tidying up gold signature on Photos with PhotoShop CS

[gordeaux]

I read some previous postings on how to add a gold signature to the bottom right of an image. I scanned a signature, then applied a Gradient (metallic gold), then changed the Style to emboss. So far this has been big progress.

Now I've got two follow up questions:

1. how do I get rid of the black jagged edges that remain on
http://www.pbase.com/gordeaux/image/36705075.jpg?

2. how do I increase the brightness of the signature. Especially on the darker of the two tests so far, as shown at
http://www.pbase.com/gordeaux/image/36705077.jpg?

Thanks for any ideas.

[Scottes]

Can't see the brightness stuff. Blank box.

Try creating the signature on a transparent layer. Create a new file, then a new layer. Select that new layer, which will be transparent. Since it won't have a color the signature shouldn't be created with the colored edges like that.

[gordeaux]

Can't see the brightness stuff. Blank box.

I just updated the original posting. Can you see the 2nd image now?
Can you see it from here?
http://www.pbase.com/gordeaux/image/36705077.jpg

[Scottes]

I think that you have to add ".jpg" onto the end of what you have. PBase does that I think.

If I click on the box I can see the picture but it just doesn't get embedded into the topic here.

[gordeaux]

I think that you have to add ".jpg" onto the end of what you have. PBase does that I think.

If I click on the box I can see the picture but it just doesn't get embedded into the topic here.

Adding the .jpg did it. Thanks for the tip.

Now, back to the original topic ... any ideas would be much appreciated.

[Scottes]

Yep, looks good now.


Try making the signature on a transparent layer. you shouldn't get the jaggies this way.

When you add the sig you should paste it onto it's own layer. Then you can change the brightness, etc. When you're happy just flatten the image.

[gordeaux]

I copied the layer with the finished signature on it from the signature document to my image document. Looks like it'll leave all the adjustments to the level intact, and it preserved the brightness right off the bat.
E.g. http://www.pbase.com/gordeaux/image/36895023.jpg
vs. http://www.pbase.com/gordeaux/image/36705077.jpg

One question with this approach though -- is there a way to resize just the layer with the signature on it after I've copied it into the image? Or do I need to resize the signature before I copy the layer into my image? It seems it would be a lot easier if I could tinker with it in the image where I can see what it looks like.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

[Scottes]

One question with this approach though -- is there a way to resize just the layer with the signature on it after I've copied it into the image? Or do I need to resize the signature before I copy the layer into my image? It seems it would be a lot easier if I could tinker with it in the image where I can see what it looks like.

If this is a font then you could simply adjust the font size and that will resize the signature. Otherwise take a look at Edit... Transform... Scale. You may have to select the sifnature first - I forget.

[gordeaux]

If this is a font then you could simply adjust the font size and that will resize the signature. Otherwise take a look at Edit... Transform... Scale. You may have to select the signature first - I forget.

It's not a font -- it's a scanned handwritten signature. Any ideas welcome. Thanks.

[Scottes]

Choose the signature layer, and then Marquee a selection around it. Then Edit... Transform... Scale...

IMHO this is kind of rough - it just doesn't produce the cleanest edges possible. If it were me, I'd take the original and resize it to a number of different sizes, like 80 pixels tall, 90 pixels tall, and so on. Then I'd insert the signature that matches the size of the image. But that's me. :-)

[gordeaux]

Otherwise take a look at Edit... Transform... Scale. You may have to select the signature first - I forget.

That worked great. Thanks for the help.

[gordeaux]

If it were me, I'd take the original and resize it to a number of different sizes, like 80 pixels tall, 90 pixels tall, and so on. Then I'd insert the signature that matches the size of the image. But that's me. :-)

I think you're right about that. Always best to start with the original, then resize only once. Once I get figured out my frequently used sizes I'll run some comparisons doing it both ways. But this is enough to give me the knowledge of how to do it and to get things started.

Thanks again.