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Knockout to reveal content from other layers

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Photoshop

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Use the Knockout option in Photoshop to create texture effects in text or shape layers

Create a knockout

Use the Knockout option to place a solid layer of color over an image and punch out some of that layer to reveal a portion of the image. 

You can also use this effect on a text layer to knock out a color adjustment layer and reveal a portion of the image using the original colors.

Deep Knockout effect created using Photoshop
Deep Knockout effect created using Photoshop

Keep in mind the following when creating the Knockout effect:

  • The layer that will create the shape of the knockout
  • The layer that will be "punched through"
  • The layer contents that will be revealed

Place the layers you want to use in a group or clipping mask to reveal a layer other than the Background.

Choose Layer > New > Background from Layer to convert a regular layer into the Background layer.

Do one of the following: 

  • To reveal the background, position the layer that will create the knockout on top of the layers that will be punched through. Make sure the bottom layer in the image is a Background layer. (Choose Layer > New > Background from Layer to convert a regular layer into the Background layer.)

    Or,

  • To reveal a layer on top of the Background, place the layers you want to punch through in a group. The top layer in the group will punch through the grouped layers to the next layer following the group.

    Or,

  • To reveal the base layer of a clipping mask, place the layers you want to use in a clipping mask (see Revealing layers with clipping masks). Make sure the Blend Clipped Layers As Group option is selected for the base layer (see Group blend effects).

  1. Select the top layer (the layer that will create the knockout).

  2. To display blending options, double-click the layer (anywhere outside the layer name or thumbnail) and choose Layer > Layer Style > Blending Options or choose Blending Options from the Layers panel menu.

    Note:

    To view blending options for a text layer, choose Layer > Layer Style > Blending Options or choose Blending Options from the Add A Layer Style button in the Layers panel menu.

  3. Choose an option from the Knockout drop-down menu:

    • Select Shallow to knock out to the first possible stopping point, such as the first layer after the layer group or the base layer of the clipping mask.

    • Select Deep to knock out to the Background layer. If there is no Background, Deep knocks out to transparency.

    Note:

    When not using a layer group or clipping mask, both Shallow and Deep will create a knockout that reveals the background layer (or transparency, if the bottom layer isn't a Background layer).

  4. To create the knockout effect, you can either lower the Fill Opacity or use the selections in the Blend Mode menu to change the blending mode and reveal underlying pixels.

  5. Select OK and your knockout effect is ready. 

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