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PhotoShop Elements 3 To Make Clothing?

Mari Asturias
Registered User
Join date: 20 Oct 2005
Posts: 11
11-21-2005 09:22
Has anyone had any success making clothing and other items using Photoshop Elements 3? Any work-arounds that can overcome the PSE limitations? Also, has anyone had any experience doing this using a Mac platform?.. I'm just beginning to think about custom textures/items and would appreciate any tips/warnings. Thanks!
Malachi Petunia
Gentle Miscreant
Join date: 21 Sep 2003
Posts: 3,414
11-21-2005 09:36
Nope, can't be done; PSE is photoshop in name only, and in particular does not handle the TARGA format essential for SL clothing (among other limitations).

Good alternatives are PaintShopPro (~ US$100) or "The GIMP" (free). You may also find old versions of Photoshop (e.g. v7 where the current version is v9) for sale by authorized Adobe resellers for "let's clear this stuff off our shelves" prices. Photoshop v7 lacks nothing you need for clothing design (once you get the free v7.0.1 patch from adobe.com) and may be more of a "resume builder" if you intend to do anything beyond SL clothes design.
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Robin Sojourner
Registered User
Join date: 16 Sep 2004
Posts: 1,080
11-21-2005 20:25
Ummm, actually, Photoshop Elements 3 can be used to make clothing, because it does, in fact allow you to save 32 bit .tga files.

What you can't do is actually look at the Alpha Channel. But the fact that it's hidden doesn't mean it's not there.

When you go to Select > Save Selection it's saving to the invisible Alpha Channel. You can also Load Selections, and Delete them (to make sure there's Only One.) Everything but look at them, or manipulate them directly.

So what you need to do is make your clothing using transparent layers, just like you would in Photoshop, and then Command/ctrl click on the thumbnail images, using Shift+Command/ctrl if you have more than one layer, and then Save the selection.

When you save the image in the .tga format, choose 32 bit from the dialog that pops up after you click Save, and you'll be good to go.

(I really should do a video tutorial on this before my PSE Test Drive expires.)

Oh, and by the way, I'm on a Mac. :D And PSP isn't. :D
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Robin (Sojourner) Wood
www.robinwood.com

"Second Life ... is an Internet-based virtual world ... and a libertarian anarchy..." Wikipedia
Zero Madonna
Registered User
Join date: 9 Oct 2005
Posts: 2
11-27-2005 08:14
Thanks Robin. I was starting to think that I would have to find another program to edit with because I couldn't figure out how to save the alpha channel in .tga format. I tried your method and it works well. Now I just have to learn to draw. :)
Robin Sojourner
Registered User
Join date: 16 Sep 2004
Posts: 1,080
11-27-2005 09:48
Very cool! I'm glad that it's working for you.

Learning to draw, I'm afraid, is mostly a matter of practice. :) Just keep on keeping on, and you'll get it.
_____________________
Robin (Sojourner) Wood
www.robinwood.com

"Second Life ... is an Internet-based virtual world ... and a libertarian anarchy..." Wikipedia
Mari Asturias
Registered User
Join date: 20 Oct 2005
Posts: 11
Big Thanks!
11-27-2005 18:12
Wow.. thanks so much! I can't afford the full Photoshop at this time ... so this is great to know! I'll be trying it soon.