[1] Types of bending modes and differences between them

In this lesson, we will introduce the different types of effects obtained used in the picture below. Each layer is only used once.

Here, the blending mode of the upper layer (image of a heart) will be changed.

 

・ Normal

Superimposes the color of the bottom layer and the currently set layer.

 

・ Darken

Compares the color of the bottom layer and the currently set layer, and uses the darker color to combine them.

 

・ Multiply

Multiplies and combines the color of the bottom layer and the current layer. After combining, the colors will become darker than the original color. This is used for purposes such as drawing shadows.

 

・ Color burn

Creates an effect similar to the “burning” of analog photography. This darkens the color of the bottom layer image, increases the contrast and then combines it with the colors of the currently set layer.

 

・ Linear burn

Combines the color of the currently set layer after darkening the bottom layer.

 

・ Subtract

Subtracts the color of the currently set layer from the bottom layer and combines them. After combining, the color will become darker than the original color.

 

・ Lighten

Compares the color of the bottom layer and the currently set layer, and uses the brighter color of those layers to combine them.

 

・ Screen

Inverts the color of the bottom layer, multiplies the color of the currently set layer and combines them. The opposite effect of “multiply” is obtained. The color after combining will become brighter than the original color.

 

・ Color dodge

The color of the bottom image layer becomes brighter and reduces the contrast. The sharpness of the color weakens.

 

・ Glow dodge

Obtains a stronger effect than the [Color dodge].

 

・ Add

Adds the color of the bottom layer and the currently set layer. Adding a color in a digital environment will brighten the color.

 

・ Add (Glow)

Obtains a stronger effect than [Add].

 

・ Overlay

Uses the effects of [Screen] in the bright area and [Multiply] in the dark area appear. After combining, the bright area appears brighter and the dark area appears darker.

 

・ Soft light

The result varies depending on the density of the superimposed color. Combining bright colors will display a bright color similar to [Dodge], and combining dark colors will display a dark color like [Burn]. With no overlapping parts, the color becomes white.

 

・ Hard light

The result varies depending on the density of the superimposed color. Combining bright colors will display a bright color similar to [Screen], and combining dark colors will display a dark color like [Multiply].

 

・ Difference

Subtracts the color of the currently set layer from the bottom layer, adopts the absolute value and combines it with the color of the original layer.

 

・ Vivid light

Adds strength to the contrast depending on the color of the layers set, and combines them.

Combining bright colors will apply [Dodge] to make the image brighter, and combining dark colors will apply [Burn] to create a image with strong contrast.

 

・ Linear light

Adjusts the brightness depending on the color of the layers set, and combines them.

 

・ Pin light

Replaces the image color depending on the color of the layers set, and combines them.

 

・ Hard mix

Adds each RGB value of the set layer to each RGB value of the bottom layer.

 

・ Exclusion

Combines the colors with an effect close to [Difference] but with a lower contrast than that. If the set layer is white, it combines the inverted color of the layer. If the set layer is black, it displays the original bottom layer color.

 

・ Darker color

Compares the brightness of the bottom layer and the currently set layer, and displays the color with the lower value.

 

・ Lighter color

Compares the brightness of the bottom layer and the currently set layer, and displays the color with the higher value.

 

・ Divide

Divides each RGB value of the bottom layer with the luminosity of the setting layer.

 

・ Hue

Applies the hue of the set layer while maintaining the values of luminosity and saturation of the bottom layer.

 

・ Saturation

Applies the saturation of the set layer while maintaining the values of luminosity and hue of the bottom layer.

 

・ Color

Applies the hue and saturation of the set layer while maintaining the value of luminosity of the bottom layer.

 

・ Brightness

Applieys the brightness of the set layer while maintaining the value of hue and saturation of the bottom layer.

 

[2] Examples of blending mode

• 1. Usage example No. 1

 

Change the atmosphere of the scene by combining colors of the building and the background. Buildings and a sky were created. It is a bright and sunny platform.

 

Create a new layer over the “Sky” layer and fill it with orange. Change the blending mode of the filled layer to [Hard light]. It looks like evening now.

 

Shine an ambient light on the “Building”, to match the atmosphere of the scene.

Create a new layer over the “Building” layer and fill it with orange. Change the blending mode of the filled layer to [Hard light]. To express the soft reflected light, the [Opacity] is set to 20%

 

The atmosphere has changed. We can recognize the platform bathed in the sunset.

Using blending modes this way, the effectiveness of changing a scene’s atmosphere is exhibited.

 

 

 

• 2. Usage example No. 2

 

Place a copy of the character on the background of the character to directly emphasize the character. Solid color backgrounds, characters and decoration were created.

 

Duplicate the “Character” layer and scale it up and move it.

 

Move the copied “Character” layer on top of the “background” layer and set the blending mode to [Overlay].

 

By changing the blending mode like this, various effects can be added to a scene. Make sure to expand the scope of your expressions by making good use of these blending mode.