• | To save a selection to a new alpha channel |
• | To combine a selection with an existing alpha channel |
• | To load a selection from an alpha channel |
You can create alpha channels to store multiple selections in a document. An alpha channel is a temporary storage area for both path-based and pixel-based selections. To reuse a selection in other documents, you can store the selection in the Selection Portfolio. It is important to note that the Selection Portfolio stores only path-based selections. For more information see, Working with the Selection Portfolio.
Combining selections when saving or loading alpha channels
In the following set of owl images, the artist created and saved selections for each area that she wanted to work with separately — the eyes, the beak, and the outline. To show the selections clearly in these images, the selections were saved to channels, reloaded, and displayed as red overlays. For more information, see To view or hide a channel.
A "face" selection is drawn roughly by using the Lasso tool. The eyes, the beak, and a portion of the background are included.
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To save a selection to a new alpha channel |
1 . | Create a selection. |
2 . | Choose Select Save Selection. |
3 . | Choose New from the Save To list box. |
If you want to specify a name, type a name in the Name box. |
You can also save a selection to a channel by clicking the Save Selection As Channel button in the Channels panel.
To combine a selection with an existing alpha channel |
1 . | Create a selection. |
2 . | Choose Select Save Selection. |
3 . | Choose a channel from the Save To list box. |
4 . | In the Operation area, enable one of the following options: |
• | Replace Mask — replaces the channel with the current selection |
• | Add to Mask — combines the current selection with the chosen channel |
• | Subtract From Mask — subtracts the current selection from the chosen channel |
• | Intersect With Mask — determines the intersection of the selection and the chosen channel, and saves the intersection to the channel |
You can also save a selection to a channel by clicking the Save Selection As Channel button in the Channels panel.
To load a selection from an alpha channel |
1 . | Choose Select Load Selection. |
2 . | Choose a channel from the Load From list box. |
3 . | In the Operation area, enable one of the following options: |
• | Replace Selection — replaces the current selection with the chosen channel |
• | Add To Selection — adds the channel to the current selection |
• | Subtract From Selection — subtracts the channel from the current selection. In other words, the channel is "cut away" from the selection. |
• | Intersect With Selection — determines the intersection of the channel and the current selection. This intersection becomes the new selection. |
You can also load a selection from an alpha channel by clicking the Load Channel As Selection button in the Channels panel.