5 Replies Latest reply: Sep 7, 2009 8:48 PM by tismeinaz RSS

    PS CS4 Classroom in a Book Question

    Cheryl McGregor Community Member

      Lesson 8 > Adding a vector mask to a Smart Object.

       

      It says to select the Title layer then click the add a layer mask button

       

      Select the polygonal tool & set black as the forground color.

       

      My problem is that the tool did not hold the settings from the previous use earlier in the lesson.  The part that changed is that the subtract from shape box is no longer selected and it won't let me select it.  The create new shape box is selected and no other option is selectable.  If I leave it that way, I get a black star.  If I change the forground color to white, I get a white star.   I have gone over the steps several times and can't see that I am missing any.

       

      Has anyone done this lesson all the way through with no issues?  Clues as to where I am going wrong?

        • 1. Re: PS CS4 Classroom in a Book Question
          c.pfaffenbichler Community Member

          Could You post a Screenshot of the Options-bar in this situation, because I’m not sure I understand You correctly?

          Are You sure You are supposed to add a Layer Mask and not a Vector Mask (command-click the Add layer mask-button)?

          • 2. Re: PS CS4 Classroom in a Book Question
            tismeinaz Community Member

            Here are the instructions: It is the second to last part of lesson 8.

             

            Adding a vector mask to a Smart Object

            The hole in each O of the title gets a star cut out of it and you can see the background.

             

            1.  Select title layer and click the Add Layer Mask button

            2.  Select the Polygon tool.  The options used earlier should still be in effect (not true - the create new shape layer is now selected)

                    It says to refer back to an earlier part of the lesson where the settings were entered for a different part of the picture (subtracting shapes from a

                    shape layer) But my settings match except for the create new shape layer option that won't change. 

            3.  Set Black as the foreground color

            4.  Click in the center of the 'O' in Toyz and drag the cursor outward. 

            5.  Repeat on the small 'O'.

            • 3. Re: PS CS4 Classroom in a Book Question
              c.pfaffenbichler Community Member

              screen.jpg

              Well, judging from Your screenshot the Paths-button is not inactive.

               

              I don’t get it – it seems the step to create the vector mask for the SO is missing in the list or (because why should You set the Foreground Color?) the lesson regards creating a Solid Color-layer with a vector mask. 

              • 4. Re: PS CS4 Classroom in a Book Question
                tismeinaz Community Member

                Actually, the instructions have the shape layers button chosen rather than the paths.  I do feel like a step is missing.  Earlier in the lesson, when this tool was last used, it was to cut a shape from a shape layer.   That layer was a vector mask.  This time it is a smart object created from an ai file.

                • 5. Re: PS CS4 Classroom in a Book Question
                  tismeinaz Community Member

                  I figured out what I was not doing.  The fill pixels option needed to be selected.   I went back and did the whole lesson over again from the beginning and when I got to the vector mask section that jumped out at me and I realized I had the shape layers box chosen because of a previous step in the lesson.

                   

                  I am happy now :-)