Use The Create From Selection Command

The "Create from Selection" command in various software applications, particularly in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects), is a powerful and time-saving tool. It allows users to quickly generate new layers, objects, or compositions based on existing selections, streamlining workflows and fostering creative exploration. Mastering this command can significantly enhance productivity and unlock new possibilities in design and content creation.

Understanding the Basics of "Create from Selection"

The core concept behind "Create from Selection" is simple: it leverages existing selections to produce new elements. Instead of manually duplicating, copying, and pasting, or redrawing shapes and paths, this command automates the process. This functionality is implemented differently across various applications, each tailored to its specific purpose and feature set. However, the underlying principle remains consistent: utilizing selections as a foundation for new creations.

Key Benefits of Using "Create from Selection"

• Speed and Efficiency: The most significant advantage is the time saved. Complex shapes, intricate selections, or detailed masks can be instantly transformed into new objects or layers.
• Precision and Accuracy: Since the new elements are derived directly from the selection, they inherit the exact shape, size, and position. This ensures accuracy and eliminates the need for manual adjustments.
• Non-Destructive Workflow: In many cases, "Create from Selection" creates new, independent elements, preserving the original content. This supports a non-destructive workflow, allowing for experimentation and revisions without affecting the source material.
• Creative Exploration: By rapidly generating variations and alternatives, the command encourages creative exploration and experimentation. Designers can quickly iterate through different ideas and refine their concepts more efficiently.
• Streamlined Compositing: In applications like Photoshop and After Effects, "Create from Selection" is invaluable for compositing complex scenes. It facilitates the creation of masks, mattes, and adjustment layers based on specific areas of an image or video.

"Create from Selection" in Adobe Photoshop

Photoshop offers several variations of the "Create from Selection" command, each serving a unique purpose in image editing and manipulation.

1. Layer via Copy/Cut

These are arguably the most frequently used "Create from Selection" commands.

• Layer via Copy (Ctrl+J / Cmd+J): This command duplicates the selected area of the active layer onto a new layer. The original layer remains unchanged. This is extremely useful for isolating elements, creating copies for effects, or building up complex compositions.

  • Use Case: You have a photo of a landscape, and you want to enhance the sky without affecting the ground. Select the sky using a selection tool (e.g., Quick Selection Tool, Magic Wand Tool), then press Ctrl+J (Cmd+J). This creates a new layer containing only the sky, allowing you to adjust its color, contrast, or add effects independently.

• Layer via Cut (Ctrl+Shift+J / Cmd+Shift+J): This command cuts the selected area from the active layer and places it onto a new layer. The original layer is modified, with the selected area removed.

  • Use Case: You want to separate an object from its background entirely. Select the object, then press Ctrl+Shift+J (Cmd+Shift+J). The object is now on its own layer, and the original layer has a hole where the object used to be. You can then fill the hole with content-aware fill or place a different background behind the object.

2. Add Layer Mask/Vector Mask

Layer masks and vector masks are essential for non-destructive editing in Photoshop. "Create from Selection" simplifies their creation.

• Add Layer Mask: With a selection active, clicking the "Add Layer Mask" button at the bottom of the Layers panel creates a mask based on the selection. The selected area becomes visible, while the unselected area becomes hidden.

  • Use Case: You want to blend two images together seamlessly. Place one image on top of the other. Select the area of the top image that you want to reveal the bottom image through. Click the "Add Layer Mask" button. The selected area of the top image remains visible, while the unselected area becomes transparent, revealing the image below. You can further refine the mask using brushes and gradients.

• Add Vector Mask: Similar to a layer mask, a vector mask uses vector paths instead of pixel-based data to define the visible and hidden areas of a layer. Creating a selection and then adding a vector mask generates a precise, scalable mask.

  • Use Case: You need to isolate a logo with intricate curves. Use the Pen Tool to create a precise path around the logo. Convert the path to a selection (Ctrl+Enter / Cmd+Enter). Then, click the "Add Vector Mask" button. The logo is now masked using a vector path, allowing for resizing without loss of quality.

3. Fill/Content-Aware Fill

While not strictly "Create from Selection" commands in name, these features heavily rely on selections.

• Fill (Shift+F5): With a selection active, the Fill command allows you to fill the selected area with a specified color, pattern, or content.

  • Use Case: You want to remove a distracting element from a photo. Select the object using a selection tool. Press Shift+F5 to open the Fill dialog box. Choose "Content-Aware" from the "Contents" dropdown menu and click "OK." Photoshop analyzes the surrounding pixels and intelligently fills the selected area, seamlessly removing the object.

• Content-Aware Fill (Edit > Content-Aware Fill): This dedicated workspace provides more control over the content-aware filling process. It allows you to sample different areas of the image to generate a more accurate and realistic fill.

  • Use Case: You have a complex scene with intricate details, and the standard Fill command doesn't produce satisfactory results. Select the area you want to fill. Go to Edit > Content-Aware Fill. The workspace opens, allowing you to sample different regions of the image to guide the filling process. You can adjust the sampling area, rotation, and scale to achieve a seamless and natural-looking result.

Best Practices for "Create from Selection" in Photoshop

• Use High-Quality Selections: The accuracy of the "Create from Selection" command depends heavily on the quality of the initial selection. Use appropriate selection tools (e.g., Pen Tool, Quick Selection Tool, Magic Wand Tool) and refine your selections using the "Select and Mask" workspace.
• Understand Layer Stacking Order: Pay attention to the layer stacking order when creating new layers from selections. The new layer will be placed directly above the active layer.
• Utilize Adjustment Layers with Masks: Combine adjustment layers (e.g., Curves, Levels, Hue/Saturation) with layer masks created from selections to make targeted adjustments to specific areas of an image.
• Experiment with Different Blending Modes: Explore different blending modes (e.g., Multiply, Screen, Overlay) on layers created from selections to achieve various visual effects.
• Practice Non-Destructive Editing: Whenever possible, use layer masks and vector masks instead of permanently deleting or modifying pixels. This allows for greater flexibility and control during the editing process.

"Create from Selection" in Adobe Illustrator

In Illustrator, the "Create from Selection" concept is implemented through features that allow you to manipulate and create new paths and shapes based on existing selections.

1. Copy and Paste in Place

While not explicitly named "Create from Selection," copying and pasting in place is a fundamental technique for duplicating selected objects directly on top of the original. This is crucial for creating complex shapes and patterns.

• Copy (Ctrl+C / Cmd+C) followed by Paste in Place (Ctrl+Shift+V / Cmd+Shift+V): This duplicates the selected object(s) exactly on top of the original.

  • Use Case: You want to create a drop shadow effect. Select the object you want to add a shadow to. Copy it (Ctrl+C / Cmd+C) and Paste in Place (Ctrl+Shift+V / Cmd+Shift+V). Change the color of the duplicated object to black or a dark gray. Send the duplicated object to the back (Ctrl+Shift+[ / Cmd+Shift+[, or Object > Arrange > Send to Back). Offset the duplicated object slightly to create the shadow effect.

2. Pathfinder Panel

The Pathfinder panel provides a suite of tools for combining, subtracting, intersecting, and dividing shapes. Many of these operations rely on selections.

• Unite: Combines selected shapes into a single shape.

• Minus Front: Subtracts the top-most shape from the bottom-most shape.

• Intersect: Creates a new shape from the overlapping areas of the selected shapes.

• Exclude: Creates a new shape from the areas that do not overlap in the selected shapes.

• Divide: Divides the selected shapes into separate, individual paths based on their intersections.

  • Use Case (Intersect): You want to create a logo with a specific shape that overlaps with a text element. Create the shape and the text. Position them so that they overlap in the desired way. Select both the shape and the text. In the Pathfinder panel, click "Intersect." The resulting shape will be the intersection of the shape and the text.

3. Shape Builder Tool (Shift+M)

The Shape Builder Tool allows you to interactively merge, subtract, and extract shapes by dragging your cursor over selected paths. This is an incredibly intuitive way to create complex and organic shapes.

• Merging Shapes: Select the shapes you want to merge. Activate the Shape Builder Tool (Shift+M). Drag your cursor over the shapes you want to combine.

• Subtracting Shapes: Select the shapes you want to subtract from each other. Activate the Shape Builder Tool (Shift+M). Hold down the Alt (Option) key, and drag your cursor over the shapes you want to subtract.

  • Use Case: You want to create a complex illustration with interlocking shapes. Draw several overlapping shapes. Select all the shapes. Activate the Shape Builder Tool (Shift+M). Use the Shape Builder Tool to merge, subtract, and extract different parts of the shapes to create the desired illustration.

4. Clipping Masks

Clipping masks allow you to use one object as a mask to reveal only the portion of another object that lies within its boundaries. This effectively "creates" a new shape from a selection.

• Create Clipping Mask (Ctrl+7 / Cmd+7): Place the object you want to mask (the content) on top of the object you want to use as the mask (the shape). Select both objects. Press Ctrl+7 (Cmd+7) or go to Object > Clipping Mask > Make.

  • Use Case: You want to fill text with an image. Type out the text. Place the image on top of the text. Select both the text and the image. Press Ctrl+7 (Cmd+7) or go to Object > Clipping Mask > Make. The image will now be clipped to the shape of the text.

Best Practices for "Create from Selection" in Illustrator

• Use Layers for Organization: Organize your artwork using layers to keep your workspace clean and manageable.
• Expand Appearance: When working with strokes and effects, use Object > Expand Appearance to convert them to editable paths before using Pathfinder tools.
• Use the Direct Selection Tool: The Direct Selection Tool (A) allows you to select and manipulate individual anchor points and segments of paths, giving you precise control over your shapes.
• Experiment with Different Pathfinder Modes: Explore the various Pathfinder modes to discover new and unexpected ways to combine and manipulate shapes.
• Learn Keyboard Shortcuts: Mastering keyboard shortcuts can significantly speed up your workflow in Illustrator.

"Create from Selection" in Adobe After Effects

In After Effects, the "Create from Selection" concept is vital for motion graphics, visual effects, and compositing. It enables users to quickly generate new layers, masks, and effects based on existing selections within the composition.

1. Create Shapes from Vector Layer

This command allows you to create shape layers directly from the paths of a vector layer (e.g., an Illustrator file imported into After Effects). This is particularly useful for animating logos or other vector-based graphics.

• Select the Vector Layer: In the Timeline panel, select the vector layer containing the paths you want to use.

• Layer > Create > Create Shapes from Vector Layer: This command converts the vector paths into editable shape layers. Each path becomes a separate shape within the shape layer.

  • Use Case: You have a logo created in Illustrator that you want to animate in After Effects. Import the Illustrator file into After Effects as a composition. Select the logo layer in the Timeline panel. Go to Layer > Create > Create Shapes from Vector Layer. This creates a new shape layer with editable paths based on the logo's vector data. You can then animate the individual paths using shape layer properties like Trim Paths, Add, and Repeater.

2. Create Masks from Text

Similar to creating shapes from vector layers, this command converts text layers into mask paths. This allows you to use text as a mask for other layers or to create unique text-based animations.

• Select the Text Layer: In the Timeline panel, select the text layer.

• Layer > Create > Create Masks from Text: This command converts each character in the text layer into a separate mask on the same layer.

  • Use Case: You want to reveal a background image through text. Create a text layer with the desired text. Place the background image layer below the text layer. Select the text layer. Go to Layer > Create > Create Masks from Text. This creates masks for each character in the text. Set the Track Matte of the background image layer to "Alpha Matte" and select the text layer as the source. The background image will now be visible only through the shape of the text.

3. Track Mattes

Track mattes use the luminance or alpha values of one layer to control the visibility of another layer. While not a direct "Create from Selection" command, they heavily rely on selections and pre-composed layers.

• Alpha Matte: The layer above acts as a matte, revealing only the parts of the layer below that overlap with the opaque areas of the matte layer.

• Luma Matte: The layer above acts as a matte, revealing the layer below based on the luminance values of the matte layer.

  • Use Case (Luma Matte): You want to create a text reveal effect where the text gradually appears based on a gradient. Create a text layer. Create a gradient layer above the text layer. Set the Track Matte of the text layer to "Luma Matte" and select the gradient layer as the source. As the gradient animates, the text will gradually reveal itself based on the luminance values of the gradient.

4. Using Selections for Effects and Compositing

Selections can be used to target specific areas for applying effects or creating complex composites.

• Applying Effects to Selected Areas: Use masks created from selections to apply effects to specific areas of a layer.

• Creating Adjustment Layers with Masks: Create adjustment layers and use masks to selectively adjust the color, brightness, or other properties of specific regions.

  • Use Case: You want to add a vignette effect to your video. Create an adjustment layer above your video footage. Draw an elliptical mask on the adjustment layer around the center of the frame. Invert the mask. Adjust the exposure of the adjustment layer to darken the edges of the frame, creating a vignette effect.

Best Practices for "Create from Selection" in After Effects

• Pre-Compose Layers: When working with complex compositions, pre-compose layers to simplify your timeline and improve performance.
• Use Null Objects for Control: Use null objects to control the position, rotation, and scale of multiple layers simultaneously.
• Master the Pen Tool: The Pen Tool is essential for creating accurate and complex masks in After Effects.
• Learn Expressions: Expressions allow you to automate tasks and create dynamic animations in After Effects.
• Optimize Your Workflow: Optimize your workflow by using keyboard shortcuts and organizing your project files efficiently.

Conclusion

The "Create from Selection" command, and its various implementations across Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects, is an indispensable tool for designers and content creators. By understanding the nuances of this command in each application, users can significantly enhance their productivity, streamline their workflows, and unlock new creative possibilities. Mastering these techniques allows for more efficient and precise manipulation of images, shapes, and compositions, ultimately leading to higher-quality and more visually compelling results. Embrace the power of selections and transform your creative process.