Converting grayscale image to color

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Converting grayscale image to color - bwestoz - 02-04-2025

Win 10/GIMP 2.10.38

Converting grayscale image to color.

I am trying to work out a way to convert a grayscale image to color.

If I open a grayscale image and convert to RGB with Image>Mode RGB, the image does not behave like other RGB color images.

For example if I then choose Colors>Color Balance and move the sliders the image color does not change where as with other RGB images the image color changes if I do this.

I've tried simply creating a new (RGB) image and copying and pasting the grayscale image to the new image. If the new image has a white background this works but if I create a new image with a transparent background it doesn't. Why is this?

I notice that if I create an image with a white background the color channels seem as expected, ie Red Green and Blue but if I create an RGB image with a transparent background the color channels don't seem to have any color. Why is this?

Is there a way I can convert a grayscale image to RGB color so I can use the sliders in Image>Color Balance to change the color of an image but maintain a transparent background?

Thanks

RE: Converting grayscale image to color - Ofnuts - 02-04-2025

(6 hours ago)bwestoz Wrote: Win 10/GIMP 2.10.38

Converting grayscale image to color.

I am trying to work out a way to convert a grayscale image to color.

If I open a grayscale image and convert to RGB with Image>Mode RGB, the image does not behave like other RGB color images.

It should. Is the initial image grayscale in Gimp (title bar says "Grayscale" somewhere)? After Image > Mode > RGB the image should be converted to RGB mode (again, this should show in the title bar)

(6 hours ago)bwestoz Wrote: For example if I then choose Colors>Color Balance and move the sliders the image color does not change where as with other RGB images the image color changes if I do this.

I've tried simply creating a new (RGB) image and copying and pasting the grayscale image to the new image. If the new image has a white background this works but if I create a new image with a transparent background it doesn't. Why is this?

I notice that if I create an image with a white background the color channels seem as expected, ie Red Green and Blue but if I create an RGB image with a transparent background the color channels don't seem to have any color. Why is this?

In the Channels list the RGB color channels always appear as grayscale thumbnails of the channel so can you post a screenshot?

(6 hours ago)bwestoz Wrote: Is there a way I can convert a grayscale image to RGB color so I can use the sliders in Image>Color Balance to change the color of an image but maintain a transparent background?

Thanks

Image > Mode > RGB should do it. Can you attach the grayscale image here?

RE: Converting grayscale image to color - H.Seldon - 02-04-2025

If you want to apply color to a greyscale image, you might start with Colors > Desaturate > Sepia first.

RE: Converting grayscale image to color - bwestoz - 02-04-2025

(5 hours ago)Ofnuts Wrote:
(6 hours ago)bwestoz Wrote: Win 10/GIMP 2.10.38

Converting grayscale image to color.

I am trying to work out a way to convert a grayscale image to color.

If I open a grayscale image and convert to RGB with Image>Mode RGB, the image does not behave like other RGB color images.

It should. Is the initial image grayscale in Gimp (title bar says "Grayscale" somewhere)? After Image > Mode > RGB the image should be converted to RGB mode (again, this should show in the title bar)

(6 hours ago)bwestoz Wrote: For example if I then choose Colors>Color Balance and move the sliders the image color does not change where as with other RGB images the image color changes if I do this.

I've tried simply creating a new (RGB) image and copying and pasting the grayscale image to the new image. If the new image has a white background this works but if I create a new image with a transparent background it doesn't. Why is this?

I notice that if I create an image with a white background the color channels seem as expected, ie Red Green and Blue but if I create an RGB image with a transparent background the color channels don't seem to have any color. Why is this?

In the Channels list the RGB color channels always appear as grayscale thumbnails of the channel so can you post a screenshot?

(6 hours ago)bwestoz Wrote: Is there a way I can convert a grayscale image to RGB color so I can use the sliders in Image>Color Balance to change the color of an image but maintain a transparent background?

Thanks

Image > Mode > RGB should do it. Can you attach the grayscale image here?

Thanks for your reply. I've attached the image.