Digital ImagingUnit 8: Enhancing Specific Selections & Adjusting ColorsModule 2: Creating and Saving Alpha Channels

Alpha Channels

Alpha channels are the areas of an image where masks are stored. (You may recall a mask is an area of the image that is protected from editing).

Digital ImagingUnit 8: Enhancing Specific Selections & Adjusting ColorsModule 2: Creating and Saving Alpha Channels

Alpha Channels

To create an alpha channel:

Click the New Channel button at the bottom of the Channels panel.

Using the paintbrush tool, paint on the new channel to mask out image areas.

Digital ImagingUnit 8: Enhancing Specific Selections & Adjusting ColorsModule 2: Creating and Saving Alpha Channels

Alpha Channels

To edit an alpha channel:

Use the paintbrush tool to add or delete areas on the mask.

Painting with black increases the masked area.

Painting with white increases the selected area.