Photoshop CS4 Channels & Masks One-on-One
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Knowing your way around alpha channels (or masks) is the most sure-fire way to boost the quality of your work in Photoshop. But masking isn't easy-in fact, the elusive alpha channel has been described as the least understood feature in Photoshop's enormous arsenal. Now, you can master masking with Deke McClelland's unique and effective learning system. Through step-by-step text lessons, DVD-video demonstrations, and real-world projects, you'll learn how to select and composite highlights, shadows, clouds, fabric, feathers, glass, flame, lightning, eyes, all varieties of hair, and then some.
Product Details:
List price: $49.99USD
Length: 512 pages with 3 hours of video instruction on DVD
ISBN 13: 9780596516154
Table of Contents:
Lesson 1. HOW CHANNELS WORK
• What Are Channels?
• The Mechanics of RGB Primaries
• The Single-Channel Grayscale Image
• Working with Lab Color
• The Mechanics of CMYK Inks
• Editing in the Multichannel Mode
• Duotones, Tritones, and Quadtones
Lesson 2. HOW MASKS WORK
• What Are Masks?
• Creating and Saving Alpha Channels
• Loading Masks and Putting Them to Use
• Modifying a Mask
• Combining Masks
Lesson 3. SELECTION ESSENTIALS
• The Automated Selection Tools
• Making the Most of the Magic Wand
• Using the Quick Selection Tool
• Using the Magnetic Lasso
• Refining a Selection Outline
• Selection Calculations
• Transforming and Warping Selections
Lesson 4. COLOR RANGE AND QUICK MASK
• As Close to Automatic asMasking Gets
• Using the Color Range Command
• Smoothing Edges and Remaking Corners
• Refining a Selection with Quick Mask
• Pasting an Image into a Mask
Lesson 5. EVERYDAY CHANNEL MASKING
• One Big, Hairy Project
• Making a Mask from a Channel
• Finessing the Smooth Contours
• Creating a Silhouette Effect
• Blending Hair and Sky
• Setting the Image in a $3000 Frame
Lesson 6. BLENDS AND COMPOSITES
• When in Doubt, Blend
• Blending a Scanned Logo
• Working with Blend Modes
• How Add out-brightens Multiply
• Luminance Blending
• Using Blending to Reconcile Images
• that Really Don’t Go Together
Lesson 7. MASKING LAYERS
• The Many Kinds of Layer Masks
• Creating a Jet of Motion Blur
• Masking an Adjustment Layer
• Masking Translucent Objects
• Assembling the Perfect Group Photo
• Employing a Knockout Mask
Lesson 8. SPECIALTY MASKS
• Six Specialized Selectors
• Smoothing with a Luminance Mask
• Adjusting Skin Tones with a Corrective Mask
• Changing the Color of an Image
• Element with a Color Mask
• Sharpening with a Density Mask
• Blurring a Background with a Depth Mask
• Correcting an Archival Photo with an Edge Mask
Lesson 9. CHANNEL MIXING AND OTHER TRICKS
• Channel Mixer, I Am Your Father
• Mixing a Custom Black-and-White Image
• Swapping Channel Mixer for Black & White
• Extreme Channel Mixing
• The Professional’s Approach to Red-Eye
Lesson 10. CALCULATIONS (a.k.a. Channel Operations)
• The Lore of the Chop
• Blue Screen Calculations
• Using the Add and Subtract Modes
• Curves, Dodge, Burn, and Paint
• Multiply, Minimum, Blur, and Apply Image
Lesson 11. THE PEN TOOL AND PATHS PALETTE
• Vector-Based Shapes
• Drawing a Free-Form Polygon
• Adding and Deleting Anchor Points
• Converting a Path to a Selection or a Mask
• Control Handles, Smooth Points, and Cusps
• Vector Masks, Shape Layers, and Layer Masks
• Editing Character Outlines as Paths
Lesson 12. MASKING THE TOUGH STUFF
• Calculations, High Pass, and Arb Maps
• Masking and Compositing Light Hair
• Capturing and Enhancing a Flame
• Mastering Advanced Calculations
• Creating a High Pass Mask
• Masking with Arbitrary Maps
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Comments
Channels & Masks.mxp Permissions
I am using Windows 7 64 bit and I am getting the permissions error discusses above when I try to install the MXP file. I have tried every trick in the book to reset the permissions but I still get that error. Windows 7 does not give me a "Run as Administrator" choice when I right-click the MXP file. Can anyone help me?
Pen Tool
As an intermediate Photoshop user I have read several of your books (as well as those by other authors) in an attempt to hone my skills. Without doubt the pen tool is the most most powerful and versatile method of making selection outlines involving well defined edges of any Photoshop tool. However, I think the way you explain and use it is needlessly complex. Since the primary use of the pen for the average Photoshop user is to create selection outlines rather than drawing free form shapes there is a much easier approach using the "Rubber Band" option. 1) Turn on the "Rubber Band" option located in the drop down next to the "star" shape. 2) Start anywhere on the object to be selected and place a single corner point. 3) Alt + drag from that corner point to a point on the outside of the curve of the object then release the mouse button to place a single control handle. 4) The rubber band then shows you exactly where the curve will go. 5) Left click to place the next anchor point. 6) Cntrl + Click on the control handle and drag to precisely position an shape the curve. 7) Alt + click on anchor point #2 and drag out the next handle, always in the direction of the convex side of the curve. 9) Place an anchor point each time the curvature of the object changes direction or more often if needed. 10) Continue around the object placing and adjusting one point and it's corresponding curve at a time until the path is closed. Using this method you only have to trace one time but the biggest advantages are 1) Each anchor point has only ONE CONTROL HANDLE so that adjusting one section of the curve does not affect adjacent sections. 2) The rubber band helps you judge where to place the next anchor point and how far and in what direction to drag the control handle so with a little practice minimal adjustments are needed. It's fast.
That's aweseome if that works for you
Other members have mentioned the Rubber Band function; as you say, it helpfully gives you the option of seeing your curve as you position it. (To be perfectly candid, I forgot it was there.)
Otherwise, I'm not a huge fan of this technique. Sounds fast, but I'd recommend against relying on a single control handle per segment. Every anchor point will, to some degree, render as a corner. Plus the segment will flatten like a low tire on the no-handle end. It's the sort of curve-scalping you get with auto-tracing.
No offense, but for a portrait shot like the one in the book, I'd argue smooth, organic curves are worth a minute or two of additional care.
Pen Tool
Deke: Thanks for your prompt feedback. I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed your books and am continually amazed at your depth of Photoshop knowledge. I understand your point about the pen tool but don't understand how any flattening can occur once the curve has been determined and essentially "locked". I have two files, one with your mask loaded and one with mine and quite frankly can see no significant differences other than minor ones resulting from them being done by different people. May I send them to you for comparison??
Photoshop CS4
Ya this program is crazy. Hey 3 months and I have just touched the surface!
Lasso Tool
In Lesson 5 you use the lasso tool to select problem areas of a mask. I can get the lasso tool to select in straight lines on my new selection by using the Alt key (windows) but the instructions say to add to the selection and use straight line selection use Shift + Alt but that gives me the intersect? Should I use the polygonal lasso instead to add?
Suzanne
It's a rather intricate technique
You start by pressing the Shift key and dragging a little. Then, with the mouse button still down, you release Shift, press and hold Alt, and then release the mouse button and begin clicking. Keep that Alt key down the entire time to make it work.
Or, if that's too weird (hey, Photoshop subscribes to its own peculiar brand of logic), then just switch to the polygonal lasso tool and Shift-click.
Thanks, that got it to work,
Thanks, that got it to work, was driving me crazy trying to figure it out! By the way I love this book!
Suzanne
Photoshop CS4 Channels and masks
The book was given to me yesterday as a christmas present. However, i cant open the mxp-file. Suggestions any-one?
You have to have CS4
As opposed to CS3 or earlier. Otherwise, the book is pretty specific in its instructions for installing the file. Where are you getting hung up?
... huh
http://www.file-extensions.org/mxp-file-extension
Never used this file format... Cant help you there.
Addenda / Corrections
On page 7 my layers palette does not indicate four layers associated with Painted couple.jpg. Is there a corrected file. Too, where do I find a complete list of addenda?
Best,
CB
Addenda / Corrections
Self-Corrected!
Restarting PS took care of it.
CB
Illustrator CS4 1 on 1
Deke- say it isn't so. Having just taken the plunge into Illustrator, I naturally look to you to guide me in all it's fantastical glory only to learn that the expected due date for the book isn't until May 2010!! Yikes! Shouldn't you be releasing your CS5 version of the book then? What gives?
Spanish version
Hi Deke, where are the "3 hours of video instruction on DVD" in the spanish version? I'm stuck at chapter 3, i think the values for "magic wand" are not corrects, i tried with other values but, for example, i couldn't do the word "MILK" selection with the magic wand :(
I was very happy with the book until the moments the erratas appears.
Sorry my bad english. And thank you :)
+1 same thing happened to me
Take Care
Forex Enforcer
Does the Spanish edition not include a DVD?
I don't have a copy of that book in front of me. Let me know and I'll look into it.
Looks great. how to keep a
Looks great.
how to keep a kid busy
I bought the book but...
After I installed the Channels and Masks palette it fails to display - the container outline is there, but nothing is in it. I've removed and reinstalled a couple of times with the same result. Any ideas appreciated. Been working throught the book without it and learning a lot - great book!
Gary
Captioning?
Are any of your DVD's subtitled or captioned so a deaf person can learn from them?
Photoshop CS3 with this book
Can I use Photoshop CS3 with this book?
Yes, the content is just as applicable
To Photoshop CS3 as for Photoshop CS4.
In fact, I argued that we not include a version number in the book title, but I lost that battle.
Anyway, there are a few CS4-only features (the Masks and Adjustments palettes) but I include CS3 workarounds.
Thanks for the reply. I
Thanks for the reply. I have now ordered the CS4 One on One and CS4 Channel and Masks from Amazon.
Changing Keyboard Shortcuts
Hi.
I am having trouble when I try to change my keyboard shortcuts.They just won't change.(Photoshop CS4 Channels & Masks) I am using a MacBook Pro & am running Snow Leopard.
I don't have any problem changing the shortcuts on my iMac which is also running Snow Leopard.
By the way, your pre-conference at PSW in Las Vegas was terrific. Your teaching style is a lot of fun and it comes through in your writing.
Thank you,
Laura
Which keyboard shortcuts
Are you having problems changing? Photoshop's or the Mac's?
Glad you enjoyed the pre-con! It's always a pleasure to do.
cool
thanks for this usefull informations..
now i find what i want to know..
thanks..
Magnetic Lasso Tool And Tablet Question
Hi Deke,
Love the Channels And Masks book and have come across something I don't understand:
Using the Magnetic Lasso tool to trace around the octopus tentacle, I got to the image edge but when I tried the bracket keys to change width, they wouldn't work when using the Intuos 3 pen but would when using the Intuos 3 mouse. I turned off the button for pen controls width in the tool bar with no luck.
Is it something I am doing or is it a Photoshop quirk?
PS 11.0.1, MacPro, 16gb RAM, OS 10.5.8
Thanks!
Jim
CS2
How much of the content of this book would be applicable to back level versions like CS2?
Channels & Masks.mxp
I know I saw this posted somewhere else, but am not finding my way back to that spot. I keep getting the same persmissions error that other people have gotten when trying to launch/install this item. I have tried everything I can think of, including running a batch program that resets permissions. I can click on any other file and get the "run as aminitrator" option, but not when I right click on this particular file (or any of the files on this cd). I've even tried copying the file to the desktop and to a separate hard drive...nothing
I apologize if this is the wrong spot for this post, but at this point (after about 8hrs of fighting with it) I'm ready to take my system apart and carry to the Geek Squad and have them install it. Something I'd really rather not do.
Many thanks!
crileysmith
Photoshop CS4 Channels & Masks
I just purchased this book. I removed the DVD from the back and inserted it in my DVD drive. Was I ever surprised to discover that the disk was absolutely blank. No files of any kind. I cannot proceed to study this book without being able to access the files mentioned nor view any videos which the book says are on the disk. I cannot afford to buy another copy of the book just to get the disk. What am I to do ???
Joseph L Weaver
jlweaver@cox.net