Making Masks - Part 2

Welcome back. :)

If you closed the maskjpg that you made in Part 1, re-open it. We're going to save it to disk as a mask. :)

PSP 7: With your image open, go Masks > New > From Image

PSP 8 & 9: With your image open, go Layers > New Mask Layer > From Image

Use these settings:

• Source window = This Window
• Create mask from = Source luminance
• Invert mask data = UNchecked
• OK

Your image will now look something like this.
The white part is where the image you mask will show through.
The gray part will partially cover the image giving the edged look.
The transparent part will totally cover what is behind it.

PSP 7: go Masks > Save to disk

PSP 8 & 9: go Layers > Load/Save Mask > Save Mask To Disk

PSP should open in the default masks folder but if it doesn't, you can browse to the main PSP directory and find it yourself. I've made a subfolder in the masks folder in PSP to hold my own masks.

Give your mask a name.
Save

You can close your maskjpg now. :)

Open the image you'd like to put the mask edge on.

PSP 7: Go Masks > Load From Disk and apply the mask you just made.

PSP 8 & 9: Go Layers > Load/Save Mask > Load Mask From Disk

If your image looks something like this, don't panic.

PSP 7: Go Masks > Invert and you'll be all set. :)

PSP 8 & 9: Go Layers > Invert Mask/Adjustment

PSP 7: Go Masks > Delete and choose "Yes" when asked if you'd like this mask merged into the current layer. Your image won't change.

PSP 8 & 9: Right click on the Layer Palette and choose Merge > Merge Group

Create a new layer by clicking on the New Layer icon in the Layer Palette.

Click on the new layer and drag it down below Layer1. (Or drag Layer 1 above the new layer...same result)

Flood fill this new layer (which is now on the bottom of the stack) with the color of your choice.

If you'd like to put a drop shadow on or otherwise dress up your masked layer (layer 1), now is the time to do that. Save a copy of your image in psp format with layers intact if you think that you might want to change the background color at any time in the future.

Frame your image if you like, save as a jpg or gif for posting to the web. That's it!

Part 3 has more masking techniques that you might have some fun with.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

If you enjoyed this tutorial I'd love to hear from you. If you need help with anything here or if the steps aren't clear, please let me know and I'll try to explain it better.

Mask Edges | Lettering with a Mask | Gradient Mask