Hello all,

I was attempting to extract a scan in CS2, and decided to follow this tutorial at Imanimetions.net instead of doing it my old (crappy) way:

http://www.imanimetions.net/tutorial/tutorial.php?view=extract

Note: I did follow the forum link at Imanimetions here, which is why I'm typing this question here instead of just contacting them directly. Ok, onwards..

So, this process is fairly simple it seems, I read the whole guide once through first and all made sense. I'm familiar with the pen tool, make vectors in Illustrator a lot, etc.

My problem is, I got done outlining (with the pen tool) my whole image before I noticed that each one of my penned/outlined areas were created automatically on their own layer by CS2. Note that in the tutorial, all of the pen outlines are a part of the Mask Layer that was created at the very beginning (and I created too). So, my penned outlines became their own layers instead of attaching themselves to my Mask Layer.

My problem now is that though my outline looks great, if I merge my layers (I can't apply my mask like the tutorial instucts because my mask has nothing on it), instead of my scan being awesomely extracted with a translucent background, mine is all black. So then in order to get rid of the black I would have to use the Magic Wand tool, which causes horrible jagged edges. O_O

So, I'm looking for any advice anyone might have about how I can fix this. I'm willing to start over even. Here's basically my questions at this point:

1. Can I save what I've done and somehow get what I've got to work? and most importantly:
2. How do I get my pen tool to work on the Mask Layer in the future?

To help clarify this, you can see my screeshot here:
http://transluscent.net/wallpaper/ugh.gif

Thanks so much for any advice on what I might have done wrong. I really appreciate it!

Edit: Ok, just went and tried this tutorial with an older version of Photoshop and I was able to use my pen tool on the Mask Layer no problem. So I guess the question now is, how do you use a pen tool on a Mask Layer in CS2?

merged: 10-28-2005 ~ 11:57am
So crazy. I actually just discovered my answer. Sorry to have taken up the forum space =/ I tried to delete this threat but it said I can't...feel bad about that but there doesn't seem to be anything I can do.

For anyone who might be curious, my pen tool was set to make Smart Objects and not paths. Though I knew about Smart Objects, I had no idea that that's what was affecting all of this. Bye now!

Well, I am glad that you didn't delete the post. Thanks for saying how you fixed it, I could figure out how to do that myself.

Its odd how its usually something staring you in the face.

:)