What's new
By:
Photoshop Gurus Forum

Welcome to Photoshop Gurus forum. Register a free account today to become a member! It's completely free. Once signed in, you'll enjoy an ad-free experience and be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Reverse Engineering: Layer 1 + Layer X = Layer 3 ; Find Layer X


C

cheesecake

Member
Messages
10
Likes
0
Hi everyone,

I run across a problem that I've simplified into the form of an illustration.

photoshopquestion.png


As above, I have three layers: Layer 1, Layer 2 and Layer 3.
Layer 1 + Layer 2 = Layer 3

Layer 2 is a certain color with a certain level of opacity that, when placed over Layer 1, would produce Layer 3. I have Layer 1 and Layer 3, but I'm not quite sure how to find Layer 2. Can anyone help me solve for the unknown layer in the image? It's the one in the center.

Thanks!
 

Attachments

I don´t understand the question. Your layers should show in your layers palette, what do you mean?
 
Looks like he wants to recreate some effect.
I think it's possible but only on eye and experience (knowing which effect each blending mode gives).
 
SeniorS said:
Looks like he wants to recreate some effect.
I think it's possible but only on eye and experience (knowing which effect each blending mode gives).
Click to expand...

Senior S, he says that he has layer 1 and layer 3, how could he not have layer 2 then? You can see in the layer palette which blending modes you have used
as well as the opacity and fill of them. I still don´t understand, unless he is talking about layerSTYLES? Is that what you mean Cheesecake?:)
 
Case 1: You don't know the Layer 2 color RGB. Then nothing can be done: we have too much unknown variables:sad:

Case 2: You know Layer 2 color RGB values. Then you can restore the Layer 2 opacity mask by simple formulas. You can use Filter Factory for that. (take into account though, that if for some pixel Layer 1 RGB = Layer 2 RGB = Layer 3 RGB you can't find it's Layer 2 opacity - it can be anything from 0-255:))
 
Last edited:
I think he didn't know that it not just color but unknown blending mode too.
Just experemented and little logic.
I assume that all boxes are affected by one color.
So there is grey box. If layer 2 have anything except "grey" color then with any opacity it wouldn't stay gray but it is. If it isn't white then colored boxes would turn darker which isn't.
But it isn't white, i checked it. There isn't such opacity which would give needed result.

So conclusion - layer 2 had diferent blending mode from normal.
 
SeniorS said:
Maybe he got before and after image?
Click to expand...

Exactly that, my friend. I'm trying to figure out what was placed over Layer 1 to create Layer 3. I really only have Layer 1 and 3 to work with. Layer 2 is unknown, and I'm trying to find it in order to replicate the effect with other colors. But that's the real question... How?

If only it were as easy as algebra.
 
It is easy as algebra if you know equation. I don't.

On a fly, closest i get is white, blending mode overlay, opacity 41% but that's only for first color box (and a less similiar to others).
 
cheesecake said:
Exactly that, my friend. I'm trying to figure out what was placed over Layer 1 to create Layer 3. I really only have Layer 1 and 3 to work with. Layer 2 is unknown, and I'm trying to find it in order to replicate the effect with other colors. But that's the real question... How?

If only it were as easy as algebra.
Click to expand...
It might be easier if you post these "before and after" images. I still don´t understand this.
 
So how did layer two get there in the first place, and by whom?
 
Layer two as smaller coloured squares in the middle set to screen, maybe?
 
Why the big issue? it's just trial and error until whoever achieves there desired look, but 'we' all knew that anyway mate.
 
I over layed the same again only i made a circle with the same colour on each square, i lowered the opacity and fill by 30% to show a 70% setting, all done live by eye, easy.
 

Attachments

  • photo2.jpg
    photo2.jpg
    5.8 KB · Views: 10
cheesecake said:
Sure thing. This is for you:

photoshopquestion2.png


L1 = Before
L3 = After
Click to expand...

I´m still not sure I understand what is going on here, but if we say layer #2 is empty and what you want is to fill it with the color that is inside the little square in layer 3, then you can just take the eyedropper tool and sample from the middle of layer 3 and fill layer 2 with it. Is that what you mean?
 
Vafann said:
I´m still not sure I understand what is going on here
Click to expand...

That's alright. I'll try again:

A solved example.
photoshopquestion2.png


My current problem.
psquestion.png

From left to right; Layer 1, Layer 2, and Layer 3

I'm trying to find the color and opacity of Layer 2 which, when placed over Layer 1, would give the resultant Layer 3.
 
Back
Top