I want to post a scene over a starfield I created. I have the two files (one named convoy-background.jpg and one as convoy-aa.jpg). I wish to paste convoy-aa over the background without erasing the starfield. Convoy-aa has a black background and convoy-background is, as mentioned above, a starfield. Could someone please tell me how to paste convoy-aa over convoy-background without erasing the starfield?

I'm using Photoshop 6.0.

quickest way is the make a mask on the "convoy" black background...
this will allow the lower layer to show through...

let's see if i can toss somethin' up

BRB
:)
retrocity

I had a talk with Illomen (my friend) over MSN messenger after posting the original message, and he also helped me. I finished that part of the picture now, I've just got to put on fusion trails.

He said to open up the two images, and on the aa.jpg one, use the magic wand. Then I went to Select, Inverse. Then I just copied over the ships with no problem. I don't really use PS much to know most of the commands.

Thank you for your help. I will probably need to remember that for the future when I forget...I forget things like this easily.

But if you can still help, how would I go about putting the fusion trails of the ships' engines? Thank you for any help.

-Speaker for the Dead

not sure what the trails would look like (slept through science class ;))

i'll help if i can, can you describe them?

:)
retrocity

Well, I don't really bother myself with the realistic attributes of things. Besides, it's sci-fi, so who cares if things are feasible.

Anyway, if you've ever played Halo, think of the plasma grenade explosion. My fusion fire is about the size of half the engine, and a deep blue/purple. It looks like a tall fire on a stove except skinny. I can make a mess-pic of it for you, if you want.

-Speaker for the Dead

sure, post one and we'll give it a go...

:)
retrocity

-Speaker for the Dead

nahhhh, doesn't suck... just could use some help ;)

let see how to best make it...

:)
retrocity

I'd like it 3-d. And more firey. If possible, I'd like some light illuminating, but I can take care of that. Thank you greatly. -Dan

Try a little gaussian blur from filters->blur->gaussian blur.

Aaaa... Am I missing something... it IS late at night & I am a bit wuzzy, but... Starfield on a black background? Just do a gross sort of selection of the areas that you don't want and then past the remainder into a new layer in the 'Screen' mode. The stars will remain, but the black background will disappear. This will work only if the background is a perfect RGB 'black'. Actually the night sky is not perfectly black, but somewhere in the range of R-15 G-25 B-45, for a very dark blue. Good night... I need to pass out now...

Well I already got the background problem done. Retrocity is helping me on the fusion fire trails now that come from my ships. -Dan

sorry, adelphia keeps dropping connection due to storms here in northern PA, got eight inches of rain in a short period of time so my connection comes sporatically,

gonna try from the office in the morning if i lose it again tonight!

:)
retrocity

Strong storms here in Rhode Island, also. My pool's about to overflow, and there was about 4 inches not filled up. It's filled up now. No rush, take your time. Be careful! -Dan

hehehe try new layer use a brush and make the thing fade maybe a good old fasioned lens flare too,,,