Auto Generation of Nested Sub-Blocks to Build

[Saša S]

Hello John,

 

in this post Auto Generation of Nested Sub-Blocks to Build...  

you mention:

Each layer has it's own selection mask, so i used the Fixed Image ip op to route Layer 1 to the selection buffer for Layer 2.

could you please explain this in more detail?

Also below you refer to images 4 and 5 that are missing

 

thanks

Alex

[Synthetik]

Sorry about the missing 2 gallery images referenced in the post. I just added them into the post.

 

The way the PASeq works, we're building a selection mask image in layer 1, and then we're masking repeated AutoPaint action steps in layer 2 with the selection mask image we generated in layer 1. So we need to copy the image mask in layer 1 into the layer 2 selection buffer. We use the Fixed Image image operation effect to do that. The Fixed Image Editor control panels settings to do this are shown below.

We want layer 2 to be the current layer when we run this Fixed Image ip op. Note that the IP Source is set to layer 1, and the Composite parameter is set to Replace Region Selection. So the selection buffer for layer 2 is replaced with the contents of layer 1.

 

If you need anything else explained better, just post your questions here.

[Synthetik]

Here's a link to the 2 PASeq preset i use in the post. Keep in mind that i'm not providing the movie brush files that these PASeq preset use, so you are going to have to modify them to use your own custom movie brush. There was a followup daily effects blog post that discusses how to do this.

 

The first PASeq is the initial one discussed at the beginning of the Auto Generation of Nested Sub-Blocks to Build Detail in a Regular Grid Photo Mosaic post.  The second PASeq is the one described in the second half of the post, which uses layer 1 to build up a selection mask image to insure full nesting by masking off any layer 2 painting that is not full nested.

Graffiti PhotoMosaic AutoMask1.paseq.zip

Graffiti PhotoMosaic AutoMask2.paseq.zip

[Saša S]

Fantastic, thanks a lot!

 

Could you please explain what steps shoud I add to this PASeq to mask some part of the canvas?

In other words I don't want to paint the whole canvas but only a part of it

 

Thanks again!

 

 

[Synthetik]

If you are using the second PASeq then you could just place your area mask into layer 1 at the beginning of the PASeq. And also use it to mask out the initial AutoPaint-Movie Brush action step that is run in layer 2 (which fills in the entire canvas in the original paseq).

 

The whole point of that PASeq is that auto-painting steps are building a mask up over time in layer 1. The PASeq progressively builds a larger mask over the size reduction cycles in the PASeq. So rather than starting by setting layer 1 to black, you start by setting it to your mask (black where you want to mask out, white where you want to show through).

Remember, to mask out an action step, you just put your mask in the current selection, and then turn on the Mask checkbox in the main operation toolbar before pressing action. And if you are using masking in a PAseq, you need to make sure the  Mask Playback parameter in the main Editor control panel is turned on for the PASeq.

Remember, you can use the Fixed Image ip op to move an image from one layer into a selection buffer for any other layer (as detailed in the Auto Generation of Nested Sub-Blocks to Build Detail in a Regular Grid Photo Mosaic post). 

 

If you need more info on generating manual selections, check out this tip.

 

[Saša S]

Sorry John,

still don't get it. 

 

you wrote:

.. place your area mask into layer 1 at the beginning of the PASeq. And also use it to mask out the initial AutoPaint-Movie Brush action step that is run in layer 2

I placed my area mask as a first step in the PASeq, but not sure how to mask out the initial AutoPaint movie brush action step

 

[Synthetik]

Let's say you want to mask out a background and only do the painting into a selected face area. So you need to first select the face in selection operation mode. You could use a lasso selection, or an interactive color based selection. You could select the face directly, or if the background is basically a flat color it might be easier to interactively select based on that color, and then invert the selection to get the face as the selected area and the background as the un-selected area.

If you are unclear on how to select, let me know and i'll post some more tips on that part. This tip describes how to select and mask the canvas.

 

So then turn on masking before you run the first Auto-Paint-movie Brush 100% step. That will insure that your initial 100% graffiti brush only draws in the masked area. Since you are going to be masking that step, you probably want to start off by erasing that layer to some default color before you run the autopaint step.

In the PASeq from the original post, the nested photo mosaic is built up in layer 2, and layer 1 is used to build up a mask over time.

So you want layer 1 to incorporate the mask you want to use as a starting point, as opposed to a fully unmasked black image like we did in the original PASeq. We use a Fixed Image ip op to route layer 1 to the selection buffer for layer 2 in the PASeq above for each processing cycle less than 100%.

So, i would start at the very beginning of my PASeq by doing my initial masking selection, and then placing that in layer 1. Then i would use the Fixed Image ip op like we do to move that to layer 2's selection buffer. And i would mask the initial step in the PASeq above. Then i would mute the second set layer 1 to black aciton step.

..................

A different approach to this whole problem is to just do the whole original effect which paints the entire canvas, and then mask the end result when you are finished.

[Saša S]

thank you!

[Saša S]

I'm trying to build a 4 and 5-step sequence and use 2 brushes -- please see attached.

 

[Saša S]

Hello John,

 

does this PASeq suppose to work on Windows?

It worked like a charm on MAC, but sub-nexting is shifted

see the attached image.

 

Any ideas?

 

Manythanks

Fullscreen capture 5272011 100650 AM.jpg

[Saša S]

Maybe this better explains what happens

see attached image

I run paint synth from the first step of your PASeq

then I go to Brush modulation and change Max Size Range to 50. you can see the squares I hand draw are shifted up and every next raw is shifted more than previous

Same happens when I change  Max Size Range to 25, but hang drawn squares are shifted down

Fullscreen capture 5272011 123025 PM.bmp.jpg