Things I have learnt while on the job
Contents
I have never used so many masks before in my life
masking and using the right blending can make your life so much easier
- Quick mask mode
- Layer masks
- Vector masks
- Blending modes
Layer Mask hides effect
Under Advanced Options, there are two options - Layer mask hides effect and Vector mask hides effect - this means that if you have a complicated masked layer that is getting some unintended effects, you can just make the layer mask sort of override the effect. Previously I just stuck everything in a group and applied the mask to the group itself. Actually I still stick things into groups and mask them all the time. But an option actually exists! I dunno how I completely glossed over this checkbox in the past...
Adjustment layers
Constantly being reminded that different people work in quite different ways. Opened up this file and saw this strangeness - i have never used channel mixers and colour balances in this way but I suppose this way its non-destructive so maybe if I'm editing photos I might do that in future.
Apparently CS4 makes it even easier to do this with a dedicated adjustments panel with many smart presets
Smart Filters
Nondestructive application of filters? Convert your layer to a smart object. Edit the psb layer. Sweet.
