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:)

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Arnor Baldvinsson
San Antonio, Texas

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

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.
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Arnor Baldvinsson
San Antonio, Texas

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?

"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.

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

"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 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:)
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Arnor Baldvinsson
San Antonio, Texas

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.

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.

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:)
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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:)
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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.

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.

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.

Hi edjh,

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

Thanks for confirming:)
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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!!