Transparency question

[iDad]

Not sure if this is possible without effecting whole layer..(I have probably been doing it all wrong) lol
can we select a portion of a layer and make it transparent without creating a new layer of the selected object
example:
Lets say you have a bird with his wings spread out full
I want to be able to just select a portion of one of the wings and make it transparent but keep the whole layer without deleting the selection and working with that as a new layer.
I guess best way to say it is make a selection then decrease it opacity without effecting the surrounding area? Make sense?

[Dezigns Unlimited]

Makes sense to me, im glad you asked this question, i was just wondering about this yesterday. I just made a selection and then made a new layer using that selection but as you stated you don't want to use a new layer, i wish i would have thought about the opacity of the selection, never thought of that. Can you actually change the opacity of a selection and it not affect the layer your selecting from with out making a new layer?..

[tricky500]

Do it with a layer mask. The mask does not have to be a 100% black. Instead of making it 100% black make it like 20%..

[tricky500]

You can find out the density of a mask if u have your info pallete open and your on your layer mask channel.. move your mouse around to get density readings. You may have to go into your info pallete options and change a setting or two in there.

[iDad]

Not near comp till later will give it a go asap thanks T

[tricky500]

Oh, and if you're on your mask channel and you need more or less density hit control/command M and it will bring up curves dialog box. Just drag the top right part of the linear curve straight down or straight over to the left for less / more density.

[hawkeye]

Use the mask palette, and decrease the density.

[iDad]

Got it guys.thanks! As usual.couldn't be easier than right in front of me LOL

[tricky500]

Use the mask palette, and decrease the density.

That just decreases the opacity visually. It doesn't physically manipulate the density.