Photoshop: How to apply a pattern to a custom selection/layer

Posted on 10. Jul, 2009 by Dragos in Design, Photoshop

In this tutorial we’re going to apply a pattern to a custom selection. I chose to apply the US flag to a custom selection made to fit the US territory on the map.

Here’s the map:

World map

Now, with the help of the Lasso Tool I made the custom selection to “fit” the US territory.

Custom selected the US territory

Probably you have noticed that the custom selection contains the surrounding oceans also. To eliminate the waters from the selection I use the Magic Wand tool. With the left Alt key pressed I removed the transparent pixels from the selections (these are the waters). So now I end up with this selection, which is much better:

Better selection

Now right click on the custom selection and select Layer via copy. A new layer will be created containing the custom shape (in my case the territory of the US).

Save selection as a new layer

Now right click on the new layer and select  Blending Options.

Select Blending Options

Now click on Pattern overlay from the new window.

Select Pattern Overlay

Now select the Pattern picker.

Select Pattern Picker

Now select your preffered pattern. I chose the US flag pattern.

Select pattern

Now scale the pattern to best fit your layer.

Scale the pattern to fit your layer

Click Ok to dismiss the Blending Options window.

Save your settings

Now select both layers in order to merge them. Click on one of them, then by pressing the CTRL key, choose the second one.

Choose both layers

Now right click on any one of the two layers and select Merge Layers.

Merge layers

That’s it! For a better look I added the Drop shadow effect to the layer.

Here’s what I got:

Map with US emphasized

                    
                    

Related posts:

1. Photoshop: How to save/define a new pattern
2. Photoshop: Empty selection with smooth rounded edges