Use Alpha Channels To Mask Out Hairs

Monday, November 2, 2009

Alpha channels masking refers to a special selection processes. On choosing masking tools such as Lasso, Magic wand or Pen tool, Alpha channels come into use, known for making, storing, and editing selections. However, Alpha channel constitutes another type of image masking. The moment we say that it is a mask, it refers to an 8-bit channel that uses 256 levels of Gray. It ranges from 0 to 255 i.e. from black to white.

Alpha channel is a masking technique that is known for defining a certain selection in black, white, and varying shades of gray pixels. The color white acts as the selected pixels, whereas black refers to the unselected area. Grey color represents what is partially unselected or selected depending on your viewpoint.

Procedure to attain alpha masking is easy. Just go to the option, which says to open the image of your choice at the first instance. Thereafter select the pen tool to make the clipping path on the part of the image. This is primarily done to get clipping path exercise conducted. The moment you are done with the clipping path, all you need to do is click on the channel palate. Then comes the turn of another menu. Now is the time when you have to select and use the background color. Now you need to select the brush tool. Thereafter press ctrl and click on the path to activate. When you are done with this, you need to go back to the channel menu. After selecting the duplicated blue copy you've done earlier and at the lower portion, you need to select the load channel option to activate. Now you are ready to activate the channel. However, if you wish to add simple colors for your background, you have the option to add a more dynamic design.