well thanks, thats not exactly what I had in mind cause I'm talking about working with real images of actual people. But I did manage to come across some interesting information. There's two things in photoshop that seem very critical to doing this kind of work.

One is the adjustment layers, as thundering1 mentioned previously because that can be used to match up the image in terms of lighting, color balance etc.

The other thing is the extraction filter. Its a wonderful tool, especially when it comes to doing hair. I didn't know about it when I did the first image but now I think I'll be using it all the time. Its much better at pulling pieces of an image out then using the lasso or things like that and it doesn't require you to know anything about masking because basically its doing all the work for you. It even has a "smart select" which I haven't tried yet but it looks really awesome. Only problem is you either have to have a very steady hand or use a tablet which I got but never used much so I'm going to have to hook it back up.

But thanks again and if anyone else has any other comments or suggestions I'd be happy to hear them!

Steph

oh also...her hair is a bit to light on that one side so I need to darken it. Would the dodge and burn tool be the best or is other something else that would work better??

Any other comments would be appreciated. I want this image to look as good as possible!! 

Thanks!!

Thanks!!
Steph

Thanks Len,

Yeah, I think I see your point. Honeslty I'm really not familier exactly with what masked adjustment layers are but you can bet I'll start trying to find out everything I can about them now! so thanks for that tip!

I know initially, the person I'm working with was suggesting taking a snap shot that someone did with a studio picture and most of their snap shots were taken out doors or in public places. So they were totally different lighting conditions then the studio pictures.

Another problem was I guess the resolution and grainess of the snapshops, some weren't even fully in focus so somehow whatever I combine those with them has to be balanced properly to get the right effect. Like you said its not easy but its challenging so I'm going to keep trying.

Thanks again!
Steph

That helps some. Unfortunately the quality of the images I'm working with isn't the greatest to begin with...mostly snapshots somebody took with a digital camera so I guess I have to find other pictures of the same quality and lighting conditions to make the match.

Its getting to be harder then I thought! :) well thanks for your comment. If anyone else has any ideas I'd sure be happy to hear them. All the best!

Steph

well no I haven't because I keep having problems when I try logging into their site...I hate how they have this cumbersome registration process that doesn't seem to work properly half the time and always forgets who I am and I forget my log in information.

Besides...I'm quite certain there must be plenty of people on this site who use their products and lets face it...this is where the community is for the 3d world..not there.

thats ok...hmm, I'm not sure I'm following you though, a square prop and transparency mask? Could you explain a little more?? Thanks

does anyone know why there are no M4 products for sale yet here on Renderosity ? I mean, I know he was only released a few days ago but it seems developers have had access to him for alot longer in order to co-release assessory products for him, at least on DAZ but I guess developers here weren't given the same option. what a shame.

well actually, I did try installing CS on a laptop which ran Vista 64 and it did install, I'm just not sure how well its going to work but it seemed to be ok.

Well thats good to hear...maybe I don't need to spend the extra money to upgrade at this point which is what I was trying to avoid anyway.

However...if I were to upgrade, and I did pose this question on a different forum already today, does anyone know if Poser Pro will even work with Vue or would I need to get Poser 7 instead ?

yeah...ok, I'll check that out! thanks!!

well I'm using a HP laptop and I don't know about all the administator settings but there was something about programs accessing the internet which I did disable and after I did Vue was able to work so maybe your right...it might have something to do with those settings. I just don't know. I have Norton Anti-virus installed in addition to whatever windows and HP has on there.

OMG!! you think it is has something to do with Vista, Martial ?? I just started using Vista a few days ago. I'm not really sure whats going on honestly but I think it has something to do with the path and how it looks for the file but I'm not sure how to straighten it out. Their telling XP users to create a bat file or enter in something at the command line...well of course that won't work in Vista so there must be another way to address it.....I hope!! haha

Hey...listen, if you find out anything please pm me and let me know ok or post it on here and I'll to the same!! thanks!!

Steph

oh!! way cool! dam I didn't know this! thanks alot...ok well I guess I'm going to have to keep experimenting then!! I also sent a ticket into their tech support cause I think they should know about this in case anyone else experiences it. thanks again!!

well thats fine...but how would I even be able to get earlier versions other then the one I already own ??