21:12:09 [rach] I wish one of you would make a tutorial just on layers and start really simple for the simple like me.
21:13:04 [FM] Is it using them or the philosophy behind them?
21:13:09 [johnbmx4ch] you guys are lucky..i cant even make a black suqare..so i do my photo compositing in premier with premiers layers..lol
21:13:27 [rach] I was trying to build a see though title and zoom into it till you came through a letter to the video below
21:14:09 [johnbmx4ch] you dont need photoshop for that unless you need it just for a customized title
21:14:36 [rach] I couldnt do it in P Pro because it would not zoom that far. So Wrigley done it by using an extra layer between the title and the V1 track below.
21:14:40 [FM] yes... I would actually do that in AE... but layers still the same
21:15:18 [rach] I still do not fully understand what that solid color track in between does.
21:16:01 [rach] Nancy talked me through it and I can do it mechanically but I need to understand layers better
21:16:14 [FM] you mean in a wrigley's tutorial? I saw very few of them...
21:16:35 [rach] Yes, Im sorry I forger to add that
21:16:45 [FM] Do you know what an alpha channel is?
21:16:45 [rach] forget
21:17:02 [rach] Yes, I think so.
21:17:08 [johnbmx4ch] i can tell you my way but i do everything different and dont wanna confuse anyone
21:17:32 [rach] FM , I dont want you to waste your time with me now.
21:17:32 [johnbmx4ch] i also use premier 6 and not pro
21:17:56 [rach] I could do most everything in 6
21:18:13 [FM] ok putting it simple: you have images with no alpha ch & of course no transparency
21:18:26 [rach] I dont have AE unfortunately
21:18:30 [FM] They only have RGB
21:18:39 [rach] Right
21:19:13 [FM] Red, Green & Blue: these are all gray scale bitmaps
21:19:47 [FM] that describe the intensity of each color
21:19:48 [rach] John , Do you mind FM doing this now?
21:20:12 [rach] Gray scale? HOw is that/
21:20:24 [FM] of these 3 we were talking about
21:20:24 [johnbmx4ch] nope..go for it
21:20:52 [rach] I understand that the video is made up of RGB
21:21:08 [rach] With no transparent areas
21:21:52 [FM] the red channel can be described by an image in black & white plus 253 grades of gray
21:22:12 [rach] OK
21:22:28 [FM] from white to black 255 to 0
21:22:56 [rach] So it is not just Red pixels?
21:23:09 [FM] these describe the intensity of the red when mixing with the other colors
21:23:29 [rach] OK
21:24:03 [FM] so you can describe almost any color with intensities of rgb
21:24:33 [rach] Yes, understand
21:24:52 [FM] are you following or have doubts I can clear
21:24:59 [FM] sorry
21:25:21 [rach] Like mixing the 3 primary colors while painting except the mixture can be exactly described
21:25:22 [FM] Ok, so ad another chanel called alpha
21:25:35 [FM] exactly!
21:25:41 [rach] OK
21:26:16 [FM] the only difference is that this chanel describes transparency
21:26:57 [FM] It still has 256 levels of intensity like the others: 0...255
21:27:13 [rach] Yes
21:28:04 [FM] ok
21:28:46 [FM] If you stack in a table several images in celuloid
21:28:46 [rach] My response is not being sent
21:29:01 [rach] OK
21:29:11 [FM] yeah it happens sometimes
21:30:07 [FM] with transparent bits you can see the topmost & whatever the holes let you see through
21:30:34 [rach] The topmost?
21:30:35 [FM] I was compleeting the other sentence... lol!
21:30:48 [rach] The topmost layer in your stack?
21:30:48 [FM] sorry
21:30:54 [FM] yeah
21:31:08 [FM] that's it exactly!
21:31:15 [FM] In photoshop
21:31:48 [FM] all layers (except for the background) have an alphacahannel
21:32:23 [rach] The background is V1?
21:32:27 [FM] the background one may or may not have one depending on how you start a new document
21:33:05 [FM] photoshop doesn't have the same correspondence as Premiere
21:33:42 [FM] in photoshop when you start a new document
21:34:04 [rach] OK. The background in the composition window of PS
21:34:21 [FM] yes
21:35:18 [FM] each new layer you add is a new image or like a celuloid without anything on it except for the transparency
21:35:21 [rach] FM . Im going to start my other computer with PS on it. If you tire of this, quit and I understand
21:35:29 [FM] itself
21:35:39 [FM] no problem
21:37:04 [FM] say so when you are ready
21:38:08 [rach] It froze while loading . Its on now
21:38:48 [rach] I went to file, New, and the little window is open
21:39:15 [rach] set the content as transparent?
21:39:35 [FM] ok! so just create a new rgb document with the background transparent
21:40:08 [rach] Does the preset size need to be set for Pro?
21:40:30 [rach] If that will be the destination I mean
21:40:56 [FM] yes
21:41:09 [FM] you just saved my some typing
21:41:16 [FM] lol!
21:41:53 [FM] this is your table top with a first transparent celuloid on it
21:42:04 [rach] OK . I'm looking a checkerboard
21:42:22 [johnbmx4ch] k..guys i gotta go..not into photoshop..just seems like the hard way..take care guys
21:42:25 [rach] That signifies that it is transparent
21:42:55 [FM] the checkerboard is the the table... exactly so
21:43:26 [FM] if you create a new layer
21:43:35 [rach] OK . I'll have to appoligize to John the next time we see him
21:43:50 [FM] you can use it ... we both have.
21:44:38 [rach] So this is a layer in itself. It is set at complete transparency
21:44:43 [FM] you can use it to draw something on it or import an image with or without an alpha ch
21:45:00 [FM] yes, precisely so!
21:45:25 [rach] I"m going to put a red square on it
21:45:41 [FM] ok
21:46:13 [FM] how did you do it? that is important to know
21:46:40 [rach] Got it from the bar on the left
21:47:14 [rach] Did you want me to do something different?
21:47:44 [FM] no no! it's ok it's just that
21:48:11 [FM] if you did the same without being filled it would behave differently
21:48:31 [rach] OK
21:49:35 [FM] so you can use the move tool & move the square anywhere you want
21:49:42 [FM] rigth?
21:50:00 [rach] Tried that. OK
21:50:23 [FM] now create a new layer
21:50:58 [FM] & draw an elipse this time
21:51:13 [rach] oK. Its on top of the other one OK?
21:51:42 [FM] Yes that's the idea
21:52:08 [FM] you can also move this one independently from the sqare, right?
21:52:12 [rach] Sorry. HOw do I do the elipse. It is not shown on the bar
21:52:35 [rach] Yes. They are in separate windows
21:53:27 [FM] the sqare tool has a litle black arrow on the bottom. just click on it & let it clicked unti the toolbar extents
21:53:52 [FM] square...lol!
21:54:22 [rach] OK. Got it . I have a red elipse
21:55:00 [FM] well they are not in separate windows: they are on separate layers
21:55:38 [FM] which means you can later animate them separatly
21:56:05 [rach] Im looking at two little windows. One is untitled -1 and one is untitled -2
21:56:54 [rach] Oh. OK you wanted me to make an eliplse in the same compositon
21:57:01 [FM] oooops! you didn't create a new layer but a new image document
21:57:32 [FM] yes but in a new layer!lol!
21:57:33 [rach] I'll delete and put the elipse in the first layer
21:58:20 [FM] what do you mean by the 1st layer?
21:58:53 [FM] you can just close the window & get back to the other document
21:58:56 [rach] Our first untitled composition.
21:59:32 [FM] yes! ok! just create a new layer: do you know how?
21:59:36 [rach] IM now looking at the first checkerboard with a square and an elipse on it
22:00:39 [FM] on the bottom of the layers tab you have an icon
22:01:02 [rach] Yes
22:01:20 [rach] The little F
22:01:24 [FM] which will have a pop up hint saing " create a new layer"
22:01:39 [rach] Yes
22:01:57 [FM] no just before the trash can
22:02:18 [rach] Got it .Yes
22:03:02 [FM] now you can see a new layer on the layers tab which you can drag up & down to reorder the layers
22:03:40 [rach] Did you wand me to create a new layer?
22:04:05 [FM] yes!
22:04:38 [FM] The topmost layer is the one with the full visibility the others will only show through the topmost if it has any transparancy on it... holes for instance
22:05:23 [rach] OK. Now I have a Layer 1 on top of the list then Shape 2 with the oval, and Shape 1 with the rectangle
22:06:18 [FM] So you can move any shape around independently
22:06:27 [FM] rigth?
22:06:55 [rach] YOu mean in order in the column?
22:08:17 [FM] well no just on the image window itself, even though you should also be able to rearrange their order on the layer tab
22:09:20 [FM] and if you had different colors on the shapes you should be able to see it also changes which one is the topmost
22:10:32 [FM] any problem?
22:10:34 [rach] Yes, I have the rect. and the oval in the same window and if I seledt the oval then I can move it and if I select the square in the column then I can move it
22:11:16 [FM] ok! can you also change the order of the layers?
22:12:06 [rach] If you mean it the column in the layer window, Yes.
22:13:24 [FM] yes thats it! so you also have an empty layer which was a product of that litle confusion of posts before...lol!
22:13:55 [rach] Yes
22:14:03 [FM] delete it by selecting that layer & clicking on the trash can icon
22:14:49 [FM] done?
22:15:39 [rach] I think I still have not done just as you said. Im sorry. I deleted it so now I have 2 things in the column Shape1 and Shape 2
22:16:09 [rach] But they are both on my compositon window Untitled 1
22:16:14 [FM] that should be it! still have both shapes?
22:17:28 [rach] Yes. If I select the oval in the column I can go to the big window and move it but not the rectangle. And if I select the Rect then I can move it only in the window
22:18:02 [FM] that's it! you are ok!
22:18:11 [rach] OK Good
22:18:21 [FM] do you have doubts so far
22:18:48 [FM] ?
22:18:52 [rach] Now are those areas opaque in a transparent field?
22:19:41 [FM] yes & PS created an alpha ch automaticly for them
22:20:06 [FM] & it updates it when you move a shape around
22:20:40 [rach] So there are 2 layers and each are trans. except the shapes?
22:21:21 [FM] yeas that's exactly rigth! so each shape is on it's own celuloid sheet!
22:21:44 [FM] so to speak! lol!
22:22:29 [rach] Now if I had a still or video underneath. I would see all but what is blocked by the shapes
22:22:51 [FM] precisely!
22:23:33 [rach] Then you can reverse it in PPro and see through the shapes and block all the rest?
22:24:06 [FM] no! but you can do that in PS
22:24:29 [rach] OK. I understand that
22:24:36 [FM] let's just create a new layer
22:24:46 [rach] How?
22:24:47 [FM] again... lol!
22:24:50 [rach] OK
22:25:16 [rach] I see it added one in the column
22:25:19 [FM] still remember how?
22:25:23 [rach] At the top
22:25:26 [FM] ok
22:25:59 [rach] What ever is moved to the top becomes layer one rigth?
22:26:15 [FM] that's it! now use the paint bucket tool & fill it with a color you like
22:26:48 [FM] just don't use the same color of the shapes
22:27:10 [rach] Sorry where is the bucket?
22:27:47 [FM] uh! about that layer one no you can't call it like that.
22:28:13 [rach] OK
22:29:07 [FM] The bucket has to be on the toolbar just hidden by the gradient tool ( like the elipse tool)
22:29:09 [rach] When I selected the new layer we created in tthe column why didnt it show up in the comp window?
22:29:41 [FM] because is empty & transparent!
22:30:09 [FM] you are not supposed to see it other then in that layers tab
22:30:22 [rach] Ok got the bucket
22:30:31 [rach] oK
22:30:59 [FM] & the layers are numbered by creation order.
22:31:20 [FM] It is different from PPro & AE
22:31:39 [rach] I have the bucket showing How do I color the layer I made?
22:32:02 [FM] In PPro they are similar to layers even in the way they behave but are called tracks
22:32:21 [rach] oK
22:32:27 [FM] Just click anywhere on the image
22:32:56 [FM] it's like if you spilled paint all over it
22:33:34 [rach] OK Everything turned blue. That was the trans layer over the others turning blue?
22:34:12 [FM] Yes
22:34:39 [FM] to see how it works just click on the selection tool
22:34:53 [rach] Why are the other 2 object in the column not named layer 2 and 3 or whatever instead of Shape 1 and Shape 2
22:35:05 [FM] actually called rectangular marquee
22:36:13 [FM] I'm not sure! It is a setting somewhere.
22:36:33 [rach] If I click around in the blue field and hit one of the shapes it shows them as a line drawing of an oval or rectangle
22:36:47 [FM] But no too important one since the text too also autorenames a layer
22:37:06 [rach] OK
22:37:17 [FM] Yes thats the selection marquee
22:37:30 [FM] it means they are selected
22:38:00 [rach] But they are not red ?
22:38:51 [FM] tey are red you just can't see them because they are under the fill layer ( the last one you created)
22:39:09 [rach] OK
22:39:29 [FM] select the topmost layer
22:39:53 [rach] Yes. In the column right?
22:40:03 [FM] & then with the rectangular marquee tool draw a rectangule somewhere
22:40:08 [FM] yes
22:40:43 [rach] I did
22:41:06 [FM] hit the delete key on the keyboard
22:41:31 [rach] It went to the oval outline
22:41:56 [FM] what did?
22:42:18 [rach] Oh. It deleted a layer in the column
22:42:40 [rach] I hit delete on the Keyboard. Wrong?
22:43:29 [FM] just CTRL-Z it! & now not wrong. you just had the wrong thing selected
22:43:40 [FM] lol!
22:44:26 [rach] That brought up the history . Go back a couple moves?
22:44:48 [FM] no, just one!
22:45:04 [FM] Undelete the shape
22:45:56 [rach] Im sorry Im back to having the rect and the oval behind the blue screen.
22:46:07 [FM] you have costumized your PS quite a bit haven't you?
22:46:12 [FM] lol!
22:46:25 [rach] Actually I havent
22:46:58 [FM] I assumed you had it with the default options... no? that's odd!
22:47:04 [rach] While following a tutorial on Pro I noticed that the shortcuts were not all the same
22:47:50 [rach] I might have hit the wrong thing . Can I try again? Should I create that other rectangle again?
22:48:09 [FM] yeah you have some different settings from the defaults. But that's not a big problem
22:48:40 [FM] no do not create it yet
22:49:00 [rach] OK
22:49:02 [FM] select the move tool from the toolbar
22:49:18 [rach] oK
22:50:20 [FM] if you look up just below the menu there should be a check box saying "auto select layer"
22:51:43 [FM] more or less under the "image" menu of PS
22:52:31 [rach] One that says Shape layers
22:53:21 [rach] Little arrow to the left of that says Tool Preset Picker
22:54:42 [FM] yes,but... not shape layers???
22:55:33 [FM] You have selected the "Move Tool" right?
22:55:34 [rach] Do you mean up top where the File, Edit , Image ... are?
22:55:59 [FM] yes it should be just under image
22:56:06 [rach] This is PS 7 , do you have CS maybe?
22:56:53 [FM] no I have 7
22:57:20 [rach] Under Image are 3 icons. Shape layers,Paths, Fill pixels
22:58:37 [FM] What too do you ave selected on the toolbar?
22:58:46 [FM] tool I mean
23:00:22 [FM] if you leave the cursor over the tool time enough it will show you a hint with the name of the tool
23:00:31 [rach] OK . I get it , I forgot they change according to what tool on the left you have selected. I had the other arrow selected. I see the Auto select now. Sorry
23:01:00 [FM] Ok! no problem, lol!
23:01:19 [rach] So . Put a check in the little box/
23:01:44 [FM] no, make sure it is unchecked
23:02:04 [rach] It is unchecked
23:02:23 [FM] it was unchecked before?
23:02:40 [rach] yes
23:03:37 [FM] that's also odd! ok nevermind... I was just trying to know why you selected the oval shape when drawing the rectangle some steps ago
23:04:18 [FM] It's not that important... I'm afraid I ended up having you confused
23:04:23 [rach] OK.
23:04:44 [FM] hope not though... lol!
23:05:03 [rach] IM OK . I think.
23:05:13 [FM] lol!
23:06:18 [FM] ok! with the move tool & the topmost layer selected (should be the blue one) just drag the blue to the right a bit
23:07:00 [rach] Ah. Haaa
23:07:01 [FM] done?
23:07:21 [FM] lol!
23:07:22 [rach] There are my shapes behind there
23:07:45 [FM] Precisely!
23:08:18 [rach] And at the moment my top layer is 100% opaque
23:08:25 [FM] see that is what layers are all about
23:08:47 [rach] I'm beginning to see this now
23:09:14 [rach] Can these things be imported as a stack?
23:09:23 [rach] Exported
23:09:28 [FM] when you clicked with the bucket tool on the empty layer it just filled the visible part of the layer with the color chosen
23:10:07 [FM] If you save them as PSD (PS native type of file) you keep the stack!
23:10:31 [rach] So if I move it down in the stack then the shapes will be on topl.
23:10:41 [FM] PPro can import PSD & so can AE
23:11:00 [FM] yeah! as simple as that!
23:11:11 [rach] If you import as a stack can they be individually manipulated in Pro?
23:11:40 [FM] yes, but... there is always a but:
23:12:02 [rach] Or do you export as individual layers and put them in superior tracks
23:12:27 [FM] PPro will ask you to import the psd file layer by layer.
23:12:28 [rach] There own tracks that is
23:12:49 [FM] no just save the whole thing as PSD
23:13:00 [rach] OK .
23:13:40 [rach] So when you go to File and Save it will assume you mean all the layers
23:13:44 [FM] actually I'm not sure if PPro is better than P 6.5 on this one
23:13:57 [FM] all of them yes!
23:14:18 [FM] I'll have to ask to micth or curt about it
23:14:29 [FM] I don't have PPro
23:14:35 [rach] I see. You select PSD in format in Save AS.
23:15:26 [FM] yes! but you can also just save since PSD is PS native format & this is a new document
23:15:32 [rach] O my goodness . I think I get it. I will have to play around with it in the morning before I forget what I have learned.
23:15:47 [rach] OK
23:16:30 [FM] & I'll let you play with it 'cause its 04:16 here & I have to gt some sleep! lol!
23:16:46 [rach] Thanks a Mil FM. I wish I had some knowledge to import to you but I cant think of anything at the moment,LOL
23:17:43 [rach] Oh. Man . Im sorry . You have been very patient with me. Hope I can return a favor somehow. Goodnite
23:18:06 [FM] That's ok! I love teaching. I actualy did some teaching about premiere & editing in a school & I miss it
23:18:59 [FM] & I had the time to do it also. No big deal. I hope you did get it all
23:19:56 [rach] You certainly make a good one. And Im not kidding I really get the concept now . So All I have to do is experiment.