16 bit graphics in photoshop possible? 1

[nuct]

Hi,

I was wondering if it is possible to do 16 bit graphics with photoshop (any version). It seems to me that it skips from 8 bit (256 colours) to 24 bit (16 million colours). I can't see why 16 bit would be a problem but loads of grahics packages seem not to do it, and I really need to to produce 16 bit graphics for a game Im making.

Cheers

Simon.

 

[MDLU]

I'm using PS v7.0. if you have a multi-layer image, first you have to flatten the image. That's the important part because if you don't flatten it, it won't let you change the bit mode. Then, you can switch modes (Image/Mode/16-Bits per Channel) to 16-bit. Is this what you mean?

-Jay

http://www.jaymunda.com

 

[nuct]

Im not sure, I think I tried that. What is a channel exactly? Is it the same as a pixel? Another thing I should mention is that I want my images to be bitmaps.

Cheers,

Simon.

 

[MDLU]

Basically a channel is the breakdown of each color: R,G and B or C,M,Y,K and when you have all channels showing, then they mix together (just like your printer, usually CMYK) to make the colors you see.

If you want it to be a bitmap, then you need to have your image in RGB mode and then just Save As to BMP and select 24-bit. That should work.

-Jay

http://www.jaymunda.com

 

[nuct]

yeah, but he whole point is that I want to do 16 bit. Cheers for the explanation of channels though.

Simon

 

[MDLU]

that's what I meant. typo. give it a try- does it let you choose 16-bit?

-Jay

http://www.jaymunda.com

 

[blueark]

The 16-bit per channel mode is not what you're looking for. That's for high-end work and in RGB mode, it translates to a 48-bit image.

Work in 24-bit mode (RGB, 8-bits/channel) and when you're ready to save, choose BMP as the format and select the 16-bit option. Keep the 24-bit file somewhere safe so you can come back to it later.

 

[blueark]

Sorry Jay, I only read the first few posts. You're right, save a BMP.

 

[nuct]

Im going to try this tonight when I get home. It sounds too easy, like I would have been able to do it without doing this post. I'll post again tomorrow to say if i managed it.

Cheers,

Simon.

 

[nuct]

I tried to follow this word for word:

" Work in 24-bit mode (RGB, 8-bits/channel) and when you're ready to save, choose BMP as the format and select the 16-bit option. Keep the 24-bit file somewhere safe so you can come back to it later. "

First of all when I select RGB mode the highest bit depth I can select is 16 bit. Secondly even If I use 16 bit RGB I can find no way of saving it to a bitmap once the image is being ready to use. At least not in photoshop cs. If this is not possible can someone just tell me so, and recommend a good image converter.

Simon.

 

[blueark]

Ok, you're mixing up two pieces of information.

Firstly, work in RGB mode. Forget about 16 bit for the moment. Go to Image > Mode > 8 bits / channel, the default setting. This actually means 24-bit, because there are 3 channels (R, G & B), so 3 channels with 8 bits per channel = 3 * 8 = 24 bit.

Now, you should be able to save as a BMP file. When you click "Save", you'll get an "Options" dialog box. One of the options is 16-bit. Choose that, and you're home and dry.

This 16-bit is different to the 16-bit under Image > Mode because it means the whole image is 16-bit. Under Image > Mode > 16 bits / channel, it means every channel is 16 bits, which means the whole image would be 48-bit. Few formats support this mode, which is why you can't save as a BMP.

 

[nuct]

Cheers for that, I didn't realise that another dialogue box would pop up after you click the save button. At last I can get on with my game again. Have a star.

Cheers again,

Simon.