How to Layer Mask in Photoshop. In this tutorial we go from a vector based Path to a Pixel based Layer Mask to create a Transparent Background. It is also the first practical example with an actual object through to the final step of creating a Layer Mask.
Layer Mask Video Tutorial Outline
1
00:00:01,468 –> 00:00:05,279
Welcome to PEN TOOL Photoshop. In this tutorial, we’ll use the pen tool to create a path and
2
00:00:05,279 –> 00:00:08,472
then convert that into a layer mask. So, with cutting out real objects, it all depends on how big
3
00:00:08,472 –> 00:00:11,826
this image will be used. If you’re using it on a poster, or really huge, you can see all the detail.
4
00:00:11,826 –> 00:00:14,951
You have to zoom right in and get all the little bits of detail. If it’s used really small on the page,
5
00:00:14,951 –> 00:00:17,469
you would cut it out from way back here. You don’t have to worry about so much detail.
6
00:00:17,469 –> 00:00:22,069
So, I’ll just cut out this image and I’ll just go through that process and then convert it into a layer mask.
7
00:00:26,543 –> 00:00:31,465
You can see, I’m just, same as the shapes we were cutting out earlier, I’m just trying to follow
8
00:00:31,465 –> 00:00:35,766
the edge and stay in and not have a halo around the image. So, I’ve left a gap and then I filled the
9
00:00:35,766 –> 00:00:39,936
gap in. The distance between the circle and the line is still the same. It’s still the same formula.
10
00:00:49,420 –> 00:00:52,320
Down at the bottom here, it can be a bit difficult to see, but I just want to keep it smooth.
11
00:00:57,880 –> 00:01:01,615
Always the bottom of object, where there’s a shadow, it will require some extra post work to
12
00:01:01,615 –> 00:01:05,292
try and blend the image into the background so it isn’t hovering.
13
00:01:10,320 –> 00:01:11,775
Leave a gap, fill it in.
14
00:01:11,775 –> 00:01:14,474
So, you don’t want to include too my detail, because sometimes it can look a bit odd if you show
15
00:01:14,474 –> 00:01:18,563
every single little ripple. You just want to cut out the main shape. The thing where it does matter
16
00:01:18,563 –> 00:01:23,651
is this point here. Because, you can’t come in too far, otherwise this part of the apple will look
17
00:01:23,651 –> 00:01:26,495
like it notches in. So, you want to be right on the corner there.
18
00:01:26,495 –> 00:01:32,074
There’s a little bit of detail. If you zoom in, I can just put a few points down to show a bit of a
19
00:01:32,080 –> 00:01:37,500
rough detail of the top part of the apple. So, I put a point right there. What I mean is, I wouldn’t
20
00:01:37,500 –> 00:01:40,080
want put a point in here. I’ll show you when I check the path.
21
00:01:40,080 –> 00:01:41,340
So hold down command
22
00:01:41,340 –> 00:01:43,340
double click on the work path. Save it as a Path
23
00:01:43,340 –> 00:01:48,280
Command click on the Path, Press Q. See how this one on the left here, that looks nice?
24
00:01:48,280 –> 00:01:51,908
The line follows straight up. Whereas, that one was too far in. So, that’s what you don’t want.
25
00:01:53,340 –> 00:01:55,520
Command click on the path, bring it to the edge here
26
00:01:55,529 –> 00:01:59,069
This is where it has to be precise. Around here, I could come all the way in. It wouldn’t even
27
00:01:59,069 –> 00:02:01,897
matter. I could cut it out from back here. Bring these paths in.
28
00:02:04,360 –> 00:02:08,595
See, you can’t really tell. You can get away with quite a lot. The customers looking at these products
29
00:02:08,620 –> 00:02:11,273
Can’t see what I’ve cut out and what I haven’t cut out. You’re looking for a nice
30
00:02:11,285 –> 00:02:15,585
smooth shape all the way around. So, command-I to invert the quick mask so you can see what I’ve cut off
31
00:02:17,420 –> 00:02:20,920
That’s the cut out. If you’re happy with it, or you could smooth it out or you could do other work
32
00:02:20,924 –> 00:02:23,394
with it. Or you could come a little further. So, a bit of bleed. A bit of white halo around it.
33
00:02:23,400 –> 00:02:25,060
Depends what background it’s on. If it’s on a white background, it probably wouldn’t look too
34
00:02:25,060 –> 00:02:30,560
bad. So if I change the color of the red to white. Hit ok, Press Q. See? That’s what it looks like on a white background.
35
00:02:34,340 –> 00:02:35,040
Change the quick mask back to red
36
00:02:35,689 –> 00:02:39,455
So, I’ve got a selection and I want to make that into a layer mask. As you can see before, it was a
37
00:02:39,455 –> 00:02:41,674
bit hard- the edges a bit hard. So, I go up to select.
38
00:02:42,620 –> 00:02:47,455
Select, Modify, Feather, the setting would really would depend on the size of the image. Make it 2 pixels.
39
00:02:48,420 –> 00:02:49,980
Come here add a layer mask
40
00:02:49,980 –> 00:02:54,080
Before I do that, I can press Q again. Check the feather. It looks a bit softer.
41
00:02:54,980 –> 00:02:56,080
add layer mask
42
00:02:56,080 –> 00:02:58,680
That’s how you go from path to layer mask. I’ll see you in the next tutorial.