Gradient Maps Are Fun!

[Teamouse]

Update 3.3.2018

Changes made to scripts.
1. Fixed error(s) in continuing and exiting script
2. Made changes so Gradient Map Layer now can be created above any Adjustment Layer
3 Added new Gradient Map Script to cover up 12 zone in tones

What is a Gradient Map

Red and Gold Flower after Script

demo4.jpg (28.08 KiB) Viewed 5569 times

In Photoshop there is an adjustment layer called Gradient map, it’s a filter, and what does it do,
it gives the editor the ability to change an image to a new set of color values based on the images Gray-scale values,
in Color Mode. The Gradient (map) Editor as it is call, makes it very easy to select and adjust the color(s) tones the
way you would like to change them. It’s based on a scale of light, that starts out at 0% percent of no light to a 100 percent
of light. Which is then applied to the image, based on the Gradient Map created by the editor, or preset(s).
You can also use the Gradient Map editor to colorize black-and-white image to

Lt. Yellows Blossoms After Script

demo5.jpg (37.48 KiB) Viewed 5569 times

Duo-Tones
Tri-Tones
Four-Tones and more

With the Gradient Map Adjustment Layer with the blending mode set to color, you can change a colored image to a lot of
different effects, very quickly and with out all the details that are needed to make that happen.

Gray Scale Image after Script

demo2.jpg (37.18 KiB) Viewed 5569 times

So, let’s take this one more step further, The Gradient Map filter is a way for the user to apply the same thing that
can be done by using the Curves filter, but, without all the knowledge needed in making those changes
without seeing the color(s) you want. You know, Switching back and forth between the RGB Channels, adjusting here, a little
adjusting there. Until you get the desired effect your looking for or hoping for. A Great Ideal. And I’m sure you
seen it all over the internet, about Gradient maps and all the preset you ever wanted to download.

So, what’s that got to do with PaintShop Pro you say, well, there’s no Gradient Map option to be found. And your right!!
So why bring this up. But…..

PaintShop Pro does have the Curves Filter as well and that means you can do Gradient Maps. It’s almost the
same by 95% I would say, I haven’t tested it yet to see the total number of different colors you can use. But
I do know that you can go has high as 40 different colors setting per channel, which is a grand total of 64,000
different color schemes. (40x40x40) I would think that would cover any body’s needs.

So how can this be done, the easiest way to do this would be done by a Script.

Scripts can be made by the number of colors needed, or want to use, and the blending locations you want to place those colors at,
and the user can pick those colors, the way they want with the Dropper Tool. It’s not quite as simple as Photoshop, but it works!!

You can create the same Duo-Tones, Tri-Tones, Four-Tones, with Scripts, plus New Dreamy Tones and Tints,
that will be, like, how did you do that in PaintShop Pro. The possibility here are like endless. It can take your images to the next
level easily and quickly. I’ve included a few of my Gradient Map Scripts for you to test drive, just put them in your
restricted folder. Created with and for Version 2018, if you have and older version, just edit the script and change the
line 63 " TargetedVersion" to equal your version of PaintShop Pro. I Don't know for sure how far backward compatible they
will work, but I think Paint Shop Pro X is as far as you can go backwards.

Once I get the bugs work out, I'll post the non-pre set ones where you can use the Dropper tool to select each color
as you run the script. Hoping to get them done in a few days. I have a working 3 Color Gradient Map now that you
can pick each color.

If you have any Question about the scripts coding feel free to ask.

You can find the Updated scripts in my next post.

[LeviFiction]

Excellent! Never would have thought to use Curves.

My GradientMap script reads in the gradient color stops from either the gradient file or from the material (if the stops are in the material which often they are not), calculates all 255 values, converts the entire image to paletted greyscale and replaces the palette. It's fast but has a number of drawbacks, for example it can't be a multi-layered image as the greyscale command will flatten the image, and it decreases the number of available colors. Adapting the same "read the gradient in" method to this way of doing colors might be an option to consider. Especially since 14 color stops is the most I've ever seen in a gradient and as you indicated the Curves option can accept many times more than that.

Thank you for sharing.

[Teamouse]

I going to create 2 kinds of scripts for the Gradient Maps.

* One where your run it and it will only create the Gradient Map Layer above the top layer.
* Then there will be a setup Layers set, like the duo-tone I posted here. Color layer- Gray scale - Gradient Map.

This will make it easier and faster for you to get better gradient map.

Plus each script will have notes in the Script window like these.

Script out put window

Script Out Put-01.jpg (42.33 KiB) Viewed 5538 times

I want to push this to the Max!

[Teamouse]

Have them done now, and like this is the way to go! Gradient Mapping Made easy and fun!.
It's helpful that you understand how the Curve Filter works in Paintshop Pro.

Some Basic things to know:
1. What makes this better than abode Gradient Map Editor is, you can see what your doing as you go.
2. You don't have to make adjustment to a certain mapped area if you don't want to.
3. If you create something you like and you want to save it, you can, just save it as a preset in the Curves palette.
4. You can create these gradient maps anywhere in your layers Palette as you like. It will place it above the selected Layer.
5. You can only exit the script by pressing the "Cancel" Button in the Materials palette and the No to continue.
6. At any time you stop the script, any changes you have made are saved to the Curves Filter (The Adjustment Layer).

Script Showing Colors User Picked

7. If you don't pick a color and try to go with something else from the Materials Palette instead, the script
will make no changes to the location on the map, and script continues on.
9. You must have an open image to work with.
10. I made these for PaintShop Pro 2018, but you can change the version checker to your version so it will run.
"TargetedVersion = 20", just change the number to your version.

A few How To's:
What if, I don't want to make any changes to a certain Mapped Zone? Because I like what I have all ready. Well.....

1.. Just press the Cancel Button from the material Palette when it opens.

What if I don't like the Pre Set Map Locations, can I Change them?

1.What I would do, is what I called, "A Map Shift", run another script with more map locations than you need and use the same color again,
with those locations

This should meet most of you needs for sure. Looking for feed back here on how they work. As far as I know, I have all
the bugs worked out. This also replaces the older version created with Paintshop 8, with the second open window
for mapping and having to select a gradient to work with, before you can run the script. This will speed things up for you.

10GradientMap.zip

Gradient Map Script

(281.34 KiB) Downloaded 347 times

[Dijenga]

Sorry I didn't respond sooner but I somehow missed this post.

I had been wondering how I could achieve this in Paintshop Pro. Nice to have the scripts, Thanks.