How to swap colours in photoshop

PaulStat · 22 Feb 2011 at 10:03

Hi Guys,

Quick question for you graphics experts, how do you swap colours around in photoshop? For example

How do I make it so that the background is grey and the icon in the middle is white? Is there an easy way?

Thanks,
Paul

Emphacy · 22 Feb 2011 at 10:18

You will have to make the icon a new layer.
Use the 'magic wand' tool or something similar to select the icon from it's background.

Right click, and 'new layer via cut'... Then you can simply use the baint bucket tool to colour the background in your chosen grey.

Then apply a black and white effect or use the paintbucket tool again to paint the icon white. There's so many ways of doing it, it's how i'd do it and how I usually do it for websites.

PaulStat · 22 Feb 2011 at 10:40

Thanks, how do you use the black and white effect tool?

Emphacy · 22 Feb 2011 at 10:48

On the right hand side of photoshop, assuming you are using CS3 or CS4 there is a section called adjustments, there's a preset called 'black and white'.

If it's an earlier version of photoshop it should be in the filter bar at the top.
Here's a screenshot which can maybe help... LINK

Russinating · 22 Feb 2011 at 11:16

Image -> Invert. Magic Wand Tool -> Select Black Outer -> Fill with grey.

gord · 22 Feb 2011 at 11:31

And for the ultimate in swiftness!

Ctrl + i

Change blending to screen

Fill a background layer with grey..

Possibly edit levels to increase white intensity. Ctrl+L

FabienO · 22 Feb 2011 at 13:16

ctrl + U for slack mode.

gord · 22 Feb 2011 at 14:38

FabienO said:
ctrl + U for slack mode.

That won't make the icon white?