Importing transparent layers

[le-mec]

I'm working with multiple programs including ArtRage.

If I have scanned artwork on a white background, I know I can import it as a Tracing Image, and then Convert Tracing Image To Paint On This Layer to make it into a layer.

Then I can switch it to Multiply Mode, and that seems to work -- but what I really want to do is eradicate the white background on the newly imported image. I've tried adding a new transparent layer to merge with the scanned artwork layer, but the white background stubbornly comes back.

Is there some way I can get around this? I like to avoid using any funky layer blending modes due to the extra CPU load required to perform display updates, and I also want to be able to merge my linework layers(to save memory and CPU) with other layers and not have the white background contaminate/interfere with them.

[AndyRage]

Your best option would be to use another application to convert the white background to transparency, prior to loading it into ArtRage.

ArtRage can import PSDs and PNGs with transparency. Also ArtRage supports transparency in loaded tracing images.

[le-mec]

Good enough for me. Maybe I can make a command-line app that will nuke the white background...

[Sethren]

There is a free Photoshop Plugin called Eleminate White and it should delete any white backround revealing the layer benieth. The bad part is i have no idea were to get it but if you do a google search it should turn up hopefully.

[heikki]

:)
One foundet.
http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/pluginsfilterseffects/l/bleliminateit1.htm
:)

[Micmac]

Hi there

Im new to Artrage

The Eliminate White filter do not load on mac 3.5.4 studio Pro.

???

Michael

[DaveRage]

Make sure that you have unzipped the Mac file they provide for the filter to a folder ( It looks like you'd need stuffit to unzip it as it's an sit archive ). In ArtRage, go to Edit -> Preferences -> Filters and make sure that you add the folder containing the unzipped filter. Restart ArtRage.

Filters will appear in Edit -> Filters. If the filter doesn't appear there or doesn't work correctly, then unfortunately the Mac version is not compatible. Filters are written to a range of standards, so some filters will not work.

[Micmac]

Thanks Dave

I have done already what you have said.

So Im out of luck this time.

Thanks again

Michael

[sueellen]

I read elsewhere in the forum about Mark McLaren's "MAC's Remove White". I use the "Remove White" filter on the layer after I import the image. I'm on Windows 7, but maybe this other product will load on your Mac 3.54 Studio Pro?

[Someonesane]

Maybe you don't need to remove it. Have you tried changing the blend mode for the imported image layer to "Multiply", and setting it above the rest of your layers?

[courtius]

There is a simple procedure for creating a truly transparent line art layer in Photoshop. The transparent layer can then be imported to Art Rage. This is a technique I got from Tom Richmond:



Open your line art image in Photoshop. Be sure the color mode is set to "Grayscale"
Create a new blank layer, rename it “Inks”
Go to the “Channels” palette, there is only one channel called “Gray”
At the bottom of the channels palette, click the “dashed circle” icon entitled “Load Channel as Selection”
In “Select” drop down menu, select “Inverse” (or press Ctl+Shift+I)
Go to your “Inks” layer
Press “D” on your keyboard to reset swatches so full black in active color
Press Alt+Delete to fill selection with black
Press Ctl+"D" to deselect the lines.
Delete the bottom original opaque line art layer and save image as a PSD in order to import it into ArtRage.

It may seem like a lot of steps. But once you do it a few times, it becomes second nature, and there aren't any of the same problems you get with relying on Layer Blending Modes.

BTW, you will need to have the full version of Photoshop to do this. Photoshop Elements doesn't have a Channels Palette, which is necessary for this procedure.

[Micmac]

Hi

When I import a transparent lineart from PS I also get the checkerboard in, behind the lineart on the same layer in AR.

Do I miss something?

Michael

[Micmac]

Hi again

I use the bucket to fill in a base color in the lineart.

If the lineart is antialaised then the bucket color will not flow fully out to the line due to lightgray pixels.

Do you take your lineart in as black and white?

Michael

[courtius]

Hi Micmac,

A couple things: Do not use the Paint Bucket tool to fill in the selection in Photoshop. That will create the white edges like you mentioned because it fills the selection in a different way than the keyboard command. Do as it says in the list of instructions: With your foreground color set to black, press "Alt+ Delete" (or Alt + Backspace) and every pixel which is not pure white in the original line drawing will be affected. There will be no white halos inside the selection lines.

And the other thing, be sure that when you import the PSD with transparent background into ArtRage, that you use the command "Import Image File to Layer" and not just "Import Image File". Then you won't get the checkerboard background.

[Sweedie]

I use "Kill White" in Photoshop Elements 10 as well as in Artrage. It works just fine. Here is the link: http://mikes3d.com/extra/scripting-plugins/killwhite/

To use PSE 10 for this removing white background from a scanned drawing (as I often do) it is this easy: Use the Magic Wand to select a part of the white background you like to remove. Modify the selection to include all similar colour in the Selection drop down menu. Now, all white is selected. Hit the Delete key = all white background is gone!

[courtius]

I guess a plug-in is helpful for those using PS Elements, since there is no Channels Palette in that version.

But the magic wand selection method will usually result in light halos around the lines, because those lighter pixels at the line edges, while not pure black, are usually outside the tolerance of the magic wand. The tolerance level is adjustable, of course, but it's such a game of guesswork until you get the level just right for each new drawing (a black pen drawing will require different tolerances than a pencil sketch) and you usually end up thinning and damaging the integrity of the line work.

I don't want to go on too much about this because this isn't a Photoshop forum afterall. But the method I described above will create an exactly perfect transparent reproduction of your original line art, be it light sketchy pencil lines, or thick black ink lines, every single time, without the guesswork or shortcuts which end up causing headaches later.

[Someonesane]

Here's a method that only requires ArtRage for this (examples attached). It looks like a lot of steps, but it can boiled down to simply importing the image as a stencil and filling it in. For the best results, however, I suggest the following steps:
1 - Import the line work image into ArtRage, and turn off the 3D light rendering, so it doesn't interfere with the following steps.

2 - Adjust the contrast of the image using the Color Adjustment Panel, so that the lines are nice and dark, while trying to maintain the white of the background.
• If you don't have Studio Pro, for the Color Adjustment, you can duplicate the layer, and set it's blend mode to Multiply, and then adjust it's opacity, for a similar effect.
3 - Export the image as a .PNG

4 - Import the .PNG image as a stencil.

5 - Reset the stencil scale, so it's at its full size.

6 - Fill in the lines with the Pen tool, crayon, or other tool, that colors in a flat color.
I've attached an example of this below. I'm afraid I don't have any current work to scan, so this 10 year old pencil image will have to do, lol.

The scanned original:
64460

The image reproduced with a stencil, as seen in ArtRage Studio Pro:
64461

[Micmac]

Sorry

I have not seen the many new post

This is very helpfull

Thanks

Michael