Composite image with layer and layer mask

This Photoshop tutorial is last part of Non-Destructive Image Editing with Photoshop Layer tutorial. This part of the tutorial will show you how to composite 2 image with photoshop layer and layer mask or vector mask.

If you like you can download final image in psd format that create from previous tutorial for follow this tutorial below.
Download: layer_tutorial_pt3.zip

Compose TV and Flower Image using Layer Mask

1. With the TV image that you create for previous tutorial still open. Open another sample file (Flower.jpg).
2. With in TV image active select the layer set ("Set 1") in Layer Palette. Use Move Tool and drag flower image into tv image. [Show Detail]
   When you use Move Tool to drag and drop layer across the file. The layer you drag will be place at top of active layer in destination file. So in this tutorial, we want to place flower image to top most layer so first we have to select “Set 1″ before dragging the layer. Anyway you can re-order the layer anytime you like.

   

3. Rename the new layer as "Flower" and now you can close Flower.jpg file if you like. Within tv image, you should have one layer set and a "Flower" Layer.
4. Roughly position it to the center of the image, or use Free Transform Command to scale the layer as needed.
   
5. Now click an eye icon next to "Flower" layer to temporary hide the layer. This will allow you to fully see the tv in Background layer.
6. Use Rectangular Marquee Tool to make a selection around tv screen for masking "Flower" layer. [Show Detail]
   You can make selection by select Marquee Tool or Press M, at tool option bar set Feather to 1px. Click and drag to roughly draw rectangle selection over tv screen. Then choose menu Select » Transform Selection to transform selection to perfectly fit the inner rim of tv screen.
   In other situation that the area you like to make a selection are not geometric. You may have to use
   Pen tool to create a path for making selection.

   

7. Select layer "Flower" and make it visible by click its eye icon . Then click New Layer Mask Button to create mask for layer "Flower". Now you should have flower image shown in the tv screen as in image below.
   

Tips: You can re-position or resize the flower layer without changing the mask position by unlink it from layer mask. You can unlink layer by click link icon between layer and layer mask to deactivate link (the link icon will disappear).

Now you can select "Flower" layer and reposition the flower. You may notice that with layer mask you will easily re-compose the image and the flower image are fix in it boundary. See also Photoshop Link Layer.

Compose TV and Flower Image using Vector Mask

You can also use vector mask instead of layer mask to masking the layer. Vector mask general use for layer that need very grips and sharp vector like edges, mostly for graphic design project. It’s not suitable for compose realistic image like the image in this tutorial. The only reason I use vector mask in this tutorial is to show you how to create and use vector mask.

1. Discard layer mask you just create by click at layer mask thumbnail and drag it to Trash Button at bottom of layer palette, at pop-up dialog click Discard. Or right-click at the layer mask and select Discard Layer Mask.
2. Create path for vector mask using Pen tool or Shape Tool to create path around inner rim of TV screen.
   
3. With the path still active, click New Layer Mask Button twice to apply path to vector mask. The first time you click will create blank layer mask (all visible) and second time will create vector mask.
   

The other advantage of vector mask is, it can be edit easily using Pen tool or Shape Tool like regular path. You can also add another path to current vector mask just draw new line into the mask. But you can not use Brush Tool or other painting tool or any photoshop filter to edit the mask like layer mask.

Now you should have final image similar to example below. You can also use Type Tool to create special layer call Type Layer and adding Layer Style to add variety of effect (glow, drop shadow, emboss and etc.) to type layer. Please refer to Create Text Watermark Tutorial for detail about adding Type and Layer Style.

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 Free Transform Command
• Using Photoshop Selection Feather

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