You can simultaneously add color and texture to an image by using the Color Overlay effect. This effect allows you to coat an image with color. You can control the opacity and intensity of the color. To use the Color Overlay effect, you need to choose a color that you want to apply and then choose the method for applying the effect.
There are five different methods for applying color:
• | Uniform Color — adds a flat tint to the image |
• | Paper — overlays a color using the paper texture as a mapping model. More color is applied to light areas in the paper grain; less color is applied to dark areas. If you want to experiment with the effect, keep the Papers panel open while you apply the effect. This way you can switch to different papers and modify the paper controls. |
• | Image Luminance — uses the image’s brightness as the model for the color overlay. More of the effect is applied to light areas in the original image; less color is applied to dark areas. |
• | Original Luminance — uses the luminance of the clone source (or a pattern) as the model for the color overlay. Light areas in the clone source produce more color in the image. |
• | Alpha Channel or Layer Mask — sets the values in the channel or layer mask as the model for the color overlay. More color is applied to the light areas of the channel or mask; less color is applied to dark areas. You can use this method only if you have a saved alpha channel or a layer mask in your image. |
Before (left) and after (right) applying the Color Overlay effect using the Paper method
To apply a uniform tint to an image |
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1 . | To apply the effect to: |
• | The canvas — Click the Canvas in the Layers panel. |
• | A selection — Click a selection tool from the toolbox, and drag in the document window to select an area. |
• | A layer — Click a layer in the Layers panel. |
2 . | Choose Effects ![]() ![]() |
3 . | Choose a color from the Use Color chip. |
4 . | Choose Uniform Color from the Using list box. |
5 . | Adjust any of the Color Overlay controls. For information, see Color Overlay controls. |
To use image luminance to apply a color overlay |
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1 . | To apply the effect to: |
• | The canvas — Click the Canvas in the Layers panel. |
• | A selection — Click a selection tool from the toolbox, and drag in the document window to select an area. |
• | A layer — Click a layer in the Layers panel. |
2 . | Choose Effects ![]() ![]() |
3 . | Choose a color from the Use Color chip. |
4 . | Choose Image Luminance from the Using list box. |
5 . | Adjust any of the Color Overlay controls. For information, see Color Overlay controls. |
To use paper texture to apply a color overlay |
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1 . | Choose Window ![]() ![]() |
2 . | Choose a paper swatch in the Paper Textures area. |
3 . | To apply the effect to: |
• | The canvas — Click the Canvas in the Layers panel. |
• | A selection — Click a selection tool from the toolbox, and drag in the document window to select an area. |
• | A layer — Click a layer in the Layers panel. |
4 . | Choose Effects ![]() ![]() |
5 . | Click the Use Color chip, and choose a color. |
6 . | Choose Paper from the Using list box. |
7 . | Adjust any of the Color Overlay controls. For information, see Color Overlay controls. |
To use clone source or pattern luminance to apply a color overlay |
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1 . | Open an image. |
2 . | Perform a task from the following table. |
In the Clone Source panel (Window
![]() In the Embed Source Image dialog box, do one of the following:
Click OK.
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3 . | Choose Effects ![]() ![]() |
4 . | Choose a color from the Use Color chip. |
5 . | Choose Original Luminance from the Using list box. |
To use a layer mask or channel to apply a color overlay |
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1 . | Do one of the following: |
• | To use a layer mask, choose Window ![]() |
• | To use an alpha channel, choose Window ![]() |
2 . | Choose Window ![]() ![]() |
3 . | Choose a color from the Color panel. |
4 . | Choose Effects ![]() ![]() |
5 . | Choose the layer mask or alpha channel from the Using list box. |
6 . | Adjust any of the Color Overlay controls. For information, see Color Overlay controls. |
Color Overlay controls |
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• | Use Color — lets you choose the overlay color |
• | Opacity — controls how transparent the effect is |
• | Dye Concentration— allows the paper to absorb the color |
• | Hiding Power — allows the color to cover what lies beneath it |