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Posted on 08/07/06 8:21:18 PM |
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jimt
Celestial Composer Posts: 59 Reply  |
Layer opacity fade?
Is it possible to do an opacity fade in a layer? For instance, I have two photographs, identical shots, but at different exposures. I want to create my own HDR photo, so what I want to do is fade between the two photos (each as different layers). I could this manually by creating a layer mask for one of them and then just painting in a fade with the opacity set really low. However, what I'm picturing is being able to create a third layer, say in the middle of the photo that is maybe 1/3 the width of the overall picture, and then set the opacity to start at 100% and fade to 0% (either from top to bottom, or bottom to top). Is this possible? Thanks. Jim |
Posted on 08/07/06 9:31:41 PM |
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David Asch
Tech Support Posts: 1913 Reply  |
Re: Layer opacity fade?
If you have CS2 it has a built-in merge to HDR photo function (File>Automate>Merge to HDR). I'm a little confused by the middle layer thing. You can use a layer mask with a black, white gradient on the top layer to fade it out. _________________ If you hold on to the past, sooner or later you'll lose your grip. |
Posted on 08/07/06 10:01:47 PM |
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Bob
Expert Expressionist Posts: 130 Reply  |
Re: Layer opacity fade?
Jim, If you don't have CS2, take a look at this tutorial: http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/digital-blending.shtml |
Posted on 08/07/06 10:02:50 PM |
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jimt
Celestial Composer Posts: 59 Reply |
Re: Layer opacity fade?
Stuck with 7.0. Hmmm...I'll try to explain again. Ok, say I have two photos that I want to mix together like the HDR feature in CS2. The middle layer as I'm seeing it, would be the transition layer from the lighter exposed picture to the darker exposed picture. Try to imagine the picture divided horizontally up in thirds (layers) on the screen. The top third is the darker exposure, the middle third is a duplicate of the middle of the darker exposure, and then the bottom third is the lighter exposure. What I want to do is fade that middle layer from 100% to 0%. That way, it would create a fade between the darker exposure and lighter exposure, ala a primitive way of creating an HDR. Does that make sense? When I think about doing this, it seems to me like a layer opacity fade would be an easy or common feature. Yet, I'm not sure it is or how to locate it in the program. One could even select the start and end fade percentages. Is this possible? |
Posted on 08/07/06 10:04:30 PM |
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jimt
Celestial Composer Posts: 59 Reply |
Re: Layer opacity fade?
Thanks, Bob. I've seen that site before but didn't have much luck. Maybe I'll give it another go. I guess what I really want to know is, can you do an opacity fade from the top to the bottom (or vice versa) of a layer? EDIT: Got the Layer Mask technique to work. I did a painted mask earlier (usually how I create my HDR images), and this layer mask technique turned out REALLY close to mine (which took a little longer). I'd still like to know if a layer opacity fade is possible. ;-) |
Posted on 09/07/06 00:17:48 AM |
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David Asch
Tech Support Posts: 1913 Reply |
Re: Layer opacity fade?
Technically, what you've done with the layer mask is an opacity fade. White being totally opaque, black being totally transparent. I realise you'd prefer to have more control though. _________________ It must be Thursday, I never could get the hang of Thursdays |
Posted on 09/07/06 00:19:57 AM |
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jimt
Celestial Composer Posts: 59 Reply |
Re: Layer opacity fade?
I guess I'd just like to see it in the simplest way. Thanks for the replies, David and Bob. |