Expert: Huma Riaz - 11/2/2007

Question
Hi

I have a piece of two color artwork, quite a complicated wall paper pattern in
Tiff format. The pattern is in one color, the background is another. The
example I've been trying to alter is black pattern on white background.

Basically I want to change the color of the pattern but I'm having no luck. I've
tried fiddling with "Replace Color' etc but it has no effect. Any idea where I'm
going wrong? Or how I should do this? The pattern is too complicated for me
to select using the 'selection' tool, so I can't do it that way.

Many thanks!

jim

Answer
Hi, Do this step by step as suggested.

If it is in solid colors, it is easy to select. First enhance the color contrast from levels (Ctrl+L) or Curves (Ctrl+M) to get the selection easily.


After that get the selection from either

SELECT > SIMILAR

Or

SELECT > Color range (in dialogue menu, choose quick mask from the bottom option avialalbe).

To make the pattern separated from background double click on the background layer. When the dialogue box comes, click ok. The layer will be 'layer 0'. (Which means you can make it transparent)


Now after making selection from the method provided above. Select the background area (you may have to inverse 'Ctrl+Alt + I' to select the bacground). And delete that. (Press delete key from keyboard)


Now what will you get is the transparent background with the object having selection.


Now deselect the selection and lock the transparent pixels (see layer menu top 4 icons)

Fill the color you require (Foreground palette = Alt + delete)



Hope this will helps, feel free to ask anything further



Huma Riaz
Location: Karachi - Pakistan