1.1 Installing PostworkShop
Download the program zip file from http://postworkshop.net/download based on your computer’s operating system.
PC version
Open the downloaded zip file, double-click the Installation file, and follow the installation procedure. At the end a shortcut icon will be created on your Desktop. PostworkShop will automatically create its own working environment in your user directory (e.g. such as installing the style database).
Mac version
Unzip the archive and put the Application file into your Applications folder. PostworkShop will automatically create its own working environment in your user directory (e.g. such as installing the style database).
Note: Both for Mac and PC, when you download a new version or a future update of the program, it will detect that you already have a work environment set up. Instead of replacing the style database it will simply update the system styles and keep your personal style collection intact.
Double-click the PostworkShop shortcut icon that has been created on your desktop.
Copy and paste the serial number from your invoice into the serial number field in order to run the program in licensed mode. Be sure you are connected to the Internet before clicking the "Activate Serial Number" button and wait a few moments while it is activated. The waiting time depends on your internet connection speed as it connects with our servers to validate your serial number.
PostworkShop will run as soon as the activation is complete.
Note: If you can not activate your serial number, click here to read how to activate with the offline activation. (read FAQ in the forum/How to activate with the offline activation)
Note: If you do not have a serial number you can run PostworkShop in Demo Mode. You can download the program here. Serial numbers are also available at this Web store.
1.2 The PostworkShop Layout and the Editors
Once you open the program the default screen is the Compositing viewport. To help, we inserted a short Quick Start Guide. Close the Quick Start Guide to start working.
1.2.1 Layouts
In the Advanced layout* (Pro and Artist Editions only), the screen is divided into three sections:
Workspace on the left side (in orange).
Projects Browser, Styles browser, and Property+Preview pane are in the three tabs along the top of the right side (in purple).
Object Browser and Layer Browser are below the workspace (in green).
Note: Depending on the PostworkShop edition purchased, there are different layout possibilities. The layout can be set in the Options menu or in the menu bar by clicking the icons. (to know how to select the Layouts, see below 1.5 Menubars and tab). The selected layout will have its icon highlighted in orange. The Basic Edition has the Simple and Classic Layouts, while the Artist Edition and the Pro Edition also have an Advanced Layout.
By default, PostworkShop provides a white canvas to proceed with your project. The canvas is considered an Object (like any other image/photo). The canvas is the “New Image” Object layer which comes with a Default Layer in the Style Layers section.
1.2.2 Editors
The three editions also differ among the editors. The Basic Edition only has the Compositing viewport, while the Artist Edition and the Pro Edition offer the ability to create styles in the Style Editor. For further information about the differences between the editions, click here).
In Style Editor view the layout is divided in two sections:
- Workspace on the left side
- Styles Browser, Projects browser, and Property+Preview pane under three tabs on the right side
The Style Info box which is part of the Styles browser can be opened by clicking the "i" information button, and closed with a second click on the "i". This button lets you to know the style's description, properties, author, etc, but only if they have been set by the creator.
1.3 Set your Layout
Sections are separated by vertical and horizontal divider bars. These dividers can be moved with the left mouse button to shrink or enlarge the workspace of the Compositing viewport or the Style Editor.
Double-clicking the divider maximizes the working area inside the application window. A second double-click on the divider bar resizes the workspace to the original default position.
Note: The full screen effect is extremely useful when working in the Style Editor. With a larger workspace, you do not need to reduce the *node* dimensions. (To see how Style Editor works, see 3.3 "Output and Input Pins")
*Node: An abbreviation of “filter node”, a unit in the filter graphs.
1.4 Separating the Properties+Preview pane
The Properties+Preview panel can be displayed separately from the Projects/Styles tabs. Use the triangle beside the tabs.
Docking the Properties+Preview pane on the right allows you to have both the Properties and Styles browsers active so you do not need to switch between them to add or modify styles. You are able to work faster with fewer clicks. If you want to re-unite the tabs click the small triangle again.
Note: Separating the Properties+Preview pane is possible only if there is enough space on the right side of your screen. This feature is not allowed when using the smallest view.
The first 11 buttons are common to all editions. Some's effect may differ in the Basic/Artist-PRo edition - this will be precised. From left to right:
- New Project: create a new blank project (*PRJ file-specific to PostworkShop) overwriting the current project.
- Open Project: open a save PostworkShop Project from your computer's folder.
- Save: Save the image (*.jpg, *.png, *tif...), the final render, the PWS project file or the Adobe Photoshop *.psd file.
- Save As
- Undo: undo the last moves. Use ctrl+x. See also Quick key combinations in the Compositing view.
- Redo: redo the undid moves. Use ctrl+z. See also Quick key combinations in the Compositing view.
- Load Image: Load a new image to work on in the same project. In the Basic Edition opening a new image overwrites the current image/project. You can also load a *.psd file from this same menu point.
- New Text Object: Adds text over your image. Click here to know more.
- New Empty Image: Adds a new Image as new Object in the same project. In the Basic Edition adding a new Empty image overwrites the current image/project.
- Compositing Guide: Show/hide compositing guides.
- Resize Object: Allows you to resize the current object/image you are working on.
1.5.1 in the Basic Edition
following the Resize button
- Render: Renders the work to obtain the final calculated image.
- Switch to Simple Layout: Shows only the Object and the Styles Browser/Properties+preview pane. Does not show the Layers browser.
- Switch to Classic Layout: Shows the Object, the Styles Browser/Properties+preview pane and the Layers browser.
- Quick Start Guide: Opens the quick start guide.
1.5.2 in the Artist/Pro Edition
following the Resize button
- Render Area: Use the Render area to define part of the image to pre-render and see the result without the need to calculate the whole image.
- Render: Renders the work to obtain the final calculated image.
- Switch to Simple Layout: Shows only the Object and the Styles Browser/Properties+preview pane. Does not show the Layers browser nor the Object browser.
- Switch to Classic Layout: Shows the Object, the Styles Browser/Properties+preview pane and the Layers browser. Does not show the Object browser.
- Switch to Advanced Layout: Shows the Object, the Styles Browser/Properties+preview pane, the Layers browser and the Object browser.
- Quick Start Guide: Opens the quick start guide.