Create
and Erase on a Transparent Layer
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This simple
illustration applies to all Transparent Layers you may create.
Open
a new file. Select the Lasso
tool and draw an irregular shape (1).
Turn this into a floater. Fill
the floater with a dark orange color and paint in some lines to add to the
shape (2). |

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Normally when you create a Transparent Layer it
automatically becomes the same size as your painting background. To create
a Transparent Layer the same size as an existing floater (2), select it, then select Floater/Transparent
Layer in the Objects:Floater
List palette. You now
have a Transparent Layer the same size as your floater. The selection marquee
defines the total area of any floater or Transparent Layer. |
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In the example below (3) I
filled the T-Layer with Black ( it defaults with White as the color).
In the Brush: palette I
chose the Airbrush tool, with a
Feather Tip variant.
Next I chose Plug-in for the Method and
Transparent Layer Brush as the Subcategory.
Then I painted the interior with flames and let a diagonal line run from
one corner to another to show the total area of the T-Layer
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To
erase the diagonal line, I select the Transparent
Layer in the Objects:Floater
List. Next, I click on
the Mask icon to open the Objects:Mask
List, and select Transparent
Layer Mask (the bar will turn blue).
If I open the EYE I see
a Black & White version of the mask (4).
I can erase the lines in either mode.
It is not necessary to switch to the eraser or any other tool to do
this. But…It is necessary
to change the Method to
anything but Plug-in or Wet. I chose 100%
White (removes & Black adds to) as the Primary
Color in the Art Materials
palette and painted over the lines to remove them.
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I
want to add a few curly vines.
I can paint only in the current mask, which is behind the pumpkin.
I could paint here but I won’t have much control over what I am doing.
In order to accomplish what I
want to do, I must switch back to Plug-in
for the Method and Transparent Layer
Brush as the Subcategory
and re-select the Transparent Layer in the Objects:Floater List.
Now I can see the vines in color as I add them to the Transparent
Layer.
Add a few strokes to create the illusion of depth and you’re
finished.
Try applying some lights.
It is amazing what can be done with a few clicks of a button |
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