Problem with filling selection with color

[tangomike]

I've tried to insert an image from imgbb.com, and I hope the text above does that. It's a screenshot of a portion of the PSE 2024 Editor showing a problem that is confusing me...again.

The project began with a png image of a logo. My objective is to enhance it with effects, which I've done successfully a number of times. This attempt began by altering the color in circle, the 1 and the 3 and the F in Fitness. Then it stalled because I have not been able to alter the color of any other letters.

The screenshot is incorrect, in that the current layer selected is the I. Then I use the magic wand to select the I, and Edit>Fill Selection with White selected in the foreground color, and nothing happens. I've tried multiple times.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Howard]

Hi Tangomike
The image isn't showing for me, just the broken image icon.

[Sepiana]

Mar 18, 2024 19:48:24 GMT tangomike said:

I've tried to insert an image from imgbb.com, and I hope the text above does that. It's a screenshot of a portion of the PSE 2024 Editor showing a problem that is confusing me...again.

Hi tangomike,

I checked your post. Your image is not displaying because there is a problem with the uploading. Let's try this.

1. Save the image (screenshot) to your computer.
2. Go into the Edit mode for your post.
3. Click on the Add image to post via imgbb.com button.
4. In the dialog box that pops-up, click on the browse from your computer link.
5. Navigate to where you saved your image.
6. Click on the image to open it.
7. In the dialog box that pops-up, click on the Upload button.
8. Click on the Preview button in your post. (Your image should display properly.)

[tangomike]

Aha! I had to save the change....well duh.

[Tpgettys]

From the image you uploaded it looks like you have simplified each of the layers containing a letter, so that they are no longer text layers.  I would think the actions you described should work in that case.

FYI: you don't have to use the magic wand tool to select a letter; if you make a letter layer active, then hold the CTRL key down while you click on the layer thumbnail the letter should be entirely selected.  

Also, you can use the Paint Bucket tool to fill a section.  Try that instead of using Edit | Fill Selection...

[tangomike]

Thanks for the suggestion, Tpgettys. I will fix that tomorrow and follow up.

[cats4jan]

I do this the way Tom has suggested - both his method of selection and his method of filling the selection with color.

Sometimes PSE just doesn't want to behave. Save your project as a psd and close down PSE. Reopen and start working on the rest of your project. Hopefully that will work.

[Sepiana]

Mar 18, 2024 19:48:24 GMT tangomike said:

The project began with a png image of a logo.
This attempt began by altering the color in circle, the 1 and the 3 and the F in Fitness.
Then it stalled because I have not been able to alter the color of any other letters.
Then I use the magic wand to select the I, and Edit>Fill Selection with White selected in the foreground color, and nothing happens.
I've tried multiple times.

Hi tangomike,

I also have PSE 2024. I followed your steps -- Magic Wand>Edit>Fill Selection>White (Foreground color). No problem! PSE "obeyed".

Then, I continued testing other variables. I was able to replicate your problem by reducing the Opacity to 10% in the Fill Layer dialog. The result was . . . "nothing happens".

I know this is a shot in the dark but could this be what caused your problem? Check the Opacity box. Make sure it is set to 100% Opacity.

[tangomike]

Thanks Sepiana. That's not the problem, but I didn't use "Fill layer." As shown in this new image, I wanted to fill the letter. (correction: Just noticed that the window is labeled "Fill Layer.") I also made sure I didn't simplify the layers, because I hadn't done that in the original attempts. Thanks also to cats4jan for the suggestion about shutting down PSE and reopening it. I had already tried that. I also tried Tom's suggestion about the way he suggested to select and fill the selection.

Once again, with the marching ants around the letter, I've been unable to change the color of any letters to white, and I'm still much confused.

[Sepiana]

Mar 19, 2024 16:41:33 GMT tangomike said:

Thanks Sepiana. That's not the problem, but I didn't use "Fill layer."
I also made sure I didn't simplify the layers.

tangomike,

The command is "Fill Layer" in the Edit menu. Once you make a selection of the subject to be filled, the command will automatically change to "Fill Selection". However, there will be no change in the dialog box; The link to the respective Help file will remain "Fill Layer"

If you don't simplify the text, the Edit>Fill Selection command will be grayed out. If you simplify the text, the Edit>Fill selection command will automatically get activated.

NOTE:

Simplifying text has a few downsides. Fortunately, there is a workaround. See . . . Text and the Simplifying Process

[tangomike]

Sepiana,

Thanks for the additional information. My apologies for not replying sooner. At this point, it may be helpful to expand my initial post to clarify my issues with this project.

I'm assisting the owner of the company represented by the logo based on my offer to enhance it by adding depth through bevel. My interest is to enable printing on a shirt that accepts a direct to film high quality process. They provided a style guide, and I wanted to comply with the branding, including colors, typography, and design. The only examples I had were .png images, and I came up with a process that allowed me to duplicate the typography without having to search for the three fonts.

The workflow involved using the magic wand to select each letter, copy and paste it in a separate layer, and use a fill layer to block out the original text. This worked fine for multiple trials until I ran into the problem illustrated in my original post.

I would like to continue this with more detail as I repeat the process with another version of the logo, but I'm unable to devote the time until later today.

Thanks again to all for the assistance you have provided so far.

[Chris]

Tangomike, the process you describe, "Edit/Fill selection should work. It should also work using the paint bucket tool. Double check that you have the correct letter or shape selected.

I wonder if the problem you are experiencing is due to low memory issues. You can try saving your work, Close PSE 2024 and then open PSE and the file you are working on and try again.

Kind regards

Chris

[Sepiana]

Mar 24, 2024 13:14:45 GMT tangomike said:

Sepiana,

Thanks for the additional information. My apologies for not replying sooner. 

I'm assisting the owner of the company represented by the logo based on my offer to enhance it by adding depth through bevel. 

The workflow involved using the magic wand to select each letter, copy and paste it in a separate layer, and use a fill layer to block out the original text. This worked fine for multiple trials until I ran into the problem illustrated in my original post.

tangomike,

No need to apologize. This is a very interesting project and I understand you want to get it right.

I’m baffled. I have no problems using the Magic Wand tool (or the Paint Bucket tool as suggested by Tom).

You may want to start your project again. The moment you encounter the problem in your workflow, stop, and take a screenshot. Make you sure you capture the layer stack. The layer stack could be the key to solve this mystery.

[Sepiana]

Mar 24, 2024 15:07:59 GMT Chris said:

Tangomike, 

I wonder if the problem you are experiencing is due to low memory issues. You can try saving your work, Close PSE 2024 and then open PSE and the file you are working on and try again.

tangomike already tried closing Elements, opening, etc. It didn't solve the problem.

Mar 19, 2024 16:41:33 GMT tangomike said:

Thanks also to cats4jan for the suggestion about shutting down PSE and reopening it. I had already tried that.

If the problem is due to a memory issue, I would suggest allowing Elements more RAM. See . . . When Elements Goes into a Sluggish Mode.

[fotofrank]

I will truly hate to ask this - is there any reason you did not lock the transparency of the layer and just paint with a brush, any color you wanted?