HOW TO USE COLORING PSD!!
Many of u have heard about coloring PSD's and wondered what they are..u can see many of them posting their PSD's in tut's thread itself(Awesome i must say👏)..but how will u use them and firstly what are they?
.PSD - is short form of "Photo Shop Document",when we save our output in layers(before merging or flattening)..it is called a PSD..very helpful to edit later.Now coloring PSD's are layers in document which will bring change to u r original picture through different adjustments like coloring, brightness/contrast and sometime even filters.
It depend's entirely on the maker how he/she wants it to turn out and work as per it.So sometimes u can find only 2 layers and sometimes more than 20 layers to turn a original picture to become of entirely different coloring.
As said..coloring PSD's will be in .PSD format..so firstly download the coloring PSD's from u r fav site ..u can always goto deviantart.com or simply google "Coloring PSD's" and download it,if it is in RAR/ZIP then extract them u will have a .PSD document in it.(Don't forget to give credit to maker especially if mentioned..no one likes copying)The layers in a coloring PSD sometimes might not be recognised by previous versions of photoshop if it is made in newer versions.
Firstly..open the sigge/pic on which u want to have the same coloring..
Then open(File>open and select) the .PSD (coloring PSD) in u r photoshop.
U will see that there are many layers in it (or sometimes u might just see some layers and top of it a folder/group/set in which other adjustment layers are there)
(I am not an expert at this coloring just made this to show as an example..it looks horrible😆 )
Generally..the layer's consist of two types
- Image layers..where u can see the changes has been made on IMAGE..Generally,the original image LAYER is duplicated and set to a MODE and OPACITY..(pointed out in blue square on top of layers palette)u cannot drag this layers on the top of u r original pic..instead u should change the settings similarly in the sigge on which u want to apply coloring PSD..If u see in my case the bottom most layer is the original one ..i have duplicated it and set mode to screen..with 100% opacity..(u can reduce if u want)..so u should also repeat it with u r picture..
If there are more than one image layer..u have to check what mode and opacity they are set and repeat again..on top of original.
(Tip:If u want the end image to be brighter..set to screen once or twice and if u want lighter use overlay or softlight)
-Adjustment layers..these are where the most work is done..all coloring,levels,curves etc are added..these can be easily dragged on u r picture above the image layers..no need to change anything..u can drag one by one..or Press "SHIFT" and select all adjustment layers and drag at once.
And u r done!!
Sometimes ..
- "Image layers" may be in middle or end of the layers..if u come across such then make sure u add them at same place in u r image layer's.
-Maker can use filters (Filter>Many options),it will also a image layer..the layer may be named by filter name..like Filter>Sharpen>Unsharpen mask or Filter>other>Highpass(<Try this ..it's one good filter for coloring)
-All adjustment layer's are grouped in a set/folder..all u need is drag the folder/set on top of image..u r adjustment's will be added,Very easy way.U can see the adjustments in it by clicking arrow beside the gropu(pointed in red in below pic).If u are making a coloring PSD..then create a new set and drag adjustment layers in it.
-The coloring may not be the same as shown it's because the picture used by the maker and ur's may have different color variations..u can always change it by turning off the layer's by pressing eye (pointed out in orange in first pic above))and checking out which suits u r pic the most..sometimes u may even drag layers up and down as per u r settings..
Summary:
1.Open u r pic and open coloring PSD.
2.Make changes of blend mode and opacity as per Image layer's in coloring PSD's as they cannot be dragged.
3.Drag the adjustment layers(or group/set) over the top of image layers and u r done!
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN COLORING PSD
Ofcourse u can make u r own PSD(atleast better than mine🤣),with adjustments layers..
There are no hard and fast rules that this should be done in same way..try to play with the slider and adjustments and u can get u r own coloring..all u will need is a bit of practise.
What are the adjustments and where are they..if u r using CS4 /5 adjustment(Windows>Adjustment) panel will appear and u can select any of the option (pointed in green square above 1st pic) the adjustment will come as a new layer..or click below layer's palette..u will get options..select any and it will be added as a new layer on top of u r picture.
(U can also go from Image>Adjustments>>> But they will not be added as new layers and will merge with u r pic..so if u r making coloring PSD's then goto in this way only)
Some basic steps how to make a coloring PSD:
1.Firstly try to duplicate u r original picture layer and set it to a certain blend mode and opacity(u can skip this if u want) and u can duplicate layer more than once and set to different modes to see how will they look.
2.Then try to fill the entire image a "Solid color" and again set it to a Mode and Opacity may be reduced to merge with picture nicely.Try bright colors if u want picture to be bright and light colors for looking mild.
U can also add Gradient/Pattern..but generally they are not used much in Coloring PSD's.
3.Now use different adjustment layers - Brightness/Contrast,levels,curves,selective coloring etc..and set them to different modes n opacity if u want again..
I am no good and telling what to do with what..but if u have a little patience(for page to load and spend sometime😆)then see this link..u will get an overall idea which adjustment gives what effect and how much should be used,when,why etc!!😃
https://psd.tutsplus.com/articles/techniques/a-basic-guide-to-photoshop-cs4-adjustment-layers/
4.U can add another "Solid color" fill..and also use Filters on top of it..u can also fill layer only at certain part where u want to highlight and set to a mode and opacity.
Tips:
If u want to highlight the colors present in the picture itself then try increasing or decreasing them..!Play around..u will make u r own coloring!
LASTLY "HOW TO SAVE"
[I am so sorry for not posting this earlier thought many would know..forgive me..thanks Madhura for pointing😳]
As the name itself indicates its a "coloring PSD" so the format in which we save should also be Photoshop(.PSD) format so that it would be easy to access(ie., Drag layers)it.
To save,simply after u complete u r .PSD goto File>Save as..
U will get a pop-up box "Save as" ,Choose location where u want to save,
write the name what u want to give to coloring PSD and the in "Format" Choose" Photoshop(*.PSD,*.PDD,.)" i.e., Photoshop (.PSD) file and Lastly click "SAVE" and u r done!!
Now u have got u r COLORING PSD file..upload it on
zshare.com
or
deviantart.com
(See this tut by Ana on how to upload in deviantart.com 😃
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/topic/1611090?pn=43)
Seems like now i am running out of new tut's to tell you all..and someone must post new tut's for me..😆😃Never mind i am a good learner
Hope this helps..
Sri:-)
Edited by Xx.Sri.xX - 12 years ago