Two
Tone Bitmap Images
by
Angela Taylor aka Kitiara : 30 March 2004
This is a
nice and simple-to-apply effect for turning your images and
pictures into a two tone bitmap style. Photographs generally
work the best with this, and it's always helpful to have a
picture that isn't too dark or too light. If it's leaning
towards either end of the spectrum, you'll end up with a
finished picture without many clear distinctions. More about
that later.
Creating the image
-
Open up the image you would like to manipulate, either in
gif or jpg format. It doesn't particularly matter which
one, just make sure you set the Mode to RGB if it isn't
already. You can do this by clicking on Image in the
toolbar, then Mode and RGB.
You'll also need the image on it's own layer, so cut and
paste it into a new one.
[ starting
image ]
-
Using
the Layers Panel, select the layer with the photograph on.
At the bottom of this panel you will find a selection of
filter and effects icons. From these, pick the fourth icon
from the left (the one that looks like a black and white
bisected circle), as indicated on the image below. This
creates a new Fill or Adjustment layer over the top of the
selected layer.
[ apply an
adjustment layer ]
-
A new
pop up menu will appear, offering you a choice of layers
to apply to the image. For this effect, choose the one
second from the bottom - Threshold. Immediately you'll see
a change in your image, as well as a new box with a
sliding scale. Grab hold of the scaling arrow with the
mouse, shift it along the bar and see what happens to your
photograph.
[ threshold
sliding scale ]
-
The
further you move the scale to the left, the lighter the
picture becomes. By moving to the right, the image gets
blacker and darker. This is why it is important not to
have a too light or dark image in the first place, as
Photoshop will have trouble separating the areas. A little
playing around should give you an effect that you like,
something similar to the picture below.
[ threshold
applied to image ]
-
Once
you're happy you can merge the two layers and save it out.
Want some colour? If you like, you can create a new layer
above the merged one and block fill it with a colour of
your choice. With the new layer highlighted, choose
'Multiply' from the drop down blending menu at the top of
the Layers panel. Now your picture will look something
like this.
[ adding
some colour ]
And
that's it! Try experimenting with different colours,
pictures and blending modes to achieve new and interesting
graphics.
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