Photoshop (I think) Question.

[Roy G. Biv]

Let me explain..
I have one image as a background, and another image that is a png file. This file is located on a website and changes every few minutes.

Can I merge the 2 into a single image that will update? In otherwords, the image above with a background that is one file?

 

["Umm fish?"]

Sure, open the background in Photoshop. I would create a new layer (Layer -> New -> New Layer). Then place (File -> Place) the second file.

Good luck!

 

[lat0403]

Do you have access to the website? You'd probably have to change the png to what you want your background to look like.

 

["Umm fish?"]

I'm sorry. I didn't fully read your question last night. I think it you do this in layers that you can automate it if you want to. Photoshop CS certainly has a nice macro language and I would assume that you could control it with Applescript if you're on a Mac. Then you can set it up so that your system runs your Applescript on a schedule. I can try to help with the script if you'd like.

I would assume that PCs have some sort of similar automation features, but I can't help you there.

 

[Roy G. Biv]

Heres what I've done. I have Photoshop and Adobe Fireworks. I have my background and added the picture above as a layer. The picture above never changes. In Dreamweaver, I can just Insert > Image, then I can point it to the URL and I get the updated image every time I want it. Some how I need to make the above layer "active", the way I have it now its "passive". I hope this makes sense.

 

["Umm fish?"]

Umm ... no. If the picture above never changes, why do you need it to be active?

Maybe tell me more about your project? You're trying to display a picture on a website (inside a Dreamweaver project) and the picture changes every once in a while? Can you save the picture as the same file name in the same place every time? I haven't used Dreamweaver, but I've used LiveMotion and I know there's a way to pull in graphics at run time.

That said, you could also make a framework of html that would display your flash (right?) graphics and your static image and it would automatically take whatever graphic image is in the right spot with the right name. Might be easier.

 

[Roy G. Biv]

If you pay attention to this image...

Reload this page once in a while. It is a live feed of my tank. It updates every few minutes. See my first post on 11/29 at 9:47 and then notice what it says in the feed. The feed is located at
http://www.rowelab.com/AquaController/rc_PMolan_sig.png
I was looking to incorporate this into a site. I can use a frame to do it, but it is very hard to align it correctly on a background. If I were to incorporate this image into another, it would appear the same on any web browser.

 

[Roy G. Biv]

Maybe I need to create an background and then have a link to an image in a different layer. Im sorry this is still new to me. Im pretty much just opening stuff and clicking through options to see if I get what I want.

 

[lat0403]

Is this a feature of the AC? I know it puts the information out there, but does it make it look like that or is that something you've done? The easiest solution would be just to change rc_PMolan_sig.png to look how you want it to look. But it's probably not possible if AC's doing it all.

I don't know a lot about Fireworks or Dreamweaver, but I'm almost positive you won't be able to do what you're wanting in Photoshop. You're not going to be able to merge the images and have one file. You need a way to have the layers react like they're part of the same image without actually being the same image.

 

[Roy G. Biv]

Basically its the output of the aquacontroller. Ill keep messing with it, Ill post if I find out a way. Thanks guys