The Start Menu
Both scripts work in more or less the same way. When either script is executed, you are presented with the Start Menu. This offers several sets of options such as the number of ‘mirrors’ you want. The Start Menus are described in detail in the separate script pages. The menus are a bit clunky. Whichever option you choose , you then need to click the OK button to activate the option. Clunky, but simple enough and they work!
Creating the Kaleidoscope
Once you have set up your parameters (or just go with the default settings), click ‘Create Kaleidoscope‘ and ‘OK‘ to generate a kaleidoscopic image. At this point, KaleidoSquare will make the kaleidoscopic image without further intervention.
Selecting the Mirror (KaleidoTriangle only)
KaleidoTriangle requires an extra step. After you click ‘OK‘, a semi-transparent, white triangle with a red outline will appear on your screen. This shows the triangular ‘slice’ or mirror which will be duplicated to form the kaleidoscopic image. You can manipulate this triangle in a number of ways and this is covered fully in the KaleidoTriangle page. The script will then create the kaleidoscopic image.
Final Image
In both cases, the final image will be displayed, centred on a black background. This image will ALWAYS be square!
The Finish Menu
A Finish menu is then displayed. It is identical in both scripts and offers the following options:
- Finish: Close the script
- Rerun: The image is returned to the point where the script was run and the Start menu is displayed.
- Save as jpg / Save as psd: Opens a file dialogue and saves the file in the chosen format.
Not just squares!
Other Stuff
You can hit the Escape key at any point to exit the script. Photoshop will display the image as it was when you pressed Escape.
It is impossible to say how long a kaleidoscopic image will take to produce as so many variables are involved, such as:
- the size of your original file. Larger takes longer!
- the number of mirrors you select. More mirrors, more time!
- the spec of your computer!. The higher the spec, the shorter the time (usually!).
The KaleidoTriangle script will generally execute in 6 or 7 seconds with 18 mirrors selected and refresh switched off. KaleidoSquare images generally take longer, although you will probably use fewer mirrors. You’ll soon find out what works best for you.
Default values will be reset every time you run the script afresh. If you choose ‘Rerun’ from the Finish Menu, any changes you have made will be preserved for the duration of that session.
Be aware that your initial image is flattened by the script so any existing layers are lost. The script doesn’t save anything automatically so this isn’t a problem so long as you don’t deliberately overwrite the original file.