You can save some time by setting up alpha channels of frequently used lines and shapes - just load them as selections when needed.
But I have no idea what an alpha channel is (I have a french verison of PS :-\ Can anyone explain?
I use 'em for complex (large) selections, such as a fullscreen scanline selection, or grids… anything really, plus they give an easier way of using the displacement and lighting effects filters.
I use 'em all the time
example (for making a square with rounded edges, using channels):
Make a square/rectangle on a new channel layer. Gauss blur the bastard with at least 5, I use 10. The higher the gauss, the softer the edges.
Then go image->adjust->levels, and play around 'till the edges go sharp again, then ctrl+click the channel, go to layers palette again, make a new layer, and fill yer selection with the color of choice.
That’s how I make soft squares USING CHANNELS, there’s a MUCH easier way of doing it, this is just an example.
just make a circle, fill it with any color, go to channels tab and click the save selection as channel and you have the outline of the circle as Alpha 1
does that make sense? you can do this with any selection =)
** Excerpts from article**
Alpha channels are masks through which you can apply effects. The alpha channel is an 8-bit channel, which means it has 256 levels of gray from 0 (black) to 255 (white). White acts as the selected area; black acts as the protected area. The level of gray in between determines the level of exposure. For example, 50 percent gray allows for 50 percent exposure. Alpha channels are basically specialized selection processes.
&
“The beauty of these alpha channels is that they can be saved, modified, or combined to create special effects. When you use the Lasso, you make a selection. When you deselect, the selection is gone. If you Save Selection (Select > Save Selection), it is sent to an alpha channel that can be recalled as many times as you need.”
*Originally posted by eilsoe *
**I use 'em for complex (large) selections, such as a fullscreen scanline selection, or grids… anything really, plus they give an easier way of using the displacement and lighting effects filters.
I use 'em all the time
example (for making a square with rounded edges, using channels):
Make a square/rectangle on a new channel layer. Gauss blur the bastard with at least 5, I use 10. The higher the gauss, the softer the edges.
Then go image->adjust->levels, and play around 'till the edges go sharp again, then ctrl+click the channel, go to layers palette again, make a new layer, and fill yer selection with the color of choice.
That’s how I make soft squares USING CHANNELS, there’s a MUCH easier way of doing it, this is just an example. **
its all in the article, Bert Monroy is a photoshop god =) i am in so much awe everytime he is on TSS, i am drooling awaiting what masterpiece he will create this time