transfering texture

[calebm12]

Got a questions, dont even know if i have the ability to do it. But i have a pic of a checkered flag kinda blowing in the breeze...meanin the white and black squares have shading on them. i then have several pics i would like to insert into the white squares but not give up the textures of the flag waving. how can i do this? is it possible to have the small pics at 100% opacity and still have the flag texture.

many thanks
caleb

[urstwile]

I think what you need here is a displacement map. Try googling that, or search the forums for techniques. Basically, you'll take the channel with the best representation of the shading, and use that as a displacement map for the image you're trying to place in the square. I'm sure another guru will be along with a more detailed explanation.

[hewligan]

You probably will need a displacement map, which are always a bit tricky to handle, but you'll also need to change the blend mode of the upper layer. You'll probably get best results with one of the modes in the group that starts with "overlay," but try a few and see which one looks best.

Ooh, here's a tutorial:

http://www.photoshopcafe.com/tutorials/dispmap/dispmap.htm

[urstwile]

I've seen that tutorial, it's a good one, and probably perfect for what you want to do, caleb.

[calebm12]

great. i will check out the tutorial. there is abotu 5 pics i want to put into 5 different white squares. i have tried cloning the pic into the space in a different layer, than magic wanding the white square and lowering the opacity...but of course this fades the pic. well check out the tutorial, might be back with more questions. yall are great. might be gettin in over my head.

[hewligan]

You definitely don't want to change the opacity.

Displacement maps are a way of getting the image to fit the waves of your flag. If you don't need 'em, don't worry about 'em, as they can be tricky.

If you're happy with the shapes you've got, set the layer mode to "overlay," and you're probably done. You'll get a better result with a displacement map, but depending on the image you're dealing with it may not be absolutely necessary.

[calebm12]

i will try the displacement map tomm....but it looks like i could possibly be satisfied with an overlay layer covered by a multiply layer. mulitply kinda makes it darker. like i said i am new to this...so this might now even be proper technique. thanks for your help.
caleb