Mockup - writing behind arch

[oodya]

Hello all,

I have a square invitation card. I would like to insert a square layer behind the 'arch on the right side' - so in essence the writing will show behind the arch, but in front of the back card.

Would someone be able to point me in the right direction and tell me how to do this?

Thank you,

Oodya

 

[IamSam]

You used the term mock-up, are you trying to create a smart object based PSD file where the "writing" can be changed by double clicking?

 

[oodya]

Yes, exactly.

 

[IamSam]

Ok............

Create a rectangle about the approximate size of the card.


Convert the rectangle into a smart object.
Copy the rectangle smart object layer and turn off the copy.

Go back to the first rectangle layer, reduce the opacity, use free transform to "roughly" place the corners to match the card in the image.
Return to original opacity when done.



Select/Highlight the first smart object layer (working SO layer in my example)

Add a layer mask.

Turn off the the first smart object layer while working with the Pen Tool.
Use the Pen Tool to make an exact selection of the card.



Convert the path to a selection, invert the selection if needed so it looks like this...


Turn the first smart object layer back on after you have made your selection.
Make sure you have the layer mask selected by clicking on it. It should have white brackets around it.
Then fill the layer mask/selection with black.

Now double click the second smart object layer (no need to turn it on). A PSB file will open.
Create a new transparent layer
Turn off the original layer
Use the Type Tool to add text............or copy and paste.
Close the PSB file and save.

Done.

 

[oodya]

I'll give that a shot. Thank you very much!

 

[oodya]

Hello,

I am attempting this now and have a couple of questions. For where it says 'Return to original opacity when done', if I do this, then the complete top of the card gets covered i.e. the arch is behind the layer - am I missing something? I have changed the opacity to 20% then used the pen tool to make the selection (then went to 'Select' - 'Inverse').

Also, where you have wrote 'Use the Pen Tool to make an exact selection of the card' - which layer should be selected?

Thank you for all your help,

Oodya

 

[oodya]

Hello,

So I tried something different. I used the lasso tool to select the arch, then clicked on 'Make via cut'. I created a rectangle smart object layer as you mentioned and used that to in the middle of the arch and the back of the card.

That seems to work,

Thank you for all your help.

Oodya

 

[IamSam]

For where it says 'Return to original opacity when done', if I do this, then the complete top of the card gets covered i.e. the arch is behind the layer - am I missing something?

No, you're not missing anything. I assumed that you would know to turn the layer off while working with the Pen Tool. My mistake.......I will add that to the instructions.

Also, where you have wrote 'Use the Pen Tool to make an exact selection of the card' - which layer should be selected?

The first Smart Object rectangle layer......."Working SO layer" in my layers panel example.

 

[IamSam]

So I tried something different. I used the lasso tool to select the arch, then clicked on 'Make via cut'. I created a rectangle smart object layer as you mentioned and used that to in the middle of the arch and the back of the card.

That seems to work,

Please post a screen shot of this.................I don't think this works for editing.

Using the techniques I describe, you can easily edit the card by double clicking the second (2nd) SO layer.

 

[IamSam]

If I'm understanding you........is this what you have done?



This is what your PSB will look like.......


This is what mine looks like.....

or

 

[oodya]

Hello,

I used the Polygonal lasso tool to draw around the arch. I then right clicked on the arch and went to layer by cut. I then created a smart object rectangle (which I learned from you) and put that layer in between the main image file and the new arch layer.

 

[IamSam]

Ok, I see now what you have done.

Your method would be destructive to the original image and not editable. When you use "Layer via cut" it removes the selected area from the original image. Layer via copy would be the better choice..............even though it's still not editable.


Whereby using the layer mask is non-destructive to the original. The layer mask also allows you to constrain and match all the subtle curves of the card as well as make changes/edits to the masked area.


The reason why you make a copy of the Smart Object rectangle is so you can group all the working layers in a larger more complicated mock-up and anyone, such as a novice, can easily just double click the "Click on me to change" layer.

You cant use the Polygonal Lasso Tool to cut out curves. It only works in straight lines.




Compared to the Pen Tool which should be used to cutout curves.