ptg Chapter 10 Creating Masks 249 Layer masks can create more than simple vignettes around an image. In fact, with the right filters you can create some very interesting and fun-looking borders. For example, when you create a selection using one of Photoshop's standard selection tools—rectangle, ellipse, or lasso—the selection has a sharp, definable border. The secret to creat- ing unique borders is to create a general selection around a portion of the image you want to preserve, create the layer mask, and then use some of Photoshop's creative filter effects, such as the Artistic or Distort filters on the mask. Using filters on the image mask creates eye-catching borders and it's only a filter away. Creating Unique Layer Mask Effects Create a Layer Mask Effect Open a document. Click the layer in the Layers panel to which you want to apply a unique border. Create a rectangular selection around a portion of the image. Click the Add Layer Mask button. Click the layer mask thumbnail. Click the Filter menu, point to Brush Strokes, and then click the Sprayed Strokes filter. Adjust the filter options to change the edge of the layer mask. Click OK. 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 3 4 1 The Sprayed Strokes filter applied to the layer mask. Did You Know? You can apply more than one filter to a layer mask border. For example, using the Spatter filter creates a ragged edge to the layer mask. Applying a small amount of Gaussian Blur to the mask softens the effect and creates a more pleasing visual transition between the mask and the back- ground. 5 From the Library of Wow! eBook ptg 250 Chapter 10 A vector mask is a resolution independent object—such as a rectangle, circle, or custom shape or drawing—created with a pen or shape tool. The vector mask represents a changeable path that clips out the con- tents of the layer. You can create a vector layer by using options in the Layers or Masks panel. Like a layer mask, a vector masks appears as an additional thumbnail to the right of the layer thumbnail in the Layers panel, which you can use to work with the mask. Creating a Vector Mask Create and Work with a Vector Mask Open a document. Select the Layers and Masks panel. Click the layer that will contain the mask. Select the path or create a path using the shape or pen tools. Click the Add Vector Mask button on the Layers or the Vector Mask button on the Masks panel. Click on the layer thumbnail to modify or adjust the image. Click on the vector mask thumbnail to modify the mask using shape and pen tools. To disab le or en ab le th e mas k, Shift+click on the mask thumbnail , or select the layer, click the Disable/Enable Mask button on the Masks panel. To view or hide th e mas k in the document window, Alt+click (Win) or Option+click (Mac) on the mask thumbnail. To remov e a laye r mas k, se le ct th e layer, click the Vector Mask button, and then click the Delete Mask button on the Masks panel. ◆ To remov e and ap pl y the la ye r mask, click the Apply Mask button on the Masks panel. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 3 2 5 9 10 8 Vector Mask button 7 Vector mask From the Library of Wow! eBook ptg Chapter 10 Creating Masks 251 After you create a layer or vector mask, you can use the Layers and Masks panels to modify it. Before you can work with a mask, you need to select it. The quickest way is to select the thumbnail in the Layers panel, however, you can also use the Masks panel. You can modify a mask several different ways, including unlink or link the mask and layer, view or hide it, disable or enable it, remove it, or adjust the mask. Modifying Layer and Vector Masks Modify a Layer or Vector Mask Open a document. Select the Layers and Masks panel. To selec t the im ag e lay er or ma sk , click on the image thumbnail to modify or adjust the image, or click on the mask thumbnail to modify or paint on the mask. To unlin k or lin k a mask fro m its layer, click the link button to toggle it. To disab le or en ab le th e mas k, Shift+click on the mask thumbnail, or select the layer, and then click the Disable/Enable Mask button in the Masks panel. To view or hide th e mas k in the document window, Alt+click (Win) or Option+click (Mac) on the mask thumbnail. To remov e a laye r mas k, se le ct th e layer, click the Pixel Mask or Vector Mask button, and then click the Delete Mask button on the Masks panel. ◆ To remov e and ap pl y the la ye r mask, click the Apply Mask button on the Masks panel. To contr ol th e opa ci ty (d ensity ) o f the mask and adjust the feather edge, drag the sliders on the Masks panel. ◆ You can also access layer mask options to select a color range, refine the mask edge, or invert the mask. 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 4 3 2 8 7 5 6 Apply Mask button Vector Mask button Pixel Mask button From the Library of Wow! eBook ptg 252 Chapter 10 The Channels panel serves three purposes—to hold color information, to hold spot color information, and to hold selections (channel masks). Creating channel masks can be as easy as clicking the Create New Channel button and then using any painting or drawing tools to create the mask, or by making a selection and converting the selection into a mask by clicking the Save Selection As Channel button. When you paint the channel mask, the defaults are—black for masked areas, white for selected areas, and shades of gray for percentages of selection. Creating Channel Masks Create a Channel Mask Open an image and create a selection. Select the Channels panel. Click the Create New Channel button. Select the new channel. Select the Brush tool on the toolbox, and then select a brush tip on the Options bar. Paint areas of the mask white to create a selection. Paint areas of the mask black to mask the image. 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 3 6 1 2 7 4 Did You Know? You can quickly convert a channel mask into a selection. To vi ew a chan- nel mask as a selection, open the Channels panel, and then Ctrl+click (Win) or A+click (Mac) on the chan- nel. Photoshop instantly translates the black, white, and gray areas of the mask into a visible selection in the document window. From the Library of Wow! eBook ptg Chapter 10 Creating Masks 253 Channel masks are easy to create and once created, are just as easy to modify. All you need is an open document, and access to the Channels panel. After selecting a painting or drawing tool, you paint on the mask to define the selection area. The problem is you can't see the image; you can only see the mask. What you need is the ability to view the mask and the image at the same time, as if you were using tracing paper, and then use the drawing tools to paint (trace) the portions of the image you want to select. The secret to viewing the image as you create the mask is to temporarily enable or show, the composite chan- nel. In fact, the composite channel acts like a toggle switch—when it's visible, you see the image and the mask (tracing paper); when it's hid- den, you only see the mask. Creating Channel Masks from Scratch Create a Channel Mask from Scratch Open an image. Select the Channels panel. Click the Create New Channel button. Click the Show/Hide button on the composite channel. The image is revealed in the document window (the new Alpha channel should still be selected). You will use the image to guide the creation of the mask. Select the Brush tool on the toolbox. Paint areas of the image using white to create a selection (painting with white exposes the original image). Paint areas of the image black to mask the image (painting with black masks the image with the default color of red). Click the Show/Hide button on the composite channel. The image is hidden, revealing just the mask. Repeat steps 6-8 until the mask is complete. 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 3 6 7 4 2 8 From the Library of Wow! eBook ptg 254 Chapter 10 Channel masks have default options that control how the mask looks and functions. Photoshop gives you the ability to change the default options of a channel mask. For example, you could change the default color from red to blue, or you could change the function of the channel mask from Selection to Spot Color. Knowing you can change the mask options gives you more control over the final results. Modifying Channel Mask Options Create or Modify Channel Masks Using Options Open a document. Select the Channels panel. Click the Channels Options button, and then click New Channel to create a new channel or double- click an existing channel in the Channels panel. Enter a name for the new channel. Click the option to define the mask color as the Masked Areas, Selected Areas, or Spot Color. Click the Color box, and then select a color from the Color Picker. Enter an Opacity percentage value (1% to 100%) for the color. Click OK. 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 6 5 7 1 8 Did You Know? You can change the Channel options for a preexisting channel. Double-click on the channel, and Photoshop will open the Channel options dialog box. You can set Channel options for each channel. Changing the Channel options only impacts that specific channel. Each channel can have its own individual settings. From the Library of Wow! eBook . then using any painting or drawing tools to create the mask, or by making a selection and converting the selection into a mask by clicking the Save Selection As Channel button. When you paint. around a portion of the image you want to preserve, create the layer mask, and then use some of Photoshop& apos;s creative filter effects, such as the Artistic or Distort filters on the mask represents a changeable path that clips out the con- tents of the layer. You can create a vector layer by using options in the Layers or Masks panel. Like a layer mask, a vector masks appears as an