308 CHAPTER 8 COLOR MANIPULATION, CHANNELS, AND LAYER MODES Grayscale Mode The most straightforward way to convert to grayscale is to change the image s mode from RGB (24 bits) to grayscale (8 bits) using Image . Mode. Without asking any additional questions, this gives you a black-and-white version of your image. Grayscale mode uses luminance. Often, this is all you need. It s the only method that converts the entire image; the others will convert only the current layer. It is also the only method that will save the image in grayscale mode (if the format you re using, such as PNG, allows such a concept). This can make a smaller image on disk. Once you tell GIMP an image should be grayscale mode, it won t let you add any colors to it. If you want to add colors later (even in another layer), you need to convert the mode back to RGB (which won t add the colors back; it will merely change the image s mode so that you can add colors). Desaturate The second method is the Desaturate function found in the Colors menu (in earlier versions, the Colors menu is found inside the Layer menu). In GIMP 2.4, this gives you a dialog offering a choice between Lightness, Luminosity, or Average. In earlier GIMPs, Desaturate used lightness, without offering the other two choices. Hue-Saturation You may have noticed that, ironically, Desaturate doesn t actually reduce saturation (if it did, you d be left with value, not lightness). If value is what you want, use the Hue-Saturation dialog from the Colors menu, and slide the Saturation bar all the way to the left. Figure 8-8 shows other uses for the Saturation bar. By reducing saturation in an image, you can make a pale-hued image that can make a nice background for a poster or greeting card. Increasing saturation creates a bright, garish image, which again could be useful for posters or other artwork. Figure 8-8. Reducing (center) or enhancing (right) saturation
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