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+--- Thread: Best way to recolor this image (/Thread-Best-way-to-recolor-this-image)
Best way to recolor this image - IndiePubber - 01-11-2026
I'll be using the attached image for the background of the cover for the next novel I'm indie publishing. I want to switch the colors so the white infill areas are a certain shade of red, the dark timbers are shades of pinkish white, and the windows are something in between--- not all the same color, but a range reflecting the highlights and shadows of the original picture.
[attachment=14180]
I've learned that Colors ---> Maps ---> Color Exchange might work for me. I've figured out that I can't select the From Color until I've turned off the alpha channel on the image.
But when I select the From Color, choose the To Color, and click OK, nothing happens. The photo doesn't change, even though the Edit menu gives me the option to undo the Color Exchange.
I prefer to work on my older ThinkPad touchscreen laptop where I run GIMP 2.8 on Windows 7. I also have a Windows 10 PC with GIMP 3.04. As another test, I used it to try Color Exchange on this Fachwerk photo. But again, when I click OK, I see no change. And again, the Edit menu tells me the exchange was made.
It's the same with other images I've tried.
Given all this, I have two questions:
1. Is Color Exchange the best way to do what I want here?
2. If it is, what am I failing to do, that I can't see any change in 2.8 or in 3.04? Is there another step I need to take to complete the process?
Thanks in advance.
RE: Best way to recolor this image - denzjos - 01-11-2026
This is what I did : I made a new pink layer, layer mode HSL Color, opacity 31. Then : 'new layer from visible' and use 'Colours / Brightness-Contrast' to optimise.
[attachment=14181]
RE: Best way to recolor this image - rich2005 - 01-11-2026
I cannot see any quick way, Color Exchange wrecks anti-aliasing, other options such as the gmic plugin no better.
I think back to basics and use layer masks for each part you want to change.
It is worth spending a little time making a good selection of the windows, even if it means each window with rectangular select in add mode. Then save that as a channel, you will need it later. Invert and save that as well.
If you color select the white-ish render almost certain to include parts of the windows so you can use the saved channel to correct that. The timber is then just that selection inverted. Layer masks come from those selections and the layer is colorized as required. That should keep some of the shading.
I get this, Gimp 3.0.6 but it is an old method just the same with Gimp 2.8
[attachment=14182]
RE: Best way to recolor this image - sallyanne - 01-11-2026
[attachment=14184]
Here is a quicky for you
I selected the dark red and colourized it to a pinkish white colour.
Then using the 'select by colour tool ' changed the white to the pinkish. Then selected each window with the rectangle select and copied and pasted as a layer above the pink layer the changed the layer mode to 'grain merge' which still shows the insides of the windows etc
When selecting with the rectangle select make sure you click on 'add a selection to' in the tool options box.