Working with Color Channels

Image files store their color information in channels, or planes, of colors. You can separate (or “split”) an image into RGB, HSL, or CMYK color channels. An RGB image has three channels: red, green, and blue. An HSL image has three channels: hue, saturation, and lightness. Although you cannot create or edit an image using the CMYK model, you can still split the image to four channels: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

The Split Channel command creates a new greyscale image for each color channel; the original image is not affected. For example, an HSL image is split into separate greyscale images named “Hue,” “Saturation,” and “Lightness.” Each greyscale image represents the percentage and location of a color (such as red) or a characteristic (such as lightness) within the image.

You can edit the greyscale images and use them to create interesting effects or masks. You can combine them again using the Combine Channel command. If you split an image into CMYK channels, you can then send the four greyscale images to a printing service. You can also print CMYK separations directly; see Printing with CMYK Color Separations.

To split color channels:

Open the image.
Choose Image > Split Channel and choose RGB, HSL, or CMYK.
A new greyscale image opens for each color channel.

To combine color channels:

Open each color channel file.
Choose Image > Combine Channel and choose Combine from RGB, Combine from HSL, or Combine from CMYK.
For each Channel source drop-down list, select the name of the file that contains that channel. For example, in the Combine RGB dialog, you might select the file Red1 as the red channel source.

Note: If you are combining channels that you split with the Split Channels command, mark the Sync check box to have Paint Shop Pro automatically fill in the Channel Source boxes with matching file names.

Click OK. Paint Shop Pro displays a new image file that combines the color channels you selected.

Working with Color Channels

Related Topics