Clipping mask

[CharMetzger]

This is my first time trying to use a mask and I am ready to pull my hair out. I have watched videos and more videos and I am just not getting it. I need step by step guide PLEASE. All I want to do is put a grunge mask around a photo like this but then I don't want the white around the edges just the jagged edges. Can someone please help me. 

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

Can you attach a screenshot of what you are trying to do?

[CharMetzger]

 

[CharMetzger]

But I don't want the white or any color around the picture I want it to be transparent. 

[PECourtejoie]

You'll then need to save the image in a format that supports transparency, such as PNG, WEBP, GIF (but only has one level of transparency) PSD and TIFF. Where do you want to use that transparent image?

[CharMetzger]

So that is part of the problem. I don't understand all the terminology about layers and so forth so I have no idea how to answer your question. This is EXACTLY what I want to do. I want to make the square picture look exactly like the other picture that already has the grungy edges on it. I will be working in Photoshop so I know that supports transparency I just can't figure out the steps to get there. Any help would be MOST appreciated.

[PECourtejoie · Accepted solution]

Hello, did you check in the actual help from Adobe, there are good guides, such as: https://helpx.adobe.com/be_en/photoshop/how-to/layer-mask.html

But do you want to do a clipping mask, where the below layer gives its transparency to the top layer, useful to give a texture to a text, for instance, or a layer mask, where an additional image will control the transparency: black hides, white reveals.

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/using/clipping-masks.html (this is for elements, but the behavior is very similal in Photoshop.

[CharMetzger]

So that is part of the problem. I don't understand all the terminology about layers and so forth so I have no idea how to answer your question. This is EXACTLY what I want to do. I want to make the square picture look exactly like the other picture that already has the grungy edges on it. I will be working in Photoshop so I know that supports transparency I just can't figure out the steps to get there. Any help would be MOST appreciated.

[PECourtejoie]

Hi, did you check the two links I gave you? Thet give two different methods to achieve what you want.

Do you have an image you intend to use as the grungy edge? It needs to be back where you want transparency and white where you want opacity. Select all, then copy. Click the add layer mask button, Alt+click on the layer mask that was created. Paste.

that was the layer mask method.
For the clipping mask method, select the image, double click on the lock to convert the background into a layer.

drag and drop the grunge image, scale it to fit if needed. In the layers panel, right -click on its name, and select blending options. Alt+Click the blend if slider until the black disappears.

drag this layer below the image, then Alt+click the line that separates them in the layers panel.

[CharMetzger]

Yes I tried both links you sent me, as well as following your written instructions. I have no idea what I am doing wrong. Are your instructions formthe 2023 version? When I follow your instructions this is what I get it takes out the middle instead of the edges. I am going crazy with this. What am I doing wrong? Is it a setting in the blending options box?. 

[PECourtejoie]

Is you mask black in the middle and white on the edges ? Ctrl+I to invert its values.

[PECourtejoie]

Hi, you did not state which method you are following, nor shown us the mask you want to use...

[CharMetzger]

Yes the mask is black on the outside. I tried both methods and neither worked. Here is the mask I am trying to use.

[PECourtejoie]

Ok then create a new layer under the mask, fill it with white, then flatten the image, you can now copy it to a layer mask, so that the white will reveal the image.

To use it with the clipping group, Ctrl+click its thumbnail in the layers panel, to load the transparency, invert the selection with CMD+Shift+I on a Mac, Ctrl+Shift+I on a Pc, and  then, create a new layer, and go to edit>Fill and fill it with any color.

You should have a layer with filled content, and transparency on the outside.

You can now drag and drop it to the image document, place it below the image, and Alt-click the line between the layer and its clipping mask, to get the desired results.

I hope this helps. Sorry, am away from computer, otherwise I'd have more complete and explanatory information.

[CharMetzger]

Wow I am starting to feel really dumb. I apologize for keep bothering you, but I have a customer shirt order that I MUST get out today. This is what I have now. How do I make the white transparent? 

[SJRiegel]

Can you show a screen show with your layers panel open and expanded? 

[PECourtejoie]

If there is a white background, put it in the trash. Save the file as PNG. 

[PECourtejoie]

Hi, @CharMetzger did it work out ok?

[CharMetzger]

Oh my gosh. After going round and round with it and trying to do all the steps you told me, I finally got it to work. I don't claim to understand how and why but it worked and that it all I care about. Lol got the shirt done, got it in the mail and all is right with the world again. Lol THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HELP. I definitely could have never figured this out on my own. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. Hope you have a very Merry Christmas. Thanks again

[PECourtejoie]

Thank you, @CharMetzger Please tag the post(s) that helped you the most as the correct answer, so that it could help other users.

You went right in, as a beginner, doing an medium complexity level task, on a time crunch, kudos to you!

Happy holidays!

[S_Gans]

Hi. So, this video is VERY sloppily done and with terrible mouse control, but I think it may help you to see how to accomplish what you want. I converted the background layer to a regular layer - so it accepts transparency. I created a new blank layer and moved it underneath. Then I created a clipping mask (I could have alt/option clicked between the layers, instead, to do the same thing). Then, I just painted on the bottom, blank layer. Visibility of my image became defined by the opacity of the layer below.

[CharMetzger]

Thank you so much for trying to help me. After much trial and error I finally got it to work. Thank you for taking the time to help me. Merry Christmas 

[Myra Ferguson]

A quick way to add a frame when you're not sure how to use many Photoshop features would be to let one of the preset actions do it for you. Here's how:

1. Open your image.
2. Go to Window > Actions to open the Actions panel.
3. In the Actions panel menu (the hamburger menu in the upper right), select Frames. Photoshop will load the Frames action set (a folder of actions) in the Actions panel.
4. Select a frame type in the Frames set, Strokes Frame, for example.
5. At the bottom of the Actions panel, click the Play button (triangle icon that's 3rd from the left).
6. Photoshop will create the Strokes Frame on the image for you.

[CharMetzger]

Thank you so much for trying to help me. After much trial and error I finally got it to work. Thank you for taking the time to help me. Merry Christmas