> PHOTOSHOP USER>^ JULY 2017[ 52 ]
USING THE DISPLACEMENT MAP
FOR PARTICLE EFFECTS, PART 2
Last issue, I showed you the inner workings of Displacement Maps in Photoshop. If you’ve played with
them at all, you’ve discovered a few limitations, such as operating only in 8-bit RGB, and not having any
real capability with transparency. That can lead to awkward, hard edges, and permanent changes to
your image layer. Even worse, D-maps (as the cool kids call them) are destructive to your image layer.SCOT TVALENTINE
Photoshop Proving Ground
We can get around these limitations with varying degrees
of success, and we can do some cool extra tricks by
adding masks and smart objects to our toolbox. The first
thing I wanted to fix is the problem with hard, pixelated
edges, so here’s a technique that gives you some addi-
tional flexibility.LAYER MASKS
Prior to applying your D-map, create a mask for your subject,
then duplicate your Background layer. The mask doesn’t
have to be perfect, but make it reasonably good.
When you apply the D-map, the displacement will also
be applied to the mask, which is a really handy feature. After
you apply the D-map, you can make an edge selection and
blur away those pesky pixels using the following steps.©Adobe Stock/Alexander Y