Going outside Elements to pick a color with the eyedropper tool

[swalkr]

(PSE6) I know this can be done, but can't for the life of me remember where I read it. I know you have to have two programs open side by side (Elements and any other that has the color you want) to be able to do this. I've tried all kinds of combinations with the ctrl, shift, alt keys, but can't seem to find the right combination. It's probably a simple thing, but my brain just can't call it back up. :mad:

[Byron Gale]

Suzanne,

You're almost there... yes, you have to have both programs open side by side, so that you can see your PSE document and the other window you want to sample from.

Click your Foreground or Background color chip to open the color picker. Then, click and hold your mouse with the eyedropper in your PSE document. With the mouse still held, roll outside the PSE program window and pick up the color from the other place. Let off the mouse when the eyedropper is over the right place.

HTH,

Byron

[vawitt]

Cool tip! I wanted to do that other day and couldn't get it figure out. Thanks for the post AND the answer!

~Val in cloudy IL

[efarnstrom]

I am glad this is repeated here. I bookmarked this thread so maybe I can remember next time.;)

[Bayla]

Byron,

That tip was amazing! I've always taken a screenshot then opened it in PSE to sample the colour! I never knew you could do it any other way!!! Thanks!

Bayla

[swalkr]

edit: Meant to title this "And to add to that... Here's a website I found that has the Hex codes, but you can also switch to the decimal codes.

http://html-color-codes.com/rgb.html

Thanks Byron. I knew I was close, but couldn't remember you had to open the color picker.

Suzanne,

You're almost there... yes, you have to have both programs open side by side, so that you can see your PSE document and the other window you want to sample from.

Click your Foreground or Background color chip to open the color picker. Then, click and hold your mouse with the eyedropper in your PSE document. With the mouse still held, roll outside the PSE program window and pick up the color from the other place. Let off the mouse when the eyedropper is over the right place.

HTH,

Byron

[Ritage]

I never knew that.

Thanks, Byron.
And thanks, Suzanne, for bringing it up.

Rita