10 Replies Latest reply: Jul 29, 2012 7:44 AM by rollsnut RSS

    Crazy Masking Query

    rollsnut Community Member

      I am on a PC - Windows 7 - CS5.5 Extended.

       

      I realize this may seem stupid but I am totally serious...From time to time in masking I need to do a circle or an arc but need to do it in pieces, not the whole thing at once, to maintain "roundness" in the mask. Most of the time I have to resort to the lasso tool and the results can be varied.

       

      If I use the circle mask it has to be individual "circles" each time.

       

      Is there a way to use a circle masking technique with a set "brush\mask" size and just by clicking, continualy adding (or subtracting) to the mask. An example would be how one uses the eraser tool with a circle brush, except I want to mask, not erase. Having to draw a circle each time is time consuming and has to be dead on the spot, not moveable...unless I just don't know how to do it properly.

       

      Thanks in advance for any comments or thoughts.

       

      Brad

        • 1. Re: Crazy Masking Query
          conroy Community Member

          Create a circular "master mask" in a new channel. When you want only part of the circle in a mask, copy the master into the mask then erase parts of the circle that you don't want.

          • 2. Re: Crazy Masking Query
            Sharon Huang Community Member

            Try this out and see if this works for you:

             

            1. Make a circular layer mask

            1.jpg

             

             

            2. Ctrl click on the masked icon in the layers panel to have the circular mask selected

            2.jpg

             

             

            3. copy and then paste your selection in the mask channel in the Channels panel. Now you will be allowed to scale and move the selection mask freely.

            3.jpg

             

             

            4. Invert selection while in the mask chanel to erase out your mask. You can work back and forth with this method

            4.jpg

            • 3. Re: Crazy Masking Query
              charles badland Community Member

              I don't quite understand your question. Maybe Sharon's answer helped.

              Is there a way to use a circle masking technique with a set "brush\mask" size and just by clicking, continualy adding (or subtracting) to the mask. An example would be how one uses the eraser tool with a circle brush, except I want to mask, not erase.

              I would think painting on the layer mask with a circular, hard edge brush at 100% (either black or white, depending on what you are doing) would act like "the eraser tool with a circle bush". If you unlink the layer from its mask, you can move either one around to reposition to exact spot.  Vector masking may also be something you want to look into, as a vector circle mask would be re-sizable with no quality loss.

              • 4. Re: Crazy Masking Query
                rollsnut Community Member

                Thanks for all the thoughts. Let me see if I can clarify my query, I admit it's a bit crazy. I hope this is clearer, if not, I'l drop it.

                 

                For what I'm doing I need clean lines. I won't go into the deep process here but Imagine a picture of a one-half a bicycle wheel.

                You have a half circle (or arc) with lots of crossing spokes - curves along the rim and straight lines with the spokes.

                Maksing the straight lines is a no brainer but to maintain the integrity of the partial arc (curves) between spoke nipples is tricky.

                If I could create a circle mask tool like creating a circle eraser or paintbrush tool I could maniulate (mask) just a small piece of the arc with each click until I have the area masked that I want..

                What I am masking will be left on a separate layer. Once the selection is properly masked I'll delete everything else. These will overlay a bottom layer.

                On the bottom layer some of the lines (including curves) will be left.

                In creating the bottom layer when I "Find Edges" the result leaves a lot of ancilary pixels that need to be removed leaving a clean line. In this case I can use the eraser or paintbrush tool depending upon what I want.

                This is easy and what I am trying to replicate but with a masking tool. I want a set size circle that i can just click to add or subtract.

                 

                I tried the Channel mask and layer mask but ti's not the answer for me...yet.

                 

                Like I said, I hope this makes sense. It's not the easiest to explain and screen shots would be useless.

                 

                Again, I TRULY appreciate the time people have taken to respond and I don't discount any input because it may just be a piece in building the solution.

                 

                Thanks again,

                 

                Brad

                • 5. Re: Crazy Masking Query
                  charles badland Community Member

                  A screen shot of what you are trying to do would help a lot.

                  But based on your description, I think creating a vector mask is the best way to go. All the edges would be editable with anchor points. Are you familiar using the Pen Tool in Photoshop?  Or have you used the Pen Tool in Adobe Illustrator?

                   

                  edit:

                  This is easy and what I am trying to replicate but with a masking tool. I want a set size circle that i can just click to add or subtract.

                  Well, that is easy. Make a pixel mask (as opposed to a vector mask) and paint on the mask with either 100% white or black (you can hit the X key to toggle between a black foreground and white background.)

                  • 6. Re: Crazy Masking Query
                    rollsnut Community Member

                    Ok, I'm going to delve into this and get back with you. From the little I've seen it seems like you have hit the nail on the head...I'm going to go stub my toe and learn.

                     

                    Thanks,

                     

                    Brad

                    • 7. Re: Crazy Masking Query
                      conroy Community Member

                      Do you want to cut segments of a pie?

                       

                      If yes, then you could use a cutting device in vector masks, made with a disk and two half-disks which can be individualy rotated about a pivot at the centre of the pie.

                       

                      Screen shot 2012-07-18 at 04.24.48.png

                      Screen shot 2012-07-18 at 04.25.18.png

                      Screen shot 2012-07-18 at 04.26.04.png

                      Screen shot 2012-07-18 at 05.14.49.png

                      • 8. Re: Crazy Masking Query
                        Sharon Huang Community Member

                        It will be very helpful to post a screenshot of what you are trying to do. I think conroy2009's post may have answered your question. But if not please post a screenshot. Thanks!

                        • 9. Re: Crazy Masking Query
                          rollsnut Community Member

                          Sharon, Charles and Conroy:

                           

                          It looks like Pixel Mask is what I was looking for. I had not used it before, was not aware of it but thanks to your efforts and putting up with me I have learned something new and useful.

                           

                          I looked at some tutorials, read a chapter or two in some books I have and even played with it a little. I'm not ready to post a screen shot YET of my challenge but promise to do so soon. I want to be able to post a before and after to let you know I took your persistence to heart and practice. I'll also be playing with the vector mask. I do vectors in AI.

                           

                          Thanks again, you'll be hearing back from me soon.

                           

                          Brad

                          • 10. Re: Crazy Masking Query
                            rollsnut Community Member

                            As promised, after playing with some mask types, I am posting a before and after photo of what I was working with. By masking just the spokes and rim I can change the look of the "final" by using a chrome looking gradient fill. The hub mask is a totally separate one as my initial thought was to gradient fill the spokes but leave the hub natural. The front fork outline is red because I am still working on the image...and it is time consuming.

                             

                            I'm still figuring out various masks but I'm learning thanks to all who responded here.

                             

                            Thanks again. Your comments were not posted in vain.

                             

                            Bradwheel mask before.jpgwheel mask after.jpg