5 Replies Latest reply: Jul 10, 2014 11:28 PM by c.pfaffenbichler

Smart layers, knocking out and clipping

ianbarnard1 Jul 9, 2014 4:54 AM

I produce PSDs for other designers to use who are novices when it comes to Photoshop, but want to get certain effects on their work. I've produced one that lets you place your work and any photo grunge texture file and it combines both together. The photo file then knocks out the lighter or darker parts of the photo from image / logo. The problem I'm having is that it only works in black and trying to find away to set it up so you can place a full color image in the PSD.

Here is the layer structure and the effect I'm trying to get. Overlay - Black has a Multiply applied to that group.

1. Re: Smart layers, knocking out and clipping

c.pfaffenbichler Jul 9, 2014 6:44 AM (in response to ianbarnard1)

Have you tried utilizing the Blend If setting?
How does the Layer "Overlay" work currently?
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2. Re: Smart layers, knocking out and clipping

ianbarnard1 Jul 9, 2014 6:59 AM (in response to c.pfaffenbichler)

I'm still trying to get my head around the Blend If settings. I've sent you an email with the file. Thanks for helping me last time with the masking problems.
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3. Re: Smart layers, knocking out and clipping

c.pfaffenbichler Jul 9, 2014 7:23 AM (in response to ianbarnard1)

One can split the Blend If-handles by alt-click-and-dragging and a result like this cane achieved fairly easily.

But personally I would recommend another way (if the structure of the surface is the important thing and not seeing through) but that get’s fairly complicated.
Maybe I have mentioned it already but one can use BlendIf-settings ion a Layer, group that Layer, set the Group to Fill 0% and Cliping Mask an Adjustment Layer to that Group.
If that and the underlying Layer are inside a Group with Blend Mode Normal the Adjustment Layer will only affect the content of that Group.
Hopefully this example (for a "black" and a "white" Curves Layer and the combination of both) can make my point a little clearer:
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4. Re: Smart layers, knocking out and clipping

ianbarnard1 Jul 9, 2014 8:54 AM (in response to c.pfaffenbichler)

That's amazing, though mine doesn't look quite as detailed as yours does.

I'll send it back over to see if I've missed anything.
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5. Re: Smart layers, knocking out and clipping

c.pfaffenbichler Jul 10, 2014 11:28 PM (in response to ianbarnard1)

One possible approach to handling backgrounds that vary strongly in lightness might be applying the High Pass Filter with a largish value.
But that would need some testing.
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