Demo'd the "basic" Vector Mask using the Cell Phone image from Lesson 1.

Vector Masks & 8-bit Layer Masks:

On-line Learning Aids for Vector Masks

A video tutorial of today's demo can be found "#6 Selecting Objects" on page 2 of the Com 2250 Tutorials section of this website. Additional applications for Vector Mask uses can be found in the video "#6 Vector Masks" on page 1 of the Other Tutorials section of this website.

Vector Mask vs. 8-bit Layer Mask

An 8-bit Layer Mask uses an 8-bit Alpha Channel to Reveal/Conceal certain parts of the image on its adjoining layer. The 8-bit Channel is pixel based, and you can think of it like a grayscale image, which is also 8-bits. 8-bits simply means that there are 256 possible shades of gray (2^8) that can be used for a pixel on the mask. This is also referred to as 8-bit color depth.

How does one come up with these numbers for possible shades?

A 1-bit image (also known as lineart or Bitmap Mode image) has 2 possible shades-black or white or two possible digital states-either ON or OFF. Mathematically this can be thought of as 2^1 (the "1" is the "bit") = 2 (colors-black & white).

An 8-bit image starts off with the same 1-bit with 2 "either on or off" states but is computed to the power of the bit--in other words 2^8 equals 256 possible shades of gray that fall between and including black and white. Black equals "0" and White equals "255" as far as the "Level" number is concerned.

When you create a Layer Mask (which is an 8-bit Alpha Channel Mask), you use these shades to either totally conceal, totally reveal, or partially conceal or reveal isolated parts of the image. Shades of gray on a layer mask will partially reveal a percentage of opacity of the image.

You can use selection tools and fills on 8-bit layer masks as well as paint brush tools, filters and even the Transform command to edit the mask. An 8-bit Layer mask can give you a soft edge, partial or complete translucency, or opaqueness as well as a hard edge--but the hard edge cannot rival the vector mask when you have to transform or resample the image.

Vector Technology is Math based not pixel based

The Vector Mask uses a different technology, and different tools. The anatomy consists of anchor points, (either corner or smooth points) straight path segments, curved path segments, direction lines, and direction points. The masking results can be dramatically different from using "pixel based" tools and 8-bit layer masks.

Path Outlines are non-printable You should think of the path outlines like a "wire" and not a printable line. The path outlines and direction lines do not print; they are more like guidelines, in that respect - their visibility an be toggled on or off, but they don't print. A path can be stroked with pixels or filled with pixels, or be used as a vector mask around pixels. It is those interior or stroked areas that can be printed.

Edges look jaggy Often when path lines are visible around a fill color or pixel object, the viewer may think the image has jaggy edges. This optical illusion occurs simply because of the color vibration to the path outline. Turn the path visibility off by pressing Command H (Mac), Control H (PC) and make sure you're viewing the document at 100%, 50%, or 25%. Other odd number viewing percentages that do not divide evenly into "100" can give you a distorted and untrue view of your image.

Sharpest on Curves and Diagonals The Vector Mask produces a very sharp edge. The edge is most noticeable on diagonal and curved border areas. Horizontal and Vertical borders on either an 8-bit layer mask or Vector Mask are virtually the same--even if scaled.

All or nothing You cannot "partially" reveal a percentage of transparency with a Vector Mask--it's all or nothing!

Changing the Vector Mask You cannot use brush tools and filters on Vector Masks, but you can use the Transform command. To move, edit, or adjust the borders of the Vector mask you can also use the Direct Selection (white solid arrow) tool and then click on the path and then select a point or direction line to move. You can also add or delete existing anchor points by selecting the Pen tool, hover over a point or a line on an active path, and the intuitive visual cursor will flash a "+" or "-" sign" to let you know what will happen "if you click at this point or path segment."

Vector Mask Steps

STEP ONE: Convert the Background layer to a regular layer by double clicking on it. Accept the default name.

STEP TWO: Choose a vector tool- the Pen tool or any of the Shape or Custom Shape Tools.

STEP THREE: Select the middle icon (pen on a square) in the upper left of Top Options bar, which is the choice to create non-printable paths when drawing with your vector tool.

STEP FOUR: Draw an outline with the vector tool around the area or subject. If using the Pen tool, click your first point, release mouse and move the cursor further around the subject and click another point - a path segment will appear between the two points. Clicking a point and dragging will produce a smooth point (used before and after curved areas you wish to draw) which has a direction line which can be edited with the Direct Selection tool (white arrow). The Direct Selection tool can be toggled while using the Pen tool by holding down the Command key on a Mac or Control key on a PC. The Direct Selection tool allows you to select a straight path segment (a segment between two corner points) a corner point, smooth points, or the direction line points to manipulate the path. See video #4 Paths and Pen Tool on page 2 of the Com2250 tutorials area of this site.

STEP FIVE: When you are close to completing the path around the subject and you get close to the origin point of the path, a tiny open circle will flash next to your pen cursor. This indicates "closing the path," will occur if you click a point. This is what you want. Once the path is complete, and the outlines are visible, hold down the Command key on a Mac, Control key on a PC, and click the Add Mask icon at the bottom of the Layers palette. Holding down the modifier key while clicking the Add Mask icon will add a Vector Mask to the layer, which you can further edit with the vector tools, if needed. The white area of the Vector Mask that you see in the Vector Mask thumbnail is the area of the subject that will be revealed in the Document window.

STEP SIX: Often it's a good idea to create a slip layer. A slip layer is a colored layer that "slips" underneath the masked layer in the Layers palette. Think of it like a piece of colored paper, under a cutout. It will help you see if there are any edges that need to be edited further on your vector mask layer.

To create the slip layer, click on the Add Fill/Adjustment icon at the bottom of the Layers palette and choose "Solid Fill." Pick a color that will contrast with the subject, in other words--pick a color that your subject does not have ( I usually choose a dusty rose color). Click OK.

By default this Fill/Adjustment color slip layer will appear above your masked image, so move the color fill layer beneath the subject layer in the Layer's palette.

STEP SEVEN: If your Vector Mask Layer needs any adjustments, highlight that layer, click on it's mask thumbnail to activate the path and use the Pen Tool to add/delete points and the Direct Selection tool (white solid arrow) to adjust or move the points, direction lines, or the path borders.

Updated PDF Presentation Instructions

To view an example of what you're going for - Click HERE to download and view an 3MB optimized version of Mama's PDF Presentation Show. Be sure to un-zip the folder then View the pdf in Acrobat.

Acrobat Shortcuts:

Command L (Mac); Control L (PC): Will toggle between Full Screen and Menu view.

Command + or - (Mac); Control + or - : Will zoom in or out of the Screen.

Esc key will stop the slide show.

See Page 3 of Com 2250 Tutorials section for Movie Aids pertaining to this project.

Overview:

Create 3 document files: Save all three files to a folder you create, "presentation_yourfirstname" Place your "presentation_yourfirstname" folder, which contains your 3 document files, inside of the existing Server folder which is named "MID-TERM_Presentations"

1. Title Page - Name it "title_yourfirstname.psd"

2. Master Presentation Layered file with Layer Comps - Name it "mp_yourfirstname.psd

3. Master Presentation Show - Name it "mp_show_yourfirstname" (This file will be generated from your Layer Comps, in the previous document) When using the File>Scripts>Layer Comps to PDF script click the Destination field to set up a temporary folder to generate the show, in the name field, name it "mp_show_yourfirstname" (the "pdf" extension will be added by the Script.)

Size for all three files: 1024 pixels Wide x 768 pixels High; Resolution: 100 ppi

1. Title Page. The Theme for this page is "Classics or Classic." This will be the first slide in your presentation. The information on this page is discretionary. It's up to you!

• This should be an original design using some of the techniques you've learned in the ad lessons. Be able to identify which techniques you used. Although I suggest using three techniques, it is subjective to your discernment upon what will produce the best design and impact.
• While there is no limit on layers, you must use at least 1 Type Layer.

Tips: Keep your fonts, colors and images consistent with the theme. Make a quick list of synonyms, nouns and adjectives that come to mind when you hear the words classic or classics. What are some "classic" things? Make a list of nouns preceded by the word classic. What materials and textures are reminiscent of something classic? Your quick list will help you visualize the concept.

2. Master Presentation. This is the file where you will create your Layer Sets or Groups for each of six Ads.

Creating your first Ad Set (Group)

Part A:

• Create a background
• Create a Type Layer that identifies the Ad (Usually the Title of the the Chapter's Lesson will suffice). Make sure you select the proper justification for your Type. You must do this before generating duplicate Sets (Groups), so that the replacement Text will line up consistently for each Ad slide group.
• Bring a flattened version of the Ad into this document. Position and Scale to an appropriate size, add a drop shadow layer effect (optional).

Optional. You may also incorporate any additional design elements on additional layers to enhance the presentation of the slide

Tips:

• If you have filled the Background layer with a color, be sure to double click on it to change to Layer 0, so it can be included in a Layer Set (Group).
• To control file size, merge any elements that are not going to change when the slide changes. Examples of things to merge would be a background color merged with design elements and or Type that does not need to change with the slide.

CS2: Click on the top layer, then hold down Shift and click the bottom layer. All layers will be highlighted. Click the Layers palette flyout menu and choose New Group from Layers. This will put all those highlighted layers in a Set. Name the Set, so you can identify it's contents. The visibility icon for the Set layer can control the visibility for the entire contents of the set.

CS: Click on the top layer, then click in the link column for all other layers. Click the Layers palette flyout menu and choose New Set from Linked. This will put all those linked layers in a Set. Name the Set, so you can identify it's contents. The visibility icon for the Set layer can control the visibility for the entire contents of the set.

Part B:

Duplicate the Set

With the Set Folder highlighted, click the Layers palette flyout tab and choose either Duplicate Group or Duplicate Set, depending on which version of Photoshop you have., and rename the Set (Group) appropriate to the Ad.

Drag the new set beneath the previous one. Expand the set triangle, remove the ad layer and replace with a flattened version of your next ad.

Double click the existing type layer and change it to reflect the new name for this ad.

Repeat

Repeat from Part B the same procedure for the rest of the ads. (Six ads total).

Finishing the Master Presentation File

Bring a flattened version of your Title Page to the top position of this document, so that your Layers palette resembles the screen capture below, with one merged Title Page Layer, and six Layer Sets (Groups) which contain the ad and it's relative components for the slide.

Part C:

Generate Layer Comps

1. Open the Layer Comps palette (Window>Layer Comps).

2. Turn the visibility on for your Title Page and all Layer sets.

3. Click the page icon at the bottom of the Layer Comps palette, check all options and name this Comp "01"

4. Turn the visibility off for the Title Page and click the page icon at the bottom of the Layer Comps palette, to generate "02" in the Layer Comps palette.

5. Repeat the above procedure until your Layer Comps palette resembles the screen capture, below.

3. Master Presentation Show

Generate the Layer Comps to PDF Script

1. Expand the Layer Comps palette and click on the blank area below the last comp so that no particular comp is highlighted in the palette.

2. Go to File>Scripts>Layer Comps to PDF.

3. Select the destination for your document (I suggest creating a temporary empty folder) and name file according to instructions. Click Save after selecting the destination and file name, then click Run to begin the process.

4. Once the script is done it will give you a Scripts Alert box telling you the Layer Comps to PDF was successful.

5. If your PDF does not open automatically, after this alert, then navigate to the save destination folder and open it, to check your presentation.