Adding an Alpha Channel

An alpha channel is an extra channel that you use to store a selection in an image. You can easily reload the selection from the channel or even convert the channel to a spot-color treatment, as described in the section "Adding Spot Color " in the next chapter. The steps that follow explain the easiest way to save a spot channel ”by saving a selection as a spot channel.

1. Make a selection on a layer using the selection tool of your choice. The selection will appear in the image.

2. Click on Window . The Window menu will appear.

3. Click on Channels . The Channels palette will become active.

   

4. Click on the Save Selection as Channel button at the bottom of the Channels palette. The new channel will appear immediately in the Channels palette.

   

5. Click on the new channel in the palette. The new channel will be selected.

6. Double-click on the Name of the channel. It will appear highlighted in a box.

   

7. Type a name for the channel. Your new name will replace the temporary name in the box.

8. Click on any blank area in the palette. Photoshop will save the channel under the name you specified.

   

   Note

   To load the selection from a channel, click on the channel in the Channels palette and then click on the Load Channel as Selection button at the bottom of the Channels palette.