How to change a coloured image into a black & white (greyscale) image?

Twinkle over 15 years ago

Hi There

I'm using Corel draw X4 having problem changing the coloured picture into black and white (greyscale)..

I'm new to Corel still trying to get the hang of this.

Could someone please advise how can do this. Simple proces.

Many Thanks

Twinkle

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0 Edward Thurston over 15 years ago

Two ways:

For bitmap image:

1) Click on the image and then on "Bitmap>Mode>Greyscale"

2) Click on the image and then on "Effects>Adjust>Hue/Saturation/Lightness"

and move the slider for "Saturation" all the way to "-100"

If you are going to print right away, or have no other work to do on the image, then option "1" is ok BUT note that a greyscale image is 8 bit (one channel) and you will lose many tools available for image adjustments that would still be usuable if the image was still a 24 bit (RGB) bitmap (option "2").

Good way to work would be to save the original work prior to changing to greyscale, then make your greyscale conversion and continue working. Save the final image as "Save As" and give the file a different name. This way you will have the original colour image saved and a greyscale version.

NOTE: In option "1", once you have converted to greyscale, the image can not be brought back to RGB.

Make sure that (under "Tools>Options>General") you have sufficient undo levels for bitmap and vector levels. I have mine set for 25 for bitmap and 50 for vector. This way when you are working on the image, if you want to change back to a previous adjustment, using the "Undo" (twisted left pointing arrow on the Menu bar) will roll back to the previous level of work. If you find that you've rolled back too far, then click on the "Redo" (twisted right pointing arrow on the Menu bar).

Save often (add 1,2,3 or a,b.c to each saved version to ensure separate file names). The more safety points along the way, the better. You can always just delete the unneeded versions when you have finished the work,,,but always save the original image.

Ted
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0 Hunter over 15 years ago in reply to Edward Thurston

wrote in message news:46052@coreldraw.com...
> Two ways: For bitmap image: 1) Click on the image and then on
> "Bitmap>Mode
>

I'll disagree with you, Ted. *Never* convert a bitmap from 24-bit color to
8-bit greyscale. This will delete 66.6666% of the data in the file because
it will take the color values in the R, G, and B channel and average them
out and throw away the rest.

IMO, for optimum greyscale images you should go into PP and apply either a
black and white lens or a channel mixer lens (converting to monochrome). In
the channel mixer lens, you can still tweak the levels of the R, G, or B
channels letting you create a bitmap that will pop. With the b/w lens, you
can also tweak the C, M, and Y channels as well which can really let you get
a great tonal value. And you can always go back into the lenses to tweak
your settings if you decide to manipulate them again at a later date.

I don't know that the lens(es) will translate all that well back to Draw, so
what I would do is to export the image to a new file and flatten it (or just
save it as another CPT file with a new name and flatten it).
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