Datasheet

Working with Layer Masks 13
Figure 1.27 Transform the top layer to match the monitor
screen size.
As a demonstration of how masks help in this instance, you can quickly place the
techno-collage on the monitor without overlapping beyond the screen’s border. This is a
piece of cake because the monitor face is roughly the same color across the object.
There are a few tools you can use to generate a selection of the screen. The Polygonal
Lasso and Magnetic Lasso tools are safe bets, and even using the
Select
Color Range dialog box would provide mod-
erate success. Looking at the monitor, with its clear,
concise edges on the border of the screen, you might
see that the quickest and easiest way to generate the
needed selection most likely resides in the Magic
Wand tool and its default settings. Ensure that the
Monitor layer is active in the Layers panel and use
the Magic Wand to generate your selection by click-
ing directly on the screen. If the entire screen doesn’t
select, increase the Tolerance value in the Options
bar to 40 or so (see Figure 1.29).
When the selection is generated, return to the
Tech layer and create the mask. The black in the
mask hides the portions of the layer outside the
screen area, while the white area in the mask reveals
the Tech layer. The effect is that the image is now
displayed on the screen, as you can see in
Figure 1.30.
Figure 1.28 Renaming layers
can help organize your edits.
Figure 1.29 Generating a selection of the area
where the second image will be applied will help
you quickly place the photo in the next step.
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