Channels are complicated but that should not stop us from working with it. Using channels you can make better selections, your art will look better than ever and you can create cool special effects.

In This Chapter:

Channels

Channels are raw information to produce color. These are like primary colors which are mixed to produce a new gamut of colors. The CMYK are easiest to understand when relating to the real world, but RGB channels are used most of the time.

Changing Channel Modes

Photoshop helps you change from one mode to another. This allows you to add further colors and experiment with the images.

Spot Colors

Colors are important not only in Photoshop, but also in the printing process as some colors cannot be reproduced in the desired formats and color accuracy may not be granted. Spot colors are used for color accuracy.

Paths

Paths are made of curves, lines and points. A path has four basic components, does not print and is not visible in the final image. They appear as reference points to help you draw complex shapes and perform other operations.

Creating Paths Using Shape Tools

You can create paths using the several shape tools that are available from the tool palette.

Create Custom Shapes

You can create custom shapes using paths.