Ok someone sent me the following link;

http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/freedownloads/l/blframes_t09.htm

As you can see in the attached I’ve selected my mask and am ready to go, but the thing is I have no idea what to do next.

I would like to mask the picture of the woman with the Tommy Gun so that I can place as a png on the third picture of woman sitting on film cans.

Please can someone give me simple 1, 2, 3 easy to follow steps on how to mask a picture?

Thanks much

Steel

I don't usually use masks like this so I had to do some experimenting and figure some things out. There are probably other ways to do this but here's a quick and easy way I just discovered.

The image you want masked, if it's a "background layer" remember to "promote background to layer". Now, go to the mask image. Select all and copy. Now go back to the image you want masked. Go to the "Select" menu at the top and check the "Edit in Quick Mask Mode". Now push the key Ctrl and V togther to paste the mask image onto the image. You should now see some red on the image. The red will be what will NOT be cut from the image. If it's backwards, go to "Image" menu then "Adjustments" the "Invert". Once it's correct, go back to the "Select" menu and uncheck the "Edit in Quick Mask Mode". Now a selection will be over your image. Hit the "Delete" key on the keyboard and then you have your masked image! I hope that's what you were wanting! :)

I hope that made sense. I'm going to grab some lunch but if you have questions, feel free to ask and I'll try to help when I get back.

Thanks Lizzie like you I need food before I try this technique  but will let you know in a few hours if I understood and got it down.   Remember Im not that good with photoshop yet so will take some time

Steel

I agree ,LizzieP's sharing is very good ,it is very useful .thanks for sharing .

let me know if you find it helpful...

retrocity

Thanks much guys  I think I got it now :)   Well almost anyway   Trick is to pick the right picture and mask shape too

There is another option thats easier than using masks first off Draw out the shape you want and make sure its white save it as a brush by going to edit/define brush and save it as Shape brush or whatever. Then on the document you want to cut out the picture do this open the picture add a new layer(untick the background layer for now as it will interfere with the rest.) Use the new brush on that layer and make sure its white click on it with the magic wand tool so its selected. Then untick the Brush layer and retick the background layer and go to edit/cut now close the document and make a new one(make sure its the same size as your last document and go to edit/paste and it will have done it for you. If you want to Save the Transparency save as a PNG layers file if you want to save as jpg don't worry. Thats one simple way to do it. 

Hope you found this info Helpfull 

Karl

Thanks much Karl  sounds like it might be just what the doc ordered  

Thats ok I am glad I could help. 

Karl