me with it. Win - win (for me)
Click to expand...

Fuss?; quite the contrary - good to know what's available.

Most important is feeling at home with a program that does the job :encouragement:
 
Hi,
In relation to PhotoshopCS2; I have found the 3 downloads, but of course it now needs a password to actually get it started on the computer!

Andy.

ps the serial number adobe give does not work with the install. On a couple of sites I've seen this is just adobe checking up on usage and is not a freeware program offer.
 
lemonadedrinker said:
Hi,
In relation to PhotoshopCS2; I have found the 3 downloads, but of course it now needs a password to actually get it started on the computer!

Andy.

ps the serial number adobe give does not work with the install. On a couple of sites I've seen this is just adobe checking up on usage and is not a freeware program offer.
Click to expand...

Oh, that's a pity - perhaps bpfowler could give us some HU; he seems to have the free download up and running.

Just so long as it's above board and legal :)
 
Some excellent information being tossed about here Nigel. Good to see this happening. I wanted to ask about something you mention in your tutorial. It's about saving a layered work as a bitmap. . .you indicate that saving it directly from PSP (I use PSP 8) as a 32bit eliminates having to then go to DXTbmp and perform that function. I don't have that option in version 8. Was that something that was available in an earlier version of PSP or is that something that's relatively new? As it is right now I save the work in the only format I can which is 24bit, then load it into DXTbmp and resave as 32bit, 888.
 
It is not available on my PSP7, and I've never heard of anyone not having to use DXTBmp or Imagetool to create the final FS image format. So I would be interested as well finding out how to do this without those programs.
 
tgibson said:
It is not available on my PSP7...........
Click to expand...

For a while I thought I was the only dinosaur who still uses this version :biggrin-new:. I have some issues running it under Windows10, so when you have not gone there; be aware that it might not run under Windows10 anymore :dizzy:.

Cheers,
Huub
 
nigel richards said:
Oh, that's a pity - perhaps bpfowler could give us some HU; he seems to have the free download up and running.

Just so long as it's above board and legal :)
Click to expand...

Hi guys

it was legal when I downloaded it in 2014, but adobe might have changed the game... I will do more research and get back with yez

Regards,
Brady
 
The keycode for the free Adobe Photoshop was on their site next to the downloads.

I've not given up on it yet, just have other irons in the fire that take precedence. And I found a .pdf file from Adobe for it's installation that I need to study up on before I try again.

Also doing some research on some 4 engined aircraft paints that I'm wanting to do. And have some B727 ones that I'm looking at too.
 
falcon409 said:
Some excellent information being tossed about here Nigel. Good to see this happening. I wanted to ask about something you mention in your tutorial. It's about saving a layered work as a bitmap. . .you indicate that saving it directly from PSP (I use PSP 8) as a 32bit eliminates having to then go to DXTbmp and perform that function. I don't have that option in version 8. Was that something that was available in an earlier version of PSP or is that something that's relatively new? As it is right now I save the work in the only format I can which is 24bit, then load it into DXTbmp and resave as 32bit, 888.
Click to expand...

Thank YOU, Sir - rewarding to know this is of use to folks :)

RE: 32 bit exports; I work exclusively in Photoshop where this is standard procedure - so was doing a little guesstimating that with PSP being so popular, it would be possible there also.

What I actually say in the tutorial regarding DXTbmp is that exporting a 32 bitmap from Photoshop avoids the neccessity of importing a SEPARATE Alpha when accessing DXTbmp for the final extended format. My apologies to all for not being more specific on that issue.
 
tgibson said:
It is not available on my PSP7, and I've never heard of anyone not having to use DXTBmp or Imagetool to create the final FS image format. So I would be interested as well finding out how to do this without those programs.
Click to expand...

Tom: in the tutorial, you'll see that the final stage in the export procedure, is as you say - via DXTbmp or Imagetool for extended bmp.
I think I've cleared up that issue.


Many thanks for helping to make this clear :)
 
Hi All,
I did find a few cs2 downloads complete with published serial numbers, at places like c*et or t*chspot, but nothing that looks adobe-sanctioned.
Apparently Adobe tightened up policy.

Sorry fellers.
 
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Been following this thread with interest but at the moment it means nothing to me. I paint mostly for FSX/P3D and export in DDS format. Also I am using PSP X5.

Also 99% of paintkits I use are already layered and if necessary I use DXTBMP to create my alphas. Some payware aircraft come with a paintkit in the installer but sometimes all you need to do is ask and the kit is quite happily provided.
 
AussieMan said:
Been following this thread with interest but at the moment it means nothing to me. I paint mostly for FSX/P3D and export in DDS format. Also I am using PSP X5.

Also 99% of paintkits I use are already layered and if necessary I use DXTBMP to create my alphas. Some payware aircraft come with a paintkit in the installer but sometimes all you need to do is ask and the kit is quite happily provided.
Click to expand...

Hi Pat,

Techniques we'll be learning here in the tutorials apply equally to FSX/P3D - just the final extended file saving differs, as you say.
You also have extra options such as bump maps to dabble and have fun with.
 
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