: How to extract a blended layer from its background I often get PSD assets that have layers with blending modes that end up blending them into a background layer. I'm trying to figure out

@BetL875

If I understand the question correctly, you want the resulting color appearance and the shape with that color appearance to become a layer, with the (previously blended) color now a full "native" color and the remainder of the layer transparent.

Here's how I would tackle it, given this as a starting point (your example):




First create a new layer that duplicates the color appearance of the current composite. You do this by targeting the current top layer, then using Ctl-Alt-Shift-E (Cmd-Opt-Shift-E) to create a new layer. This basically creates a new layer and applies "Merge Visible" into the new layer.





Ctl/Cmd-click on the layer thumbnail of your blended layer to create a selection. (Don't target the layer, just Ctl/Cmd-click the thumbnail in the layers panel.)





The new solid layer should still be targeted in the layers panel. Press Ctl/Cmd-J to copy that portion of the solid layer onto its own layer.

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@YK2262411

Blue background
New layer with white squiggle
Set blend mode to overlay
Select > Color Range, click on white squiggle and adjust fuzziness.
Use quick mask to clean up as required
Duplicate layer to move the squiggle into a layer with transparent background


Or use select color range, select the background, quick mask, then delete to remove background.

The other thing you could try is duplicate your background layer, move it to the top, and set blend mode to subtract or difference. You'll get a black background with the "white" squiggle, but the squiggle will be a bit darker too.

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