Stupid question, easy answer (I hope)

**Tick** · 01-26-10, 04:29 PM

So, here's the skinny. I have two layers, the bottom one a photo with the transparency set to around 50%, the top one a simple pencil sketch outline of the photo below. Now, I'm trying to start adding color to the top layer, but whenever I use the eyedropper tool to sample the color below, it samples the apparent color with the transparency of the layer applied (ie, what should be black is sampling as grey).

I know there is a keystroke or setting to sample the actual color, not the apparent color, without having to keep setting the bottom layer's transparency back to 100% every time I need to pick up a new color.

Help me out, folks, I'm having a major brain fart here.

**Gonzo0100** · 01-26-10, 05:27 PM

Thats a good question!
I am not sure really, I know illustrator has an option to set a lower layer as "template". It fades it to 40% ut samples at 100... IDK if that option is in PS. I will poke around and let you know.

**jakt** · 01-26-10, 08:03 PM

Do you have a white background layer underneath the photo layer?

**Tick** · 01-27-10, 04:24 AM

The background layer is the photo layer. I've simple added an additional layer on top of it, hand sketched the outlines and features of the photo, and now am trying to sample the true colors of the background layer while keeping the transparency lowered to aid in my pseudo-portrait attempt.

**jakt** · 01-29-10, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by Tick

The background layer is the photo layer. I've simple added an additional layer on top of it, hand sketched the outlines and features of the photo, and now am trying to sample the true colors of the background layer while keeping the transparency lowered to aid in my pseudo-portrait attempt.

Yep, Yep.

Just trying to trouble shoot your issue.

Do you see the checkboard background?
Have you tried to hide all other layers, then color pick the photo layer with the same results?
Also, try changing the color picker options to "current layer".

**Tick** · 02-01-10, 08:24 PM

Bump. C'mon folks, help me out, this is driving me crazy.

**jakt** · 02-01-10, 11:10 PM

Could you send me the file?

**Adretheon** · 02-01-10, 11:33 PM

What are you using? I'm assuming PS? Does your brush have the opacity down?

I'm trying to get the same effect as you, but I'm getting the right colors. I have my old BG as layer1 at 50% and a top blank layer at 100% and I'm selecting the right color, and its painting the correct transparency.

**Adretheon** · 02-01-10, 11:36 PM

And not to question your smarts, but when you're painting your painting on the top layer right?

**Tick** · 02-02-10, 12:52 AM

Yes, painting on the top layer, bottom layer is at 50% opacity, trying to pick up the actual (ie, 100% opacity color) color on the bottom layer while painting on the top one without having to manually adjust the opacity of the bottom layer. Currently, it's picking up the color of the lower layer, but with 50% opacity. I've tried using combinations of alt/ctrl/shift with the brush tool and the eyedropper tool with no success, so I'm beginning to think there might be a setting somewhere I'm missing?