Question on masking for custom shape window

[julietimm]

Could someone please walk me through the steps to make
a mask in Photoshop 7 that will work as a custom shape
in AMS5? I have tried multiple things, but every time
either the entire shape is missing (nothing showing at
all) or the whole page shows (not just the shape).

I have followed the instructions on both this forum and in help and was unsuccessful. According to those instructions all you have to do is create a shape that's white with the rest black and you've made a mask. I also did a quick mask and a layer mask in photoshop 7, but having not worked much with masks in the past, I'm not entirely sure I did it right. If I use a mask from the gallery it works great, so I know it's something I'm not doing right in photoshop.

I am attaching the png file of the mask that I've created. If someone would like to create a custom shape window with it, you can see what my problem is.

I'm thinking it's something basic and simple, but it's driving me crazy and I would appreciate it greatly if someone could help.

[rhosk]

I don't know about photo shop, but I imported your image and counted your colors - comes to 58! When you create the image, make sure you're using a 2 color pallette only. This is why it's not working. Try the attachment; I quickly converted it to 2 colors for you. Let me know if it works

[julietimm]

Thank you! It worked. I just created one of my own and it also worked.

Thanks so much!
Julie

[rhosk]

[Ted Sullivan]

Since we're on the subject, you can always take a look at the 25 or so custom Window Masks that ship with AMS50. They're in the Gallery, under Images > WindowMasks.

They'll give you a good feel for what can be done with them. Very powerful and cool looking results!

[Bruce]

Not in my copy! Where can I down load them?

[TJ_Tigger]

Select the Gallery tab and click on the Image button at the top. In there you will find a WindowsMask folder. You may need to navigate up a level to find the initial directories. See the attached.

[Corey]

Just a couple tips on creating masks, most are smooth but some have pixelated edges. I have found that the place where you run into pixelation issues is either a diagonal line or a curved line with long portions (appears same as diagonal). So in order to achieve the best results try avoiding too many curves or diagonal edges.

If you need to use a curve or diagonal line, experiment in your image editor to find the right size to minimize pixelation, often a circle which has pixelated edges will smooth right out when re-sized.

Also I have noticed that the IMAGE > THRESHOLD feature in Photoshop CS is augmented and now alllows you to create much smoother 2 color masks so I reccomend running that on your mask last thing. Anyhow hope that helps.

Corey Milner
Creative Director, Indigo Rose Software