call +44 (0)1273 622272
Firstly masks cannot be added to the background layer. So to start playing with masks you will need to duplicate the background. You can then add a layer mask to the duplicated background layer. Masks will be covered in our courses on Photoshop for Beginners or more in depth in our Advanced Adobe Photoshop training course in Brighton, Sussex.
In this exercise we will make add 50% transparency frame to an image by using a mask.
1. Open an image
2. Duplicate the background (easiest way right click on layer and select duplicate layer)
diagram 1
3. Select all of the background (click on background layer and use Ctrl A) and fill it with solid white (Edit>Fill>Use:White), we will be revealing this white layer through the image.
4. The simplest way to add a layer mask is to choose the Add Layer Mask Icon from the bottom of the Layers window (highlighted with red in diagram 2).
diagram 2
NOTE: If you have no active selection (as in this case), this will produce a mask with a white fill (nothing masked). If you have a portion of your image selected the selection will be set as white (revealed), with the rest of the layer mask filled with black (masked).
5. Click on the mask in the layers panel see diagram 3
![]()
6. With the mask selected (not the image) - Using the rectangular marquee tool draw a rectangle approximately 1cm from the edge of your image and choose SELECT>INVERSE
7. With the mask (white rectangle to right of image) still selected fill the selected area of mask with 50% grey. Choose EDIT>FILL>50% Grey
8. You should now be able to see 50% of the image through the mask around the edge.
![]()
adobe photoshop training, course, creating masks, cs5, cs5 training, masking, photoshop cs4, photoshop cs5 training, Photoshop Training, photoshop training sussex, sussex, Training, understanding photoshop masks
Tweets that mention Photoshop Masks « Silicon Beach Training Resources -- Topsy.com says:
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Silicon Beach, Design Sauce. Design Sauce said: Quick and easy guide to masking in Photoshop http://bit.ly/dGFrnf #photoshop #tutorial via @SBTTraining [...]
1. 2. 2011 at 4:43 pm