Sierra Forest Tutorial
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Photoshop question
I am new here and I am sure I will get flamed for posting an irrelevant question but I have spent three days searching for an answer and I'm not sure where else to look.
<deep breath>
I really loved the forest tutorial (wonderful work, Corby, very inspiring!) and I got started on my own background image, but I had never used Adobe Photoshop Elements before and I made a big mistake. I began my first tree right on the white background and now I can't make it transparent to let other layers show. I did read the Adobe help files and I did make a copy of my background so I could move layers behind it, but the white part blocks the layers beneath. Is there a way to turn that background transparent? Or do I just need to suck it up like a big girl and start over?
Thanks to anyone who can help and apologies to anyone who is offended at my newbie question.
<deep breath>
I really loved the forest tutorial (wonderful work, Corby, very inspiring!) and I got started on my own background image, but I had never used Adobe Photoshop Elements before and I made a big mistake. I began my first tree right on the white background and now I can't make it transparent to let other layers show. I did read the Adobe help files and I did make a copy of my background so I could move layers behind it, but the white part blocks the layers beneath. Is there a way to turn that background transparent? Or do I just need to suck it up like a big girl and start over?
Thanks to anyone who can help and apologies to anyone who is offended at my newbie question.
You could try copying the whole image first, then create a new file that has a transparent layer. After that, paste that image over the transparent layer. Now, use the magic wand and select the white background and press delete. The white background should disappear. You can then use an eraser to remove whatever white outline that remains. There are probably other ways to remove the white background though.
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I ended up using the copy I'd made and then using the background eraser. It's a very tedious process to go all around that tree, but I am getting there. Thanks for your advice.
I have learned two valuable lessons from this. One - ALWAYS follow directions VERY carefully! Two - NEVER allow a cat in your lap while following itty bitty branches with the eraser tool!
Thanks again!
I have learned two valuable lessons from this. One - ALWAYS follow directions VERY carefully! Two - NEVER allow a cat in your lap while following itty bitty branches with the eraser tool!
Thanks again!
Technically you don't really have to use layers either, though they make things much easier to fix up/redo and/or remove if necessary. What I personally do is just block out everything in one layer with a big brush, then gradually refine everything down (Though I do use layers, but in a very disordered manner :P)
I personally would've left the tree there and painted around it (Actually, I'd have started with general background colours, as that makes colours for all the objects then easier to pick correctly). 'Mistakes' during the painting process can always be fixed up.
I personally would've left the tree there and painted around it (Actually, I'd have started with general background colours, as that makes colours for all the objects then easier to pick correctly). 'Mistakes' during the painting process can always be fixed up.
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