CS3 v CS3 Extended

[Chris Bishop]

Any one know how these are going to develop? I have a feature in CS3-E I want in CS3 .
Not sure what it's called, but it allows multiple "pano" shots in cities etc to remove moving objects like people or cars. I really really need it.
Is it likely this sort of "script" would migrate down? after all Elements keeps getting more CS? product added.
Chris Bishop

[Carlo A. Balistrieri]

Hi Chris,

The feature you're talking about is usually called "stacking." As I understand it, it is probably the most important of the 'extended' version features for still photographers (the balance of the features are more for video...).

I have no idea whether it will ultimately be included in CS3 but hope so.

Carlo

[johnbeardy]

Yes, stacking was a poor choice of name and confuses lots of people. Essentially the script registers multiple images, bonds them into a smart object, and you then choose the object's blending mode. If you choose median, the resulting image shows the most common value for each pixel, meaning that moving objects are removed.

What's VERY clever about the script is that it can register images shot handheld - I suspect it does it by brute force.

Note - I have the E version and am not 100% certain stack mode is available....
As an alternative, especially for tripod shots, you can register the images yourself. Open all the images, and shift drag each one from its layers palette into one document. They'll now be registered. You can then select all the layers, convert them into a smart object, and pick the median blending mode from the stack mode menu (not the blending mode in the layers palette).

John

[markpirozzi]

Does this link cover what you are discussing?

http://photoshopnews.com/2007/03/27/image-stacks-in-photoshop-cs3-extended/

Mark

[johnbeardy]

Yes, but I say it in fewer words. And I also give a manual alternative that I think works in CS3 standard.

This was a difficult call for Adobe. As I understand it, they originally envisaged this script would have very specialist interest, announced the two levels of Photoshop, and then the wider applications became obvious.

John

[markpirozzi]

I think the power of the extended version would be in being able  to use hand-held shots if it "warps" the image like the pano function does in the standard CS3.

I wonder if you took four shots handheld, close to the same composition, made a "pano" of those four shots in the standard CS3, if you wouldn't come out with a stack in registration except for a small amount around the edges.

(I haven't used a dedicated pano program before, so the pano function in CS3 amazes me the way it picks stitch areas in the shadows, warps the pictures for pixel overlap and then blends the exposure.)

Mark

[johnbeardy]

"I think the power of the extended version would be in being able to use hand-held shots if it "warps" the image like the pano function does in the standard CS3."

Yes it does do that, and I think the same code supports both features.

John

[Carlo A. Balistrieri]

Well, if John's workaround for CS3 enables you to achieve the same outcome you'd get in CS3ext, then the extra cost probably isn't warranted.

Are there any other features of extended that would be of value to still photographers?

[johnbeardy]

I don't think so, but it's pretty easy to forget which features are in the extended version....

Until I had a brainwave - which sadly seems to disprove my earlier suggestion. I thought of the workspace menu and found it includes a "Basic" workspace - which hid the smart objects menu. So I'm guessing my idea's a dud, and Basic users will be back to the old register layers and paint the layer mask.

John

[Dierk]

IIRC, Extended adds most of the video features, i.e. timeline and frame animation [similar to ImageReady]. The creative possibilities are explored by good ole Doc Brown. As usual his take is grpahic design but there's a lot of space for photographers. Particular recommendation: The Disappearing Cars.

[peterkrogh]

I saw Dr. Brown yesterday in Vegas, and there is some cool stuff for photographers in the video capability of Extended.  Now sure how much of it you'll want, but it looks useful to me for personal work, demo stuff, and possibly portfolio presentations.

I think he has new stuff going upsoon on Russellbrown.com

Peter