[fromthecloud]

This is probably very simple, but I can't see how to do it...

How do you convert an individual layer in Photoshop CS to grayscale. I don't want the whole image to be grayscale, just a single layer.

Thanks.

[th3ph17]

image>adjustments>desaturate

[KeriVit]

maybe old school, but I generally adjust the photo in grayscale in a sep file until I am happy with it and the drag it in as a sep. layer in my Color file.

[chabig]

Add an adjustment layer above the layer you want to be grayscale. Set the adjustment layer to desaturate. Then put the cursor between the two layers and hold the option key down. Click. You'll see the adjustment layer indent and have a small arrow pointing down to the layer below. At this point, the adjustment layer will only affect the layer below it--the one you wanted to be grayscale.

Read Photoshop help. Search for "Creating clipping masks". I know it doesn't sound right, but it is.
Chris

[KeriVit]

Originally Posted by chabig

Add an adjustment layer above the layer you want to be grayscale. Set the adjustment layer to desaturate. Then put the cursor between the two layers and hold the option key down. Click. You'll see the adjustment layer indent and have a small arrow pointing down to the layer below. At this point, the adjustment layer will only affect the layer below it--the one you wanted to be grayscale.

Read Photoshop help. Search for "Creating clipping masks". I know it doesn't sound right, but it is.
Chris

I tried it- but it really doesn't look graycale- it's pretty brown and ugly.

[d.fine]

I don't think you could have a grayscale layer in a color coded document. I also edit the layer in a separate ducument, and then transfer it back, like KeriVit. The document is either Grayscale/RGB/CMYK, but not layers with different profiles.

[chabig]

If you do it right, it works very well exactly as I described. I've done it. Perhaps my instructions weren't very clear. I don't have to describe it again right now. I'll come back to you.

Chris

[chabig]

Originally Posted by d.fine

I don't think you could have a grayscale layer in a color coded document. I also edit the layer in a separate ducument, and then transfer it back, like KeriVit. The document is either Grayscale/RGB/CMYK, but not layers with different profiles.

Are you suggesting that color documents can't use black and shades of black? Sure they can.

[th3ph17]

The adjustment layer route works just fine, create a hue/sat adjustment layer [in versions of photoshop that have adjustment layers] and then drag the saturation slider all the way to the left. If the image looks funky...brown, sepia, blue, whatever, click the "Colorize" checkbox that is just above the preview box down in the right corner of the hue/sat window.

I would also probably use a levels or curves adjustment layer as well to get the contrast where I wanted it to be.

also, note that desaturate may work differently if you are in a CMYK document vs. an RGB document.

[EnVoy]

Originally Posted by chabig

Are you suggesting that color documents can't use black and shades of black? Sure they can.

No, he's saying an image cannot have more than one mode. If your image mode is RGB it cannot have one "part (read layer)" be CMYK, Greyscale, etc.....

Duplicate your image using the Image/Duplicate command. Delete all layers except for the one you want, flatten the image, convert it to Greyscale. Drage the result, holding down shift, back to your original image. It will pop back in place as a layer.

[KeriVit]

Originally Posted by EnVoy

No, he's saying an image cannot have more than one mode. If your image mode is RGB it cannot have one "part (read layer)" be CMYK, Greyscale, etc.....

Duplicate your image using the Image/Duplicate command. Delete all layers except for the one you want, flatten the image, convert it to Greyscale. Drage the result, holding down shift, back to your original image. It will pop back in place as a layer.

I still like the results and ease of this method better than the desaturation...

[jersey]

I would recommend moving the layer to a separate rgb file, but would use a channel mix on it. you'll get a better tonal gradation that way.

but as usual....it can be done 10 ways, none of which are necessarily wrong.

[digital_dreamer]

The Channel Mixer is the most flexible solution.
Select Monochrome button and give equal amounts to each RGB channel. Then, adjust for taste.

This is a great technique for color art that doesn't convert well to grayscale with distinguishable detail because of even tones of color in each channel.

regards,
MAJ

[quietjim]

I use the channel mixer method to create grayscale images. One minor note: the default in PS CS when you click on monochrome is for 100% red; I get better results by mixing in some of the other channels.