This paper describes the methodology for extracting applied surface loads from Surface Stress Sensitive Films (S3F). Experimentally measured 3D deformations of an S3F sensor in combination with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) modeled response functions are utilized to deconvolve the applied normal (pressure) and tangential (shear) loads. Comparisons with pressure sensitive paint (PSP) and pressure taps results obtained under the same experimental conditions are used to fine tune the FEA response functions which leads to improved S3F measurement accuracy.