Channels

Lee · 10-30-2004, 05:40 PM

Many times when I am doing something in Channels the black and white image(s) look better than if I converted the RGB image to grey scale. I have been experimenting with no luck. Is there a way for me to select one of the red, green or blue images and make it a final image that I can alter and save in PS?

Stroker · 10-30-2004, 05:46 PM

Good ol' fashioned cut-n-paste.

I suppose you could use Adjustment Layer > Channel Mixer if your really wanted to.

Few other options, but I'm not going to mention them.

3[

Welles · 10-30-2004, 06:01 PM

Hi Lee,,

Highlight the channel you wish to save, Select All and then copy it to the clipboard. Then File > New and the size you just copied will be the default settings. Paste the channel and there you are.

Some people like to convert the image to Lab Color and use the lightness channel. My favorite is to use a Channel Mixer adjustment layer and Load... > Presets > Channel Mixer Presets > Grayscale > Grayscale Standard.cha.

I almost always tweak the Channel Mixer settings from there but it is a great start. Some don't load the presets from the PS install CD so if you haven't, that's where they will be.

Dang! Stroker beat me to it!~ 8))

Lee · 10-31-2004, 12:13 AM

Mochas Gracias. gentlemen. [righton]

Erik · 10-31-2004, 12:47 AM

If you want a specific channel, just click on that small triangle/arrow at the top of th channels palette and choose "split".

Afterwards you can Shift-drag images on one of them (creating layers), set back to RGB (if you want) and start using blend modes.

You can then also start playing with "apply image" (edit menu)

etc etc...

You can also work the other way around and create an RGB (or whatever) image from different greyscale images that have the same pixelsize.

etcetcetc

like Mark sez: experiment and thou shalt find!

Erik · 10-31-2004, 09:58 AM

As sometimes ou need a channel for something else, I usually work like this:

1/ In case the channel is needed for a mask, you can easily load it as a selection, press D, then Alt-Del to fill the selction, then evt. invert

2/ In case the channels are wanted for layers, I first duplicate the image (Image>duplicate) and the split and shift drag.

3/ In case one channel is needed, select it, Crtl-A, Ctrl-C, new layer, Ctrl-V

Welles · 10-31-2004, 02:04 PM

I think that last post from Erik is worthy of going into the Quick Tips and Technques forum for people who aren't used to working with channels. [righton]