Textured or Embossed Layers

[Grace]

Hi there. I am brand new to this forum and would really appreciate a little help. Does anyone know how to make a layer "take the shape" of the original image? For instance, I want to add an image of a wolf onto the original image of a tree, how do I make the wolf take on the texture fo the tree? I hope that makes enough sense to answer. So far, I have just been adjusting the opacity of the layer and the results are nice but I am certain it can improve. Thanks in advance for any help!

Also, do you have the ability to post an image in this forum or just by a link?

Thanks!
Grace

[MikeH]

Hi Grace,

Firstly, you can only post images via a link... I use www.pixentral.com.

A way of adding the texture of one shape to another is to use a clipping mask and layer modes...

:arrow: Select the object that you want to add the texture to (the wolf) and copy it to a new layer.

:arrow: Select the texture you want to add (the tree) and place it in new layer. The area of the texture needs to be larger than the object it is going to fill (the wolf). So, if you want to add the texture of the tree you may need to create a pattern from the tree texture and use that to fill a whole layer (or at least a selecton which is larger than the wolf).

:arrow: With the texture layer selected, select Layer > Group With Previous (or CTRL-G). This clips the texture layer to the shape of the object in the layer below.

:arrow: Now the wolf should be visible, filled by the texture.

:arrow: You can then experiment with the layer modes to get the effect you want. At the top of the layers pallette is a drop down menu with various modes. Each will create a different effect, but "Overlay" will allow the profiles and shapes of the wolf to show through the texture of the tree.

Give this a try and post back how you get on. Also, post the original picture - we can see if the method I have suggested is the best way.

Mike