Trouble with Color Replacement tool Elements 2018 w/Win 11

[imaquila]

I have a very simple jpg file that was greyscale.   I've saved it in RGB color mode and then tried to use the color replacement tool to whiten up the current grey background but without success. I've found the tool and set it to Discontiguous, Mode is Color.  I've set the forground color to white (which is what I want) and set the background color using the eyedropper for the current grey and I got the "+" within the circle but dragging it around the image seems to do nothing.   I swiched the white/grey and tried again but still nothing.   What have I missed???    Thanks for any advice.

[Glenn 8675309]

Please post the original image.    Lots of things you can do here.

[Greg_S. · Accepted solution]

I think you are using the wrong tool.  The image you have posted is fairly low resolution and the grey that you are seeing is actually very pixelated.  The grey is also very subtle and almost imperceptible upon initial viewing.  Because of the pixelation, you would have to hit just the right pixel to find a grey pixel rather than a white one.  (I'm not sure whether that is what you have been doing using the color replacement tool.  And the setting of the fuzziness of the selection color may also be a factor.)

In any event, I believe it would be better to use the Levels command (Ctrl+L) and simply change the highlights output level slider from 255 to about 240.  See this HelpX article for more details.

[imaquila]

Thanks for the assist Greg.   It looks like you were correct.   I assumed that I needed the color replacement tool since I wanted to "replace" the grey background with a white one but apparently that is NOT the kind of color replacement the tool is intended for.    Thanks again for taking the time to help.

[Jeff Arola · Accepted solution]

Another way would be to go to Layer>New Adjustment Layer>Levels, click on the White Point eyedropper, then click on the grey background with the White Point eyedropper and the grey color should turn white.

[imaquila]

Thanks so much for your assistance.    I haven't had use for color replacement tool for years and apparently it's changed enough that I couldn't figure it out.   Your solution did the same job and soooooooooo MUCH easier.   THANK YOU!