Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com, Mark Savoia
<mark@...> wrote:
>
> Is it legal?

Yes, so really no fun at all...

This is based on the premise that working on large hi bit files is too
slow, particularly with layers, for most of us cheapos who can't get
more memory and/or powerful processors.
Here it is, merely an updated version of a process put forth by St.
Fraser some time ago-

I assume you have a hi bit raw scan, or whatever to begin with. Either
crop it now, or leave cropping to the very end. Convert it to 8 bit
and "save as" with some meaningful name. You'll leave that hi bit
version alone for later, all work will now be done on the new 8 bit file.

All of your edits will now be done with adjustment layers. If you
don't work this way you can stop reading now, the rest won't work.
I'll suggest you do try to work this way, masked adjustment layers are
great, can be adjusted, and masks edited. Very powerful and undo-able.
You will do all of your proofing with this file, all test prints to
evaluate edits, etc.. Never flattening it. The background layer must
remain identical to the original hi bit.
When you are happy hold down the shift key and click on each
adjustment layer, selecting all of them. In the layers pallette select
"new group from layers". Your layers will all nicely be together in a
layer folder. Save, purge all to clear scratch.

Start a good book. Open that original hi bit version, both files are
now open in Photoshop. While holding down the shift key, drag that
folder icon of all your layers over to the hi bit file. When it's done
close the 8 bit file. Now do the flatten command and grab that book,
could take some time.
Save as the "printer" or whatever, in hi bit.
If you have changed the pixel dimensions of either file in any way,
your layer masks will not be in register. If you have a previous
version of PS that does not do layer groups, just shift drag each
layer over one at a time. If you have an even earlier version that
won't do adjustment layers on hi bit, go here-
http://www.creativepro.com/story/feature/16097-1.html
That's it.
Say your prayers to Bruce Almighty, where would we be had he not tread
ahead of us?
Tyler