Help me understand a few things with layer, masks and embedded assets

[_alexbrandt_]

Hello PS pros,

I've tried to do a few simple manipulations with layers and embedded objects but I'm struggling.
At its core, I'm essentially trying to replace the profile picture with the new one, which has a background.

This is my layer window.



Here are my questions.

1. The "mask" that I have framed in red. Is this a normal mask or is this another object? What's the name if it's not a mask? Does it have more or less functionality than a traditional mask?
2. Can this mask be copied and applied on layer one? If yes, how? OR can the profile picture on layer 2 be replaced by other picture/asset?
4. If I embed a picture, is embedding directly from a .psd file a best practice? Should it be avoided and instead embed a flattened image?
5. When I embed a picture, and I edit it, it opens as a separate file in PS. However, once I do the modifications (typically the crop tool) and save, none of those motifs appear in the embedded file?
Is there another proper way to use the crop tool on an embedded picture layer?

 

[thebestcpu]

Hi @_alexbrandt_
Could you attach the PSD file or, if it is too large, a link to the file on Dropbox or equivalent?
Also, what version of Photoshop are you using?
I may be the wrong forum member to give you feedback yet some things in that Layer Panel do not make sense to me e.g. I have never seen a Layer Maks to the left of the image or Smart Object Thumbnail.
Thanks
John Wheeler

 

[IamSam]

I think there is some confusion here. I agree with John that the layers within the layers panel seem very odd. You would need to post your PSD file so we can take a look at it.

This is a simple process of using a smart object to facilitate the addition or changing of the photo image within a specific background.

All you need are two layers. No need for layer masks at all!

One rectangle in the color of choice as your background. Color can easily be changed.
One ellipse in white, converted to a smart object to serve as a placeholder/template.



When you double click the smart object (placeholder/template) layers thumbnail, it will open a new PSB file.


It will look like this....


Now add a photo via embed, resize and position and clip to the white ellipse layer.
It will now look like this....

(This is the layers panel for the PSB file)


Save (and close) the PSB file and it will update the placeholder/template layer in the original file......


You can also add a layer style to the placeholder/template layer to add effects, in this case a stroke.



Anytime you want to change the photo, just double click the placeholder/template/smart object layers thumbnail and change.

 

[IamSam]

Anytime you want to change the photo, just double click the placeholder/template/smart object layers thumbnail and change.

PSB layers panel with new image added via embed, and clipped....


Save and close PSB file.
New updated PSD file with new image.
I also changed the color of the background and the stroke!

PSD layers panel.


Also note that both images are smart objects within the PSB file...........you can double click either one and make changes..........like color enhancement, contrast, etc....

You can also add a layer style to the background rectangle and add effects such as pattern overlay shown here.....

 

[_alexbrandt_]

Hello @IamSam

Thanks for the suggestions. Your explanations make a lot of sense.
The structure I have in my PSD file for layers 2 & 3, I got there following click-for-click a YouTube tutorial last year.

The result looks like this. As you can see.
1. The actual background is transparent (on a PNG exported file). It is not a hard color/or white in the PSD file.
2. The stroke/contour is thick, it’s not a real stroke. It’s essentially the difference in size between the blue elips and the cropped profile picture that is just slightly smaller and positioned in the center.



Following your methodology, how would I achieve a result where the image background is transparent like that with a thick stroke?
I think this effect is achieve which this sort of mask I have in layer 2 and that seems to be confusing you and @thebestcpu

​

 

[IamSam]

Following your methodology, how would I achieve a result where the image background is transparent like that with a thick stroke?

Turn off the background layer. Turn off the stroke if you don't want it.

Screen shot showing result. Stroke off....


Screen shot with stroke on.....


Actual saved PNG with stroke off....

 

[IamSam]

The structure I have in my PSD file for layers 2 & 3, I got there following click-for-click a YouTube tutorial last year.

Can you please link me to that tutorial?

 

[_alexbrandt_]

Can you please link me to that tutorial?

No idea, this was a while ago.

 

[_alexbrandt_]

@IamSam

Ok, I managed to follow your instructions and got exactly what I wanted.

 

[IamSam]

No idea, this was a while ago.

Can you provide me with any information concerning the tutorial? What were you searching for? Surely you can remember something about it to allow you to find it again.

 

[_alexbrandt_]

Hey @IamSam

I believe this is the one:

 

[thebestcpu]

Hey @IamSam

I believe this is the one:

Thank you @_alexbrandt_ for sharing. I had not used that before.
I just learned a new tool on Photoshop
John Wheeler

 

[IamSam]

AHHHHHHhhhhhhh............that explains a lot!! LOL!!!

The Frame Tool!

 

[Rich54]

AHHHHHHhhhhhhh............that explains a lot!! LOL!!!

The Frame Tool!

I've been breathlessly following this thread because I was completely baffled by the OP's mask on the left of an image icon. I have never in my life heard of the frame tool until just now. Live and learn.

 

[IamSam]

I was completely baffled by the OP's mask on the left of an image icon.

So was I. I searched everywhere trying to figure it out! I found nothing. I simply don't understand why Adobe would not have a comprehensive visual list of all layer thumbnail badges/Icons/symbols located in the thumbnails lower right hand corner!!!



Just for general information, I have played with the Frame Tool as an alternative to just using an ellipse as a placeholder. It's limited and and really does not accomplish the one thing it's supposed to do and that's to crop an image in a circle. You're still left with what is a rectangular document with what's essentially a useless mask.

Here's what happens when you try to stroke the frame...


I had to add another layer to stroke the ellipse with a layer style and lowered fill. Just another unnecessary step.




While I'm glad that we finally figured out the mystery of the frame thumbnail, I will stick with a more editable technique like I described above.

 

[Rich54]

I have played with the Frame Tool as an alternative to just using an ellipse as a placeholder. It's limited and and really does not accomplish the one thing it's supposed to do and that's to crop an image in a circle. You're still left with what is a rectangular document with what's essentially a useless mask.

I'm sticking with my trusty CS5. There are several new features in the last dozen years that I really wish I had, but there are also a lot of unnecessary bells & whistles, and the frame tool seems like one of those. Adobe has offered a poor solution to something that was never much of a problem to begin with.

In Bill Maher's weekly HBO show, he did an editorial complaining about "Reverse Improvement", defined as a tech upgrade that nobody wants, needs or likes and that usually makes things worse. He said that in the good old days, he'd go to LA restaurants with valet parking and give a tip to the attendent by reaching out his arm and handing the guy some money. But now, to get his car he needs to reach for his phone, scan a QR code, download an app, log-in with a user name and password, and then use Venmo to send a tip to a man standing ten feet away. Ah... progress!