Need Help With Background Design

[mkswanson]

I would like to create the same effect as the background in the attached image. I assume this will be easier to accomplish in Illustrator but have access to Photoshop and other tools as well. Can someone please help me (or direct me to a good tutorial - I can't find one since I don't know what the technique is called - or tell me what terms I should be using to help find a resource)?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

 

[apepp]

...the technique to produce this is known as opacity masking in illustrator, whereby you import an image (preferably 100% solid black and white). You could even use that image you already have but convert it to pure black and white in photoshop, then import to illustrator to use as the mask...

...in opacity masks, 100% black hides and 100% white shows...

...so in your example you will need to have a red filled box, with a black and white imported texture on top of the red box. At the very bottom you will need a brown filled box...

...select both the red box and the imported black and white image only, then choose the flyout menu of the transparency palette, in that list is the option "make opacity mask"...

...you can refer to this thread i responded to with a similar situation for another user, the same principle applies:

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=1563469

andrew