Changing line colors

[Judy Kristoff]

I am trying to draw the attached shape.

I need to make the following changes to it:

1) The curved part needs be in gold.

2) One straight line needs to be a gradient going from gold at the outer edge to green at the inner part of the circle.

3) The other straight line needs to be a gradient going from gold at the outer edge to red at the inner part of the circle.

How can I go about making these changes?

Judy

[Sarkut]

Here's one way:

1) Remove the white background.

2) Separate the three parts (vertical, diagonal, curved) into three lines on three transparent layers.

3) Position a new layer beneath the vertical line part.

Run a color gradient of the type that you want on the new layer using the line as guide.

In the Layers window click on the line layer, then copy the layer to the clipboard:

Ctrl A

Ctrl C

Ctrl D

3) In the Layers window, click on the gradient layer,

then apply the Alpha Mask Import plugin effect.

Alpha Mask settings:

Ignore Mask File:

Have checkmarks in all boxes

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Repeat for the other line parts.

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If you need more details or clarification, just ask.

(Be specific, pls.)

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Alpha Mask

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.

If you want the gold parts to look like metallic gold,

I'll leave that explanation to someone else.

[Judy Kristoff]

Thanks much for your detailed reply. It is very helpful. I have made some progress in splitting up the three lines and moved them to three separate transparent layers. I am having trouble in tracing the curved portion in gold. Details on doing this step will be most helpful. Thanks again.

[Sarkut]

tracing the curved portion in gold

Glad to help. Not sure what you mean by the above.

[Sarkut]

If you mean simply making it the gold color as in my last screenshot:

Fill a complete layer with gold, use the black curve as alpha mask, and apply to gold layer.

If some thing else, let me know.

Do you need more explanation on how to use the alpha mask effect?

Edited August 15, 2010 by Sarkut

[Judy Kristoff]

Yes, your understanding is correct. Is there a way to draw the curve in gold without the Alpha Mask plugin? What exactly does the Alpha Mask plugin do?

[Sarkut]

You can draw the curve in gold by going over the black line with the Recolor tool.

In the Colors window, set the primary color to gold, and the secondary color to black.

The alpha mask effect manipulates opacity and transparency.

The mask, in this case a black line on a white or alpha background,

is the instruction to the effect about what to do to the layer that

the effect is applied to.

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If you don't want to use alpha mask, select the line with the Magic Wand,

make a new (transparent) layer and fill the selection with color.

Use the Paintbrush or Gradient tool depending on which line you are doing.

Edited August 15, 2010 by Sarkut

[Judy Kristoff]

Thanks much for all your help. I really appreciate the helpful replies. I think I have a much better hang of it now.

Judy