Need help with an adjustment layer

[brucet]

OK so I may have had too much to drink over Christmas and my brain has imploded!
PSPx7
I have a file with several layers. The top layer is/was a duplicate of the second layer. I cut out an object on the top layer and the layer is now a raster layer!!! It has a large transparent section. I want to apply an adjustment layer to only the top raster layer. The cut out. (Curves adjustment). However when I do this the second layer also gets adjusted. As seen through the transparent sections.

So the question is - how can I ensure that the adjustment layer only applies to the top layer. Raster layer. I can apply a curves to the raster layer but that is permanent. I need an adjustment layer.

I think I'll stop drinking!!! Nah.

regards

[Kathy_9]

Can you apply a mask to exclude the transparent section from the adjustment layer?

[LeviFiction]

Layer group.

In PSP layer groups are self-contained. So any adjustment layers you place inside a group will only act upon the layers inside that group. So group the adjustment layer and your top layer together.

As Kathy_9 said you can also use the built in mask of the adjustment layer if you wanted. Adjustment Layers include a built in mask so you can limit the area of their effect. The easiest way to handle this would be to grab the magic wand tool, set the match mode to All Opaque and then click on the visible area of the layer. This should create an exact selection of the opaque areas of the layer. Next, invert the selection to only select the transparent areas. Then select the adjustment layer, and use the fill tool to fill in the selection with black. Black hides the effect of the adjustment layer from those areas.

The reason I don't like to use the mask, is because if you ever have to move the top layer in any way you'll have to redo the mask. Whereas with the group, you don't have to worry about that.

[brucet]

Thanks. I'm doing something simple wrong. Even grouping the layers didn't work.
I'll re check my settings.
I don't like masks. I need an almost pixel edge on my cut out and my tries with masks haven't been done well. Old habits!!
The attached is an example. I need to be able to cut out the bike very accurately. Then be able to adjust both the background/lower layer as well as the cut out top layer. (There are other layers but they aren't relative to this issue).

I'm setting the lower layer and just need an adjustment layer for the top layer so I can try things on the fly. I don't want to make an adjustment that is buried 50 steps back!

Maybe I'll read the manual. That always helps!

Thanks

[hartpaul]

You could also make a new white raster layer and place that beneath the layer with the object an transparency. That way the white layer runs interference and the adjustment will affect the object and the white layer (which can later be deleted). When happy, Merge down and that will fix the effect on the object. Delete the white layer and you should then have your result.

[brucet]

thanks hartpaul. that sounds like a good solution. to view changes i only have to then turn on and off the white raster layer. (silly thing is that I use a pink layer below the top layer to make it easier to view while doing the cutout).

regards

[brucet]

Thanks everyone. I've sobered up now, figuratively speaking!
In the end the solution was with an adjustment layer within a group. No idea what I was doing wrong. Went away, kicked the cat, came back and made a new start.

regards

[LindaSue]

silly thing is that I use a pink layer below the top layer to make it easier to view while doing the cutout.

I do the same thing. I choose a hideous neon pink color which helps me see the edges easily.

[brucet]

LindaSue one of the reasons I use a bright pink is because it stands out against all 'normal' colours. It also makes it a bit easier to see the precise cursor. I wish Corel would give us an option to change the colour of the precise cursor.

regards