From Fireworks to photoshop

[pugs421]

I learned design on Fireworks and only tried Photoshop a few of times. Now at work I received the opportunity to do some design, but the tools they gave me to work with is PS and illustrator. Uh O. I feel lost in this program. I know what I need to accomplish, but it seems that these programs are so different. As for my question.

Lets start with a simple remove the background. In Fireworks I was able to use my pen tool to draw an outline around an image, fill shape with white, and "group as mask". This would hide anything outside of the white shape, but still allow it to be editible. In other words I don't want to erase or cut out the unwanted part of the image. I just want to hide it. I did some searches and mostly found info on clipping paths. But that technique seems to be for print. (the result isn't visible in photoshop, an EPS must be exported to another program to see the transparency).

What's the best way to acomplish this simple task. Make background of image not visible, while still allowing it to be editable?

 

[Sheri99]

I think what you are looking for in PS is vector masks. Outline your subject with the pen tool, name and select your path in the path palette, then use the menu: Layer, Add vector mask, Current Path.

 

[pixl8r]

Even a layer mask would accomplish what you are trying to do here.

Layers>Add Layer Mask>Reveal All

Paint (with paint brush) around your subject in black and white. Black hides white reveals.

Hope it helps.

Wow JT that almost looked like you knew what you were doing!