I decided to start a project a while back to generate an image created by every brush, PASeq, Image Operation etc. provided by Studio Artist as a Factory default. I figured this would be a great learning exercise in figure out what all the brushes were minimally capable of.
I used the directory structure and brush/procedure name for each image to make it easier in figuring out what each operation is capable of.
Example:
- Uses-Source-Image_Examples-of-Each-Operation_Line-Screen-Block-Regionize2.jpg
- Movies_Natural-Media_Oil-and-Sketch.jpg
- Assisted-Or-Auto_Abstract-Render_Alien-Garden3.jpg
Little did I realize what a challenge this was going to be. Currently I have 4,432 images.
It's by no means complete. I have to finish off some categories, (Vectorizer, Temporal Image Operation, Dual Mode Paint), and I also have to redo some images that didn't lend themselves to automation.
Take a look and see for yourselves:
http://illustrativeman.smugmug.com/StudioArtist
Let me know if you think this would be a valuable resource and I'll make the whole series available for download. cheap.
Replies
This is a great idea. I book marked it as a reference.
Just noticed this today, Tony.
A humongous undertaking! It's evident that a lot of time and effort was put into this--beautifully organized and executed!
Did notice what looked like some blank/semi blank canvases, though, but you said you had to redo some images...the finished product should be dazzling! Thanks for sharing.
Regarding some blank, semi blank canvases in the previews.
Some paint presets might not make sense when just run with the action button. For example, anything designed to work via loop action processing over time in an animation (like time particle) is not going to display well when run as a single action via gallery show.
Other paint presets might be designed to modify an existing canvas (as opposed to adding new color). So again, if you start with a solid color canvas it might not be obvious in the automatically generated preview images what the paint preset really does.
I appreciate the feedback!
John is absolutely correct, -some of the presets do not work when run via auto. I felt though that it was more expedient to run through the entire list once and then go back and adjust as necessary. Some categories, ( spiro's for instance ) will be removed complete. Others are being redone.
It's a start.
Fyi,
I have my version setup so that each picture is in the same directory as the preset. Very handy when quickly looking for a preset visually.
What would be better would be figuring out how to associate a preset's icon, with the jpg of it's sample. IE, having Movies_Natural-Media_Oil-and-Sketch.jpg appear as the icon for the Movies_Natural-Media_Oil-and-Sketch preset
We've been talking about adding a feature for the future where you could include preset help files directly in the preset folder with specific presets.
You can do it now using your 'custom' help folder and the integrated help browser, but it currently requires someone to be technically proficient in html (see the Custom HTML Help Pages section of this tip). And the help is separate from the preset file itself, referencing it via a help browser command link.
So we'll think about jpg sample references for this potential future feature.
back before v4, and before the gallery show, I started a project to make a single PASeq that would run through all the paint presets. I have posted that PASeq before, but it seems useful to re-post it here. I will note that because of the gallery show I stopped without finishing, however the advantage of the GrandPas as I called it is that it illustrates both path draw and auto draw for each of the presets covered. Any one that wants to could continue the effort, though the value over running a gallery show is marginal.
GRANDPas.zip
You could use gallery show to automatically make a large PASeq that runs through all of the new presets. Just turn on history recording, and setup the gallery show preference Technique Scan Option to cycle +.
Carol
Sorry for not responding sooner but I just saw you comments. I'll look into getting you the collection. Right now there are 4400+ pics so I'm trying to figure out how best to provide them.