How do I work with the shapes on a non-layered image file (jpg, tiff) in Photoshop?

[zaca]

Macbook
OS 10.8.5
Photoshop CS 5 Extended

Hi,

I'm creating, actually revising, a book cover for eBook and paperback. I'm new to Photoshop and will probably only be using the program on a limited basis. I've read and watched tutorials and browsed around the program, attempting to do some of the things I'm asking for help on here.

My plan is to make the image I want on Photoshop, then add new lettering and new lettering placement in Word 2008, which I've figured out how to do.

I'm attaching my existing image here, the current cover, along with three details. The cover was done in Indesign, but I don't have access to that original file. I only have my cover as an image, jpg, tiff or other choice, therefore what I have is not layered.

What I'd like to know how to do is:

1. Remove all lettering from the image. The title lettering, UNCHARTED VOYAGE, may prove awkward because it's written across five different image background sections. The sub-title lettering is only on top of one solid color.

2. I want to keep the illustration, but I'd like to change the colors of the background and the sailboat.

I've fooled around with the Magic Wand and the Quick Selection Tool, but haven't been able to define the areas I've circled in red in the attachment "Areas Hard To Capture With PS Tools".

Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

Rafael

 

[Francesco Balocco]

Re: How do I work with the shapes on a non-layered image file (jpg, tiff) in Photosho

Hey Zaca! I think I can help you.

1.removing the lettering: what i'd do here would be working with the clone stamp or sampling the colors of the parts that you want to correct. you won't get any major issues, since the image is flat (no shading) and solid colors will be quite easy to overlay. To make this precise, select the parts before doing anything and work on another layer with a hard brush set to normal and with 100% opacity (if the clone-stamp doesn't seem to work on the new layer, make sure "sample all layers" option is selected). Quick selection or magic wand will do, but since you're working for production i'd suggest you to select with poligonal lasso to be more accurate.

an easier way would be with the content aware patch, but you won't get the same control over the output.

2.recoloring: Following what would be my personal workflow, i'd actually vectorize the image via illustrator, to get rid of aliasing and chromatic aberration issues, and recolor everything from there. If you can't do this cause you don't have illustrator or are not familiar with it, the same process shown above will do. I wouldn't go with "selective color" since they're all in the same spectrum and you might get some issues, especially if you're not familiar with it.
make sure your image is hi-res, especially if you're going to print it, if it doesn't fit the size of the output at at least 270dpi, you'll have to work it via illustrator and make it a svg.

3. Print optimization: first of all, make sure your image is hi-res, especially if you're going to print it, if it doesn't fit the size of the output at at least 270dpi, you'll have to work it via illustrator and make it a svg.If you're printing it, make sure you're working in cmyk color space, otherwise you might get issues in the actual print color. Test your design on a laser printer (that emulates better than the inkjet one the print result) and you'll be good to go!

let me know if i've been helpful

fra

 

[zaca]

Re: How do I work with the shapes on a non-layered image file (jpg, tiff) in Photosho

Yes Francesco, that's helpful.

Since I posted my questions, I was able to remove the lettering, first using the polygonal lasso tool then choosing the background color of each area, and filling it into the selection. The polygonal lasso tool was usefull in making a precise selection of edges. Fortunately the edges I needed to refine were relatively straight, so in selecting the slight curves, I used short increments of straight lines using the polygonal lasso tool. I wasn't really able to figure out the refine edges process offerred. How would you make selections on rounded edges?

I've got an excellent image now and I'm working on new lettering for which I'll probably use Word to layer text over image.

My book cover will be put on a template provided by Lightning Source, the print on demand company I'm using. I have to study your answers 2. and 3. carefully now to see what exactly I need to do to optimize the colors, since I'm not printing this image but submitting it, along with the manuscript (the book interior) to the POD company.

I don't have Illustrator.

As for changing the colors of the image itself, I may just stick with what I have and get the title/author lettering bold and colorful. The reason for this is, that not being familiar with Photoshop, and not really being a graphic artist, but a writer, I've found that the learning curve with PS has been tough and I don't know how much further I want to go with it. Great program though. I'll let you know how it goes.

Milan—I just saw a movie set in Milan and Lago Como, THE OTHER MAN with Antonio Banderas and Liam Neeson. Very beautiful places. Though I've never been to Italy, I always remember Lake Como from Hemingway's A FAREWELL TO ARMS World War 1 novel.

Thank you,

Rafael

 

[Francesco Balocco]

Re: How do I work with the shapes on a non-layered image file (jpg, tiff) in Photosho

Hey! sorry for the delay, but I just realized there was a question in your answer! Actually if your edges aren't straight you can go either with the magnetic lasso (but Unless your image is super high definition it will be a bit of a mess) or with the pen tool which is maybe the best selection method, if used in combination with the alpha channel (pressing q and painting the selection). There are other selection methods, but are either a bit too long and painful or not really sharp.

You should really visit Milan and Lago di Como, they're really worth a holiday!

Have a nice day Rafael,

Francesco

 

[zaca]

Re: How do I work with the shapes on a non-layered image file (jpg, tiff) in Photosho

Francesco,

Thanks for getting back to me. I'm moving along with my project and I'll get back to you soon for some further clarification and to let you know about my progress.

I have had the travel bug again recently. My grandfather was Catalan Spanish and I spent a good deal of time in Spain and Mallorca, which I love.

Best to you,

Rafael

 

[zaca]

Re: How do I work with the shapes on a non-layered image file (jpg, tiff) in Photosho

Hi Francesco,

I'm back, and wondering if you're around.

I had to leave what I was doing in Photoshop in order to complete the final layout of the book's interior pages in PDF for the purpose of getting an exact page count. Lightning Source Inc. (LSI), the print on demand (POD) company that will be printing and distributing the novel, needs everything done to exacting specifications. Without the page count, the spine width of the book can't be figured exactly. LSI provides me with a cover template which consists of the front cover, the spine and the back cover.

I now have LSI's PDF cover template. I've opened it in Photoshop and saved the file as a PDF according to LSI's instructions. But after much searching on the Internet to find out how to bring my images and text onto the template in Photoshop (PS) I'm at another standstill. I'm writing to ask you if you would still be willing to help me with some pointers and maybe some leads to instruction.

I'm not including any additional material or attachments here for now, but if you're willing to help, I'll show you where things stand at present.

Thanks, and best to you,

Rafael (Zaca)

 

[ibclare]

Re: How do I work with the shapes on a non-layered image file (jpg, tiff) in Photosho

Zaca, this member has not been on since this thread. He may have deleted his subscription to this thread, or he may get a notification. If not, try a PM to him. In either event, just hang out a bit and someone with pdf experience will doubtless (I hope) come by with some advice for you.

 

[zaca]

Re: How do I work with the shapes on a non-layered image file (jpg, tiff) in Photosho

Thanks Ibclare,

I was going to PM him, and also open my questions to the group in genera.

Rafael

 

[Francesco Balocco]

Re: How do I work with the shapes on a non-layered image file (jpg, tiff) in Photosho

Hi Zaca!
Just saw the notification, sorry for the delay.
If I got your problem, I think you may try this approach:
Open the pdf template in photoshop so you have the correct schemes with the correct dimensions.
Now the template should act as a layer, so you can put your images on a new empty layer above it and resize them as needed (just make sure your images' size fits or is bigger than the size of the template, otherwise you may lose quality scaling it up).
Make sure you scale your new layer proportionally not to get it distorted.
Once you're done, make sure the color space is consistent with the requests (CMYK or RGB, since it's a print product, they may ask you to deliver a CMYK file, but if nothing is specified just leave everything as it is).
Check if the company requires the template to be included in the final pdf, and if not, delete the template layer, leaving just the adjusted image one.
Now that you have your psd file set up just save it as a pdf and you're ready to go! don't worry about the layers, they're going to get flatten in the export.

Hope I've been useful!
Francesco

 

[zaca]

Re: How do I work with the shapes on a non-layered image file (jpg, tiff) in Photosho

Francesco,

Thanks for answering.

Yes, that helps, and I've gotten further than when I last wrote.

Is there a way I can get an email from the forum when you or someone posts?

You say:

FB. Open the pdf template in photoshop so you have the correct schemes with the correct dimensions.

Z Got it.

FB. Now the template should act as a layer, so you can put your images on a new empty layer above it and resize them as needed (just make sure your images' size fits or is bigger than the size of the template, otherwise you may lose quality scaling it up).

Z Would you mind just running me through that?

FB. Make sure you scale your new layer proportionally not to get it distorted.

Z ?

FB. Once you're done, make sure the color space is consistent with the requests (CMYK or RGB, since it's a print product, they may ask you to deliver a CMYK file, but if nothing is specified just leave everything as it is).

Z Yes. CMYK specified.

FB Check if the company requires the template to be included in the final pdf, and if not, delete the template layer, leaving just the adjusted image one.

Z Included, I think. I think the template becomes a layer, no?

FB Now that you have your psd file set up just save it as a pdf and you're ready to go! don't worry about the layers, they're going to get flatten in the export.

Z As per instructions on the Lightning Source Adobe Photoshop CS2 & Newer colorful sheets.


Another question: They say that I can put the barcode wherever I want to. How do I move it around? Does it get made into a layer?

Also. Those cutlines, in the 17.5% size hardly show at all. That's why I made a blow up to show that they're there.




View attachment 9780989309608-Perfect.pdfView attachment 9780989309608-Perfect.pdfView attachment 9780989309608-Perfect.pdf