Duplicate, Split, And Merge Channels - Adobe Photoshop CS6 User Manual

Duplicate, split, and merge channels

Duplicate channels
Split channels into separate images
Merge channels
Duplicate channels
You can copy a channel and use it in the current image or another image.
Duplicate a channel
If you are duplicating alpha channels between images, the channels must have identical pixel dimensions. You cannot duplicate a channel to a
Bitmap-mode image.
1. In the Channels panel, select the channel to duplicate.
2. Choose Duplicate Channel from the Channels panel menu.
3. Type a name for the duplicate channel.
4. For Document, do one of the following:
Choose a destination. Only open images with pixel dimensions identical to the current image are available. To duplicate the channel in
the same file, select the channel's current file.
Choose New to copy the channel to a new image, creating a multichannel image containing a single channel. Type a name for the new
image.
5. To reverse the selected and masked areas in the duplicate channel, select Invert.
Duplicate a channel in an image
1. In the Channels panel, select the channel you want to duplicate.
2. Drag the channel onto the Create New Channel button
Duplicate a channel in another image
1. In the Channels panel, select the channel you want to duplicate.
2. Make sure that the destination image is open.
Note: The destination image does not have to have the same pixel dimensions as the duplicated channel.
3. Do one of the following:
Drag the channel from the Channels panel into the destination image window. The duplicated channel appears at the bottom of the
Channels panel.
Choose Select > All, and then choose Edit > Copy. Select the channel in the destination image and choose Edit > Paste. The pasted
channel overwrites the existing channel.
Split channels into separate images
You can split channels of flattened images only. Splitting channels is useful when you want to retain individual channel information in a file format
that doesn't preserve channels.
To split channels into separate images, choose Split Channels from the Channels panel menu.
The original file is closed, and the individual channels appear in separate grayscale image windows. The title bars in the new windows show the
original filename plus the channel. You save and edit the new images separately.
Merge channels
Multiple grayscale images can be combined as the channels of a single image. The images you want to merge must be in grayscale mode, be
flattened (have no layers), have the same pixel dimensions, and be open. The number of grayscale images you have open determines the color
modes available when merging channels. For example, if you have three images open, you can merge them into an RGB image; if you have four
images open, they can become a CMYK image.
at the bottom of the panel.
To the top
To the top
To the top