PhotoShop won't save changes

jojo2004

Hi
I'm using Photoshop as part of the CS4 package.
I have taken a colour image, made it black and white, and removed the background colour using Replace Colour function (it's writing on a papyrus).
I'm left with the black ink on a white background. When I zoom in close, there is 'noise' around the edges of the ink, that is, pale grey pixels, which, when erased, sharpen up the image, removing the fuzziness.
I was told by a colleague that this ought to work fine.

However... when I save this image, having carefully erased all the fuzzy noise, it does not save this change. The image is still B&W, and the background is white (ish). The erasures (which take forever to do) are what won't save.
I'm getting so frustrated with the blasted thing, can anyone help? TBH, I find Photoshop incredibly confusing, and am a total novice.
Thanks!

Stompa

Are you saving the file as a jpeg? Jpeg is a lossy format so there will always be some 'noise'. Try saving it in another format perhaps png or tif.

culpepper

If you are working on layers and just deleting the pixels around the lettering on the last layer, the layer beneath will still show through.
To end up with your last layer as the finished image, pres cntrl+shift+alt+E (all at once)will keep all your changes to that layer.
Flatten the image before saving so there is only one layer.
save as tiff or jpeg but if using jpeg, make sure to choose 12 on the quality slider that comes up when you save it for least pixelation.

steve1980

Save as a PNG.

ChiefGrasscutter

As a general point I'm not surprised the OP finds photoshop confusing as "a novice".
The Photoshop CS series is really designed for 'professionals' in the field rather than the amateur - and is generally priced accordingly!

moonrakerz

ChiefGrasscutter wrote: »

As a general point I'm not surprised the OP finds photoshop confusing as "a novice".
The Photoshop CS series is really designed for 'professionals' in the field rather than the amateur - and is generally priced accordingly!

Regrettably, in the "photographic industry" today, what counts is how much you spend on Cameras, Lenses, Software, Tripods, etc, etc, etc - oh and I nearly forgot , you must use RAW !!

jojo2004

Stompa wrote: »

Are you saving the file as a jpeg? Jpeg is a lossy format so there will always be some 'noise'. Try saving it in another format perhaps png or tif.

I will try that, but I'm not talking about random noise - I'm talking about the stuff that I deliberately erased reappearing.

jojo2004

culpepper wrote: »

If you are working on layers and just deleting the pixels around the lettering on the last layer, the layer beneath will still show through.
To end up with your last layer as the finished image, pres cntrl+shift+alt+E (all at once)will keep all your changes to that layer.
Flatten the image before saving so there is only one layer.
save as tiff or jpeg but if using jpeg, make sure to choose 12 on the quality slider that comes up when you save it for least pixelation.

I'm pretty sure I'm not working on multiple layers, but I will try what you suggest. Thanks.

jojo2004

ChiefGrasscutter wrote: »

As a general point I'm not surprised the OP finds photoshop confusing as "a novice".
The Photoshop CS series is really designed for 'professionals' in the field rather than the amateur - and is generally priced accordingly!

Sadly that's the software my work provide; it's not a personal choice.

Stompa

jojo2004 wrote: »

I will try that, but I'm not talking about random noise - I'm talking about the stuff that I deliberately erased reappearing.

I'd be reasonably confident that what you're seeing is noise caused by the JPEG compression. JPEG isn't really suitable for things like text and with a simple black and white image you will get random looking grey pixels around the edges. You can deliberately erase them as many times as you like, but resave the image (as a JPEG) and they'll be back.

Try drawing a black triangle on a white background, save the image as a JPEG, then zoom in on the edges, you'll see the grey pixels.