Coloring in layers vs channels

Kors · 07-01-2012, 03:27 PM

When coloring I've tried both...which is the best way to color comics?
Working in Channels (cmyk, plus black copy) or working in layers. I know I'm not doing it right, but then end results usually look very similar.
Does it matter in the long run?
Probably for print?
I could use some insight in this matter.

Thanks!!

thejaz180 · 07-01-2012, 04:44 PM

Hmm, well this depends on your software, I use Photoshop CS3 for PC and since my style is the “simplified” look, I usually don’t go through a lot of headaches when coloring my own thing or someone else’s stuff that requires the same kind of coloring style. So my point is… (Wait, the voices in my head are telling me not to give away my secrets)… so my point is… (like my style is so hard to figure out, go fly a kite will ya)… so my point is I color in layers I don’t bother in channels anymore because the way I prepare the line work is done in a way that I don’t even need channels I just… (Don’t tell ‘em)… I just…

(Shut up)… I just lock the line work itself and then color every single part of the drawing in a separate layer. I’m fast at doing it so it doesn’t bother me, and plus I just use my graphic design skills to help me out. Basically whatever needs to be done in channels I can do it in layers, even color separation… (What the hell are you doing? Never teach the Wu-Tang!)… even color separation… (Yo shut up, my style is so easy even a dingbat can master it, Yo! you better go throw yourself in a river)… anyway where was I?

Oh yes, if you don’t have the Hi-Fi coloring books I recommend getting them, just go to Amazon and get them from there. I color in RGB, most printing companies today can produce work from RGB, but if you’re working for those companies that require CMYK then just color in CMYK. The point is whatever works for you, and please, I hope this info doesn't bother you, to work in comics you gotta be insane, and if you’re not insane to make it your living, well you will not get the “Fun” that it brings… never teach the Wu-Tang? Did you hear that guy?

Kors · 07-01-2012, 08:53 PM

yeah, you pretty much have a separate "layer" for the line art when working with both layers and channels. It seems there's very little difference nowadays between the 2 methods. I use PS CS3 as well. I've been looking around today, and popular consensus seems to point to using layers, that using channels is an archaic practice used to save RAM (layers used to take up a lot of RAM on slower machines), and better color separation for print. But nowadays most printing is done on digital printers instead of offset printers.
I dunno, I could be wrong.

And...no one can defeat the wu tang style! So bring the rukkas!

ChrisMcJunkin · 07-02-2012, 03:25 AM

Layers. I honestly have no idea of what the benefit of Channels are that make them preferable to Layers. I'm no professional colorist though so maybe one of them could say for sure.

Also, when using Layers, set the layer to Multiply rather than Darken, I find it makes the inks look better. That's probably common knowledge and you probably all ready know that, but just in case.

JimCampbell · 07-02-2012, 03:29 AM

I remember when layers were first introduced to Photoshop: the feature dropped like a bombshell. This you realized was how you had always wanted to work -- working with channels was the only way to get close to that working method before you had layers.

There really is no reason I can think of to use channels: they have less flexibility than layers and confer no advantages that I'm aware of.* All channel-based workflows are essentially hangovers from pre-layers versions of Photoshop. You'd be amazed how long these things linger -- I encounter people whose lettering workflow is three times more lengthy than it needs to be because it's how they've always done it. There's one tutorial on the Comicraft site that solves a 'problem' with balloons that hasn't existed since Illustrator CS2.

Cheers!

Jim

*Note: if someone wants to come forward with any examples, I'd be genuinely interested to hear them.

Kors · 07-02-2012, 08:50 AM

Yeah, more and more I'm seeing proof that channels is just an archaic remnant of a time when computers just werent that powerful...I remember at some point in the late 90's I had a much earlier version of photoshop, and whenever I would put more than a few layers down, things would go super slow, so I could understand if channels made it easier to work in back then. Otherwise I'm getting no proof or arguments stating that they have some hidden benefit I'm not seeing.

Layers it is

Scribbly · 07-03-2012, 06:39 AM

If we try to use any of the current Adobe’s CS software in windows 98 or Mac 98 it won’t be
memory enough for support it in those old machines.
Channels, even when practical back at the day, are now history unless you are working in photography.
Layers it is.

07-01-2012, 03:27 PM	#1
Kors F!@* Symmetry!! Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Antonio TX Posts: 1,249	Coloring in layers vs channels When coloring I've tried both...which is the best way to color comics? Working in Channels (cmyk, plus black copy) or working in layers. I know I'm not doing it right, but then end results usually look very similar. Does it matter in the long run? Probably for print? I could use some insight in this matter. Thanks!! __________________ www.lateralmagick.blogspot.com http://planetshadow.thecomicseries.com

07-01-2012, 08:53 PM	#3
Kors F!@* Symmetry!! Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Antonio TX Posts: 1,249	yeah, you pretty much have a separate "layer" for the line art when working with both layers and channels. It seems there's very little difference nowadays between the 2 methods. I use PS CS3 as well. I've been looking around today, and popular consensus seems to point to using layers, that using channels is an archaic practice used to save RAM (layers used to take up a lot of RAM on slower machines), and better color separation for print. But nowadays most printing is done on digital printers instead of offset printers. I dunno, I could be wrong. And...no one can defeat the wu tang style! So bring the rukkas! __________________ www.lateralmagick.blogspot.com http://planetshadow.thecomicseries.com

07-02-2012, 08:50 AM	#6
Kors F!@* Symmetry!! Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Antonio TX Posts: 1,249	Yeah, more and more I'm seeing proof that channels is just an archaic remnant of a time when computers just werent that powerful...I remember at some point in the late 90's I had a much earlier version of photoshop, and whenever I would put more than a few layers down, things would go super slow, so I could understand if channels made it easier to work in back then. Otherwise I'm getting no proof or arguments stating that they have some hidden benefit I'm not seeing. Layers it is __________________ www.lateralmagick.blogspot.com http://planetshadow.thecomicseries.com

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07-01-2012, 04:44 PM	#2
thejaz180 The artist from Brooklyn Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 2,509	Hmm, well this depends on your software, I use Photoshop CS3 for PC and since my style is the “simplified” look, I usually don’t go through a lot of headaches when coloring my own thing or someone else’s stuff that requires the same kind of coloring style. So my point is… (Wait, the voices in my head are telling me not to give away my secrets)… so my point is… (like my style is so hard to figure out, go fly a kite will ya)… so my point is I color in layers I don’t bother in channels anymore because the way I prepare the line work is done in a way that I don’t even need channels I just… (Don’t tell ‘em)… I just… (Shut up)… I just lock the line work itself and then color every single part of the drawing in a separate layer. I’m fast at doing it so it doesn’t bother me, and plus I just use my graphic design skills to help me out. Basically whatever needs to be done in channels I can do it in layers, even color separation… (What the hell are you doing? Never teach the Wu-Tang!)… even color separation… (Yo shut up, my style is so easy even a dingbat can master it, Yo! you better go throw yourself in a river)… anyway where was I? Oh yes, if you don’t have the Hi-Fi coloring books I recommend getting them, just go to Amazon and get them from there. I color in RGB, most printing companies today can produce work from RGB, but if you’re working for those companies that require CMYK then just color in CMYK. The point is whatever works for you, and please, I hope this info doesn't bother you, to work in comics you gotta be insane, and if you’re not insane to make it your living, well you will not get the “Fun” that it brings… never teach the Wu-Tang? Did you hear that guy?

07-02-2012, 03:25 AM	#4
ChrisMcJunkin Artist for Hire Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,133	Layers. I honestly have no idea of what the benefit of Channels are that make them preferable to Layers. I'm no professional colorist though so maybe one of them could say for sure. Also, when using Layers, set the layer to Multiply rather than Darken, I find it makes the inks look better. That's probably common knowledge and you probably all ready know that, but just in case.

07-02-2012, 03:29 AM	#5
JimCampbell Letterer Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Nottingham, UK Posts: 1,050	I remember when layers were first introduced to Photoshop: the feature dropped like a bombshell. This you realized was how you had always wanted to work -- working with channels was the only way to get close to that working method before you had layers. There really is no reason I can think of to use channels: they have less flexibility than layers and confer no advantages that I'm aware of.* All channel-based workflows are essentially hangovers from pre-layers versions of Photoshop. You'd be amazed how long these things linger -- I encounter people whose lettering workflow is three times more lengthy than it needs to be because it's how they've always done it. There's one tutorial on the Comicraft site that solves a 'problem' with balloons that hasn't existed since Illustrator CS2. Cheers! Jim *Note: if someone wants to come forward with any examples, I'd be genuinely interested to hear them.

07-03-2012, 06:39 AM	#7
Scribbly Easy Reader Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Amerika Posts: 3,725	If we try to use any of the current Adobe’s CS software in windows 98 or Mac 98 it won’t be memory enough for support it in those old machines. Channels, even when practical back at the day, are now history unless you are working in photography. Layers it is.