Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 12-15. This photo shows the effect of some of the different blend modes when used with the
Brush tool. The same color paint (pink) was used for each of the vertical stripes, but each one used
a different blend mode—and you can see how different the results are. From left to right, the modes
are Normal, Color Burn, Color Dodge, Vivid Light, Difference, and Saturation.
Elements' various blend mode menus (such as the Brush tool's Mode menu in the Tool Op-
tions area), group blend modes according to the effects they have. You won't always see
every group or all the choices, but in Elements' menus, the top group typically includes what
you might call “painting modes,” followed by modes for darkening, lightening, adjusting
light, applying special effects, and adjusting color.
Keep in mind that the modes sometimes work quite differently with layers than with tools. In
other words, painting with a brush in Dissolve mode may produce an effect quite different
from creating a layer in Dissolve mode and painting on it.
