[Jeff Cochran]

Create a gradient on an alpha channel

Go to the window pull down menu > Channels and create a new channel

Create a gradient from white to black. The white will be opaque. the black transparent.

However you save the file, make sure you save with alpha channels. If your saving as a Targa, save with 32 bit.

Good Luck

Jeff Cochran

https://www.jeffcochrandigitalartist.com/

[Jeff Cochran]

Here’s a way to see the effect (Sort of)

Hold down the apple key and click on the channel icon in the channel palette. This will make a selection out of the channel. The marching ants will give you a good idea what will show and what wont. You can also make a layer mask from the selection, that will give you a good idea what it looks like. Otherwise, yeah, you really wont see it until you get it to AE.

Jeff Cochran

https://www.jeffcochrandigitalartist.com/

[Jeff Cochran]

Yes it is.

Go to the windows pull down menu > Channels.

Copy and paste the line art drawing into a new channel. Now when you save this file that channel will act as an Alpha

Jeff Cochran

https://www.jeffcochrandigitalartist.com/

[Jeff Cochran]

Instead of trying to use a mask shape, create the mask and precomp it, then use a luma matte to mask the footage, then apply the Motion Tracker data to the precomp. Since the precomp is the same size as the footage, should track better.

I had the same issue a couple of years ago. The way I just described is how I think I dealt with it. If I have a moment tomorrow I’ll see if I can find the AE file and check.

Good luck, Hope this helps

Jeff Cochran

https://www.jeffcochrandigitalartist.com/

[Jeff Cochran]

Judge,

Before you write your action, open the shape you have in Photoshop and make a selection out of it. Under selection go to save selection.

Now when you write the action, as part of the script, when your ready to make selection, go under selection to load selection. This will make a selection out of the shape you have. Play with that, I believe you’ll need to keep the selection document open while you run your batch. If you want to add the out line, create the line as a seperate document and save that as another selection and fill the selection when writing your script. You may need to batch the files twice. I don’t know if you can use two selections in the batch.

I just did a test in PS 6 and it worked fine. As always, run a few tests before trying to batch all your files

Good luck, let me know how you do

Jeff Cochran

https://www.jeffcochrandigitalartist.com/

[Jeff Cochran]

You could try dragging the layers from one document to the other.

Make sure the layers are all linked, click in the middle of the canvas and drag over to the other document. They won’t be placed in exactly the same place, though. If your canvas’ are the same size, create a new layer (in the document you’re transferring) and fill it. Now use this layer as a guide for placement in the new document.

Jeff Cochran

https://www.jeffcochrandigitalartist.com/

[Jeff Cochran]

You can do one of two things:

1. Hold down the shift key when you control click and click all the paths – this will make one selection from all the paths.

2. click on a path, copy, then click on another path and past – this will combine the paths

For future reference, you can draw all the elements of the path as one path and save yourself a step. The only time you’ll run into problems is when two or more paths overlay each other. This will create a cut out in the selection.

Good luck

Jeff Cochran

https://www.jeffcochrandigitalartist.com/

[Jeff Cochran]

On the timeline, select the layer that has the mask, hit the “M” key. This will bring up the mask attribute controls where you will see Mask shape. Click on the little Keyframe icon, then move to 5 second on the timeline and alter the shape of the mask.

Jeff Cochran

https://www.jeffcochrandigitalartist.com/

[Jeff Cochran]

What program are you working in?

If it’s Illustrator, Try drawing a square, then use the direct select tool (Hollow arrow) and select one point and move it in.
or
you can use the pen tool with the minus sign next to it. Hold the cursor down on the pen tool until it flies out to reveal all the pen tools. Use this tool to delete one of the points.

Jeff Cochran

https://www.jeffcochrandigitalartist.com/

[Jeff Cochran]

Hi Corey,

If I understand you correctly, you’re trying to take a B&W drawing and alter the art so the black will print as a another color.

If you want to take the art to an offset printer and have them print it on a press, you can leave the art as B&W and tell the printer to simply print a Spot color in place of the black. Doesn