Reducing opacity on only part of a picture

[_alexbrandt_]

Hello there,

I've got this data table. I was able to add highlight on the top line by making a mask of the area.
I want to lower the opacity of the bottom part. My issue is that if I make a mask of that area and try to apply a fill or opacity it doesn't change.
Perhaps I need to change the overlay mode ? What settings should I use ?




Thank you.

 

[IamSam]

Is this what your trying to do?

 

[_alexbrandt_]

Is this what your trying to do?

View attachment 93657

Yes !!

How did you do it ?

 

[IamSam]

There are many ways to accomplish this effect.

You mentioned that you used a layer mask. Any chance you could post your PSD file so I can see what you have done?

 

[IamSam]

You can just post a screen shot of your layers panel as well.

 

[_alexbrandt_]

You can just post a screen shot of your layers panel as well.

 

[IamSam]

Ok..........thanks. Give me a minute to post an answer.

 

[IamSam]

OK I'll break this down in a couple of posts so you can be working while your waiting on me.

I'm going to show you the easiest way to do this that allows you to make quick changes if needed.

Make a copy of the original


Make a selection of the line you would like to high light


Use that selection to add a layer mask to the second or top layer.


Hold the option key and drag the layer mask from the top layer to the bottom layer.


Select the layer mask and hit command + I to invert the selection.
This will turn layer mask white.

 

[IamSam]

Select the top layer and add a Solid Color Fill adjustment layer filled with the color you want the highlight to be.
Do this by hitting the "adjustment layer icon" located at the bottom of the layers panel.



Set the layers blending mode to "multiply".
Then clip color fill adjustment layer to the copy 2 layer.


You should have this effect on your canvas.


If you want to quickly change the color of the highlight, just double click the icon and select a new color.

 

[IamSam]

Now we are going to use a trick to make the rest of the text look like it has a lowered opacity.

Now select the Copy 1 layer.
Add another new Solid Color Fill adjustment layer filled with white.
Lower the, new Solid Color Fill adjustment layer that's filled with white, opacity to 50%


Here's what you get.


The beauty of doing it this way is that you have the ability to make quick changes to color, opacity, and masking.

I take it for granted that you know how to do what I have described, if you don't, please don't hesitate to ask questions.

 

[_alexbrandt_]

Now we are going to use a trick to make the rest of the text look like it has a lowered opacity.

Now select the Copy 1 layer.
Add a Solid Color Fill adjustment layer filled with white.
Lower the Solid Color Fill adjustment layer filled with white opacity to 50%
View attachment 93666

Here's what you get.
View attachment 93667

The beauty of doing this way is that you have the ability to make quick changes to color, opacity, and masking.

I take it for granted that you know how to do what I have described, if you don't, please don't hesitate to ask questions.

Thanks man.
Yep I managed.



I do have a question, however.
I know that layer masks can be adjusted with a brush tool. Black hides, white shows, so that by painting white or black on the layer mask we can adjust it.
If I try that in my file, it doesn't really work that way.

If I paint black on the highlighted area, I get the background.
If I paint white, nothing happens.
Why is that ?

 

[IamSam]

If I try that in my file, it doesn't really work that way.

If I paint black on the highlighted area, I get the background.
If I paint white, nothing happens.
Why is that ?

Let me see your layers panel.

 

[_alexbrandt_]

Let me see your layers panel.

 

[IamSam]

Thanks..............err what layer mask are you painting on?

 

[_alexbrandt_]

Thanks..............err what layer mask are you painting on?

Layer 4 Copy mask.

 

[IamSam]

I guess I'm not understanding your problem.

If I add a new selection, filled with white to that layer mask, I add to the highlighted area.



You may need to explain yourself better.

 

[_alexbrandt_]

I guess I'm not understanding your problem.

If I add a new selection, filled with white to that layer mask, I add to the highlighted area.
View attachment 93673
View attachment 93674

You may need to explain yourself better.

Ok, I think the problem is comming from the way I'm "adding a selection" to the current existing mask.
How do you do it on your side ?

 

[IamSam]

Select the layer mask by clicking on it. You will know it's selected when it has white brackets around it.
Then I'm using the Rectangular Marquis Tool to make the selection, then filling that selection with white.

 

[_alexbrandt_]

Select the layer mask by clicking on it. You will know it's selected when it has white brackets around it.
Then I'm using the Rectangular Marquis Tool to make the selection, then filling that selection with white.

Ahh ok. I had trouble actually filling the selection. It seemed to work best with the paint bucket tool.
Thank you !

 

[IamSam]

Ahh ok. I had trouble actually filling the selection.

Hit D on your keyboard. This will reset the foreground and background colors to the default setting of black and white.

When filling a selection, just hit command + delete or option + delete to fill. Hitting X will switch (or flip) the foreground and background colors.