Using Anna's Scratched Overlays

[kb7496]

I downloaded Anna's Scratched Overlays today after reading the blog and promptly used them on my open LO. I wanted to recolor them and tried cmd-click on the layer icon to select and recolor, but it didn't select much of the scratches. So then I tried clipping them to a solid color layer and that did seem to change the color, but what is the best way to recolor these .pngs?

[Elena]

I usually use the Magic Wand tool with a tolerance of 50 and Contiguous not checked. Then I zoom in and find the thickest part of the overlay where I can click with my Magic Wand. Hope that helps!

[ptknox]

For Photoshop or Photoshop Elements try this:

1. Set your Foreground color to the color of your choice.

2. In the Layers palette, click on the Lock Transparent Pixels icon. Note that a lock icon now appears on the layer.

3. From the Edit menu, point to Fill Layer. (PS users point to Fill)

4. In the pop up menu that appears, set Contents to Use Foreground Color and click OK.

Because you told Photoshop not to change the transparent portion of your layer in any way ... the fill color was automatically applied to only the areas of the layer that contained colored pixels.

[kb7496]

Thanks for the suggestions!

[annaaspnes]

I often use this technique:
Select your Fore and Background to the same color, then go to Image> Adjustment> Gradient Map.

[Elena]

So interesting to learn different techniques... will have to break out of my little box to try Pattie's and Anna's methods

[echogirl]

I've never done it Anna's way before either..I can't wait to try it!

[JulieSade]

Jeez, I wish there were a way to mark certain threads as favorites!

[Jen D]

Originally Posted by JulieSade

Jeez, I wish there were a way to mark certain threads as favorites!

You can subscribe to the thread so that you will be able to through and find it again I have also copied the URL and pasted them in a word doc before.

[cheska99]

Originally Posted by ptknox

For Photoshop or Photoshop Elements try this:

1. Set your Foreground color to the color of your choice.

2. In the Layers palette, click on the Lock Transparent Pixels icon. Note that a lock icon now appears on the layer.

3. From the Edit menu, point to Fill Layer. (PS users point to Fill)

4. In the pop up menu that appears, set Contents to Use Foreground Color and click OK.

Because you told Photoshop not to change the transparent portion of your layer in any way ... the fill color was automatically applied to only the areas of the layer that contained colored pixels.

Thanks for this, Pattie. It's going straight to my Evernote files!

[cheska99]

Originally Posted by Jen D

You can subscribe to the thread so that you will be able to through and find it again I have also copied the URL and pasted them in a word doc before.

I use Evernote for gathering all the information I get on the internet, and because it's all in a "cloud," I can access it anywhere, from any computer. All I do is select, copy, and paste and all the pictures and diagrams, even video, goes with it. I've been using it for a couple of years now and it's never let me down. Check it out here: https://www.evernote.com

[ptknox]

Originally Posted by cheska99

I use Evernote for gathering all the information I get on the internet, and because it's all in a "cloud," I can access it anywhere, from any computer. All I do is select, copy, and paste and all the pictures and diagrams, even video, goes with it. I've been using it for a couple of years now and it's never let me down. Check it out here: https://www.evernote.com

AND they have companion apps for several smart phones ... I add bits and pieces of things I need to remember on my desktop and then am able to access them from my iPhone as I move around the school building during my work day ... absolutely invaluable.

[anxela]

Originally Posted by cheska99

I use Evernote for gathering all the information I get on the internet, and because it's all in a "cloud," I can access it anywhere, from any computer. All I do is select, copy, and paste and all the pictures and diagrams, even video, goes with it. I've been using it for a couple of years now and it's never let me down. Check it out here: https://www.evernote.com

Ooh, great link! Thanks!

[anke]

super cool, love this little program! Thanks for the link!

[kathy25]

Wow! I learned several things on this little post. Thanks for the tips on how to recolor those cute little scratches...they have been sitting unused in a folder until now. And an even bigger thanks for the evernote suggestion!!! OMG I didn't know it existed..sending this to my sister now...she will be over the moon.

[tylertooo]

OK to all you high end users, as I always need help, wouldn't it be easy enough to just modify the color by colorizing with the hue/saturation command. I tend to use that so that I can play around with the sliders for color/saturation/darkness, as I am always trying to determine the best colors, and often keep changing them as I work? I know it is not exact, but I am always looking at different colors, and it allows me to see the changes as I mess with the sliders.

[Janet1949]

Wow Pattie, thank you for this info, Ive just tried your version and viola, exactly the color I wanted.... you guys rock, we learn something everyday here...

[kb7496]

I love evernote too--but never thought to catalogue tips for PSE in it. GREAT IDEA!

[iUma]

Fun and happy to say I knew all these ways EXCEPT Anna's!! And NOw, I DO.

[Lisa Pate]

I love hearing how other people do things! I've never done any of these techniques I've always just added a new layer, filled it with the color I wanted and then hoovered the cursor between the two layers and clicked Alt. I can't wait to try these new techniques!

[tylertooo]

I think we are all learning new techniques. This is great!

[mugsbigsis]

I almost always use the clipping/solid color layer method you mentioned. Sometimes with thin overlays it works to make a duplicate copy (or two or three) and stack them to give it more substance.