Photoshop Tips: Using PNG Alphas

[1gr8muggle]

When you purchase a kit that has an alpha set, it often comes as a png file with all the letters on one sheet (or 2 or 3).

Here are some simple steps for using these alphas on your layout:

1. Open the png Alpha file.
2. Select your Marquee OR Lasso tool (whichever you prefer).
3. Click & drag your marquee (or draw your lasso) around the letter you wish to use. It should now be an active selection (marching ants around it.)
4. Position the cursor over your letter and hold down the Control (PC) or Command (Mac) key. Your cursor will get a pair of scissors under it. While holding the Ctrl/Cmd key, click and drag the letter onto your layout. It will be added on its own layer.
5. Repeat the steps for additional letters.

Tips:

• If you accidentally select part of a neighboring letter on the page, simply hold down the Alt (PC) or Option (Mac) key and draw a new marquee/lasso around the part you want to subtract it from the selection.
• If you need to add more to your selection, hold down the Shift key and marquee/lasso the additional part of the image to add it to your existing selection.
• If you want your letters to be centered on your layout, hold down the Shift key as you drag it from the png file to your layout.