Transparent PNG Templates

[RDK980]

Hi there!

I have been struggling with an issue for a while and have so far been unable to find a solution. I need to know how to make transparent PNG canva files with realistic shadows and non washed out colors

I want to create Transparent PNG templates in Photoshop on which other people can easily add their designs, for example in other software like Canva.

Let's say for example it has to do with a yard sign, the area of the yard sign is transparent in the PNG but the rest of the image isn't so all people need to do is add their design on top of it, position it, then send the layer to the background and it blends in with the rest of the image, showing of their design in a realistic looking way unto the yard sign.

The problem I have is that it in the finished transparent PNG image, it seems to be that I have to either choose between have accurate saturated colors but the background texture of the yard sign not being visible so it ends up looking flat and fake, or having the background texture of the yard sign realistically visible but with washed out colors. In Photoshop itself I'm able to create template files that can do both, but I want to create the same effect in transparent PNG files that are also useable for people who do not have the skills to use Photoshop.

My approach to this so far has been:

Step 1: isolate the design area

Step 2: add a 50% gray placeholder image on top of the design area, then isolate the shadows and lights in seperate layers using curve adjustment layers (so shadow and light layers can later be adjusted)

Step 3: use the curve adjustment layers to try and find a sweet spot between washed out colors and accurate background texture, then delete the design area from the background and hide the placeholder layer, then export as a transparent PNG.


What I would like is to end up with transparent PNG files with non washed out colors but also realistic background textures, I've tried adding brightness contrast layers to the lights and shadows layer and the placeholder layer, but the effects of those all seem to get lost when I export the image as a transparent PNG.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this, thank you in advance!

 

[IamSam]

Hello and welcome. I'm not at all sure as to why you are trying this method.........for what reason? You say it's, "for people who do not have the skills to use Photoshop" so where are they going to use this PNG? In Canva or some other program?

Are you just trying to create Ps mockups or are the PNG templates something different? Please explain how they might be used. You can import layered PSD files directly into Canva.

If the PNG is to be used with Ps, why are you not using a Smart Object for a project of this type? This is one of the simplest ways for non-Photoshop users to understand and make quick edits even if they have only a basic understanding of Ps. Double click, drag & drop, resize and position, save.

With a Smart Object, you preserve all shadows, highlights, and texture from the original image without compromising the background.....

 

[RDK980]

Thank you for your response.

To answer your question, I have found that not everyone likes to work in Photoshop/Photopea, or has the funds to do so, in the case of PS. Some people prefer to work in Canva for example.

I'm aware that a template file with Smart objects in Photoshop produces the best result, but I was wondering if there is a way to also produce a satisfying result with a transparent PNG instead?

Your suggestion that PSD files can be uploaded in Canva is helpful, I didn't know that, however when I tried this, the layers seem to be gone, and all layers seem to be merged, making it impossible to use the smart object layer.

 

[IamSam]

I'm aware that a template file with Smart objects in Photoshop produces the best result, but I was wondering if there is a way to also produce a satisfying result with a transparent PNG instead?

Can you upload one of your PSD files that you are trying to convert to PNG?

In the meantime, here is a vid on what I think you're trying to do..........

Your suggestion that PSD files can be uploaded in Canva is helpful, I didn't know that, however when I tried this, the layers seem to be gone, and all layers seem to be merged, making it impossible to use the smart object layer.

If you were just using the PSD for use in Canva, you would not need the smart objects, just use standard layering and this will convert to Canva.

 

[IamSam]

Here is a transparent PNG file I made using the shadow isolation technique from the video above.
I left the shadows a bit dark for the demo.
(These are screen shots and not the actual PNG)


With color BG on the sign.....


And now a photo of a girl on the sign. Shadows preserved in the PNG file.


Actual PNG file...

 

[RDK980]

That looks really good! That is indeed what I'm trying to achieve.

So what is shown in this video, but instead the background shouldn't be transparent, but the object in the middle should be, like in your example.

Did you use the techniques in this video?

I tried uploading one of the PSD files, but it's too large, so I instead uploaded it unto Google Drive, you can find it here.

Test PSD file - Google Drive

drive.google.com

 

[IamSam]

Did you use the techniques in this video?

Yes. I made a selection of the sign and followed the steps in the (T-Shirt) video. Just a note, I have been using the technique for many years now. For some reason, I wasn't sure what you were asking for.

I tried uploading one of the PSD files, but it's too large, so I instead uploaded it unto Google Drive, you can find it here.

Thanks. This is a normal method for uploading PSD files here on the forum..

 

[IamSam]

From what I see on your file, the only thing you have done wrong is that you did not delete the sign in your photo....



Works great! (Here with red BG) Note: This is a screenshot of the PNG file I exported from your PSD file.

 

[IamSam]

What technique did you use to isolate your shadows and highlights?? Please explain.

 

[RDK980]

I tried following your steps, but as you can see in the final step, the image looks washed out, although the background texture of the sign is properly visible.



The technique I used to isolate the shadows and highlights is from this video.

Basically I followed step by step what he did, and then I tweaked the curves and opacity of the layers a bit to suit the image.

 

[IamSam]

I tried following your steps,

Did you follow the shadow removal technique from the T-Shirt video???

This is an exported PNG after using the T-Shirt shadow extraction technique....


This is an exported PNG after using your shadow extraction technique. There is a difference. Your technique preserves too much of the highlights which causes the "washed out" look.

 

[IamSam]

This is with your lighting layer turned ON and your shadow layer turned OFF. The box to the center left is the original 50% grey.




This your shadows layer tuned ON and Light layer turned OFF. The box to the center left is the original 50% grey.

 

[IamSam]

Exported PNG using T-Shirt shadow extraction technique with added Bevel & Emboss as well as a light "Highlight" gradient layer included with the saved PNG.
Note: This is just a quick example!



This is what the PSD file layers panel looked like before I exported it as a PNG.
Note: The Bevel & Emboss was added to a solid white layer with the fill set to 0%.

 

[RDK980]

Did you follow the shadow removal technique from the T-Shirt video???

This is an exported PNG after using the T-Shirt shadow extraction technique....
View attachment 149038

This is an exported PNG after using your shadow extraction technique. There is a difference. Your technique preserves too much of the highlights which causes the "washed out" look.
View attachment 149039

That looks amazing, thank you so much for putting in all the effort. I´m definately going to try the technique from the t-shirt video!

This is with your lighting layer turned ON and your shadow layer turned OFF. The box to the center left is the original 50% grey.

View attachment 149040


This your shadows layer tuned ON and Light layer turned OFF. The box to the center left is the original 50% grey.
View attachment 149041

And you even gave me the explanation to why it's going wrong with my original technique, I couldn't figure it out.

Exported PNG using T-Shirt shadow extraction technique with added Bevel & Emboss as well as a light "Highlight" gradient layer included with the saved PNG.
Note: This is just a quick example!

View attachment 149044

This is what the PSD file layers panel looked like before I exported it as a PNG.
Note: The Bevel & Emboss was added to a solid white layer with the fill set to 0%.
View attachment 149045

Looks even better, I can't thank you enough. Basicaly you answered all my questions and more, I am going to work on learning and applying these new techniques!

Thank you so much!!

 

[IamSam]

You're very welcome!

 

[RDK980]

Exported PNG using T-Shirt shadow extraction technique with added Bevel & Emboss as well as a light "Highlight" gradient layer included with the saved PNG.
Note: This is just a quick example!

View attachment 149044

This is what the PSD file layers panel looked like before I exported it as a PNG.
Note: The Bevel & Emboss was added to a solid white layer with the fill set to 0%.
View attachment 149045

May I ask, how did you make the Gradient Highlight layer in this example? What steps and what settings did you use?

And as an additional question: do you know if there is any way to record saving the action of saving the image as a transparent png?

If I use file --> Export as --> PNG, for some reason the action is not recorded.

Thank you!

 

[RDK980]

I have managed to figure out the second point about recording saving as PNG, not the first point yet.