Inverse Command in Photoshop CS4

[HILDA WOOD]

Im used to colouring old photos in CS3. I make sure the image is in RGB, then add a new solid colour layer. I select a colour and change the Blend mode to Colour. Then I click Command I to inverse the colour(on the Mac) and a mask is created. Using the brush tool I then paint over the area I want to reveal with the colour and change the opacity if I need to. Once an image is set up in this way, it only takes one click on a layer to change the colour completely.
Problem is, in CS4, the Command I doesnt work. and even on the menu bar the Inverse command is greyed out.
Any ideas anyone?
Thank you.
Hilda

[Flashtones]

In CS4 CMD+I wont inverse a solid color layer for me. But if I fill a blank layer with a color it will. So create your color layer like this: set your fill color as your foreground color, click the new layer icon at the bottom of the layer pallet, then hit option+delete to fill the new blank layer with your foreground color, then do the cmd+I to inverse it.

[mistermonday]

Hilda, yes you are correct.
I don't think it was intended to invert because it is an adjustment layer (like curves and levels).
The fastest work around is to double click the color swatch, go to the LAB Color boxes, invert the values of the a and b boxes only (not L).
Regards, Murray

[HILDA WOOD]

Fashtones,
Thanks, but tried that, and my solid colour layer (red) just turns torquoise blue, after I hit the inverse command also no layer mask is added.

[HILDA WOOD]

mistermonday,
Thanks, tried that too but only the colour swatch changed. Nothing happened to my pic.just the colour swatch changed at the bottom of the tools box. Must have done something wrong.,
Anyway, finally sorted it, and its painfully simple. Make sure the Mask is selected on the solid colour layer, before selecting the Inverse command!
Have attached a pic of how this all works if anyone is interested. Its such a good way to colour, because if you dont like, say the background colour, then you only have to cick on that layer and select a different colour.
Hilda

[Flashtones]

Originally Posted by HILDA WOOD

Fashtones,
Thanks, but tried that, and my solid colour layer (red) just turns torquoise blue, after I hit the inverse command also no layer mask is added.

Cyan is the inverse of red, so depending on the shade of red you're working with a torquoise might well be the inverse. What shade should it have been.

A layer mask is easily added by selecting the layer, as it would be after ading he layer as described, and clicking the layer mask icon at the bottom of the layer pallet.

Edit: Oops, I see you resolved this on your own. Wouldn't have posted this if I'd known.

[Flashtones]

Originally Posted by HILDA WOOD

Anyway, finally sorted it, and its painfully simple. Make sure the Mask is selected on the solid colour layer, before selecting the Inverse command!

This inverts the layer mask, not the layer color. Now I realize that's what you wanted all along. Your original post sounded like you were trying to inverse the color.

[HILDA WOOD]

Thanks both, yes now I read it back it does sound like that, well......I knew what I meant!! Sorry I didnt convey that too well. Guess you all know this method of colouring already?

[Flashtones]

Originally Posted by HILDA WOOD

Guess you all know this method of colouring already?

Yes, but I do it slightly differently, which probably added to my confusion with your method. You start with a completely full layer and selectively reveal the color through a mask. I start with an empty layer (set to color mode) and paint the color onto the layer. This way I can change the opacity and hue as I go. Then I add a mask as needed to clean up my edges and further adjust.

Same general technique, just different starting points. But my way does allow me to mix colors on one layer, which I sometimes find useful.

[Kraellin]

come on guys, put these in the right forum. this is a photoshop question, not a restoration problem. moving...

[HILDA WOOD]

Oops, Sorry. Thought it was OK on this forum as people were talking about colouring old photos on here......Having looked through the other forums today, suppose it should have been Software??

[zile20584]

Hi folks,I have problem with my Photoshop CS4 v.11.00!Every time when I try to paste object (picture...) in Photoshop,the program freezes,and it need to be terminated!I'm using Windows 7!Could someone,please help me with this problem?