Help with PSP 2018 Layer Styles Reflection

[SheriLynn]

I created a reflection and wanted to delete the part of it that falls outside of the mirror (image 1). I tried to use the erase tool, that didn't work. The entire reflection disappears when I invoke the erase tool (image 2) but when I let up on it, the reflection returns. I tried using the selection tool with the same results. Is there a way to separate the reflection from the object being reflected? Or is the 'reflection' layer style for something other than what I am trying to use it for?

[Joelle]

This is what I do when using the Layer Styles Reflection tool:

Duplicate the image in the Layers Palette.
The select the blue glass (very pretty!).
Promote the selection to new layer.
Apply the reflection to the top layer.

Make the bottom (original layer) invisible by clicking on the eye of the layer.
The top 2 layers: Merge visible.
Remove the unwanted reflection.

I used PSPX9, but assume that 2018 is the same.

Joëlle

Gawd, this forum really needs to give the participants a better file size allowance.
I hope you can see it.

[Jean-Luc]

I think it is not possible.
The workaround I have found :
- the mirror must be on its own layer (alone)
- the object with reflection should be saved as PNG retaining transparency (alpha channel). White should be transparent.
- load the PNG and place it as layer above the mirror. You may erase what you want.

[LeviFiction]

Just adding on here, because it's a layer style the result is generated ontop of the layer from the current layer's contents. If you added something to the layer that would then be generated in the reflection. That's also why the reflection disappears while using the eraser tool, it's removed the generate portion and is waiting to see what the result of your erasing will be, it will then re-generate the reflection with the changes.

It's why you see in these various options by Joelle and Jean-Luc that they are merging the result or using other tricks.

Really quick, did you put the reflection size at its smallest value to see if that produced the result you wanted? Sometimes that decreases the area enough, sometimes not.

Other options with such a simple background would be to simply add another layer an paint over the area with white.

Or to add a mask to the layer and paint over the area with black so that it goes transparent, almost like erasing. A mask works because the reflection is added to the layer, and the mask acts on the layer as a whole, it also sits above the layer so the layer style never takes the mask into consideration.

And of course Merging the layer with another layer will permanently apply the layer effect, so you could simply add a blank layer beneath the reflected layer and do a simple merge down.

[SheriLynn]

This is what I do when using the Layer Styles Reflection tool:

Duplicate the image in the Layers Palette.
The select the blue glass (very pretty!).
Promote the selection to new layer.
Apply the reflection to the top layer.

Make the bottom (original layer) invisible by clicking on the eye of the layer.
The top 2 layers: Merge visible.
Remove the unwanted reflection.

I used PSPX9, but assume that 2018 is the same.

Joëlle

Layer-Styles_reflection-smaller.jpg

Gawd, this forum really needs to give the participants a better file size allowance.
I hope you can see it.

Joëlle, your solution worked, except I didn't want to merge it with the mirror as the reflection fell on the lip of the mirror, which wouldn't be reflected in that area and removing the reflection there also removed the mirror lip. But what I did discover is that, if I put the reflection on the blue glass layer, then copy it to a new image, I could separate the reflection from the object and remove as much or as little as I wanted. I was also able, now, to tweak the reflection with a blur.



Thank you for your reply, you led me in the right direction! Oh, and thank you for your kind words on my blue glass. I made it in PSP X using native tools as well as a few Filter Forge filters. It's one of my favorite creations!

[Joelle]

Excellent, well done.

Love that glass

Joëlle