Working with Layers

PIX

Senior Contributor Joined: Sep 21, 2011 00:02 Messages: 2910 Offline

Solved by

Oct 30, 2016 16:05

Members,

I've been tinkering with the Layers module in PhD8, which is also available in PhD7. Whilst not claiming any kind of expertise, I've had some fun creating dramatic effects on fairly ordinary photos.

A basic image guide is posted here - http://forum.cyberlink.com/forum/posts/list/15/24696.page#263284

If you're interested, I've uploaded a batch of textures/images I've found useful - https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_yokCW6H_craldTTGpjVHNac2s

There are many resources available free. Some are listed here - http://forum.cyberlink.com/forum/posts/list/22361.page#263285

In the Layers module, blended photos can be saved as Express Templates for future application. These can be shared on DirectorZone. The layers project can also be saves in .phi format, which retains the layers for further editing. Blended photos can, of course, be save as a new (flattened) image.

Some of my "tinkerings" have been uploaded to DirectorZone, though I'm yet to see how useful this is for other PhD users:

http://directorzone.cyberlink.com/detail/124832716

http://directorzone.cyberlink.com/detail/124832717

http://directorzone.cyberlink.com/detail/124832718

http://directorzone.cyberlink.com/detail/124832719

http://directorzone.cyberlink.com/detail/124832759

http://directorzone.cyberlink.com/detail/124832769

http://directorzone.cyberlink.com/detail/124832775

Please share your efforts with adding Layers to your photos. We're all learning.

PIX PIX YouTube channel

JasRad

Newbie Location: Perth, Western Australia Joined: Sep 30, 2016 02:32 Messages: 1 Offline

Nov 07, 2016 09:57

I recently downloaded a licensed version of PhotoDirector 8. Having used CorelDraw for many years I thought it would be easy to get a handle on PhotoDirector, but I was wrong - or maybe I am getting long in the tooth and not as bright as I was in picking up new technology!!

After tinkering around with PhotoDirector and getting lost I thought I had better go through the PhotoDirector 7 Tutorial Book. I immediately found that "Layers" was not appearing in the Menu Bar. So thinking I may have stuffed it up by creating a new folders etc, I reinstalled PD8 and still have no "Layers" option in the Menu Bar.

Where is it and how do I get it to appear?

Also can one make PD8 keep only one copy of a photo. It appears that by default it keeps the original intact and creates a new file for the edited version. Adobe PhotoShop, Google's Picasa and CorelDraw at least allow one to choose to save the edit photo over the original and/or have an original and an edited version. I would appreciate it if someone could point me to a tutorial that will clearly show me how to manage my photos so I do not end up with duplicates of the 3,000+ photos I have and keep them in the Album files I have laboriously created.

PIX

Senior Contributor Joined: Sep 21, 2011 00:02 Messages: 2910 Offline

Nov 07, 2016 23:29

Hello JasRad,

Welcome to the PhotoDirector forum

If your top menu bar doesn't look like this:

you probably have the Deluxe version of PhotoDirector. The Layers module is only included in the Ultra version.

http://www.cyberlink.com/products/photodirector-ultra/compare-versions_en_GB.html - the same is true for PhD7

If it's only a recent purchase (30 days) you can get a refund & upgrade to the Ultra version, if that's what you wish.

☼ ☼ ☼ to the other part of your question...

It appears that by default it keeps the original intact and creates a new file for the edited version

When you import photos, you can choose whether you wish to keep them in their current location or make an extra copy. It sounds like you may have the second option selected.

PIX PIX YouTube channel