Selecting Area

[ColinRUK]

Hi,

I’m new to AP and am really enjoying using it.  I have added a rounded rectangle shape to a layer and changed the blend mode and colour to add some light to the area within the rectangle.  My question is whether there is an easy way to select the area outside the rectangle for the purpose of decreasing the exposure of that area ?  I know I can use the selection brushes but is there an easier way ?

Thanks for any help.

[GarryP]

Welcome to the forums.
There are probably lots of different ways of doing what you want but the best method will probably depend on the specific circumstances.
I don’t totally understand what you are trying to do but I’ve attached an AFPHOTO file where I have used a rounded rectangle to recolour the face with a Multiply Blend Mode while using a different rounded rectangle – cut out of a larger rectangle – to alter the exposure of the rest of the photo. You can turn each layer off and on to see what happens.
If this isn’t the sort of thing that you want then you may need to give us more details.

untitled.afphoto

[ColinRUK]

Thanks for your reply Garry.  What you've done with your photograph is what I am looking to achieve with mine.  I have something similar to your rounded rectangle layer but what I don't see in the file you sent me is the second rectangle which you describe as a "rounded rectangle – cut out of a larger rectangle".  This is the heart of my question - how do I select the area outside of the first rectangle automatically ?

Thanks for any help.

 

[GarryP]

I’ve attached a video of a slightly different way to do it.
Note: When I press the Geometry Subtract button I also use the ALT modifier key to create a Compound layer rather than subtracting the rounded rectangle completely, but you don’t need to do this. Make sure you get the first rounded rectangle correct before you do anything else with it otherwise any fix will require more work (not impossible, just a faff).

[ColinRUK]

Thanks for your efforts on this one Garry, that was exactly what I was looking for

[GarryP]

You're welcome.