Question about overlaying something on top of a layer that has a bunch of alpha sections.

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
March 27, 2020
3 replies
386 views

I am an abstract artist and PS is just one of several tools I use. I want to create a "brush" to use in another application and I can ALMOST see how to do ..but not quite.

I have an image of a wire mesh that I've distorted for me needs. The interstices of the mesh are now pure Alpha. The mesh itself is partially transparent. I want to be able to place a photo over the mesh so the the result is photo images on the actual bits of netting but empty on the alpha interstices. So that if I used, say, a photo of someone's face the only parts that would be visible would be the parts that fall on the actual mesh itself (hopefully taking the translusence level from the mesh.) Parts where is is alpha would not show any of the face.
If this makes any sense to you, or if you think you understand but want some clarification plese let me know. The ability to do this is key to a series I want to make but I'm so stuck on this problem that I'm not moving forward at all.
Thanks. I look forward to your advice.

PS. As soon as I posted this I realized a clearer way to say it. I want to make a cookie cutter of a mesh that I can apply to a photo. I'll be left with the photo MINUS the little bits that the cookie cutter cut away. I hope that helps, rather than making the topic even muddier.

How to

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S

sklarerAuthor

Participant

Thanks so much for this suggestion. It's enabled me to do exactly what I wanted. Of course, it turns out that what I wanted is not what I really _need_ but, hey, that's how we learn, isn't it! Your response gives me a starting point for working toward what it is that I actually need. If I ever get there I'll post the results, though I suspect that may be a while coming.

c.pfaffenbichler

Community Expert

To add to mglush’c advice one can also Clipping Mask a Layer to a Group, so one could use multiple Layers as athe basis.

And by unchecking »Blend Clipped Layers as a Group« and setting the Group’s Fill to 0% the Layers in the Group itself can be invisible.

But please post the mesh-image or a lores version of it, maybe it would help clarify your point.

S

sklarerAuthor

Participant

Thanks for the advice. Both your tip and mglush's are pointing me in the direction I needed. As is often the case, it turns out that what I thought I needed was not, actually, what I needed. Between your and the previous response I think I'll be able to work out a solution to my problem. Thank you for you help. If I ever come up with a working version of what I have in my fevered brain I shall post it here.

mglush

Community Expert

Hi!

I think I understand what you want--you want the image to just be visible on the mesh and not the background, correct?

Here is one suggestion: Make sure the mesh is on it's own layer with transparency. In other words the mesh is made up of pixels, and the areas outside of the mesh have no pixels. Then place your image on a layer on top of the mesh layer. and clip the two layers together. You can do this by holding down the Option/Alt key and clicking the line between the two layers in the Layers panel. Then, select a blending mode from the drop down menu at the top of the Layers panel for the top image so that it interacts with the mesh. I would suggest Soft Light or Multiply and adjust the opacity of the image layer.

Let us know if you have any questions!

Michelle

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