tri color images - how to combine them?

[dsnay]

Hi guys,

I made my first attempt at imaging with my shiny new DSI Pro last night. I managed to acquire some data. I made three sets of images with each of the RGB filters provided. Now how do I combine them to produce a colorized image? If I just stack them up in photoshop (version 7.0) I don't see any real color. I've seen references to the channels->merge channels option, but when I try that the merge channels option is greyed out until I split the channels out. I'm working with jpg images, if that helps at all.

thanks,
Dave

[Jean-Yves]

Hi Dave,

I am not an expert but the basics for me are :

- first align the three images .
- then create a new RGB file and copy the image taken through the green channel into that image's green channel, same for blue and same for red.
Then I work the levels and curves on each channel.
(Since I use PS7, I have to set the files as 8 bits RGB)

Look around in this site and others, there are a lots of tips  out there,

Cheers

Jean-Yves

[dsnay]

Hi Jean-Yves,

How are you aligning your images? Do you do it in photoshop?

thanks,
Dave

[twilbur]

Dave,

I use CCDSoft to combine my images, I think most people use CCDSoft or MaximDL. That said, I understand your plight so I asked around and did some research. Here's a PS procedure that should work for you. You'll need to mess around with the color levels and curves when done, but it works.

- Open all images (channels) in Photoshop.
- Change the Mode (Image/Mode) of the red image to RGB color (if it's
really grayscale)
- Move the green to the red (use move tool in toolbox), then the blue to
the red (name each layer accordingly)
- When moving, they should snap into place. You might want to change
the Opacity of the top layer lower, so you can see that the image aligns
properly.
- Now you have 3 layers, RGB. In order to make them blend, change the
Blend Mode on the top two layers from "Normal" to "Overlay"
- You now have an RGB image (almost)

Note: I'd recommend starting with a copy of the red layer (or whatever
layer you want as your master)

Your result will still be a B/W image, if these were truly grayscale to
start, even though your in RGB mode.
You will need to adjust the color of each layer. One way is
(Image>Hue/Saturation), select "colorize" and adjust Hue to proper color for each layer
Go into Blending options for each layer, check only the RG or B as applicable

IMAGING IS THE MOST FUN AND THE COOLEST HOBBY ON EARTH!
GOOD LUCK!

Ted