Unable to create a duplicate layer scanned image file

[adwul62]

I just have scanned a few documents, tif, bmp and png in various resolutions.
Regretfully duplicate layer is greyed out, no matter which one I select.
OTOH when selecting some other (non-scanned) png file, duplicate layer is not greyed out.
Within the same 'Photoshop session'
(scanner software not running, the scanner us shut down, the file is not read only)

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

(Photoshop CS6)

[Stephen_A_Marsh · Accepted solution]

Are your scans indexed-colour or 1-bit per channel lineart scans? In other words, are they not in RGB?

[adwul62]

Ehm ... ?? No offense meant, really not,  ehm.. frankly speaking, due to lack of knowledge on my part, for which I am realy sorry, but I have to confess that I am not sure what you mean. I have this Epson printer with scan features, use the Epson software to scan the name of my wife and me so I might use them as a 'signature' in birthday cards that I created.

Later... after posting the above, I have been trying to figure out how to get the handwritten names on a transparent background. Note: I also have a Microsoft Surface Pro device and I can use the Microsoft pen to write the names.

In Publisher, or Powerpoint, and have that saved as a .png, but there is still the white background. 
I have no idea how to get handwritten names into Photoshop, without the white background and, actually, I have no idea what forum to use for this question. The quality of the handwritten names on Microsoft Surface Pro (through Powerpoint) are so much better than the scanned version.

Anyway, that aside, I started out with the problem with these image files. Maybe what I am asking for is technically impossible. No idea...

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Check the Color Mode and Bit Depth under Image > Mode. 

Could you please post screenshots with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Options Bar, …) visible? 

[adwul62]

Thanks again. See below.

Notes: the .tif' file, I converted that to greyscale, this 'allowed' me to create a duplicate layer.
The next 2 files 'Bitmap' is selected

The last one, on the right, for that one I used the Microsoft Surface, then Powerpoint, then draw a signature there, saved to in PNG and imported into Photoshop (Photoshop is my PC)

As said, only later.. I realized/faced the issue of having a background that I don't know how to get rid in the first place 🙂

[c.pfaffenbichler]

What are you trying to do with the signatures? 

For a montage in Photoshop itself changing the Layer’s Blend Mode to Multiply would likely suffice. 

If you need to place the image in a layout application you can

• load the luminance as a Selection (cmd-click the Channel in the Channels Panel)

• Select > Inverse

• Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color (and set to black or whatever) 

• hide the background 

• save as psd or export a png-24 via Save for Web

[adwul62]

Thank you so much. I have -not- yet tried your solution(s), will do that soon. What I am trying to accomplish is that I have created a happy birthday card (but basically it is applicable for any 'wish' card). Instead of adding a (font) layer I am trying to get a handwritten signature giving it a 'personal' touch.
But, as said, I do not know how to get rid of the all white background, without affecting the quality of the font.

--

an hour or so later...

I probably have the solution, I get back on this tomorrow. It worked out fine, but it was pure luck and I need to do it again, i.e. reproduce the steps.

Getting back on this tomorrow..

[adwul62]

To be honest, I forgot what I did.. vainly tried to reproduce the steps, it was pure luck yesterday: was just trying out various methods to see what would be happening, but regretfully didn't make notes of what I was doing.

Anyway, just now, I finally managed to get this 'signature'-layer without a background (used a different method than the one I used yesterday though)

Up front, this may work only when using the proper hardware: Microsoft Surface Pro and MS Surface Pen.

On the MS Surface, lauch Powerpoint > blank sheet > add signature (black on white background)

Save as .png, or .tif (other extensions may also work)

Photoshop, open the file, duplicate layer, add new background layer.

Select magic wand, uncheck contiguous, select colour, ctrl-J

Then r-click layer, blending options, color overlay, stroke, whatever etc.

I am sure there are much better ways, but so far this works, for me that is ...

Last note: when adding a signature, that has been created this way, to an existing (e.g. downloaded) image file, most likely there will be an issue with regards to the different resolutions. The signature may appear to be too small. Have not found a way to losslessly resize the signature...