...Does PS have a paint engine that can match Painters?
...

In my opinion - No
PS can't match Painter for mimicking "traditional" painterly effects. You can achieve some in PS but not with the same ease that you can with Painter. If you're looking to make digital "paintings" i'd invest in Painter IX (i'm saving up for it myself) If you looking to create digital "artwork" (layered photomanips) then i'd invest in PSCS(2)...

my2C
:)
retrocity

Joe can you render the second (foreground) image with an "alpha channel" masking the gray area?? i'm thinking this would speed up the process.

i'm thinking you'd be able to then record an action that calls up the channel, opens the animation frame and pastes it as a new layer and does a "save as" merged and flatten (hopefully giving you the image you want)

the "alpha channel as mask" would simplify this a hecka' lot as you would not have to try and remove the gray area... i just don't know much about 3D apps.

hopefully some others will jump in on this thread and help my though process.

:)
scott

hmmm, let me think, what format is the animated output from the "render"?

if i understand what you're asking and if you can get the renders as sequental frames, you can open each one, open your background "still", merge them into one file and resave them... all done as an "action". (or maybe a couple of actions...) but you should be able to automate some if not all of the processes. there is also a thing called "droplets" that will let you drag a folder full of images and have the action run.

go ahead and post some images of what you have in mind and we'll try to create the steps needed to automate it.

see ya 'round the forums,
:)
scott

welcome to the forum Isyl, as hoof said "You can learn a lot this way". don't worry about asking questions whether they are short or long or even if you think they're "dumb" (the only dumb question is the one you don't ask... that and "Where can I got pirate software??", that question will get you tossed out on your ear, so i guess that qualifies as a "dumb question")

hopefully you've got an idea from the responses to your question to help you make a decision, but if you need more info or if something isn't clear, don't hesitate to ask, we're here 24 hours (sometimes even in a row)

:)
retrocity

i usually use hoofs method but i'm gonna grab that ZIP file at take a whirl. thanks dreamer for the link. ..and thanks too hoof. :) retrocity

Hey blood, yep, i think it's time to ditch PS4 and "move-on-up". as to ver7 or either of the "CS" flavours... it really depends on what you want out of PS. Most of the BIG changes happened in 7 (brush engine rewrite, file browsing, healing, ImageReady(7) tweeks...), and in CS they've fixed some things like, File Browsing won't "crash" you now that it's handled by a new app called Bridge, the integrating of RAW image files are better supported (a big plus for digi-photogs).

as for finding an upgrade online, i'd steer clear of the "amazing low price of $$" as these places are "shady" at best and will rip you off most likely. they sell what they term as a "backup" of your program. you need to already have the valid ULA and serial number for registering. if you do find someone on ebay MAKE SURE they transfer the license to you through Adobe or you'll be screwed as well.

:)
retrocity

hope it helps,
:)
retrocity

You need to be careful with sites that sell "OEM" packages of any apps (especially PS). OEM's aren't packaged for "retail" and they are not suppose to be sold as such. Also be mindful of sites that offer PS for "far-below-retail" (sometimes as low as $50USD), the fine print reads that these are "backups" of the programs and you are still required to have the actual license, Adobe does not take kindly to these sites and will often take action. :) retrocity

it's a tough effect to get with the "pixel" based app like PS... Illustrator or even Flash seems better suited to use in conjunction with PS. :) retrocity

Dreamer's on the money. the "CapsLock" key toggles between BRUSH SIZE and PERCISE cursor... happens to me all the time!! :) retrocity

You guys are great! this is the kind of thread i love to see (nothing i can add that April and Chuck haven't hit on already...). i miss this type of post. there is such a vast amount of knowledge in this forum that often gets overlooked. i really appreciate the help you all offer.

thanks again guys,
:)
scott

welcome to the forum Tsukiyono, i hope you'll post the pic again when you feel it's no longer WIP. (a lot of my stuff remains a work-in-progress even years after starting them ;) )

hope to see more of your stuff,
:)
retrocity

welcome to the forum logansfury, excellent job on the pic. thanks for the link dreamer ;) as always, you're a wealth of knowledge and resources. :) retrocity

Attached Link: http://www.morguefile.com/

:)
retrocity

just remember that painting with black increases the masked area; painting with white increases the selected area and painting with gray or another color creates a semi-transparent area, useful for feathering or anti-aliased effects.

hope that helps,
:)
retrocity