channels

JH
Posted By
JG_Hopkins
Nov 6, 2003
Views
459
Replies
10
Status
Closed
I added an alpha channel to an image and then and tried to merge it with the RGB channels for a final image but the option is grayed out. Can anybody help? Thanks in advance.

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GH
Gary_Hummell
Nov 6, 2003
Can you add any details about what you are trying to accomplish?

Gary
DM
Don_McCahill
Nov 6, 2003
Alpha channels do not become a part of the image. They are used to store selections. If you have the RGB portion of the image showing, use Load selection, and all your alpha channels will be available to load as selections.
JH
JG_Hopkins
Nov 7, 2003
Gary, I selected liquid in a glass that was sort of a scotch & soda color. I created an Alpha 1 channel with 30% green and the scotch became a margarita color. The change is reflected in the final image but not in the thumbnail which means the change is not really in the final image. Don, what is the point of having the channels if not to be able to merge them into one file? I guess what I’m asking is why not just use masks (I read somewhere that channels are masks…) what’s the difference/point? Thanks!
CW
Colin_Walls
Nov 7, 2003
JGH:

A channel and a mask are, in essence, the same thing: a greyscale image which can be used in various ways. You can always make it into a layer and then combine [blend] with the image in the way that gets the result you want.
JS
John_Slate
Nov 7, 2003
But alpha channels do not affect printing. They are only a place to store selections, and act as masks that isolate part of the image when placed in other applications like QXP.

To get printable color such as that which you see when the alpha channel is visible, LOAD the alpha channel as a selection and fill with color on a new layer.

I’m guessing that the color would be solid red , set at 50% opacity, if your defaults for alpha channel preview is like mine.
Y
YrbkMgr
Nov 7, 2003
I created an Alpha 1 channel with 30% green and the scotch became a margarita color.

You are confusing what an alpha channel is. As others have mentioned, it is only a saved selection. The fact that it was colored green is a feature of Photoshop that allows you to visualize the selection differently.

Do what John said. Load the selection then add a layer adjustment or new layer with the fill color of your choice and that color will be restricted to the area defined by the alpha channel.
JH
JG_Hopkins
Nov 7, 2003
Your suggestions worked perfectly. Thanks so much! JGH
KC
Katharine_Calder
Nov 25, 2003
I am trying to create and alpha channel and save as a targa or jpeg file type. This is to be used in a planogramming software called ProSpace. I created the alpha channel with the RGB composite image and the channel is showing up black. Is this correct? When I save it as a psd it saved the channel, but when I try to save as targa or jpeg the option is greyed out. Help!
CS
Carol_Segarra
Nov 28, 2003
Hi Everyone,

I have 3 large maps (32×36) that were scanned on a large scanner, but each map has three vertical stripes through it which I am sure are from the scanner, because the original maps do not have these. The stripe in the middle is the lightest. I want to replace these stripes with an even color background, but each stripe is a different color–more like a gradient.

My goal is to make an electronic file for each map that I can place in a poster.

I think I need to use the blending sliders, but I need some help. Anybody got a suggestion?

Thanks a lot,
Carol Segarra
CW
Colin_Walls
Nov 28, 2003
Carol

First off, you should start a new thread for this query. That way you will get more attention.

Also, I have some trouble understanding what you want to do with these stripes, as I can’t really picture them clearly. Do you have somewhere that you can post a sample?

Obvious question: have you queried this with whoever did the scan?

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