making odd shape masks

[mattsoton]

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum and am looking for some help advice and guidance please .

I have recently been promoted in my job and my new position requires me to know a lot about Photoshop, the area I need help on is making odd shape masks. for example I need to make a Christmas stocking template so we are able to just drop a photo into this template and it shapes to the template.
I've attached a picture of the shape i require. Im unsure how to start doing this and im going to be asked how to do other shapes as well.

Many thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

 

[dv8_fx]

Hi there... You have to use the pen tool to create the shape selection path then convert it to a mask.

 

[mattsoton]

If I didn't have a picture to pen around how would I create a required shape by measurements?
If the christmas stocking was the wrong shape how would i go about adjusting this?

Sorry for the 20 questions lol.

 

[IamSam]

If I didn't have a picture to pen around how would I create a required shape by measurements?

You don't need a photo image to trace, especially a christmas stocking. But if you need one, simply download one from the net. The final shape can be altered in size using the Free Transform Function. You can also create a grid and guide lines to help.

If the christmas stocking was the wrong shape how would i go about adjusting this?

Any shape drawn with the Pen Tool can be altered using the Path Selection Tool.

 

[dv8_fx]

Sorry... had to "disappear" for a while....

Photoshops ruler scale is not accurate . I don't usually do things to scale in PS . My Final Layout Artwork at actual, accurate size is done on another application.

But this article might help you.... http://forums.adobe.com/thread/860102

 

[dv8_fx]

If the christmas stocking was the wrong shape how would i go about adjusting this?
.

IamSam gave you the answer.....


To clarify what I said earlier.... you need to use the Pen Tool to create the shape. Yes, I traced a sock image .... To manipulate the anchor points, use the other tools in the Pen Tool callout box.

Save your creation as a psd for later use.




To insert the image into it, drag the image into your template and layer it above the shape mask. ALT+click the line between the two layers to make a clipping group. And there you are....



Hope this helps.......

 

[mattsoton]

Thanks for the responses guys, Ill go and have a play with the tips you have given me . thanks again

 

[mattsoton]

Hi guys, I've had a play with the advice you gave me. I have another question. I'm making a new template, how do I make it semetrical? Can I duplicate half the shape to make it perfectly even? Also I drew round it in photoshop but the edges are not rounded where I used the pen tool. How can I make the nice and round or straight?

Thanks

 

[dv8_fx]

Yes you can. Duplicate the layer, Flip it horizontally or vertically, Move and snap them to place.


How to do this may depend on what your working on. I might use the elliptical marquee tool - create a selection inside the object, inverse, and delete excess.

 

[IamSam]

Can I duplicate half the shape to make it perfectly even?

Yes. Duplicate using Command + J, go to EDIT > TRANSFORM > FLIP HORIZONTAL. Then use the Move Tool to position.

Also I drew round it in photoshop but the edges are not rounded where I used the pen tool. How can I make the nice and round or straight?

This is hard to tell without an example, but I would try using the Path Selection Tools to straighten up the path you created with the Pen Tool.

 

[mattsoton]

How to do this may depend on what your working on. I might use the elliptical marquee tool - create a selection inside the object, inverse, and delete excess.

This is the template I am working on Ive now managed to get it symmetrical but I was not sure when you said about the Elliptical marquee tool. ​could you explain how I would go about doing/using this tool?

 

[IamSam]

"could you explain how I would go about doing/using this tool?"

Let's say you have a shape...


You want to trim the top off this shape.
Grab your Elliptical Marquee Tool and create an ellipse that represents the change you would like to make to the top.


Use Shift + Command + I to invert your selection.
Notice this adds the marching ants to the edge of the canvas.


Hit delete......


Command + D to deselect.


That's one of many ways you can use the Elliptical Marquee Tool to change a shape.