Unable to replace color in B&W jpg using PS

[fogisland33]

Hi all,
I am using the replace color tool/process in photoshop to change the color of some clip art...it doesn't work...what am I doing wrong? Is there an alternate process? Thanks in advance for your help.

[DCobb]

Hi fogisland-

Welcome to RetouchPRO. Can you post an example? Is it in the right file format for this type of correction?

dc

[TommyO]

The Color Replacement Tool does not work with black or white in an image. It works by comparing the lightness of a color to a reference of 128 (mid-scale) and replaces more color at that lightness, less as you go toward 0 or toward 255. At 0 or 255 it replaces nothing.

[fogisland33]

so how can I replace the color most efficiently then, short of using the magic wand? essentially, I have a piece of clip art from a Dover Clip Art file, indeed they are all B&W...I want to colorize them...how can I go about doing that? Thanks so much!

[TommyO]

For clip art, the Magic Wand should work fine. Just remember to:
- set tolerance high;
- uncheck continguous;
- click the Refine Edge button and turn everything off (0).

Then Edit>Fill with your choice. You could always fill with 50% gray first, save this version to use with the Color Replacement Tool at a later date. Yes, CRT will work on gray.

[fogisland33]

okay, thanks! I was looking for something a bit less tedious when some of these images have a lot of disconnected areas...talk to you next time!

[TommyO]

When you uncheck "contiguous" the disconnected areas become one !

[fogisland33]

oh, brilliant! that pretty much did it. thanks a ton.