Set area transparent

Hi all,

I have a graphic image that is made of multiple layers. I need to be able to select an area and make it transparent. Ideally do this on a separate layer, but it needs to be able to make the area transparent through all the underlaying layers (I can't merge/flatten this image for it as several compontents on various layers need to be modifiable later)

For now I solved this by erasing the fill on the underlaying layers, which worked out just fine, but I'd really like to learn how/if I can do this in a more efficient and non-destructive way. As always, any help very much appreciated:)

--
Arnor Baldvinsson
San Antonio, Texas

"Arnor Baldvinsson" wrote in message

Hi all,

I have a graphic image that is made of multiple layers. I need to be able to select an area and make it transparent. Ideally do this on a separate layer, but it needs to be able to make the area transparent through all the underlaying layers (I can't merge/flatten this image for it as several compontents on various layers need to be modifiable later)
For now I solved this by erasing the fill on the underlaying layers, which worked out just fine, but I'd really like to learn how/if I can do this in a more efficient and non-destructive way. As always, any help very much appreciated:)

--
Arnor Baldvinsson
San Antonio, Texas

layer masks
will preserve all parts of the layer while rendering the parts you select as transparent
www.russellbrown.com

make a selection
check the mask with tool bar (at bottom) switch from mask view to selection to paint on the mask use brush tool on Black and white
click the icon in the layer palette, turns your selection to a mask you can paint on the mask itself too
turn to back to a selection
add to it, etc
the mask icon next to your thumbnail activates painting on it instead of the image

Hi KatWoman,

check the mask with tool bar (at bottom) switch from mask view to selection
to paint on the mask use brush tool on Black and white
click the icon in the layer palette, turns your selection to a mask

I can only get this to paint on the layer with the mask. I need to paint this so that _all_ the underlaying layers also turn transparent where I paint on the new layer. I've used layer masks and quick masks a bit so I'm familiar with how they work, but this is escaping me.

--
Arnor Baldvinsson
San Antonio, Texas

"Arnor Baldvinsson" wrote in message

Hi KatWoman,

check the mask with tool bar (at bottom) switch from mask view to selection
to paint on the mask use brush tool on Black and white
click the icon in the layer palette, turns your selection to a mask

I can only get this to paint on the layer with the mask. I need to paint this so that _all_ the underlaying layers also turn transparent where I paint on the new layer. I've used layer masks and quick masks a bit so I'm familiar with how they work, but this is escaping me.
--
Arnor Baldvinsson
San Antonio, Texas

copy the mask to all the layers??

make the mask on the layer you like
set selection to layer mask
click each layer, click the mask icon

maybe there is a more elegant solution?

Hi Katwoman,

make the mask on the layer you like
set selection to layer mask
click each layer, click the mask icon

Wouldn't I still have to paint the mask on each layer? That's kind of what I wanted to prevent.

maybe there is a more elegant solution?

Maybe...

--
Arnor Baldvinsson
San Antonio, Texas

"Arnor Baldvinsson" wrote in message

Hi KatWoman,

check the mask with tool bar (at bottom) switch from mask view to selection
to paint on the mask use brush tool on Black and white
click the icon in the layer palette, turns your selection to a mask

I can only get this to paint on the layer with the mask. I need to paint this so that _all_ the underlaying layers also turn transparent where I paint on the new layer. I've used layer masks and quick masks a bit so I'm familiar with how they work, but this is escaping me.

One way to do this is with a clipping mask. Press alt (cmd on Mac), and click between the layers in the layers palette that you want to have the same transparency. The transparency of the bottom layer will control all the layers above it. You can control the transparency of the bottom layer in the usual way, for example with the opacity slider, using a layer mask or by erasing part of the bottom layer.
--

Mike Russell
www.curvemeister.com/forum/

Hi Mike,

same transparency. The transparency of the bottom layer will control all the layers above it. You can control the transparency of the bottom layer

So I would create the new layer beneath the layers I need to set transparent, not above. Ok, that would work. I'll try this out tomorrow - thanks for the suggestion:)
--
Arnor Baldvinsson
San Antonio, Texas

KatWoman wrote:

"Arnor Baldvinsson" wrote in message

Hi KatWoman,

check the mask with tool bar (at bottom) switch from mask view to selection
to paint on the mask use brush tool on Black and white
click the icon in the layer palette, turns your selection to a mask

I can only get this to paint on the layer with the mask. I need to paint this so that _all_ the underlaying layers also turn transparent where I paint on the new layer. I've used layer masks and quick masks a bit so I'm familiar with how they work, but this is escaping me.
--
Arnor Baldvinsson
San Antonio, Texas

copy the mask to all the layers??

make the mask on the layer you like
set selection to layer mask
click each layer, click the mask icon

maybe there is a more elegant solution?

Yes, there is. Put all the layers into a set (I think they call it something else in CS2) and attach the mask to the set.

--
Comic book sketches and artwork:
http://www.sover.net/~hannigan/edjh.html
Comics art for sale:
http://www.sover.net/~hannigan/batsale.html

Arnor Baldvinsson wrote:

Hi Mike,

same transparency. The transparency of the bottom layer will control all the layers above it. You can control the transparency of the bottom layer

So I would create the new layer beneath the layers I need to set transparent, not above. Ok, that would work. I'll try this out tomorrow - thanks for the suggestion:)
--
Arnor Baldvinsson
San Antonio, Texas

You can also use the 'Shape layers' tool to define a shape on an upper layer then do a 'Knockout' 'Shallow' if you are working inside a group or a 'Knockout' 'Deep' without a group. Be sure to set 'Fill Opacity' to remove the color.

Good luck,
Ron

Hi edjh,

Yes, there is. Put all the layers into a set (I think they call it something else in CS2) and attach the mask to the set.

Brilliant! All the layers were in a set to start with so this is a very elegant solution! I didn't know I could add masks to a set. Works like a charm - thank you very much:)
--
Arnor Baldvinsson
San Antonio, Texas

Hi Ron,

You can also use the 'Shape layers' tool to define a shape on an upper layer then do a 'Knockout' 'Shallow' if you are working inside a group or a 'Knockout' 'Deep' without a group. Be sure to set 'Fill Opacity' to remove the color.

I tried this but could not get it to make the underlaying layers transparent for the shape. I haven't used this before so I'm a little lost but the help does have some information so I'll look into this:)

--
Arnor Baldvinsson
San Antonio, Texas

Arnor Baldvinsson wrote:

Hi edjh,

Yes, there is. Put all the layers into a set (I think they call it something else in CS2) and attach the mask to the set.

Brilliant! All the layers were in a set to start with so this is a very elegant solution! I didn't know I could add masks to a set. Works like a charm - thank you very much:)
--
Arnor Baldvinsson
San Antonio, Texas

And, if you group with as a 'Smart Object' rather than a regular group you can also add a style in addition to masks. Which can be hand.

wrote:

Arnor Baldvinsson wrote:

Hi edjh,

Yes, there is. Put all the layers into a set (I think they call it something else in CS2) and attach the mask to the set.

Brilliant! All the layers were in a set to start with so this is a very elegant solution! I didn't know I could add masks to a set. Works like a charm - thank you very much:)
--
Arnor Baldvinsson
San Antonio, Texas

And, if you group with as a 'Smart Object' rather than a regular group you can also add a style in addition to masks. Which can be hand.

I guess I really ought to upgrade to CS2 so I can play with Smart Objects.

--
Comic book sketches and artwork:
http://www.sover.net/~hannigan/edjh.html
Comics art for sale:
http://www.sover.net/~hannigan/batsale.html

Hi Ron,

And, if you group with as a 'Smart Object' rather than a regular group you can also add a style in addition to masks. Which can be hand.

I take the Smart Objects are a CS2 thing only? I have CS and I can't see this in the help... But this is good to know:)
--
Arnor Baldvinsson
San Antonio, Texas

Arnor Baldvinsson wrote:

Hi Ron,

And, if you group with as a 'Smart Object' rather than a regular group you can also add a style in addition to masks. Which can be hand.

I take the Smart Objects are a CS2 thing only? I have CS and I can't see this in the help... But this is good to know:)

Yes, CS2 only (so far). I keep hearing how useful Smart Objects are.

--
Comic book sketches and artwork:
http://www.sover.net/~hannigan/edjh.html
Comics art for sale:
http://www.sover.net/~hannigan/batsale.html

Hi edjh,

Yes, CS2 only (so far). I keep hearing how useful Smart Objects are.

Thanks for confirming:)
--
Arnor Baldvinsson
San Antonio, Texas

"Arnor Baldvinsson" wrote in message

Hi edjh,

Yes, CS2 only (so far). I keep hearing how useful Smart Objects are.

Thanks for confirming:)
--
Arnor Baldvinsson
San Antonio, Texas

now I finally understand what the clipping masks are for!!! I knew there had to be a better way than pasting the same mask to all layers hehe. and edjh wonderful tip about a using a mask on an entire set!!

what a group
Love YA!!

my sister and nephew were here the other day asking a few tips on PS and I passed on some of the things I found out here in NG-they were very impressed!

I am still using CS
will skip CS2
most likely will upgrade to CS3 after it's been out a month or so...(going to get some money end of February)

Hi Katwoman,

now I finally understand what the clipping masks are for!!! I knew there had to be a better way than pasting the same mask to all layers hehe. and edjh wonderful tip about a using a mask on an entire set!!

Agreed! Makes perfect sense too:)
--
Arnor Baldvinsson
San Antonio, Texas