DMA102

Layer Masking Lesson: The Panda Bear

1. Download the Project Folder.
   

2. Open the PandaBear.jpg and Drought.jpg file in Photoshop.
   (Ctrl+O or File > Open or double-click the images from Bridge)
   Note: In CS4, the images will open in Tabs.
   
   
3. Bring the Panda image onto the Drought image.
   Press "V" for your Move Tool. Drag the Panda up to the Drought.jpg Tab.
   Do not release the mouse until the Drought image becomes active and you see a (+) sign over the Drought file.
   
   
   
4. Name the Layers.
   Locate your Layers Panel. If it is closed, press F7 to open it.
   Double click the Background Layer and name it "Ground". Press OK
   Double click over the "Layer 1" text and rename it "Panda" .
   
   
   
5. Add a Layer Mask to the Panda Layer.
   Make sure you are on the Panda Layer. At the bottom of the Layer Panel, click once on the "Add Layer Mask" icon. A Layer Mask thumbnail will now appear on the Panda Layer.
   
   
   
6. Prepare your Brush for Masking.
   Press "B" for your Paintbrush Tool.
   Right Click the brush on the picture to bring up the Brush Settings. Make sure the "Hardness" is set to zero. Press OK.
   Use the Left/Right Bracket keys to change the Brush Size.
   
   
   
7. With Black as your foreground color, use the Brush to 'mask' away the background of the polar bear. To bring back parts of the image, press "x" on your keyboard to switch to White.
   
   
8. Layer Masking Tips:
   • Black adds the Layer Mask
   • White removes the Layer Mask
   • "X" switches between Black and White (if they are your foreground/background colors)
   • "D" defaults your foreground/background colors to black and white
   • [ ] (left/right bracket) makes your brush smaller or larger
     
     









9. File > Open > "title.png"
   Use the Move Tool to drag and drop it onto the layout.
   Name the layer "title"
   Position it near the lower left corner.