Choosing painting modes
When you use a painting tool, choose a mode in the Mode pop-up
menu in the floating Brushes palette, or in the Mode submenu in the
context menu. Not all modes are available for all painting tools.
Mode options are available when you use the following tools:
Marker, Paintbrush, Airbrush, Bucket, Blend, Blur, Sharpen, and
Rubber Stamp.
Some unique options for painting tools are described with the indi-
vidual tools in this chapter. Painting modes that are available for
most painting tools are listed here.
Normal
The default painting mode applies color to all pixels uni-
formly. When the painting opacity is 100%, the applied color
replaces the original color. If you paint in a Black & White or
Indexed image, Normal mode is labeled Threshold.
Dissolve
This mode applies color with a random diffused pattern
within the brush shape. The effect is similar to drawing with chalk.
The diffused effect is stronger when the painting opacity is less than
100%.
Multiply
Darkens all pixels by multiplying the value of the applied
color and the underlying color. Painting with darker colors intensifies
the effect. Painting with black results in black; painting with white
does not affect the original color. When you apply a color with multi-
ple strokes in the same area, the strokes become darker, similar to the
effect of making multiple strokes on paper with an ink marker.
Screen
The Screen mode is the opposite of Multiply mode. Screen
mode lightens all pixels by multiplying the inverse values of the
applied color and the underlying color. Painting with lighter colors
intensifies the effect. Painting with black does not affect the original
image; painting with white results in white.
Overlay
Applies color without destroying the underlying shadows
and highlights. Overlay mode blends the applied color with the
underlying color; the amount of blending depends on the lightness of
the underlying color.
Soft Light
Lightens or darkens underlying colors depending on the
lightness value of the applied color. If the lightness of the applied
color is less than 50% gray, painting lightens the image. If the light-
ness of the applied color is greater than 50% gray, painting darkens
the image. Painting with white or black has the most intense effect,
but does not completely replace the underlying color.
Painting modes
Dissolve mode