Clear BG Possible in PSE3?

[mseymour]

Is it possible to make a clear background of a B&W image in PSE3? This was the way it was done in PS or in PSLE:

1. Open the picture.
2. Select > All and Copy it into the clipboard.
3. Create a New Image. (It will have exactly the same dimensions and resolution as the original one.)
4. Make a new layer; delete the background.
5. Change to Quik Mask mode. (This is the trick.)
6. Paste from clipboard.
7. Return to Normal mode
8. Select > Inverse: Image should now have a mask exactly the same as your picture.
9. Fill it with 100% black.

[TonyW]

Well it's definitely possible (I just did it using Grants Tools - an add-in that makes Quick Mask and several other things available in PSE3). I guess I wondered where you wanted to get with the end result as I'm sure there are other ways to get there even without Quick Mask. What do you want to do with the semi-transparent mask you get when you do this?

Tony

[mseymour]

Tony: I used to use that process a lot to convert line drawings that were in black pencil on white paper. Then I'd make a color rendering of the drawing. I'd like to be able to do the same thing in PSE3 without buying an add-in or plugin.

[mseymour]

Tony: I just downloaded Grant's Tools (learned it's free) and did all the things requested. Although I can see them all in the Styles & Effects palette of PSE3, I get an error message: "Cannot complete request because the file can't be found." What's wrong?

[TonyW]

That's strange - I don't remember that error message - do you see it with all the Grant's Tools actions? I do remember a while back that the Grant's Tools on Grant's site got corrupted. If you want to send me a Private Message with an email address I'll send you my copy that works. You also might want to check the folder to see that the files are all there. In Windows they should look like this:

955

If you get stuck there are other ways to do the same thing - I think what you're doing is creating a luminosity mask which although you can't do directly there are I believe some other workarounds that will do it.

Tony

[mseymour]

Let's hear it for TonyW! He solved my problem! I now have Grant's Tools in PSE3 and it works to make a transparent background. Is this forum great or what?

[Wendy]

Its the best forum around !! :)

Wendy

[lizziegrace]

How does this work for v2? Have been wanting to do the same thing...?!?!
thanks...
Lizzie xx

[mseymour]

Lizzie: What's v2? PSE2?

[Wendy]

Hi Lizzie ...

If you use Grant's tools then it works in just the same way in PSE2 :)

Wendy

[lizziegrace]

Sorry Wendy - yes PSE2. Will have to chase Grant's tools and have a play. Thanks!!
Lizzie xx

[lizziegrace]

Does anyone speak Noddy language and be able to explain where I'm going wrong...?!
I have a b+w mage and can follow the first few steps as listed on the first post, but then I can't get what going back into normal mode is or how I stop it all looking red!! I'm not great at masks so maybe my knowledge is lacking here:confused:
Can anyone help me dofog my brain?
Thanks
Lizzie xx

[TonyW]

Lizzie: You need to use the Grant's Tools called Mask Standard to turn the red off and get it back to a regular selection.

Tony

[lizziegrace]

Aha!! Yep, got that far now! Am I right in thinking this will only work in distinct b+w areas (rather than in varying tones of grey)? The selected area has chopped out some lighter areas that I wanted to work on...it was subtle and gradiated in "red". I had assumed that this technique would be able to lift out the white of my b+w image to create a tranparent image with an image in gradiated tones of black whic could be applied over other colours without any white showing (as you might find if trying to erase somehow)...?
Am I wrong in this assumption - please tell me as I'll stop wasting time trying!!

SORRY!! Just done some fiddling and yes it has indeed done what i wanted. YIPPEE!! Thanks for your patience, am very pleased I can finally do this (am wanting to make textured overlays for sb papers from scanned "realworld" art...now I have to replicate it!!!

Thanks for your help.
Lizzie