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Dave_Marquez
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Color in Grayscale Mode

Apr 23, 2012 9:45 AM

Tags: #file #cs5 #color #cmyk #rgb #size #mode #mac #layer #grayscale #cs6 #comics #comic

I imagine this isn't possible, but...

 

I draw comics digitally in photoshop, working in Grayscale mode to reduce file size (I work very high-res).  Is it possible to make photoshop display certain layers in color, without switching to either CMYK or RGB mode? 

832 Views   17 Replies   Latest reply: Semaphoric, Apr 23, 2012 5:19 PM
 
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  • Shan-Dysigns
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    1. Shan-Dysigns,
    Apr 23, 2012 9:53 AM   in reply to Dave_Marquez
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    No, that's the whole purpose of grayscale (only shades of black).

     
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  • Dave_Marquez
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    2. Dave_Marquez,
    Apr 23, 2012 10:19 AM   in reply to Shan-Dysigns
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    Thanks for the feedback.

     

    To clarify:  I use many layers, and it would be helpful if PS could just display a chosen layer as a certain color, not actually make it that color, if that makes sense.  for example:  PS will show guides as cyan, irrespective of the color mode of the file.  I'm just wondering if there's a similar way to present certain information in my image file in color, just to keep track of the different layers. 

     

    Duotone is a clumsy way of doing this, I guess.  Not ideal.  Open to any suggestions!

     
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  • Curt Y
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    3. Curt Y,
    Apr 23, 2012 10:28 AM   in reply to Dave_Marquez
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    Perhaps this is what you are looking for.

     

    When the "Grayscale" and "Black & White" options are used to convert an image, the color information is discarded in the conversion.  Creating a B&W layer above an image preserves the original color information.

    Since the original colored image is still unaffected below the B&W layer, parts of the B&W can be erased to reveal the color below. The steps are as follows:

    1. Visit the article: Adobe Photoshop CS3: Creating a Black and White Layer to learn how to create a Black and White Layer.
    2. Open the desired image containing the B&W layer to be accented.
    3. In the lower left hand corner, locate the black and white color swatches.  Press X on the keyboard to toggle between the two swatches.
    4. Select the Brush tool.

     

      Note: If the Tools window is not open, click Windows tab on the menu bar and click Tools.

    1. Paint the sections of the image where color is desired. Note: While painting with the black swatch selected, color will be revealed.  While painting with the white swatch selected, color will be replaced, once again, with B&W.
    2. When completed, color accenting should make the color objects truly stand out in the picture.
     
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  • Dave_Marquez
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    4. Dave_Marquez,
    Apr 23, 2012 10:38 AM   in reply to Curt Y
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    Thanks for the reply, Curt.

     

    This is close to what I want (B&W on top, with the ability to see other colors), but since the image would have to be in one of the color modes (CMYK or RGB I guess), it would still increase file size. 

     

    If anybody is familiar with Manga Studio, it essentially does what I'm describing  by specifying a layer type that will diplay as blue, even though the image file itself is actually bitmap. It may simply be that PS doesn't have a similar capability.

     
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  • Dave_Marquez
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    5. Dave_Marquez,
    Apr 23, 2012 10:43 AM   in reply to Dave_Marquez
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    Perhaps a better description:  can you color-code layers, without being in a color mode?

     
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  • Shan-Dysigns
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    6. Shan-Dysigns,
    Apr 23, 2012 10:43 AM   in reply to Dave_Marquez
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    How large of a file size are you talking about? I certainly wouldn't let file size be the determining factor versus ease of use.

     
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  • Shan-Dysigns
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    7. Shan-Dysigns,
    Apr 23, 2012 10:47 AM   in reply to Dave_Marquez
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    Are you talking about being able to color a layer in Photoshop and not the actual pixel content in the layer?

     

    Layer/Layer Properties - choose a color?

     

    Is this what you are talking about?

     
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  • Dave_Marquez
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    8. Dave_Marquez,
    Apr 23, 2012 10:48 AM   in reply to Shan-Dysigns
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    haha, minimum about 100 Mb, up to 400.  I work at around 900 dpi, with a document around 11"x17".  There's a laundry list of reasons why this has been easier to use for my workflow.  the only limitation being that I can't use color (which I don't need - but it would be convenient to display color-coded layers to easily distinguish rough sketches from finished artwork).

     
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  • Dave_Marquez
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    9. Dave_Marquez,
    Apr 23, 2012 11:04 AM   in reply to Shan-Dysigns
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    I would like for the pixel content of a layer to be displayed as a solid color.  Duotone mode allows this (without increasing file size, since it still only uses one channel) but links color output to opacity.  Not ideal, but is my current workaround.

     
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  • Shan-Dysigns
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    10. Shan-Dysigns,
    Apr 23, 2012 11:15 AM   in reply to Dave_Marquez
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    I don't know - you have a weird workflow (Photoshop + 900 dpi). If you are drawing comics, why aren't you just using Illustrator and maybe a tablet?

     
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  • Dave_Marquez
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    11. Dave_Marquez,
    Apr 23, 2012 11:25 AM   in reply to Shan-Dysigns
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    I use a cintiq - and as for software I don't particularly like Illustrator, and I use a ton of the raster effects/filters, etc that PS provides.

     
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  • emil emil
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    12. emil emil,
    Apr 23, 2012 12:33 PM   in reply to Dave_Marquez
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    Dave_Marquez wrote:

     

    ...I work at around 900 dpi, with a document around 11"x17"...

    Why? Who asked you to do that?

    The publishing standard 300 ppi gives a very good detail form a reading viewing distance for published materials. For anything with larger size the resolution (ppi) only goes down - the larger the size and viewing distance the smaller the ppi down to 10 ppi for billboard sizes.

     

    you have images with 9900 X 15300 pixels per side. This can print a billboard with about 20 x 30 meters that will look sharp and clear from the distance needed to see the whole image comfortably.

     
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  • Noel Carboni
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    Dec 23, 2006
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    13. Noel Carboni,
    Apr 23, 2012 2:33 PM   in reply to Dave_Marquez
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    Dave_Marquez wrote:

     

    Perhaps a better description:  can you color-code layers, without being in a color mode?

     

    Sorry to seem negative, but the answer you seem unwilling to hear is:  No.

     

    So why not just work in RGB, and see whatever colors you want by using things like clipping on adjustment layers to colorize the layer you're working on?

     

    If your computer can't handle the data size you're using in the way you want to work, get a bigger/better computer.  Certainly there are systems that can handle 1 gigabyte files.

     

    -Noel

     
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  • Shan-Dysigns
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    14. Shan-Dysigns,
    Apr 23, 2012 3:59 PM   in reply to Noel Carboni
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    I think the first thing needing worked on is the reasoning for 900 dpi

     
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  • Dave_Marquez
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    15. Dave_Marquez,
    Apr 23, 2012 4:33 PM   in reply to Shan-Dysigns
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    There are a host of reasons specific to the way I work, my client list, and the desired results. It's wierd, I'll grant you, but works incredibly well. In any case, not really relevant to this discussion.

     

    It seems that there isn't a simple solution to my specific issue (though using Duotone mode allows for a compromise workaround - providing multiple colors in a single-channel file). While other software may allow for the type of color-coding functionality I describe (MangaStudio as one example), Photoshop doesn't currently seem to have an equivalent. 

     

    Thanks to those of you who made an effort to address the question I asked originally.

     
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  • Shan-Dysigns
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    16. Shan-Dysigns,
    Apr 23, 2012 4:52 PM   in reply to Dave_Marquez
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    While other software may allow for the type of color-coding functionality I describe (MangaStudio as one example),

     

    If MangaStudio seems to fit your purpose better, then why don't you go buy it? It certainly appears to be cheaper than Photoshop. Why try and stretch a program beyond its intended purpose when the ultimate solution is much cheaper?

     

    I'd still like to hear your reasoning behind 900 dpi. If you are getting projects that require such LARGE output canvas sizes, then I would imagine you would be using the appropriate software. Since everything stems from "file size", I think you are only shooting yourself in the foot by limiting yourself in the beginning. Whether you know it or not, maybe there is a better workflow than what you are using which would allow you to use color modes, etc... That's why this was asked so many times (about the 900 dpi). The fact you are skirting that answer makes me think there is something you don't want to reveal.

     
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  • Semaphoric
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    17. Semaphoric,
    Apr 23, 2012 5:19 PM   in reply to Dave_Marquez
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    Well, not certain layers, per se, but you could go to the *Channels* panel menu, and "Add new spot channel". Specific layers could be drawn in only one particular channel. Or two or three, if you wanted to blend colors, say, with a gradient.

     
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