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Reducing opacity on only part of a picture


A

_alexbrandt_

Well-Known Member
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Hello there,

I've got this data table. I was able to add highlight on the top line by making a mask of the area.
I want to lower the opacity of the bottom part. My issue is that if I make a mask of that area and try to apply a fill or opacity it doesn't change.
Perhaps I need to change the overlay mode ? What settings should I use ?

Screen Shot 2018-11-20 at 15.08.05.jpg


Thank you.
 
There are many ways to accomplish this effect.

You mentioned that you used a layer mask. Any chance you could post your PSD file so I can see what you have done?
 
You can just post a screen shot of your layers panel as well.
 
OK I'll break this down in a couple of posts so you can be working while your waiting on me.

I'm going to show you the easiest way to do this that allows you to make quick changes if needed.

Make a copy of the original
Screen Shot 2018-11-20 at 9.22.05 AM.png

Make a selection of the line you would like to high light
Screen Shot 2018-11-20 at 9.20.21 AM.png

Use that selection to add a layer mask to the second or top layer.
Screen Shot 2018-11-20 at 9.26.55 AM.png

Hold the option key and drag the layer mask from the top layer to the bottom layer.
Screen Shot 2018-11-20 at 9.28.22 AM.png

Select the layer mask and hit command + I to invert the selection.
This will turn layer mask white.
Screen Shot 2018-11-20 at 9.29.32 AM.png
 
Select the top layer and add a Solid Color Fill adjustment layer filled with the color you want the highlight to be.
Do this by hitting the "adjustment layer icon" located at the bottom of the layers panel.
Screen Shot 2018-11-20 at 9.57.42 AM.png
Screen Shot 2018-11-20 at 9.48.12 AM copy.png

Set the layers blending mode to "multiply".
Then clip color fill adjustment layer to the copy 2 layer.
Screen Shot 2018-11-20 at 9.34.36 AM.png

You should have this effect on your canvas.
Screen Shot 2018-11-20 at 9.35.03 AM.png

If you want to quickly change the color of the highlight, just double click the icon and select a new color.
 
Last edited:
Now we are going to use a trick to make the rest of the text look like it has a lowered opacity.

Now select the Copy 1 layer.
Add another new Solid Color Fill adjustment layer filled with white.
Lower the, new Solid Color Fill adjustment layer that's filled with white, opacity to 50%
Screen Shot 2018-11-20 at 9.41.59 AM.png

Here's what you get.
Screen Shot 2018-11-20 at 9.42.38 AM.png

The beauty of doing it this way is that you have the ability to make quick changes to color, opacity, and masking.

I take it for granted that you know how to do what I have described, if you don't, please don't hesitate to ask questions.
 
IamSam said:
Now we are going to use a trick to make the rest of the text look like it has a lowered opacity.

Now select the Copy 1 layer.
Add a Solid Color Fill adjustment layer filled with white.
Lower the Solid Color Fill adjustment layer filled with white opacity to 50%
View attachment 93666

Here's what you get.
View attachment 93667

The beauty of doing this way is that you have the ability to make quick changes to color, opacity, and masking.

I take it for granted that you know how to do what I have described, if you don't, please don't hesitate to ask questions.
Click to expand...

Thanks man.
Yep I managed.

Screen Shot 2018-11-20 at 17.39.39.jpg

I do have a question, however.
I know that layer masks can be adjusted with a brush tool. Black hides, white shows, so that by painting white or black on the layer mask we can adjust it.
If I try that in my file, it doesn't really work that way.

If I paint black on the highlighted area, I get the background.
If I paint white, nothing happens.
Why is that ?
 
Thanks..............err what layer mask are you painting on?
 
I guess I'm not understanding your problem.

If I add a new selection, filled with white to that layer mask, I add to the highlighted area.
Screen Shot 2018-11-20 at 10.55.16 AM.png
Screen Shot 2018-11-20 at 10.55.26 AM.png

You may need to explain yourself better.
 
Select the layer mask by clicking on it. You will know it's selected when it has white brackets around it.
Then I'm using the Rectangular Marquis Tool to make the selection, then filling that selection with white.
 
IamSam said:
Select the layer mask by clicking on it. You will know it's selected when it has white brackets around it.
Then I'm using the Rectangular Marquis Tool to make the selection, then filling that selection with white.
Click to expand...

Ahh ok. I had trouble actually filling the selection. It seemed to work best with the paint bucket tool.
Thank you !
 
_alexbrandt_ said:
Ahh ok. I had trouble actually filling the selection.
Click to expand...

Hit D on your keyboard. This will reset the foreground and background colors to the default setting of black and white.

When filling a selection, just hit command + delete or option + delete to fill. Hitting X will switch (or flip) the foreground and background colors.
 
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