Essentials 2
By Robert Lachman
Have you ever wanted to put one of those cool looking arty photographic edges on one of your photographs? Maybe you needed to cut someone out of the background of a photo, wanted to make a poster from a small image, or have had problems working with levels or curves, then Essentials 2 by onOne software is for you.
Essentials 2, the add-on to Photoshop Elements is broken into four parts: Make it better, Cut it out, Frame it and Enlarge it.
Open your photograph in Photoshop Elements and you’re ready to go. A new small onOne Essentials 2 box shows up and you choose one of four modules.
Let’s start with Make it Better. It puts your photo into two side-by-side windows. Just click on which window looks best for correcting the dynamic range, brightness, warm and cool temperature, color, and then two more fine color adjustments. Just six quick steps for better looking photos.
It even makes a cool swishing sound after you click on the window and as it moves to the next choice. They also give you an option for more control with a slider at each step of the way.
The second add-on choice is Cut it Out. Now, this isn’t one you will use every day, but when you need it, it’s a life saver. Let’s say you need to put together a brochure, need to make a collage, put someone in front of a solid background or cut out the background. Separating hair or tree leaves out of a background can be very difficult. The Photoshop Elements program does have it’s own simple extract feature but the Essentials 2 “Cut it out” tool takes the process to a high level. You need to remember, this process takes some time.
The process uses their “Color decontamination technology.” It compares the colors, letting you paint the background away. Also, it allows you to use a pen tool to work off the edges. It works in real time so you can check the process as you work.
Next is Frame It. This tool is worth the price of the whole program and my favorite. Every wonder how to get some cool edges on your photographs, look no further. This is so SIMPLE and CREATIVE at the same time. Check out all the edges including: photographic frames like, emulsion edges, sprocket holes, acid burns, instant film and vignettes. Also try the art style splatter edges. You can even have realistic frames with mats. This is just the start. The programs allow you control over the background, shadows and different color glows to the frames which really gives them a great finishing touch.
The last add-on is Enlarge It. This one is used for taking a small photographic file and and making the file bigger for a poster print. This program uses some mathematical algorithm to maintain the detail and continuous tone. I don’t know what a mathematical algorithm is but it sounds good and it works.
This program is a great value at a retail price of $59.95 and $49.95 at the Apple store and website. When you consider it's four programs in one. The have combined and simplified the featured of their more expensive programs like FrameIt 3, Genuine Fractals 5, Pro Mask 4 and Photo Tools.
At this price you will be glad you’re a Photoshop Elements user instead of a full version Photoshop users.
I highly recommend this program giving it five out of five stars.
Make sure you go to the onOne website and check out their tutorials at http://www.ononesoftware.com/tutorials/tutorials_essentials.php before you start. Go there first and get some instruction so you can take advantage of all the features of the program.
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Have you ever wanted to put one of those cool looking arty photographic edges on one of your photographs? Maybe you needed to cut someone out of the background of a photo, wanted to make a poster from a small image, or have had problems working with levels or curves, then Essentials 2 by onOne software is for you.
Essentials 2, the add-on to Photoshop Elements is broken into four parts: Make it better, Cut it out, Frame it and Enlarge it.
Open your photograph in Photoshop Elements and you’re ready to go. A new small onOne Essentials 2 box shows up and you choose one of four modules.
Let’s start with Make it Better. It puts your photo into two side-by-side windows. Just click on which window looks best for correcting the dynamic range, brightness, warm and cool temperature, color, and then two more fine color adjustments. Just six quick steps for better looking photos.It even makes a cool swishing sound after you click on the window and as it moves to the next choice. They also give you an option for more control with a slider at each step of the way.
The second add-on choice is Cut it Out. Now, this isn’t one you will use every day, but when you need it, it’s a life saver. Let’s say you need to put together a brochure, need to make a collage, put someone in front of a solid background or cut out the background. Separating hair or tree leaves out of a background can be very difficult. The Photoshop Elements program does have it’s own simple extract feature but the Essentials 2 “Cut it out” tool takes the process to a high level. You need to remember, this process takes some time.
The process uses their “Color decontamination technology.” It compares the colors, letting you paint the background away. Also, it allows you to use a pen tool to work off the edges. It works in real time so you can check the process as you work.
Next is Frame It. This tool is worth the price of the whole program and my favorite. Every wonder how to get some cool edges on your photographs, look no further. This is so SIMPLE and CREATIVE at the same time. Check out all the edges including: photographic frames like, emulsion edges, sprocket holes, acid burns, instant film and vignettes. Also try the art style splatter edges. You can even have realistic frames with mats. This is just the start. The programs allow you control over the background, shadows and different color glows to the frames which really gives them a great finishing touch.
The last add-on is Enlarge It. This one is used for taking a small photographic file and and making the file bigger for a poster print. This program uses some mathematical algorithm to maintain the detail and continuous tone. I don’t know what a mathematical algorithm is but it sounds good and it works.
This program is a great value at a retail price of $59.95 and $49.95 at the Apple store and website. When you consider it's four programs in one. The have combined and simplified the featured of their more expensive programs like FrameIt 3, Genuine Fractals 5, Pro Mask 4 and Photo Tools.
At this price you will be glad you’re a Photoshop Elements user instead of a full version Photoshop users.
I highly recommend this program giving it five out of five stars.
Make sure you go to the onOne website and check out their tutorials at http://www.ononesoftware.com/tutorials/tutorials_essentials.php before you start. Go there first and get some instruction so you can take advantage of all the features of the program.
______________________________________________________________________