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Artistic Questions

Opacity

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kerrym
 
Posts: 311

Opacity

Post Sun Aug 03, 2008 8:02 am


I am wanting to create some of my images to half opacity (unsure of how to correctly word that!). Is there a way I can just drop the opacity without creating a layer? Haven't got my head around layers yet, so would like an easy explanation.

I'm trying to achieve an opaque image so that it can be used as a background to some words, and not be a dominant feature.
Kerry Mitchell NZ
http://www.pbase.com/kerrym

dang
 
Posts: 3780

Re: Opacity

Post Sun Aug 03, 2008 9:19 am


Hi Kerry,
Not knowing which program you use, I'll assume it to be PhotoShop Elements?
You might look for tips in this forum: http://www.elementsvillage.com/forums/ Be sure to include the program version when asking questions.
There's also a lot of tutorial sites you can find using Google, including video tuts which seem to work best for me... even though my processing stinks. :oops:

kerrym
 
Posts: 311

Re: Opacity

Post Sun Aug 17, 2008 8:12 am


Thanks for replying Dang... apologies, I'm in Photoshop 7. Still working on this little project, hence delay for getting back. Appreciated, your reply.
Kerry Mitchell NZ
http://www.pbase.com/kerrym

akmc_in_au
 
Posts: 954

Re: Opacity

Post Mon Aug 18, 2008 10:57 am


kerrym wrote:Thanks for replying Dang... apologies, I'm in Photoshop 7. Still working on this little project, hence delay for getting back. Appreciated, your reply.


I know from your first post that you're generally layer-averse, but at their simplest they can be quite easy to use and would probably be the best solution for what you have in mind.

Try this solution:
- Look at the image information to see the exact size of your existing image. I came into PhotoShop with CS2 so I don't know where it is in 7, but 7 probably has an Image menu, and that's doubtless where that information is.
- Create a new blank image with the exact same dimensions as your existing image, using whatever background colour you want.
- Select the whole of your existing image.
- Paste that selection into your new image. This will go on as a layer.
- Go to the Layers dialog, probably [F7] or on the Windows menu. You should see a layer called Background, and a layer called Layer 1. All you have to do now is change Layer 1's opacity to about 50%, and you've got your wish.

The other advantage is that it leaves your original image unscathed.

It'd work in CS3; I can't guarantee that it'll work in 7, but I can't think why it wouldn't. This is pretty vanilla functionality for PS.


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