Changing Object Background Color with Layer Mask

This Photoshop tutorial is part 2 of Non-Destructive Image Editing with Photoshop Layer tutorial. This second part of tutorial will show you how to extract object from the background and make it transparent with layer mask. And create another photoshop layer below with new background color.

If you like you can download final image in psd format that create from previous tutorial for follow this tutorial below.

Download: layer_tutorial_pt1.zip

To Extract Object’s from Background

1. Convert Background Layer to Layer. And rename the converted layer name to "TV". This will allow you to edit the Background Layer as regular layer. [Show Detail]
   You can convert Background Layer to Layer by do one of following:

   • Double-click the background layer.
   • Choose menu Layer » New » Layer to Background.

   In the New Layer dialog, rename the layer name from "Layer 0" (default) to "TV". Then click Ok button.
   Please note that we have to convert the Background layer to layer because we have to add layer mask to it (Background layer cannot have layer mask). See also Photoshop Background Layer

2. Create selection for the TV by Pen tool and select Path Option at Tool Option Bar. Then draw path around the tv (as show in image below).
   
3. Make selection from path you just create. [Show Detail]
   Within Path Palette , You can make selection from path by do one of following:

   • Ctrl(Command) click at the path layer.
   • Drag the path to Make New Selection Button .
   • Select the path and click at Make New Selection Button .
   • Select the path and choose Path Palette Menu and select Make selection, then enter Feather as needed.

Note: After finish drawing the path you have to save by drag the "work path" to New Button or Double Click at it, otherwise the path you just create will be replaced when you start drawing new path.

4. With TV selected, create mask for TV layer by click at New Layer Mask Button . This will automatically add current selection to layer mask.
5. Now you may notice that some area of "Layer 1" that we create in previous tutorial is still have background. So instead of create another mask for "Layer 1". You can share the "TV" layer mask with "Layer 1" using clipping mask. [Show Detail]
   You can clip the layer by hold-down Alt(Option) and Click the border between "Layer 1" and "TV", the cursor will turn to two overlapping circles . Or select "Layer 1" and choose menu Layer » Create Clipping Mask. Now "Layer 1" will share the same mask with "TV" layer. See also Photoshop Layer Clipping and Photoshop Layer Mask.

   

To add new layer as background with color fill

1. Create new layer by click New Layer Button and rename it to "BG". To rename layer, right-click at its thumbnail in Layer Palette and select Layer Properties. Change Name to "BG".
2. Re-order "BG" layer down below "TV" layer by click and drag "BG" layer in Layer Palette. Then fill it with 50% gray (HSB color H:0 S:0 B:50) [Show Detail]
   by select Gray 50% as foreground and press Alt(Option) + Backspace(Delete) or choose menu Edit » Fill. At the Fill dialog use following options Use: Foreground, Mode: Normal and Opacity: 100%.

Now you should have TV on gray background as shown below.

Continue to Part 3: Add Glow to Objects using Layer Mask »

Non-Destructive Image Editing with Photoshop Layer tutorial

• Introduction
• Part1: Remove unwanted object in image using Layer
• » Part2: Changing Object’s Background Color
• Part3: Add Glow to Objects using Layer Mask
• Part4: Composite image with layer and layer mask

Related Articles:

• All about Photoshop Layer and Layer Palette
• Photoshop Layer Mask and Vector Mask
• Using Photoshop Pen tool
• Photoshop Path, Shape layer and Fill pixel
• Using Photoshop Selection Feather
• HSB color modal

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