Large Area Maps in Photoshop

These instructions use the base .psd map entitled "Map-Raw.psd". Instructions are given on a layer-by-layer basis.

Start with either the Generating a Land Form steps OR the Using an Already-Existing Shape steps.

Generating a Land Form

Background Layer

• Filter > Render > Clouds
• Create "Paint Layer"

Paint Layer

• Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Threshold 1
• At this point, landmass-like shapes will appear.
• Brush: Soft, Size 200, Opacity 10%
• Paint Layer > Opacity 50%
• With Black, click onto areas you want to remove land. This removes land with each click.
• With White, click onto areas you want to add land. This adds land with each click.
• Reduce Brush size to deal with smaller details.
• Select > All
• Edit > Copy Merged
• Click on the Channels Tab

Using an Already-Existing Shape

• Place the map shape into a layer above the Background layer.
• Color the land so that it is white, and the seas so that they are black.
• Select > All
• Edit > Copy Merged
• Click on the Channels Tab

Alpha Channel

• Create new Channel.
• Edit > Paste to new Channel.
• click on "Threshold 1" layer in Layers.

Threshold 1

• Layer > Delete > Layer
• Create "Land" Layer

Land

• Select > Load Selection > Alpha 1
• Edit > Fill > Foreground Color (should be White)