Changing Alpha Colors - SBB Digital Scrapbooking Forums | Scrapbook-Bytes

lilaclover · #1 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008

I've had this problem for a long time, and usually get around it with flood-fill, but that doesn't always work as well as I would like, as it tends to blotch fine details.

How do you change the color of an element, like an alpha? For example, I have an alpha that is black (on purpose, so that it can be colorized). I'm using PSP X.

Thanks!

shelleyrae · #2 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008

This video tutorial might help

*Program Basic

lilaclover · #3 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008

Thanks, Shelleyrae. I tried to watch the video, but could only listen. Gotta hate satellite internet! Anyway, I did what Tracey said, but that doesn't change the black, just sort of colors over it..I like that, it looks very pretty, but it isn't always what I want to do. Sometimes I want to change the color of the whole thing.

I go to Adjust, Colorize, but the settings there don't do anything at all to change the alpha. It remains completely black. What am I doing wrong?

shelleyrae · #4 (**permalink**) 07-03-2008

I was hoping Tracey might come answer very soon for you. I dont have any experience with PSP - Ill flag this question for her and hopefully she will answer soon!

Jane Bradbury · #5 (**permalink**) 07-05-2008

Hello Barbie

It's the black that is the problem: if you want to make an element recolourable (if that's a word!) it is best made in grey R128 G128 B128.

Your best solution is to try and make it grey by using the Hue & Saturation effect: take Hue and Saturation down to 0 and then play with the Lightness control until you see a mid-grey colour. You should then find it easier to change the alpha to your desired colour.

Hope that helps!

lilaclover · #6 (**permalink**) 07-05-2008

Thank you so much, Jane! These Alphas were purchased; I didn't make them. But that helps tremendously. I knew there had to be a way!

cassel · #7 (**permalink**) 07-05-2008

The same problem (and solution) applies with pure white. It can only be recolored by making it grey in the first place.

Tracey R (Haley64) · #8 (**permalink**) 07-06-2008

Sorry

I have been away enjoying a long weekend at the lake with the kids and didn't see this sooner!

But it looks like the other great PSP users jumped in and helped you out!

Like they said to use the recolor menu options like adjust HSL you need to really start out with a actual color that contains RGB values.

You could change a solid white or black item by using change to target or color replacer tools. Adjusting the setting to suit your needs and depending on the image edge transparency.

You also could lock the layer transparency (padlock) and use the bucket fill tool to replace the color or the black alpha.

There is always like 40 ways to skin a black or white image in PSP! LOL