| Frequent
questions.
Don't see your question? Contact us with this Request Form.
What are 'presets'?
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Presets are graphics that we have already created
for you, and ship with Backdrop Designer. You can load in
abstract or organic looking patterns called Texture presets.
Then combine these with Shadow presets, which create the appearance
of cast shadows, lighting, or material folds in the Texture.
We also ship Combination presets, which are pairings of a
Texture and Shadow.
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Can I load my own image?
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No, you cannot load in an outside graphic to use as your Texture. This is because the Backdrops created by Backdrop Designer are all algorithm based.
The graphic is mathematically generated, which allows a preview to build fast and the render to be resolution independent. This also means that the Backdrop is not pixel-based until it has been applied to your Photoshop file, which is why you can't load in a pixel-based image. |
Where are the templates?
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Backdrop Designer uses 'presets' rather than 'templates'. They are similar – or the same – depending upon how you look at things.
‘Presets’ are pre-made textures. They are not pre-rendered images that you open as individual files. Instead, they are textures that you preview, combine, change the properties of, and then render out into a file.
If you were to use Backdrop Designer to create 'templates' in the traditional sense, here is what you'd do. You would choose the presets that you like, customize them, and render them out individually into Photoshop files. Then save those Photoshop files for later use.
We have more info about presets here. And you can watch free movies that explain Backdrop Designer here.
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What host apps does the filter run in?
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While Photoshop plugins are supposed to be compatible with other drawing applications, they aren't always. This is because all apps have their own ways of talking to plugins, and this way of talking (called the 'Application Plugin Interface', or API) is not always consistent. Our list of compatible apps with Backdrop Designer is here.
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How high a resolution can I use?
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The resolution of Backdrop Designer is unlimited. It
is simply tied into the specs of your Photoshop file. This is because
Backdrop mathematically generates the textures. Once the texture is
rendered, it simply pixels of your file.
For instance, if your Photoshop file is 600 ppi at 20x30 inches, Backdrop will render
out the texture to those specs. If your Photoshop file is 72 ppi at 3x5
inches, then Backdrop will render the texture to those specs.
Obviously, the higher the resolution and the larger the physical dimensions
of your Photoshop file, the longer the render will take. The math behind
Backdrop is pretty intense!
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Can Backdrop render any faster?
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Backdrop works quickly while you're creating the texture because you are simply previewing the texture. The mathematical algorithms behind those beautiful textures only kick in when you hit the 'Apply' button.
Backdrop Designer's render can't be sped up, although we do have some workflow tips for you. We are looking to address speed in version 2.0 by taking advantage of multi-processors.
There are a few 'Render' settings to choose from (Fast, Normal, High Quality) along the Task Bar. If you work in 'Fast' mode while you are experimenting and just doing test renders, your backdrop will render out pretty quickly (though the quality will be lower). Generally, you can do your final render in 'Normal' mode and get the level of detail that you need.
Working in 16-bit should also speed up your render. The plugin is set to work natively in that bit depth, so working in 8-bit means that Backdrop has to render in 16-bit then convert down to 8-bit.
On average, a Backdrop Designer render will take 3-5 minutes. To render out a texture that's a very high ppi or large physical size, you'll want to set the render for a time when you can walk away from the computer for a little while.
Another idea is to pre-render some backgrounds that will be used frequently and treat them like templates. For instance, let’s say you have 12 standard backdrop choices that you offer to parents for school photos. Render each of these backdrops to its own Photoshop file.
Make sure the file size and resolution are the largest possible dimensions that you will use. Now you can simply open the Photoshop backdrop file when needed and copy/paste its contents into the photograph file of the appropriate schoolchild. |
Will Backdrop work with 16-bit files?
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Yes, Backdrop Designer DOES work with 16-bit files. There is, however, an issue with files saved at 16-bit with multiple layers. This happens with both TIF and PSD file formats.
The solution, for now, is to throw away all layers but the one that you are running Backdrop on. Once you have rendered, you can add in any imagery you want to the layer(s) behind the masked out subject.
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Place the Backdrop behind my subject?
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It's pretty easy to add Backdrop Designer into your photograph. You will not do this insertion inside of the Backdrop plugin. Instead, you should do the following steps in your Photoshop file:
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In Photoshop's Layers palette, create a second layer in your target Photoshop file. This is the photograph that already has someone masked, possibly using our Primatte Chromakey plugin. There will be a transparent area surrounding the image. |
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Still in the Layers palette, drag that new layer so it's below your Primatte layer. You can rename the layer 'Backdrop'. |
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Now add the image that you want to use as your new background. With the Backdrop layer still selected, choose Backdrop Designer from your Filters menu. Create your design, then apply the plugin. |
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Back in your Photoshop file, your newly created background sits behind the Primatte-treated image, and shows through the transparency of that top layer.
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If this explanation doesn't make sense then you probably need to learn more about Photoshop. These are very basic processes that every Photoshop user needs to understand. We have a more extensive explanation of this merging process in our 'Merge' PDF tutorial.
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Backdrop isn't displaying in color.
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Most likely, you are working in a Photoshop file that is set to Grayscale mode. You can determine that by looking in the Photoshop menu at Image> Mode, and seeing what mode is check marked. If Grayscale is checked, then select RGB Color instead. If this doesn't fix the problem, please contact us via this short Request Form.
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The file 'Backdrop.8bf' will not open.
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It sounds as if you have correctly installed the
plugin. However, you want to access it through your Photoshop
application, not from your hard drive.
Open a new Photoshop file, then go to the Filters menu. You
should see a 'Digital Anarchy' item listed at the bottom of that menu, with
a sub-menu choice of 'Backdrop Designer'.
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The preset's colors look wrong.
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Most likely, you changed the Texture sliders to customize your last preset. For the next preset to look like its thumbnail preview, you need to set these sliders back to their defaults. Set Blur Amount to 50%. Set Hue Shift, Saturation Shift and Brightness Shift to 0%. Now your preset looks correct!
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How can I undo the last step?
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Backdrop Designer supports one level of Undo. There is no Undo button, only the standard keyboard command of Control-Z for Windows, Apple-Z for Macintosh. You CAN toggle the Undo.
Some functions are undoable; others are not. You can undo/redo your last preset load. You can undo/redo a mutation that has been selected.
Unfortunately, you cannot undo changes to the Texture/Shadow sliders. If you change the level of Texture Blur or amount of Shadow Bend, you will need to adjust the slider by hand to get back the previous setting.
You also cannot undo saving or deleting a preset.
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Display Texture only (no Shadow)
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It's really easy. Just set the Shadow Window's Opacity Level slider to 0%. The Shadow fades out and only the Texture will be visible.
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Display Shadow only (no Texture)
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This is also really easy. If you set the Texture Window's Brightness Shift slider to 100 (pure white), you will see the Shadow by itself. This allows you to render out just the Shadow if you so choose, or to save the Shadow only as a Combination preset.
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