Understanding merge modes

On computers, colors have numeric values, and merge modes let you perform mathematical calculations with these color values. Merge modes combine a source and a base color in an image to produce a new color or effect, called a result color. In some programs, merge modes are also known as blending modes.

For paint tools, merge modes alter the way brushstrokes combine with an image. For objects, merge modes alter the way the colors of an object combine with the background behind the object or with underlying objects.

Merge mode

Photo Paint normal Understanding merge modes

Normal replaces the base color with the source color. This is the default merge mode.

Photo Paint addmergemode Understanding merge modes

Add adds the values of the source and base colors.

Photo Paint subtract Understanding merge modes

Subtract adds the values of the source and base colors and subtracts 255 from the result. Because this merge mode treats the color channels as subtractive, the result color is never lighter than the base color. For example, painting blue on white yields blue, and painting blue on black yields black.

Photo Paint difference Understanding merge modes

Difference subtracts the source color value from the base color value and applies the absolute value of the result. If the value of the current source color is 0, the base color does not change.

Photo Paint multiply Understanding merge modes

Multiply multiplies the values of the source and base colors and divides the result by 255. Unless you paint on white, the final result is always darker than the original base color. Multiplying black with any color produces black. Multiplying white with any color leaves the color unchanged.

Photo Paint divide Understanding merge modes

Divide divides the base color value by the source color value, and ensures that the result is less than or equal to 255.

Photo Paint if%20lighter Understanding merge modes

If lighter replaces the base color with the source color when the source color is lighter than the base color.

Photo Paint if%20darker Understanding merge modes

If darker applies the source color to the base color when the source color is darker than the base color.

Photo Paint texturize Understanding merge modes

Texturize converts the source color to grayscale and multiplies the grayscale value by the base color value.

Photo Paint color Understanding merge modes

Color uses the hue and saturation values of the source color and the lightness value of the base color to create a result. This merge mode is the opposite of the Lightness merge mode.

Photo Paint hue Understanding merge modes

Hue uses the hue value of the source color and the saturation and lightness values of the base color to create a result color.

Photo Paint saturation Understanding merge modes

Saturation uses the saturation value of the source color and the lightness and hue values of the base color to create a result color.

Photo Paint lightness Understanding merge modes

Lightness uses the lightness value of the source color and the hue and saturation values of the base color to create a result color. This merge mode is the opposite of the Color merge mode.

Photo Paint invert Understanding merge modes

Invert creates a result color using the complementary color to the source color. This merge mode inverts the value of the current source color and applies the inverted value to the base color. If the value of the source color is 127, the color does not change, because this value lies in the center of the color wheel.

Photo Paint logical%20and Understanding merge modes

Logical AND applies the Boolean algebraic formula “AND” to the source and base color values.

Photo Paint logical%20or Understanding merge modes

Logical OR applies the Boolean algebraic formula “OR” to the source and base color values.

Photo Paint logical%20xor Understanding merge modes

Logical XOR applies the Boolean algebraic formula “XOR”, or exclude, to the source and base color values.

Photo Paint behind Understanding merge modes

Behind applies the source color to those areas of the image that are transparent. The effect is similar to looking through the clear, silver-free areas on a 35-mm negative.

Photo Paint screen Understanding merge modes

Screen inverts the source and base color values, multiplies them, and then inverts the result. The result color is always lighter than the base color.

Photo Paint overlay Understanding merge modes

Overlay multiplies or screens the source color according to the value of the base color.

Photo Paint soft%20light Understanding merge modes

Soft light applies a soft, diffused light to the base color.

Photo Paint hard%20light Understanding merge modes

Hard light applies a hard, direct spotlight to the base color.

Photo Paint color%20dodge Understanding merge modes

Color dodge simulates the photographic technique called dodging, which lightens image areas by decreasing the exposure.

Photo Paint color%20burn Understanding merge modes

Color burn simulates the photographic technique called burning, which darkens image areas by increasing the exposure.

Photo Paint red Understanding merge modes

Red applies the source color to the red channel of an RGB image. This merge mode is available only when the active image is an RGB image.

Photo Paint green Understanding merge modes

Green applies the source color to the green channel of an RGB image. This merge mode is available only when the active image is an RGB image.

Photo Paint blue Understanding merge modes

Blue applies the source color to the blue channel of an RGB image. This merge mode is available only when the active image is an RGB image.

Photo Paint cyan Understanding merge modes

Cyan applies the source color to the cyan channel of a CMYK image. This merge mode is available only when the active image is a CMYK image.

Photo Paint magenta Understanding merge modes

Magenta applies the source color to the magenta channel of a CMYK image. This merge mode is available only when the active image is a CMYK image.

Photo Paint yellow Understanding merge modes

Yellow applies the source color to the yellow channel of a CMYK image. This merge mode is available only when the active image is a CMYK image.

Photo Paint black Understanding merge modes

Black applies the source color to the black channel of a CMYK image. This merge mode is available only when the active image is a CMYK image.

Understanding merge modes