The Paint Bucket Tool (G)

So far we've been filling Selections and Layers with color using the keyboard. This is still my main method of filling; however the Paint Bucket has some features that may be useful in more complex situations. Let's spend a moment or two getting familiar with it.

By default the Paint Bucket tool slot is set to the Gradient tool, hence the sensible "G" keyboard shortcut. So, choose the Paint Bucket. I'll show you how I've got mine set:

I almost always keep my tolerance set to Zero for pixel art. Just like the Magic Wand tolerance setting, the greater the number, the greater the range of color it will fill. For the following exercise I'll be keeping the Tolerance set to Zero.

Notice the "Contiguous" option. This is also just like the Magic Wand too. With this selected the Paint Bucket will fill only areas that are touching. Only having corners of pixels touching doesn't count as contiguous.

Exercise 10: Filling with the Paint Bucket tool

Open a new document, whatever size you like. I'll make one around 100x100 pixels. Choose a foreground color, select the Paint Bucket (G) and click anywhere on your document. The Paint Bucket should have filled it in completely. That's how it works at the most basic level. It also can fill Selections and pre-existing areas of color (or value). If you make a selection, click inside of it in order to fill it.

It's also got settings that can control just how it's going to fill what you want. I mentioned the Contiguous option. If Contiguous is turned off, it will fill the same color wherever it appears on a single layer. Try making separated areas (non-contiguous) of the same color on a new layer or the layer you just filled. Use any method you like. Pencil, filling selections, etc. Choose a new foreground color, uncheck the Contiguous option and click on any occurrence of the color areas you just drew. The new color should fill all occurrences of the original color with the new color.

filled it

drew separated shapes

filled 'em with one click. Contiguous was not checked.

The Paint Bucket also has the ability to fill across multiple layers. Turn that little "All Layers" option on and that's what it will do. I don't usually use this option, but it may be the best thing for some multi-layered color changing situations.

Whew! Enough with the drawing tools! I'm thoroughly bored. Let's move on to one of my favorite techniques for working with color...

Exercise #11: Hue/Saturation & Levels