EFFIE DELUXE IS DIFFERENT! With many photo-art actions, you click Play and perhaps make a few setting choices while the action runs. When it finishes the image transformation is complete. When Effie Deluxe completes, the on-screen image is not the final product, although the default effect is very pleasing, it's just the beginning! Think of Effie as an action that "prepares" the image for additional creativity. The beauty of this is the range of options and flexibility it affords vs. the canned effect of a "one-click" action. Because of this novel approach, see below for some hints and guidelines for getting the most out of Effie Deluxe.
	FOR PRINTED OUTPUT (Suggestion only) First, apply Effie Deluxe on images that are around 1600x1200 pixels. Before painting, smudging and applying other effects, up-sample the image to the size you wish to print. The sequence of applying the action, upsizing and smudging and painting ensures the painterly effects will be visible at the printed size as well as zapping any artifacts caused by upsizing. NOTE: If you upsample after applying Effie Deluxe, you will lose the ability of the "Art History" brush to do its job. I use a simple method to get it back. Turn off all layers except the "Background", flatten image, in the History Palette make a snapshot and call it "History", Set your history to this snapshot by clicking the little window next to it, go to "Image Size" in your history list and click it, you will be back to where you upsampled and will have your "Art History" brush working again. FOR WEB OUTPUT (Suggestion only) There are no strict rules for processing images destined for the web, but these guidelines should get you moving in the right direction. The working image should be about twice the size (width and length-wise) as the one intended for the web. Once the action has been applied and the smudge and paint effects applied, down-sample the image as needed. WHILE THE ACTION IS RUNNING: UNSHARP MASK There are no "right or wrong" settings for this filter. The settings used will be dependent on each image. The default settings are a good place to start. Increase the radius for a stronger effect and increase the threshold for smooth subjects like portraits. WHEN THE ACTION FINISHES Check the Layers Palette. Turn each layer off and on to see "what's what." The layer names provide an indication of what to do on each. Flexibility rules! Which layers are turned off or on to create the final image are completely up to the artist: YOU! 1. LAYER "SMUDGE THIS" A few words about the Smudge Tool. This tool is the key to creating a "painted" look with Effie. The following steps were used to create the Windsurfer example: Layer Anisotropic/Levels should be on From the Brushes palette select one of the "Spatter" brushes from the default brushes collection or a brush like "Rough ink" (a part of the "Wet Media Brushes" set that can be loaded via the Brushes palette menu). Set the opacity to about 70% (a guideline, not a hard and fast rule) Finger painting option: Off Use all layers option: Off Apply short, dab-like strokes. Adjust the brush size as needed (smaller for areas of detail). Instead of (or in addition to) applying the Smudge Tool to this layer, you could apply one of Photoshop's many filters. Applying the Angled Strokes filter, followed immediately by the Edit > Fade command (blend = Darken; opacity = 100%) was the method used to create the race car example. 2. LAYERS "SMUDGE THIS RED," "SMUDGE THIS WHITE," "SMUDGE THIS BLUE" These are "paint layers" and are turned off by default. Turn on, say, the white layer and use the smudge tool to smear the color, preferably in an artistic manner. Do the same for the other "Smudge this xxx" layers. Use the eraser to remove any unwanted colors. The bird example was created by manipulating these layers. As another option experiment with color characteristics by inserting a Hue/Saturation adjustment layer above each of these layers. Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Hue/Saturation (check the "group with previous" option.) Adjust the Hue and Saturation sliders as desired. Or quite simply select the layer and go to "Image > Adjustments >Hue/Saturation and move the sliders as desired. 3. LAYER "PAINT AND SMUDGE" The purpose of this is so you can add your own paint and smear it into areas not covered by other colors.   Linear Light (Default Layer Mode)   Layer Mode Changed to Softlight Once you have painted and smudged, you may change the layer blend mode to Soft Light to achieve a pleasing effect which works well when coloring eyes, lips and cheeks in portraits. 4. LAYER "ART HISTORY BRUSH" This is another optional layer. If you decide to use it, the intent is to use the Art History Brush. I like a large soft brush or "Rough Ink" set to "short tight"." The brush and settings you use are up to you. 5. TOP LAYER Although this layer is on top, it's the one modified last. The top layer is for the final effect. Use the BLACK paintbrush to erase the white and reveal the image underneath, use a WHITE paintbrush to bring back the white. Set the brush to a low percentage and do multiple passes for a soft effect or 100% for strong effect. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS: See this thread at DPReview I welcome feedback of any kind. Of course you can always email me for further help. IN CONCLUSION The main thing to remember is that Effie Deluxe creates the digital canvas. YOU supply the creativity. With a little time and practice, Effie Deluxe will enable you to create images that have the WOW!! factor.
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