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+--- Thread: adding color after using threshold (/Thread-adding-color-after-using-threshold)
adding color after using threshold - makeitwork101 - 08-26-2026
Hello, my name's Ben, and GIMP has been essential for more than a decade... I've recently installed version 3.2.4, and it seems as though a change has been made to my favorite tool: threshold.
In the past, color could be easily added to a thresholded layer by simply selecting a color for a bucket, brush, or pencil, then using said tool on the thresholded layer. But now, a layer that has been thresholded remains permanently black & white, i.e., having first used the threshold function to make a layer black & white, the selected color of a bucket, brush, or pencil will only result in the addition of either black or white on the thresholded layer.
I've been able to work around the problem by copying a colored layer, thresholding the copy, then merging the newly thresholded layer down to the (colored) original. But the fix is clunky.
What I'd like to know is whether there's a way to set the threshold function to "one time" or "just this once" so that color can be added to a thresholded layer simply by selecting then using a new tool?
RE: adding color after using threshold - rich2005 - 08-27-2026
It is the Gimp 3.x layer effects (fx) which acts as a sort-of non-visible layer. Look for the fx icon in the layer dock.
see: https://docs.gimp.org/3.2/en/gimp-using-layer-effects.html
When you apply a filter (threshold / curves ...many others) look for a Merge filter icon and apply it.
or
Click on the fx icon which pops up options for merging / moving / editing.
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