can I "repaint" back in what I just erased?

[kerriann85]

After adding a layer to a picture I erased some of it to get the background back in along a tough edge. Then I erase too much and get too much background back. Is there a way to "repaint" the top layer back in or is my only hope to "undo" my erase and be more careful erasing again?
Does this make sense?
(I'm trying to sqeeze a new person into a group of people.)

[Grant]

KerryAnn

Down load on of the tools like Shipley's or some of the others and learn how to use the mask tool. You paint with white to mask and with black to reveal and just reverse the procedure if you go o far.

Grant

[Wendy]

Kerri,

There isn't a way to paint it back in so for now I guess its use the undo ... but Grants suggestion is the one you should look at for the future. Masks are so forgiving :)

Here is a tutorial on how to create a mask in Elements without using add ons ... it should give you something to use until you get a chance to download and install an add on :)


Wendy

[kerriann85]

Thanks you guys, this should give me a good project to work on for this Cold Dreary Weekend. (As well as converting 8 headshots to b&w) :D

[Grant]

Wendy

Thanks for making some sense of my post. I should never post if I am tired ... not matter what time it is.

Grant

[MikeH]

After adding a layer to a picture I erased some of it to get the background back in along a tough edge. Then I erase too much and get too much background back. Is there a way to "repaint" the top layer back in or is my only hope to "undo" my erase and be more careful erasing again?
Does this make sense?
(I'm trying to sqeeze a new person into a group of people.)

Kerri,

I am carrying out major restoration work on some photos and experienced similiar problems with erasing and cloning. A few times I have gone too far with adjustments and run out of "undos" which meant I had to start over in some cases...

What I do now is to make a selection of the particular area I am working on, so any corrections or changes don't affect other areas of the picture. This does mean taking the time to do the selection but I have found this invaluable in ensuring I don't go too far.

Just a thought...

Mike

[kerriann85]

Running out of "undos".... What a scary thought! That's like running out of propane before my steak has finished grilling! (or is it worse)

Seriously though, thanks for the suggestion. I need to get better about using the mask technique. Do you have a real handle on that? I tried it out and understand it, i just have to reread the instructions on doing it evey time. Havn't actually needed to do it lately. Maybe I'll go invent something now.

[Wendy]

Mike,

Another way round it is to do a little erasing then duplicate your layer ... work on the new layer for a while then duplicate it and work on the next new layer etc etc etc ...

Best way really is to use a mask ... once you get used to it then it is so much simpler.

Wendy

[Wendy]

Mike a very easy mask:

Try this on an image with just one layer ..

Open your image, if the layer is a background layer then double click on the layer in the layer palette .... when the pop up box appears just click OK and the layer will be renamed to layer 0.

Create a new layer (layer 1)and put it below layer 0, then group them (to do that just hold down the Alt key and hover your cursor between the thumbnails (in the layer palette) and it will change to two sort of circles ... click the mouse) ... Your picture will now vanish !!

Use the paint bucket and fill layer 1 with black and your picture will appear again.

Make sure you are now working on layer 1 ... use the eraser to erase an area then if you make a mistake select the paint brush (with black) and you will be able to paint it back in again.

There you have a mask ....


Wendy

[MikeH]

then group them (to do that just hover your cursor between the thumbnails (in the layer palette) and it will change to two sort of circles ... click the mouse) ... Your picture will now vanish !!

Wendy

Wendy,

Can't get this bit to work... :oops:

Mike

[Wendy]

Mike ...

I am so sorry .. I missed a bit out :oops:

It should have read

"to do that just hold down the Alt key and hover your cursor between the thumbnails "

I have just been back and changed it ... sorry about that !!


Wendy

[MikeH]

Wendy,

OK that works great :D It's better than what I have been doing. :mrgreen:

When I couldn't get it to work I thought it was me - I have a bottle of wine keeping me company here... :D

Thanks Wendy, this will be a great help. :D

Mike

[Wendy]

Mike,

I am so sorry about that ... but glad its working OK for you now.

Masks are very forgiving ... if you make a mistake then its so easy to paint it back in.

I've been playing with this weeks Challenge entry ... but don't like what I have spent the last hour doing. :( Still I finished two earlier today so I guess I will send those in now.


Wendy

[MikeH]

Wendy,

I am really frustrated because I have an idea for the challenge but I can't get it right :x . The one I have posted is a different theme... I am also workig on a variant of that as well...

It's 1.00am and I can see me being up to 2.00am again...

Mike

[Wendy]

Mike,

I'm finding this one really difficult ... but there comes a time when you have to pack it in for the evening :)


Wendy

[MikeH]

there comes a time when you have to pack it in for the evening :)

Wendy

Wendy,

I'm about there, trouble is "I'll try one more thing" leads into another half an hour!!

Mike