0
\$\begingroup\$

I am working with a third party model and need to change the specular map. The model material is using the spec map's alpha channel information. I have opened the spec map in Photoshop and if I go to the Channels tab I can see the Alpha 1 channel with the alpha information that I need to change.

What I would like to do is make a copy of this original and drag it into the Layers tab, so that I can revert back to this if need be. I can then duplicate this again and paint over it to create the new alpha map. Once done I can then copy and paste it as the new alpha channel, keeping the original preserved in the Layers tab.

The problem is how do I get the Alpha 1 channel into the Layers tab to make the edits? I cannot click and drag it there; and if I do Select All, Copy and Paste into a new layer nothing is pasted. How can this be done?

If I'm not using the best workflow for editing an existing specular map please suggest an alternative way. I basically just want to edit the alpha channel but keep the original as well.

\$\endgroup\$

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
0
\$\begingroup\$

I have managed to work this out. It is actually quite a strange process:

1) Go to the Channels tab

2) Hide all the Channels except Alpha 1

3) Do Select All to highlight the entire canvas

4) Select the Alpha 1 channel only

5) Edit > Copy

6) Go to the Layers tab and create a new blank Layer

7) This will hide the Alpha 1 channel and show the other channels

8) Go back to the Channels tab and again hide all the Channels except Alpha 1

9) Back in the Layers tab select the new empty layer and do Select All to highlight the entire canvas

10) Edit > Paste

This will basically convert the Alpha 1 from a channel into a layer. So now you can duplicate this Alpha 1 Layer and preserve it. You can also use any of Photoshop's tools to edit it into a new spec map. Once you're done, copy and paste the new spec map back into the Alpha 1 Channel to override the existing alpha with the new one. Hopefully this helps someone.

\$\endgroup\$

You must log in to answer this question.

Start asking to get answers

Find the answer to your question by asking.

Ask question

Explore related questions

See similar questions with these tags.