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I am trying this method you mention with an animation test , but I am not understanding one part of the process :


" -(FX_Stack) filter the duplicated one to get a hard line, and to get rid of the light-greys,
(light-mark=1 + Histo on Alpha channel),"


I tried this using FX Stack filter Curves --- Alpha
and I was able to darken the line down with the Alpha channel in Curves , but could not get the lines as dark and solid as you show in your example screen capture movie . Mine was darker , but still had a few too many gaps to do a quick Flood Fill coloring (I had to do too much touch-up on the line to close the gaps)

What exactly is "light mark = 1 + Histo " ?

I see the Histogram in FX Stack, but does that mean I need to apply two FX Stack filters : first with Curves, then the Histogram ? I'm unsure of the meaning of "light-mark = 1 + " .

Thanks and sorry for my awkward stumbling around the FX Stack. This is still the part of the program that is the most mysterious to me.

ZigOtto wrote:
- first make a "dummy" drawing-layer by duplicating your pencil drawing, and hide the original,

- (FX_Stack) filter the duplicated one to get a hard line, and to get rid of the light-greys,
(light-mark=1 + Histo on Alpha channel),

- draw roughly to close where you see it will be needed (in red on my quicktime), to prevent leaking,

- then go to your (empty) color layer, and flood-fill the colors with the right settings
(here : Source=Front, Fill=Density Only, GapCloser=0 , Expand=2, Range=60);
- then, hide the dummy (line) layer and fill (mode= behind) the small remaining holes
- and finally show (switch to visible) the original Drawing Layer.

oups... I hadn't saved the project ...

so I roughly replicated the effect, and yes, I've stacked 2 (or maybe 3?) FXs,
but you apply them all in once (check-on each one, preview = on,
tweak the settings and when satisfied, hit "apply").
the Median Blur (LightMark=1) is there to "fill the micro-gaps,
the Histogram is there to turn the greys into B&W.
here's a .bin file, click on the (up-right corner of the fx-stack) [Bin] button,
then > Import... and browse to select the pencil2dummy.bin file.

damned... .bin files are not allowed for uploading on this site ...

OK, here's the project file with the FX.

ZigOtto wrote: the Median Blur (LightMark=1) is there to "fill the micro-gaps,
the Histogram is there to turn the greys into B&W.

Ah ! Got it now. I did not understand that LightMark = 1
was referring to using the Median Blur filter .
I don't remember if I've ever used the Median Blur filter before , so I did not understand the term LightMark = 1 .
Now I see.

This all makes sense now.

Thanks.

Hey,

first of all thanks for this great tutorial and sorry for "opening" this old thread again.

I think the coloring method is still popular (or is there a better method?)



Regarding to this method, I would like to know in which order the layers are.

I tried to redo all steps, but I have no idea in what order the layers have to be arranged to do the last step.

ZigOtto wrote: - then, hide the dummy (line) layer and fill (mode= behind) the small remaining holes

I hide the Dummy Line go to my color layer and set the paint bucket fill mode to behind. BUT behind my color layer is no other layer. So if I fill the layer the whole canvas is filled - of cause.

My Layers:
Dummy Line
Original Line
Color

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks!

Oh my god. Sorry. Just realized, that I really have to change the fill method to behind and not the source!

I would suggest you try my new plugin LazyBrushTVP, that can make you life easier. For example, that nice duck drawing can be drawn very quickly with it.
You can find the plugin here, with instructions -

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zliyb5df36uojy8/xfezEE-fEC" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is still in development, meaning it might have bugs/crashes and interface glitches. I'm here to answer questions and solve problems if you find them.
You can also find more info on the painting tool thread in "the George, SDK" forum.

Thanks,
Ofer

The modes "above" and "below" follow every visible layer either on top or bottom. "display" of course uses all visible layers.