Histograms

[Lesley Jones]

Here I go with another silly question. I've been working with CS5 since Christmas, but I still can't figure out why the histogram doesn't update. I wasn't surprised with my old Elements 6.0, but this version still has that little yellow warning triangle and if you press it, the histogram changes. Another thing... if you do that and then click away before going back again, it reverts to how it was before.

I don't commit to anything without checking the histogram and it's beginning to drive me mad. Actually... I don't think I'm using the actual histogram tool because I try and keep my work space simple. I mean the histogram that you get with the Levels adjustment layer. I always have one open with an image, even if I end up not making any changes.

Have I lost the plot?

 

[Beth Carter]

the histogram in the levels adjustment isn't going to change unless you play with the levels sliders. you can update it manually, as you said, by clicking the yellow warning triangle, but that's the best it will do. that tool isn't meant to be used as a live histogram. however, you can go to window>histogram and get a live histogram that doesn't take up much room and can be docked in it's own window at the top of your other panels so it's always visible.

 

[Lesley Jones]

Cheers Beth! Time for me to tinker with my work space I think