Skip to main content
R
Ro-Ra
Participant
April 21, 2023
Answered

Gradient maps with transparencies and smart objects with filters?

  • April 21, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 1574 views

I'm doing an "Ink Bleed on papyrus" tutorial from the YouTube link below which involves smart filters stacked onto a smart object which stores the actual silhouette to give it a "bleeding" effect:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLyyHLTxFBE&t=66s

 

However in my case, I don't want to use the multiply blend mode on the entire smart object because I want to use multiple layers of "ink" with different colors in a way that they completely cover each other without being "see through". I don't want to use masking either on the smart object because then I would manually have to do a series of actions with the magic wand and partial transparency is difficult.

 

An idea I came up with is to use a smart object inside a smart object. The "inner" smart object would contain the actual text/silhouette and the "outer" smart object would contain the filters. Then I was thinking of applying an adjustment gradient map layer inside the "outer" smart object with transparency to convert the smart object with silhoutted filter into a true silhoutte with transparent background. The "outer" smart object would be then applied onto the main file as per the tutorial linked above.

 

I was able to set up the nested smart objects but the transparency of the gradient map doesn't seem to work when I'm standing inside the "outer" smart object. If I choose a regular color instead of transparency it works on the "inner" smart object but that isn't what I'm after.

 

Is there any way to get this working well with the filters and without manually using any mask layers?

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer c.pfaffenbichler

Blend if-on a Group and a Color Overlay on another Group might help. 

3 replies

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity Expert
Community Expert
April 23, 2023

Have you tried 'Blend if' , in layer blending options, which works like a gradient map and decides where the layer blends and where it does not. The triangles can be split for soft transitions and you can set it by transparency and by individual colour channels.

Dave

 

Edit : Sorry c.pfaffenbichler you posted while I was typing

    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 23, 2023

    But you specifically mentioned splitting the handles, which would be a very important detail in such a case and help the OP. 

      c.pfaffenbichler
      Community Expert
      c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      April 23, 2023

      Blend if-on a Group and a Color Overlay on another Group might help. 

        R
        Ro-RaAuthor
        Participant
        April 24, 2023

        Thank you very much! This is exactly what I was after! Tried it myself and everything works as intended!

          c.pfaffenbichler
          Community Expert
          c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          April 24, 2023

          Good to read it worked out! 

          c.pfaffenbichler
          Community Expert
          c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          April 23, 2023
          quote

          I want to use multiple layers of "ink" with different colors in a way that they completely cover each other without being "see through".

          So: Not ink at all but paint (oil, acrylic, …)? 

           

          quote

          I was able to set up the nested smart objects but the transparency of the gradient map doesn't seem to work when I'm standing inside the "outer" smart object.

          Transparency in Gradient Map Adjustment Layers does not make the Layer/s it is applied to transparent. (Edit: At least so far.)

           

          Could you please post screenshots with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Options Bar, Properties, …) visible? 

          Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
          Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices