Posted by Todd Caudle on July 18, 2007 at 12:10 AM
Hey gang, I desperately need some advice from someone in the know. I've attached a reasonable facsimile of a logo that I need to add to a document. My question is, how do I extract just the text elements from this so that I can then paste them on top of a photo? I've tried a Select>Color Range, and selected just the black text, then did a Control-C, but when I paste my copied item onto a photo in CorelDraw it retains a white background. How do I copy just the text elements like this? And is there a way in doing so that I could actually alter the fill color once I post it in, say from black to white? Even if you can get me there in PS (CS3), I can go the rest of the way in CorelDraw. I think.
Thanks in advance for any help you can send my way.
Todd, I wouldn't classify myself as a guru, but I'll give it a shot. I don't have CorelDraw, so I'll have to say how I would use PS CS3.
I think you are on the right track with selecting the black text with color range. If I were to guess what your problem is, it's that you are working with a file that does not support a transparency, or is not copying it over as a layer that supports transparency. As such, the blank pixels are being filled in with the background color.
In CS3, this should be easy. Select as you have suggested, copy, then paste as a new layer within a TIFF or PSD file. You could then change colors, etc and then flatten the image when you were done.
I don't know if CorelDraw works with layers, but hopefully this helps you in at least some way.
Posted by Scott Borger on July 18, 2007 at 1:23 AM
In photoshop (CS3), you can use the Quick Selection tool (same button as the Magic Wand, but the other tool option that looks like a little match) to select each letter. You should be able to select multiple letters by holding the apple button (or whatever the PC equivalent is, cntrl perhaps) before each new selection. If you have to do each letter separately, merge all of the letter layers once you have placed them in the picture file. Hope this makes sense and is not too confusing. If you run into a real bind, feel free to send the photo and logo my way and I'll send it back to you with one layer for the photo and one layer for the logo.
Thanks guys. Once I paste the selected letters on top of a photo, where they reside on their own layer, how do I change the color? I've tried replace color, but it doesn't seem to have an effect. I think I'm missing something.
Posted by Scott Borger on July 18, 2007 at 2:07 AM
First of all, let me correct myself by saying that you use the shift key (not cntrl) to select multiple objects with the quick selection tool. When using the quick selection tool, it may help to zoom in on the object that you want to select fore better accuracy. Secondly, this may select the white space within a letter as well (like the triangle on the A for example). You may have to select the white space and cut it or clear it once it is in its own layer.
There are a couple of ways that you could change the color. You could use the paint bucket, but you might see a bit of an edge to the letters. You could also change the hue of the layer, but this would limit the colors that you could use. I think that there is also a replace color command that can be used. With photoshop, there are often more than one way of accomplishing something.
You said a mouthful when you said there are multiple ways to do tasks in PS, Scott. I had success using the Selective Color feature, and simply took out all the color from the black and neutral channel, leaving me with a white logo on the photo, which is exactly what I was after. Thanks very much!
Todd, you can try the Color Fill layer style, too. Lots faster than working with channels and nondestructive.
Posted by Les Barstow on July 19, 2007 at 11:58 AM
Cheap trick alternative - this probably works in Corel or PSCS:
Add a layer of solid color of the color you wish to use in the final image. On the logo, invert the colors; Select All and then apply a layer mask to the solid color layer (Reveal Selection). Presto - instant colored logo!
Todd, you are working with a photo in Corel Draw? Corel Draw is a vector-based graphics application where raster-based images are legal aliens at best. Maybe you should consider bringing your photo from Corel Draw into PS or Corel's highly capable raster-based Photo Paint app which is included with Corel Draw. Do your editing in familiar raster territory and then reimport the result into Corel Draw if that format is your required destination. Just a suggestion.
Alternately, the logo you are working with is probably a vector graphic in its original format or may be based on a true-type font that is available in a vector format, making it Corel-Draw-friendly and fully scalable.
Working with a line art graphic in PS and a photo in Corel Draw is a recipe for headaches. Best of luck.
Discussion
8 repliesThanks in advance for any help you can send my way.
I think you are on the right track with selecting the black text with color range. If I were to guess what your problem is, it's that you are working with a file that does not support a transparency, or is not copying it over as a layer that supports transparency. As such, the blank pixels are being filled in with the background color.
In CS3, this should be easy. Select as you have suggested, copy, then paste as a new layer within a TIFF or PSD file. You could then change colors, etc and then flatten the image when you were done.
I don't know if CorelDraw works with layers, but hopefully this helps you in at least some way.
There are a couple of ways that you could change the color. You could use the paint bucket, but you might see a bit of an edge to the letters. You could also change the hue of the layer, but this would limit the colors that you could use. I think that there is also a replace color command that can be used. With photoshop, there are often more than one way of accomplishing something.
Add a layer of solid color of the color you wish to use in the final image. On the logo, invert the colors; Select All and then apply a layer mask to the solid color layer (Reveal Selection). Presto - instant colored logo!
Alternately, the logo you are working with is probably a vector graphic in its original format or may be based on a true-type font that is available in a vector format, making it Corel-Draw-friendly and fully scalable.
Working with a line art graphic in PS and a photo in Corel Draw is a recipe for headaches.