Changing the Sky

This subject is a frequent request. There are many ways to improve or replace the sky (or other background).

Basically there are two steps.  Isolate the sky (or at least create a new layer and work on that) so any changes are restricted to that part of the image and then create the changes

Open the “drab sky” image and as usual, copy it and work on the copy

If you want to delete the sky area it helps to have a disposable high contrast background to see if your selection is clean and complete.  I find a solid colour is more apparent than the checkerboard pattern of transparency.

If the “drab sky” image layer is a “background” layer Promote Background Layer so that you can put a sky image  or a floodfilled contrasting  layer below  it to check your selection

Save some “clouds” images to use in the future

Once the “drab sky” is selected you can

a)  Improve the sky that is already present.

b)  Position a good sky underneath.

c)  Draw a sky image on the layer underneath using the Paintbrush

d)  Create a sky with a plugin. (eg  Mura’s filter) on the layer underneath.

e)  Create a sky with Picture tubes on the layer underneath.

Do you want a good sky (or any other colour).  "Deep sky blue  25587E"   Just fill in the figures in the Materials Palette

Check out       http://www.computerhope.com/htmcolor.htm

Clouds Presets

Remove The Old Sky

Select the sky.

Start by promoting the background layer  and put a high contrasting coloured layer below it. Use a colour that is not found in the image

Selecting the sky in different images may be easier with different methods.

Try a combination of selection tools. UNKNOWN { MARGIN: 2cm; size: 21.59cm 27.94cm } P { MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0.21cm } You can use Color Range to pick out the sky from amongst the trees.

Save the selection to the Alpha channel or disk and reuse it in several examples for the same image

Does the selection need editing?

Do you need to feather or expand the selection to soften the selected edge?  Feathering the "land" selection can help to get rid of fringing.

Make the selection first and then feather and consider using inside/outside feather for more flexibility.

Freehand selection using the various selection types to trace around the sky edges is sometimes possible depending on the complexity of the outline.

Magic Wand Selection is useful.

Open sky-replace.jpg

Magic Wand Tool Options Mode=Add Match mode=RGB Tolerance=25 Tick Contiguous

Several clicks in the main sky area, in the arch and near the street light pole

Zoom in and click in the tree branches.

“Delete” reveals the materials background colour or the contrast layer if you have created one, or a substitute sky and also k+shows areas you have missed and that might need editing.such as  in the trees below.

Another way to remove the sky is to use the Background Eraser tool.

Open Rigging.jpg and "Promote Background Layer" and put a contrast layer behind it

Background Eraser .    Start with these settings in the Options bar

Default round brush Size “450” Hardness=100 Step=5 Density&Thickness&Opacity=100 Sharpness=70 Sampling=Continuous Limits=Discontiguous tick Auto Tolerance

Use single clicks on sky areas with the cursor point clear of any rigging. The cursor point in the top left corner wil be clicked next and the grey sky erased.  The darker rigging will remain.  This sample has had 5-6 clicks so far

Zoom in as necessary.  Change the tool options

Magic wand set to Opacity mode selects everything that is opaque.

You could Copy and then Paste as a new layer onto a “Sky” image or put a sky layer underneath.

To change brush size-   Alt and hold + left click  and hold down and drag mouse.

Altering the Sky

a) Improve the sky that is present

These methods help when there are some natural features in the sky that just need emphasizing

Select the sky

Promote the selection to a layer

Change the layer blend mode to “Multiply” or "Burn and try varying the layer opacity.

Perhaps merge the two layers and repeat promote the selection to a layer and change the blend mode again to ‘Multiply”. ie - same procedure more than once.

Various adjustments could also be made to the selected promoted layer. Experiment.

Try Promote the selection to a layer and then flood fill it with a solid colour such as a blue. Blend the layers in various ways eg Colour, and vary the layer opacity.

b) Position a good sky behind the scene.

See the rigging image above

Open a sky image

Open the image needing sky correction.

If the “drab sky” image layer is a “background” layer Promote Background Layer

Activate the sky image and Copy it Ctrl+C

Activate the Drab Sky image and

Paste the sky as a new layer Ctrl+L onto the Drab Sky Image

Use the pick tool to resize and position the sky so it at least covers all the sky area

On the Drab Sky image, select the sky area

Delete The underlying sky is exposed and can be moved around for best results.

Does the sky need adjustment for eg. Brightness?

c) Draw a sky image on the layer underneath

Here is a chance for the artists!

Open the image needing sky correction.

If the “drab sky” image layer is a “background” layer Promote Background Layer

Create a new raster layer for the sky

Flood fill this layer with a suitable blue

eg. Materials Palette HTML 25587E “Deep Sky Blue”

or a sky gradient of your choice Duotone Light Blue

New Raster layer above the sky blue layer for painted clouds

Paintbrush

Try CloudsBA or the snow preset with a large brush and white or light grey as the F/G colour. Use a few short random strokes

Then use the Smudge brush to soften any hard lines.

Try the Lighten/Darken tool; clouds are often darker on the bottom.

Perhaps lower the layer opacity and try various layer blend modes

Do you want to change the colour of the sky?

Maybe add some sun rays.

Merge the sky and cloud layers

Move the merged sky layer under drab sky layer in the layer palette

Select the sky area (or load the selection if it is already saved.)

Delete

Your sky is exposed.  ( and shows some fringing!!

Pick tool Position sky and clouds layer for best effect.

d) Create a sky with a plugin.

Use Mura’s filter on the layer underneath.

(If you can’t find the filter, check that you have installed it by finding the file

My Documents\My PSP Files\Plug-ins\mmCloud.8bf and that the path is entered in

File/Preferences/File Locations/Plug-ins/plug-in file folders)

Create a new raster layer for the sky

Effects / Plugins / MuRa’s Meister / Cloud

I used the Thick cloud preset and lightened the grey colour box and also used the Smudge Brush

Move sky layer under drab sky layer in the layer palette

Select the sky area (or load the selection if it is already saved.)

Delete Your sky is now exposed.

Pick tool Position sky and clouds layer for best effect

e) Create a sky on the layer underneath with Picture tubes.

Open the image needing sky correction.

If the “drab sky” image layer is a “background” layer Promote Background Layer

Create a new raster layer for the sky

Flood fill this layer with a suitable blue

eg. 25587E “Deep Sky Blue” or a sky gradient of your choice

New Raster layer for clouds

Picture Tube ”Clouds” and “arlcloud” tubes

If you are happy with the sky colour and tubes layers, merge them

Move sky layer under drab sky in the layer palette

Select the sky

Delete

Pick tool Position sky and clouds

Check things like layer opacity and brightness.