make an object like a glass transparent in photoshop?

[ptl5spd]

I have an object that I need to photograph and make transparent for video purposes. How would I go about doing this with Photoshop?

I have a clean product shot against a white background, but I can also take one against black if that makes any difference. I tried searching the forums and the web but I think my wording was a bit too technical, and I was unable to find any information. Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[chitkaran]

Put the glass on top of the background layer.

Use lasso/pen took to select the area inside the glass where your eye has the viewing angle.

Use Layer via Cut and put the selected later on top of the glass later.

Blur the layer a bit and lower the opacity a bit. Use free transform -> warp and adjust the edges of the layer.

Done.


Here's a quick illustration (psd attached for reference)

 

[Remote-Medic]

Get the image in Photoshop, create layer mask over the image and then blend the area you want to be transparent with varying shades of grey, black will remove completely, white will put it back and depending on shading of your brush and pressure/opacity etc.

Using Layer Mask and a grey brush.

bit rough I know but was describing a technique rather than getting the image perfect

 

[ibclare]

To chitkaran's file I have added another option. Add the filter>artistic>plastic wrap effect. Play with the settings, smoothness max. Adjust the layer opacity.



Another option is to make another layer and hand paint in some higlights with a soft white brush then set the layer blend mode to soft light.

 

[ibclare]

chitkaran, you flattened some layers in your psd file so it's hard to follow what you've done.


Here is another way to do this. It involves of course making the glass into a selection. I've used the pen tool and created a layer mask. Then use the pen tool to make a tracing of the inside of the glass.

Make a selection of the inside of the glass and turn off the eye. You'll use this layer later. Duplicate the original glass -- you might need it later (though if you use masking, you still have it intact).

Now use the select>color range. Set the fuzziness and the range pretty low and select the white mainly from the background; you are using the low settings so that not all the white is gone from the glass. Some people will use blend if options for this, or even levels. PS; lots of options. Click OK on the color range and use the selection to create a mask, or if you're confident, use erase (you can alos undo). If necessary do the color select on another copy of the glass. It might help to combine both layers, maybe set one to soft light over the other.

Now ctl/cmd click on the inside glass path or on the thumbnail of that layer and remove or mask out the inside of the glass. Turn on the inside glass layer and set it to overlay mode, then lower the opacity till you get a brightness and a bit of roundness to the glass. I set it to 35%. Like I said before, this being Photoshop, there are always plenty of ways to do the same thing. You just need to pick one that you are comfortable with doing.



In this instance, the perspective of the glass is off. So is the color balance. You'll need to adjust that. Add a photo filter and adjust the opacity - try all 3 warming filers - or do a color balance, hue, or channel mix adjustment.

 

[chitkaran]

i just did the settings from filters clare... didnt flatten them

 

[ibclare]

Oh, sorry. I guess I should have read your steps better. As they say, "my bad." :redface:

 

[chitkaran]

chitkaran, you flattened some layers in your psd file so it's hard to follow what you've done.


Here is another way to do this. It involves of course making the glass into a selection. I've used the pen tool and created a layer mask. Then use the pen tool to make a tracing of the inside of the glass.

Make a selection of the inside of the glass and turn off the eye. You'll use this layer later. Duplicate the original glass -- you might need it later (though if you use masking, you still have it intact).

Now use the select>color range. Set the fuzziness and the range pretty low and select the white mainly from the background; you are using the low settings so that not all the white is gone from the glass. Some people will use blend if options for this, or even layers. PS; lots of options. Click OK on the color range and use the selection to create a mask, or if you're confident, use erase (you can alos undo). If necessary do the color select on another copy of the glass. It might help to combine both layers, maybe set one to soft light over the other.

Now ctl/cmd click on the inside glass path or on the thumbnail of that layer and remove or mask out the inside of the glass. Turn on the inside glass layer and set it to overlay mode, then lower the opacity till you get a brightness and a bit of roundness to the glass. I set it to 35%. Like I said before, this being Photoshop, there are always plenty of ways to do the same thing. You just need to pick one that you are comfortable with doing.

View attachment 24178

In this instance, the perspective of the glass is off. So is the color balance. You'll need to adjust that. Add a photo filter (maybe lower opacity of filter) or do a color balance, hue, or channel mix adjustment.

Spot on Clare. I illustrated only the initial steps to follow but Yes, I should have explained it details too. I tried your steps and it gives a real life effect. Thanks for the Info.