Why isn't Replace Color working?

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
April 28, 2019
2 replies
54945 views

I have a background that is beige, and I want it to be white. I've tried Replace Color, but it's not working. At first it looked like it worked, but the change didn't save, and now I can't even get it to change. I unlocked the background so it says Layer 0. I have Photoshop CC.

replace color

Correct answer Chuck Uebele

The closer to white or black that a color is, the less well replace color works. I would try another method, like color range and curves or targeted Hue/saturation.

E

E L I A S

Participant

color replac doesn't works with smart object, so U need to make sure that your image (layer) not a smart object.

1-click on your layer in layers menue.

2-mouse right click

3-select (convert to layer)

L

Lise Voute

Known Participant

Thanks to this thread I know now how it works. Usually, I just need it for simple small jobs, and then I click on the replacer tool (not the dialog box), alt-click the color I need and paint over the color I want to change - taking care that the crosshairs (the little +) stays IN that color.

Daniel E Lane

Inspiring

Which Photoshop CC version are you running?

Is the background a separate layer or just a background in an image that you are trying to change?

A

Angelique & FriendsAuthor

Inspiring

Version 20.0.3. It's the just background in an image.

D Fosse

Community Expert

This must be the problem, because I can change the color to any darker, vibrant hue, but I can't change it to white, or even a lighter beige. I tried Lab Color, as Stephen suggested, but it didn't make a difference.

I used color range as you suggested, and it worked. For people reading this who have the same question, this is what I did:

I created a new layer and then chose Select > Color Range. I clicked on the background color. When I closed the dialogue box, there were "marching ants" around the black lines of the illustration, separating them from the main background color.

Then I went to Layer > New Adjustment Layer. If I had needed to change the shade of the color, I would have chosen Hue/Saturation as Chuck suggested, but since I just needed to make it #ffffff white, I chose Black & White.

Color adjustment tools don't work on pure black and pure white. That's not Photoshop, but the RGB color model.

In RGB mode, color is by definition the difference between the three channels. The more difference, the stronger the color. As you approach 0-0-0 and 255-255-255, there is less and less leeway.

To adjust color near black and white, you need to move the output endpoints in one or two of the three channels. For instance in a Levels adjustment.

Think of color adjustments like a rubber string attached to pins at either end.

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