How to blend only non-transparent areas?

[jiggy1965]

I've got a layer with an object in the middle and outside of that it's transparent. Now I add a layer, fill it with a color and set it to Multiply. What I would like to happen (and expected) is that this color would multiply only the opaque pixels of layer 1 and leave the transparent areas of layer 1 as they are. Instead those transparent areas get filled with that color too.

Is there a setting somewhere where I can say 'only apply the blending effect to the areas of the layer(s) beneath it which are not transparent'?

[Jeff Arola]

Sounds like a Clipping Mask would work.

In the Layers Panel right click on the layer to the left of the thumbnail you filled with color and click on Create Clipping Mask or go to Layer>Create Clipping Mask.

[jiggy1965]

That would be one way of doing it, sure. But I thought perhaps there was a way to set it like only apply the blending mode of the top layer on opaque layers of the bottom layer and leave the transparent areas of the bottom layer as they are.

[Jeff Arola]

It all depends on the color(s) of the lower layers as to how blending modes affect the lower layers.

As an example, if you have a White Background layer and above that you have an object on a layer with transparency, then setting the color fill layer above that to Screen will only affect the object on the transparent layer. Still it's hard to predict how blend modes affect layers below even in the above example without actually trying it out.

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/blending-modes.html

Anyway, that's what a Clipping Mask is for so only the pixels in the layer below are affected and not the rest of the layers.

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/revealing-layers-clipping-masks.html

You could also use Color Overlay in the Layer styles dialog on the layer with the transparent object and then there would be no need for a color fill layer, clipping mask or blend mode.

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/layer-effects-styles.html

[@mj]

Multiply is going to make the combined pixel values darker.

Since the darkest colors are the added layer with the color you chose, you're getting those pixels showing through where the transparent pixels are in the original layer.

Solution: Create a mask of the transparent pixels on the added color layer.

To do this:

1. Cmd/Ctrl click the layer icon. This will load the layer as a selection.
2. Click on you color layer.
3. Click on the Add Mask icon off the bottom of the Layers panel.

HTH

[c.pfaffenbichler]

If it is a flat color area one could use a Gradient Map Adjustment Layer with only one Colour Stop.

That does not affect transparent pixels,

[Norman Sanders]

Layer > Create Clipping Mask

[angie_taylor]

The easiest way to do this is to Hold down the Alt key and then click on the dividing line between the layers, this will create a clipping mask quickly and easily.

Hope this helps 🙂

Angie Taylor

[Semaphoric]

Even easier: Alt+Control+G.