Q

When I open Primatte Chromakey, I can't see the image I am trying to mask. Instead, I see a solid color or the Photoshop layer that I don't want to work on.

A

Q

Will Primatte Chromakey software work with 16-bit files? I can't seem to use more than one layer.

A

Yes, Primatte Chromakey software DOES work with 16-bit files. In fact, Primatte works faster with 16-bit files than with 8-bit files. This is because Primatte processes your file natively in 16-bit.

If you are experiencing speed issues, you may want to convert your file from 8-bit to 16-bit through Photoshop's Image> Mode menu. The original Primatte 2.0 release was unable to support multiple layers in 16-bit. However, we released a free 2.1 update to Primatte that takes care of this problem. Contact us for the Primatte 2.1 update . If you are using version 3.0, that version has always been compatible with 16-bit files.

Q

I want to photograph people against a blue screen and then silhouette the people out... similar to what you see in the iPod and Target commercials. Essentially, I want to fill the people with a solid color.

A

Most likely, you mean a blackened figure against a bright background. That iPod effect can be achieved through chromakeying as well as a pretty sophisticated use of Adobe Photoshop functions like Channels, Calculations, and Layer Modes.

We do NOT suggest or guarantee that Primatte can achieve that iPod look for you. You should search online for a tutorial (like this one on Photoshopsupport.com) before buying Primatte specifically for the iPod effect.

Q

I can see the mask that I've created while I'm in Primatte's interface. But when I apply Primatte to my image, I can't see the any transparent pixels. Instead, I see gray pixels where my blue (or green) screen was.

A

Q

I see that Primatte works with Adobe Photoshop Elements. Does it work with Adobe Premiere Elements too?

A

No, Primatte Chromakey software does NOT work with Premiere Elements. Premiere is a completely different software package than Photoshop Elements. Premiere works with video footage. Photoshop works with photographs. To find out more about Premiere, please go to the Adobe website. To find out about Primatte for Premiere, please go to the Photron website.

Q

I can't get Adobe Photoshop to see Primatte. I've installed the plugin into the PS 'Plugins' folder. When I try to choose it from the 'Filters' menu while in the running application, it appears grayed out and un-selectable.

A

Q

I am having issues with the 'Zoom' and/or 'Pan' tools in Primatte. They either (a) work very slowly, (b) pan only a small increment, or (c) freeze the interface. In some cases, I need to restart the computer.

A

This crashing issue is experienced by a small number of people on Mac 0S 10.3 using Primatte 2.0. Our free 2.1 update to Primatte takes care of this problem. Request the Primatte 2.1 Update.

If you are working with large Photoshop files, Primate's Zoom and Pan tools may not be as responsive as you'd like them to be. If you feel that you will have to experiment to get a good mask, then we can suggest a workaround:

Change the resolution to 150 ppi, and scale down the width and height dimensions. Then do a Save As. Now create your mask with this alternate, smaller file and test render as needed. Once you find the correct mask settings, render them out, then open up the high-res file. Primatte remembers the last settings you created, which means you can successfully apply the same mask.

Q

I'm debating a purchase of a higher end graphics card, like the ATI Mobility Fire GL. Will a graphics accelerator speed up Primatte Chromakey 3.0 at all?

A

No, Primatte will not improve in speed with a higher end graphics card. Like Photoshop, Primatte's speed is tied into your amount of RAM and your processor speed. For speed tips, please read this FAQ.

Q

After installing Primatte, I get the following errors when trying to use the filter: "Error: The file being accessed is invalid. Error getting Primatte Backdrop from resources. Error: The file being access is invalid."

A

Most likely you did not install Primatte correctly. This error means that Primatte can't properly find all of its support files. When you install Primatte, you need to install directly into the Plugins folder of Adobe Photoshop. You cannot install elsewhere on your hard drive, then drag the files over.

You should install Primatte again. First you will want to throw away this current installation. To do this, run a 'Find File' command (Mac) or 'Search' command (Windows) for the word 'primatte'. Throw away the files that come up. Then do a fresh install with the Primatte installer. We have an Windows install doc and a Mac install doc that explain this process in detail.

Q

A

Most likely you did not install Primatte correctly. This error usually occurs when the Photoshop plugin has been moved from its original install location. Here are some suggestions:

• You should not install to the top of your C:/ drive, then move the plugin to Photoshop's 'Plug-ins' folder. You need to install directly to the 'Plug-ins' folder. We recommend re-installing and starting from scratch.
  
  
• Check to make sure the files have not installed as 'Read-Only'. If they have, you need to change their Permissions.
  
• Try to install Primatte again. First you will want to throw away this current installation. Then do a fresh, new installation that designates the Photoshop Plugins folder. To get the Primatte installer, please send us an email using this easy Request Form.

Q

I'm using Primatte to get rid of the green (or blue) behind my model. How do I add in a different background behind her?

A

A frequent question we hear is how to add a new background to a Primatte-treated photograph. This is really a Photoshop (or Elements) question because the process is done inside Photoshop, not in Primatte.

Q

I just upgraded from Photoshop CS to Photoshop CS2. I moved the 'Digital Anarchy' folder from the Photoshop CS 'Plugins' folder into the new CS2 'Plugins' folder. Now when I try to use Primatte it works sometimes, but other times I get an error saying 'access is not allowed'.

A

The issue is that you cannot 'drag and drop' a plugin file from one Application folder to another. You need to do a fresh, new installation. You also need throw away the current Primatte files.

When you reinstall the plugin, you will install directly into the Photoshop 'Plugins' folder. Otherwise, the plugin will not be able to properly find resource and support files that are placed in your computer. To get the Primatte installer, please contact us with this easy Request Form

Q

I just started using Adobe Photoshop / Elements. I don't understand how to copy/paste layers or anything else you are describing.

A

There is a lot of free information about using layers in Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. You can also buy great books and training DVD's. We have a list of recommendations on this page.

Q

I want to create an alpha channel in Photoshop with Primatte settings. How can I save the mask created by Primatte?

A

Primatte doesn't save mask / alpha information directly, but there is a simple workaround. Here's what you do: Render out a Primatte mask as you would normally. Then re-render the mask on a duplicate Photoshop layer as a grayscale image. You do this by rendering with 'Mask View' selected. Now copy/paste that grayscale image into a Layer Mask on the original layer. Then load in the Layer Mask as selection, and save as an alpha channel.

Q

When I render my Primatte mask, sometimes the masked pixels become transparent, but other times I get a grayscale image on my Photoshop layer. Why does this happen and how can I control it?

A

There are two ways to render out Primatte. You have accidentally chosen the second way. Both methods are shown below.

Method 1- If you render out Primatte with the 'Comp View' mode showing, then you will get the expected result. This is your subject against transparent pixels, of course. Method 2- When you render out your Primatte mask with the 'Mask View' mode showing, then Primatte renders out a grayscale image. That's great for additional editing if you know a lot about Photoshop. Otherwise, you will want to render with 'Comp View'.

Q

When I render my Primatte mask, sometimes the mask doesn't immediately show up. If I click around my layers and do some things in Photoshop, then it appears all of a sudden. What's going on?

A

Q

Working with a very high-end computer, Primatte takes more than 15 seconds to create a mask. Can I speed things up?

A

A 15-second mask is actually pretty speedy when you consider that Primatte is running some pretty heavy math through Photoshop's architecture. If you compare that performance to applying any intensive filter in Photoshop, like Extract or Warp, its time frame is comparable.

Having said that, Primatte's speed is something that we optimize with each dot release. And there are a few ways to work with the plugin a little faster.

• Try changing your Photoshop file from 8-bit to 16-bit [Image> Mode menu]. Often the 16-bit file will process faster because Primatte processes 16-bit natively, then converts it to 8-bit.
  
  
• If you feel that you will have to experiment to get a good mask, then we can suggest a workaround: Create a lower-resolution version of your Photoshop file. Change the resolution to 150 ppi, and scale down the width and height dimensions. Then do a Save As. Now create your mask with this alternate, smaller file and test render as needed. Once you find the correct mask settings, render them out, then open up the high-res file. Primatte remembers the last settings you created, which means you can successfully apply the same mask.

Q

I installed your plugin but can't get it to run. I keep clicking the file called 'Primatte.8bf' and nothing happens. I've also tried clicking inside the folder called 'Res' but get an error message.

A

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 'Primatte'.

Q

A

This option may be grayed out for one of a few reasons. Have you put the new background image into a layer in your Photoshop file? That layer needs to sit behind the Primatte-treated layer. The layer also needs to be the bottom-most layer in your Photoshop file.

Otherwise, what version of Photoshop are you using? In Photoshop 6.0 or earlier, the option for ‘Composite Against Background Layer’ is grayed out and unavailable. You need Photoshop 6.5 or later to use this feature.

Q

When I work inside of Primatte to create a mask, everything looks fine. Once I render the mask, back in Photoshop, Primatte has created a gray and white checkerboard pattern. How do I get rid of this image? Why is Primatte doing this?

A

Q

I want to use Primatte inside of After Effects. Can I do that with your plugin?

A

Primatte is available for most applications in other visual disciplines, such as photography, special effects, video production, and 2D compositing. Digital Anarchy only develops and sells the Photoshop version of Primatte.

If you are interested in Primatte for any software other than Photoshop, please visit Photron at www.primatte.com for more details.