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Cookie Cutting and Knock-Outs
I was making cookies with my kids the other day, using alphabet-shaped cookie cutters, when I realized that we were creating type knock-outs. After pressing down with the cookie cutter and removing the cut out letter, we were left with a letter-shape cut on the sheet of cookie dough that let the table underneath show. Nothing like life imitating art.Creating type knock-outs is really easy even if you’ve never worked with layer masks before. Just follow the directions and you can have knock-outs in no time. (I’ve avoided the urge to be a punster and include “Your type will be a knock-out” or “Your type will be able to go five rounds with Mohammed Ali, ready for a knock-out.” Real groaners, huh?)Here’s how:
Open an image that you want to use as the fill for the knock-out type.You could also create a new document and fill it with a solid color, gradient, or pattern. Whatever you want. For this example, I’m using the zebra photograph shown in Figure 45-1.
Figure 45-1: For this example, I’m using a zebra photo for the knock-out type filler.
Click the Create New Layer button at the bottom of the Layers palette.A new layer appears selected above the fill layer.
Rename the new layer.I’ve renamed mine Type Cut-Out. This is what I call this layer for the rest of the directions.
Fill the new layer with a solid color.For my example, I’ve filled the layer with brick red.
Change the Foreground color to black.A fast way to do this is to press D, and then press X.
Click the Add Layer Mask button at the bottom of the Layers palette.A layer mask appears linked to the Type Cut-Out layer, as shown in Technique 49.)
Figure 45-2: You should now have two layers, the upper one with a linked layer mask.
In the Layers palette, click the layer mask to make sure that it’s active.
Select the Horizontal Type Mask tool from the Toolbox.
Use the Options bar to select a type font and size.For this example, I’m using Bard set at 65 points.
Click in the image window and type some text.Because you’re using the Horizontal Type Mask tool, Photoshop automatically switches you to quickmask mode, and a translucent red overlay appears on your screen. This overlay disappears when you’re finished using the tool.
Click the Commit button (the check mark) on the Options bar.The characters that you typed become a type-shaped selection, as shown in Figure 45-3.
Figure 45-3: The Horizontal Type Mask tool creates type-shaped selections.
| Tip | You can reposition the type-shaped selection with the Rectangular Marquee tool. |
Press Alt+Backspace/Option+Backspace.This fills the type-shaped selection with black on the layer mask, creating a text knock-out, as shown in Figure 45-4.
Figure 45-4: The black type-shaped areas on the layer mask hide the Type Cut-Out layer and let the zebra layer show through.
You can apply a gradient to the layer mask to create a fade out effect above and below the type, as shown in Technique 50.
Figure 45-5: Adding fade outs above and below the text lets more of the zebra layer show.
