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Participant
February 8, 2018
Answered

Blending behaviour with transparence

  • February 8, 2018
  • 4 replies
  • 235 views

I have an image with two layers.

The bottom layer is full red i.e. rgb = (255, 0, 0) and 100% opaque

The top layer is black (0, 0, 0) with opacity 50% and blend mode normal.

I expect and need the result to be exactly half way between black and red, i.e. rgb = (128, 0, 0) or maybe rgb = (127, 0, 0), depending on rounding.

Instead I get (187, 0, 0).

Now I have two questions:

1. What is the rationale for this surprising behaviour? Other graphics software I have checked give me the result I expect, Photoshop does not.

2. The import one: Can I configure Photoshop to handle transparency the way I expect it to? So that the resulting color is determined by the "obvious" formula

    result = ((255 - alpha) * base + alpha * top) / 255 ?

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer davescm

Just looked at colour settings. You haven't got "Blend RGB Colours using Gamma 1.00" checked have you?

If so uncheck it.

Dave

4 replies

cryogenesAuthor
Participant
February 8, 2018

@davescm: Thank you, that was it!

davescm
Community Expert
Community Expert
February 8, 2018

You're welcome - glad it is sorted now

Dave

cryogenesAuthor
Participant
February 8, 2018

@davescm: Thanks for your reply! Are these the settings you asked for?

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
February 8, 2018

Just looked at colour settings. You haven't got "Blend RGB Colours using Gamma 1.00" checked have you?

If so uncheck it.

Dave

davescm
Community Expert
Community Expert
February 8, 2018

What color mode and color space are you using?

I get 127,0,0 here:

Dave