Elliptical Vignette

[LeviFiction]

Scripting is appropriate in many places where it simplifies the actions taken. Whether that's a repetitive task you do a lot or just something you'd only do occasionally. Especially if it saves time. For some the amount of time JoeB's script saves is huge, for others, not so much. As you do it more and more the time saved by JoeB's script definitely becomes huge. But that doesn't mean saving a few extra clicks only once isn't worth it.

As for how you'd do the vignette. It depends on how much control you want. For example, using a vector ellipse you can create a selection, then use that selection inside the vignette command. The problem with this is you can't change the shape once you're in the command. So if it's not quite right you have to keep jumping in and out of the command to adjust the vector and re-create the selection. Obviously, the "raster selection" option inside the vignette command was not meant for this kind of use. It was meant more for a very precise selection something you wouldn't be tweaking a lot to get perfect.

For the most control, while also being time-consuming, you can do a manual method like you describe.

For example:
1) Draw out ellipse with preset shape tool
2) Selectsion -> From vector Object
3) Hide vector object and select layer you want to perform effect on
4) Selection -> Modify selection -> Feather #gives it a soft edge
5) Promote Selection to layer
6) Selections -> None
7) Select Background layer
Duplicate (so you're working on a clean background and aren't destroying it)
9) Darken
10) Blur
11) Select main layer, if not bright enough, brighten.

A lot more work, but far more control over the final look.

[JoeB]

Edit mode is not necessary, but it does prevent accidentally drawing another ellipse or rectangle if my mouse isn't directly on the node. In the video I just didn't have "Show nodes" turned on so I had to switch over to edit mode.

Ahh, that "show nodes" thing did throw me off.

[JoeB]

As for scripting, would that not be more appropriate to a repetitive exercise rather than one only?

I second what LeviFiction said about the various reasons that scripts might be used whether only for occasional use or regular use.

One other reason scripts can be very useful particularly for procedures that a person might only use once in a while is this: Some of those procedures can take several and up to quite a few steps. If you only need that procedure once in awhile, when you do need it you might have forgotten all of the steps and/or the correct order in which to do the steps. This can make it a much slower procedure while trying to work through it again. Having a script available means you can do the job immediately without having to worry about or remember how you did it in the first place.