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waters_tc17240677
waters_tc17240677
Inspiring
August 20, 2020
Question

Posterize and then easy way separate into layers?

  • August 20, 2020
  • 3 replies
  • 4194 views

OK, I can easily take my image and posterize it to a number of colors- let's say, 4 colors.  But once that is done, is there an easy way to select each of of the four colors and seperate them onto seperate layers?  I've used the magic want to select, and then choose similar, but I often get more than just the one color I want. so there must be an easier way.

 

THX

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3 replies

JJMack
Community Expert
JJMackCommunity Expert
Community Expert
August 20, 2020

Once you get the four colors make sure you only you have four colors by converting to Index color 4 colors. You can the convert back to RGB mode.  You should then bet able to select each of the four colors with the magic wand tool.

JJMack
    L
    Lumigraphics
    Legend
    August 20, 2020

    You can use Spot Colors and those would be on their own channels, or Indexed Color Mode which is similar.

      Kevin Stohlmeyer
      Community Expert
      Kevin StohlmeyerCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 20, 2020

      Have you tried using Select Color Range? That will allow you to preview your selection and add/remove from it with sliders and tools.

       

      waters_tc17240677
      waters_tc17240677Author
      Inspiring
      August 20, 2020

      No, thx, I totally missed that that option existed.  I'll play with it.  This would allow me to manually select by color and then copy/paste to seperate layers, but it seems like there ought to be a way for photoshop to do that on its own.

      c.pfaffenbichler
      Community Expert
      c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 20, 2020

      »This would allow me to manually select by color and then copy/paste to seperate layers«

      Copy/pasting seems wateful, Layer > New > Layer Via Copy (cmd-J). 

      »but it seems like there ought to be a way for photoshop to do that on its own.«

      Why? 

       

      When you used the Magic Wand did you uncheck Anti-aliasing and Contiguous? 

       

      The task could be automated via a Script, but it hardly seems worth the trouble if it’s not a very frequent task? 

      Are the four colors always the same ones? If so an Action might suffice. 

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