[khmccorkle]

So, I know I am a complete dummy here, but why won't my photoshop cs let me work with png files? I have to convert everything to jpg. Sorry for such a basic question, but I gotta start somewhere, and so far I ain't getting anywhere!

[Ro]

Photoshop CS loves PNG files. They are the major part of scrapbooking and their transparent quality is everything.

What are you trying to do with them specifically?

If you have pngs (like embellishments) that you are trying to put on layouts, you have to have your layouts going and then you use the move tool and just slide the PNG files over on top of the layout. It's really easy.

Okay - so I'm going to sound like a commercial here - but this is exactly the reason I made my Scrapbook Software Secrets Revealed for Photoshop training program. (and the same for other pieces of software). I just saw too much software learning suffering going on and I knew that I could solve it for people with my movies. In them, you see my scrapping and hear me talking about why I am doing what I am doing. They move step by step and because they are short, one topic movies, you can rewatch the ones you need in a flash. They take you completely through it from the beginning and in less than a couple of hours, you will be flying through everything and scrapping away like mad.

You can read more about it in the Boutique.

Meanwhile, if you will describe what you are attempting to do with those PNG files, I am glad to try to troubleshoot it for you here. Love to try to help!

[khmccorkle]

I have used this program for a long time, editing, cropping photos, clip art, etc, yet when I try to open a file, the png ones are not darkened, meaning they will not open them, like a doc file is not dark (not that I'm trying to open that). I've gone into preferences to try to change it and under plug-ins I see a thing for a png icon parser but it just says who made it, etc. I would just like to be able to work with pngs. Maybe I have an old version, it says it is version 8.0.

I've tried some tutorials, but maybe because I have a mac, so much of what I see in the tutorials is not what I see on my computer screen so I haven't wanted to spend money yet on a class that perhaps doesn't apply to what I have (I'm a cheapskate, too). Like I have read how to install brushes, and it is all Greek to me (in fact Greek would be easier!). Right now it's like ordering a correspondence course on nuclear engineering written in Russian. I can't use the instructions I see. (for example I have no idea what all this stuff to the left of where I am writing this is about!)

Thank you SO MUCH, for answering and helping. It means a lot to me
Kathy Hey I did that!

[Ro]

They should open right up. I'll tell you what you ought to do. I've had my installation on Photoshop go bad on me before (a couple of times) and reinstalling it fixed it. If you are having problems with PNGS not opening straight up with no problems, it might be that.

Try it and see.

My tutorials, Kathy, are different than what you are thinking. You see me working in the software. I am actually scrapbooking and you see my mouse going from here to there. And I am talking about why I am doing what I am doing. And I have these text things come up and point out special things - with arrows, etc. when something important happens so that you won't miss it. Installing brushes is SO SO easy and I show you how to do it. It is like having me come to your house and show you how to use Photoshop in private lessons - only better because you can watch it over and over again.

My tutorials work perfectly for MACs, as well. They have been tested by and used by scads of MAC users. They come as QuickTime movies as well as Windows Media movies. The interface for the MAC is the same. The only major difference is that PC users use the Ctrl key and Mac users use the Command key for keyboard short cuts.

The only reason I suggested them is because you seemed to need help and honestly, they are the fastest, cheapest way to learning that expensive software you own. I created them because people just won't want our other products unless they learn how to use the software. Make sense? If you don't need training, then GREAT! You should be in business right now and that's cool.

But really, back to your PNG question. They should open right up. Nothing special required. Try repairing your installation and see if that fixes it because at this point, it is sounding more and more like something is just wrong with the software now.

[khmccorkle]

Will do that. Thanks so much again and I'll let you know what happens (hope I can find the software!)

[Durin]

Don't know if the installation for PS CS is similar to PSE3, but during the PSE installation, it asked what types of files we wanted the program to read, and listed different types of files with check boxes next to them. Some were checked by default, but PNGs were not. We checked PNG and they work fine.

This may not be your problem, but it may be worth checking out.

[khmccorkle]

VERY good point, I bet
thanks

[Ro]

Actually, nope. It's not that. I know for SURE because when I installed stuff on my new computer, I forgot to uncheck the PNGS with fireworks and so the computer thinks the Fireworks owns them. But I can open PNGS in all of the graphic software on this machine. And I have a tons of it. Just about everything you could imagine!

[Crueltyfre/Lori]

Ok, if we're talking about pngs...when I make them in psp and then try to open them in CS2, sometimes, and not always which is what throws me, up pops this box asking me about "color managing" my pngs. I get three options, one of which is "leave it alone" so I always pick that one. They still open and they still work but I'm curious what this is all about. I've been too lazy to open a book or go out on the net to figure out what it is Adobe's talking about...anyone have a brief answer?
Lori

[khmccorkle]

Guess what? We can't find the software, but my husband finally looked into our program and it says it should take pngs! But he wants me to look for a png plug in that might help. I couldn't get him to help me with this until I showed him how these messages, so at least that has been accomplished! Thanks everyone, it's so nice to know that it's not just that I'm a complete dummy, I can blame it on the computer! Makes life so much better sometimes, doesn't it?

[Ro]

Nope, I've never had that happen, Lori. Photoshop does ask you at some point to set up your color preference, but I just accepted the default settings as they are used the most (RGB, US, etc.) You can access the Color Settings dialog box at any time by choosing (Windows) Edit > Color Settings or (Mac OS) Photoshop > Color Settings.


Maybe you need to look at that Kim. Maybe you accidentally set up your color settings weird or something.

Another thing that occurs to me is have your tried a whole bunch of .pngs or just a few of them. PNGS can get damaged or corrupted and if they do, they simply won't open. Maybe you are trying to open some that got damaged or that aren't truly PNGs (like someone named this PNGS by changing their name outside of Photoshop instead of saving them as PNG inside of the software and so they are a .jpg or a .tiff or something. Try opening some other PNGS and see if that helps.