Adobe Photoshop/Bitmap Mode

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Expert: - 4/3/2010


Question

Image
Dear Kevin Stohlmeyer,

I am just the new user of Photoshop CS3 and I know only some of them. Now I am wondering about the "Bitmap". When I am changing the image that doesn't contain the gradient fill to bitmap and then it all become black round dots. Could I make my image to be gradient so that my image will be as good as I expected after converted to bitmap? I mean I want to see my image containing the black round dots depending on the gradient. I'll attach both image to you. I am sure all the images must become grayscale before converting to bitmap.

Answer
Hi Win,

Bitmap will not do what you need it to. Bitmap is a 1-bit color image - black or white. To create the illusion of shading, it creates a dot pattern, much like a printed piece to simulate levels of gray. Yes, all images must be grayscale to convert to bitmap.

You can try using layers to simulate the bitmap effect using a filter gallery called "Halftone" or another filter to simulate bitmapping.

Thanks

Kevin

Kevin Stohlmeyer

Expertise

I am an Adobe Certified Instructor and also an Adobe Community Professional. I can answer your questions about Adobe Photoshop 8 through the new CS5 Extended versions.

Experience

I am an Adobe Certified Instructor for Adobe Photoshop and have been teaching the application to college students for the past 10 years. I am also only one of 15 Adobe Community Professionals for Adobe Photoshop.

Organizations
Milwaukee Adobe User Group, National Association of Photoshop Professionals, C2 Graphics Productivity Solutions,

Publications
Create Magazine Adobe.com

Education/Credentials
BA - Graphic Design Adobe Certified Instructor - Photoshop and Illustrator Adobe Community Professional - Photoshop

Awards and Honors
Runner-Up Layers Magazine Design Contest

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