Expert: Glen Demers - 5/2/2011

Question
I have CS 5 with photoshop. I created a custom wave vector in illustrator and wanted to fit an image inside this wave vector. I have done it before and can't seem to figure out where i am going wrong. I use the magic wand tool to select the parts outside of the wave and then when i go to "cut", cut is unavailable as an option. Is there an intermediate step I am missing??? Please help. THis is driving me crazy.

Answer
Hi Sarah,

Once you have made your selection, go to Layer>Layer Mask>Hide Selection. If that option isn't available double click on your Background layer in the layers palette to make it Layer 1.

Here's a sample of what I mean from my blog:
http://glenbest.blogspot.com/2010/09/using-layer-mask-to-shape-your-image.html

When you have a layer mask you can move it to another layer just by dragging it to the other layer in the Layers Palette. Layer Masks are very powerful tools to use in Photoshop and well worth the time it takes to learn them.

Hope this helps,
Glen Demers
Adobe Certified Expert, Photoshop 7
Prepress Technician, Best Printing Online
www.bestprintingonline.com

For more Photoshop tips please visit our help pages here: http://www.bestprintingonline.com/photoshop.htm