How do I overlay a shape that has a transparent background, over all below layers, so that the below layers have the area of that shape replaced with a transparency.
I am looking to have multiple layers in an image.
1.) Top Layer with a Square Transparency
2.) Background image
I want any transparency layers I created in layer 1 to also appear in all of the below layers.
I DO NOT want to have to switch to layer 2 and edit it in any way.
For example, if I create a transparent square in layer 1, I want that same transparent square to appear in after I add a background image.
This way if I switch between different backgrounds that same transparent square will appear in the same spot, in the final image, regardless of which background I use in layer 2.
I need to create large numbers of backgrounds with aeas of transparency and was hoping there an easy way of doing so.
Transparent Square on Layer 1
Layer 2 (black background) - example 1
Layer 2 (blue background) - example 2
Outcome I am looking for when using a black background
Outcome I am looking for when using a blue background
1 Correct answer
Thank you for the videos. They were extremely helpfull!
The third video had a section on a feature called "KnockOut".
This solved my problems!
I created 3 layers.
1.) The top layer has the shape.
I then went into Blending options.
Turned on"Knockout".
Set it to "Deep"
And then set the fill Opacity to 0%.
2.) The second layer is now my "background" layer.
I can quickly swap out different images.
3.) The third layer I kept as 100% transparent.
Whenever I add any shapes to Layer 1, they automatically are remov
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Replies
You can create 2 different layers with Edit > Fill. One a black layer. One a blue (or whatever color desired) layer. Then put a mask in the shape you want on each of those layers. See my attached, layers-labelled snip.
Save that as a .PSD for regular use (if you want to re-use).
You can open whatever images you want below those layers then just turn on/off the eye icon visibility to display the color mat you want to show.
(If you want to get "tricky" about it you could even write an "Action" to perform those steps of applying the black or blue mats for you in an automated way. Google "How to create Photoshop Action"). Good luck!
Thank you to everyone who is trying to help.
Apologies, I believe the description of what I need was not very clear.
I would like to create a custom shape on layer 1 and have that shape "cut out" of layer 2 so that it appears transparent.
The article that "PECourtejoie" linked was almost what I wanted.
Here is a quick moc up, using the above article to better describe what I am looking to do.
What part of the article re: using a Clipping Mask with another layer isn't helping you achieve your goal?
Is it not helping you create your custom shape? Other?
In your mockup just above how is that different than the approach shown in the article? Can you explain a bit more... Does this video demo help at all?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xToD2Kff9O0
Also, if using the Clipping Mask approach isn't what you want to do, did you check out this way to basically cut out a 'hole' using your custom shape:
Here's a snip I just did with a Color Fill Background, Custom Shape Layer (I used Rectangle) - with the "Exclude" setting in the Options Bar, then I added an image layer at top - not clipped to the shape layer.
I took a look at both.
Neither of them allows me to cut out a "transparent" hole.
I would like to define a custom shape in one layer.
Then have that shape cut out in a differnt layer.
When I export the file as a .png with transparency, I would like to see the background with a transparent shape.
Normally, this is achieved by...
1.) Creating a new photoshop file with transparency
2.) Adding a background
3.) Using the Rectangular marquee tool to select an area
4.) Deleting that area
5.) Exporting the file as a .png with transparency on.
However, for a project I have I need to rapidly save multiple .png files with different backgrounds and different "shapes" that need to be cut out of that background.
Therefore I am looking for a method that allows me to create a shape on a single layer, swap out the background multiple times and save each copy as a seperate .png file.
Simple example of one of the files I created as a demo.
As you can see there are two transparent rectangles.
I need a quick way of leaving the rectangles exactly as they are and replacing the blue with another background.
Please note these backgrounds are NOT solid colors. They are high resolution images.
Thank you for the videos. They were extremely helpfull!
The third video had a section on a feature called "KnockOut".
This solved my problems!
I created 3 layers.
1.) The top layer has the shape.
I then went into Blending options.
Turned on"Knockout".
Set it to "Deep"
And then set the fill Opacity to 0%.
2.) The second layer is now my "background" layer.
I can quickly swap out different images.
3.) The third layer I kept as 100% transparent.
Whenever I add any shapes to Layer 1, they automatically are removed from the 2nd layer and only the 3rd layers transparency displays in-place of that shape.
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