Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
You will now take the path that you created around the doghouse and turn it into a mask, essentially elim-
inating the white background from this layer.
1
If the Layers panel is not visible, choose Window > Layers. When the Layers panel appears, make sure
that you are on the doghouse layer.
2
With the pen path still active, press and hold the Control key (Windows) or Command key (Mac OS)
and click the Add layer mask button ( ) at the bottom of the Layers panel. By pressing and holding the
Ctrl/Command key, you immediately create a vector mask from your active pen path.
3
Select your Direct Selection tool ( ) that is hidden under your Path Selection tool ( ) in the Tools panel.
4
Click your path to see that you can reactive your pen path and edit the anchor points, even after making
it a mask. If editing is necessary, use the Direction Selection tool to reposition anchor points and direc-
tional lines
Select the Direct Selection tool Use the Direction Selection tool to reposition anchor points to edit the path.
and directional lines.
5
Save this file and keep it open for the next part of the lesson.
Using Refine Edge to select the dog
In this part of the lesson, you create a more advanced selection of the furry dog, and then create a pixel
mask to eliminate the background.
Using the Quick Selection tool
The Quick Selection tool is always a great way to start a selection, especially if you plan on using the
Refine Edge feature to improve the selection.
1
Press Ctrl+0 (zero) (Windows) or Command + 0 (zero) to make the image size fit your window. This
way, you should be able to see the entire dog layer.
2
Turn on the visibility of the
ps0902.psd
layer of the dog, and then click the layer to make it active.
3
Select the Quick Selection ( ) tool from the Tools panel and start painting the dog. Remember to use
the left ([) and right brackets (]) to enlarge or reduce the size of the Quick Selection tool. Also keep in
mind that you can press and hold the Option/Alt key to deselect anything that is selected outside the
dog.
