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Alligators from Space
Alligators from Space
Participating Frequently
October 7, 2021
Answered

How to get a transparent background for extracting an overlay with semi transparent pixels

  • October 7, 2021
  • 3 replies
  • 1316 views

Hello 🙂


I want to use an overlay for later photo editing, but I can only take a screenshot of it with a customizable background. So I had the idea to just use a black background and subtract a black plane from it, but if I do this the background stays black. Using the color range tool sadly doesn't work either because it doesn't recognize semi-transparent pixels.


Is there a way to get just the overlay?

Theoretically, I just have to tell photoshop, that black subtracted from black equals transparent, not black.

 

I hope you can help me, stay safe and have a great day ^^

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Myra Ferguson

You could make a layer mask from the red channel to mask out the black. I'm recommending the red channel because the graphic in the screenshot is mostly red. Here are the steps you could take:

  1. Select the image layer in the Layers panel (Window > Layers)
  2. Add a new layer mask to the layer (Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal All or click on the 3rd icon from the left at the bottom of the Layers panel
  3. Click on the Layer Mask thumbnail to select it
  4. Go to the Channels panel (Window > Channels)
  5. Select the Red channel
  6. Select all (Select > All or Command (macOS) / Ctrl (Windows) + A)
  7. Copy (Edit > Copy or Command (macOS) / Ctrl (Windows) + C)
  8. Select the Layer Mask thumbnail at the bottom of the channels and Paste (Command (macOS) / Ctrl (Windows) + V)
  9. Click the Layer Mask eyeball to turn off its visibility
  10. Remove the extraneous content in the lower left
  11. Edit the layer mask to adjust how much is shown using Brightness/Contrast, Levels, or Curves (by going to Image > Adjustments)

3 replies

Earth Oliver
Earth Oliver
Legend
October 11, 2021

Did you try using the Blend-if sliders?

    lambiloon
    Community Expert
    lambiloonCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 7, 2021

    Hi check the following video hope it help you...regards

    Ali Sajjad / Graphic Design Trainer / Freelancer / Adobe Certified Professional
    Myra Ferguson
    Community Expert
    Myra FergusonCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    October 7, 2021

    You could make a layer mask from the red channel to mask out the black. I'm recommending the red channel because the graphic in the screenshot is mostly red. Here are the steps you could take:

    1. Select the image layer in the Layers panel (Window > Layers)
    2. Add a new layer mask to the layer (Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal All or click on the 3rd icon from the left at the bottom of the Layers panel
    3. Click on the Layer Mask thumbnail to select it
    4. Go to the Channels panel (Window > Channels)
    5. Select the Red channel
    6. Select all (Select > All or Command (macOS) / Ctrl (Windows) + A)
    7. Copy (Edit > Copy or Command (macOS) / Ctrl (Windows) + C)
    8. Select the Layer Mask thumbnail at the bottom of the channels and Paste (Command (macOS) / Ctrl (Windows) + V)
    9. Click the Layer Mask eyeball to turn off its visibility
    10. Remove the extraneous content in the lower left
    11. Edit the layer mask to adjust how much is shown using Brightness/Contrast, Levels, or Curves (by going to Image > Adjustments)
      Alligators from Space
      Alligators from SpaceAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      October 11, 2021

      OK, it kinda worked out, thank you ^^

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