Photoshop-how to put a drawn shape over a photo

[DyslexicArtist]

Hi, I have drawn some shapes, scanned them in, cleaned them up in Photoshop.

I want to put one of the shapes (it is like a drawn circle) over a photograph with photo seen underneath the shape.

How can I move one of the shapes to stand alone and put it over a photo?

Right now I can't select it, and can't figure out how to make it a movable outlined shape.

Your friend,
The Dyslexic Artist

 

[bootedbear]

Mask your shape, then copy it to the clipboard. Paste onto your other image. You should get another layer with the shape over the image.

 

[DyslexicArtist]

Can you tell me exactly how to mask it step by step. I've never done this. Thanks alot.

 

[jampat]

There are a ton of online tutorials. The simplest way is to use the color selector (or magic wand) and select your drawing. Depending on what it looks like, it may be faster and easier to select the background and invert the selection. Good luck.

 

[7on]

I'm the only graphic designer here at corporate. Sometimes when someone wants a COB I usually show off my path drawing skills. They usually don't ask again after sitting and having to watch me draw around it

But yes, the path tool would create the cleanest cut out, but probably isn't needed unless you're sticking the raster image in Illustrator or Indesign. I'd stick to masking if you're staying 100% in Photoshop.

 

[DyslexicArtist]

Hi, I am still having problems with this.
If you know of an online tutorial, can you give me the link?
I am not getting this. I used the magic wand, and it copied as a gray sort of outline. Thanks.

 

[LeviG]

ok I'll do a different approach and probably easier

Open photograph
make new layer (make sure its selected)
create new elliptical marque in circle shape (hold down shift) at desired size
invert selection (ctrl + shift + I)
(additional bit if you want to add faded edge) Add a feather (select modify feather or alt + ctrl + D) and set a measure (this might take a little playing with to get to your taste)
fill outside with colour of choice.

Thats assuming I've got what you're after right and its just a circular shape 'opening'

If its a predrawn shape - assuming the shape is a flat colour you could use the quick select tool (2 down from the elliptical marque) instead of the elliptical marque and then drag over the top of a photo in another window.

 

[Kwill]

I assume the shapes are not actually simple circles but your example is just for illustrative purposes. Rather, the shapes are perhaps more like flat color trademarks. The point being, unlike a rectangle, there may be some anti-aliasing around curves.

Because they are scans, the shapes are flattened. This means they have a white background that you do not want to appear when selecting an placing over the photograph.

If the above is true, here's a solution.

1. Open the scanned shape document in Photoshop.
2. Scale it if necessary for proper resolution.
3. Select all and copy.
4. Paste into a new channel using the channels palette.
5. Deselect and invert so that background is black (Cmd-I).
   [*]If shape is not solid, add next two steps.
   [*]Open levels adjustment window (Cmd-L).
   [*]Bring right levels slider to the left or use white eyedropper to make solid area of logo white before closing levels adjustment window.
6. Make the channel a selection (Cmd-click thumbnail).
7. Create a new layer.
8. Mix desired color in Color Picker.
9. Fill the selection with that color (Opt-delete).
10. Lock the layer (renaming it if desired).
11. Disable or discard the original background layer.
12. Drag (or copy-paste) symbol on to photograph.
13. Convert layer to Smart Object and scale (transform) to desired size.

There are two reasons for converting to a Smart Object. First, original resolution is retained as it is scaled. Secondly, it is possible to double click the Smart Object layer to alter the color if necessary. With the layer locked, simply select a new color and fill (Opt-delete) without making a selection and the shape color is changed, retaining its high-fidelity anti-aliasing.

 

[Liifeisgoood]

I usually, just do a "control A", then "control C", on the image that i want to place, and then go to the main image, and do a "control V" which pastes it. You will notice the image you pasted becomes a new layer, if you need to clean it up, just add a "add layer mask" (which can be found on the bottom of the layers Palate) and use a black brush to erase anything you don't want, and a white brush to bring back. I hope that helped

Control A- selects the whole image
Control C- copies the selected area
Control V- pastes

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