How to Easily Cut Out Glass and Transparent Objects in Photoshop

Photoshop Tips & Tricks

Cutting glass and transparent objects in Photoshop may seem like a difficult task, but actually is easier than you think. There are many different techniques, but today I will show you a method that is non-destructive and let you adjust the effect by adjusting the shadows and highlights via the Levels adjustment layers. All you need is a background you like to use to place your object and an image of your glass object preferably over a light background.

Step 1

Open the image you want to use as a background for your glass object in Photoshop.

Step 2

Go to File > Place Embedded. Locate the glass object image (in this case, a bottle) on your computer and click the "Place" button.

Step 3

Using your favorite method make a selection around your subject, which in this case is the glass bottle.

Step 4

With the selection active go to Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal Selection.

Step 5

Rename the layer to "Shadows" and set the blending mode to "Multiply".

Step 6

Go to Layer > New Adjustment Layer > Levels. In the Level Properties panel be sure to check the "Clipping Mask" icon and adjust both the Shadow and Midtone Input Levels.

Step 7

In the Layer Panel select the "Shadows" and the Levels adjustment layers and go to Layer > Duplicate Layers.

Step 8

Rename the "Shadows copy" layer to "Highlights", set the blending mode to "Screen" and the Fill to about 95%.

Step 9

Select the copied Levels adjustment layer and again adjust both the Shadow and Midtone Input Levels until only the highlights are visible.

Step 10

Make a copy of the "Highlights" layer and go to Layer > Arrange > Bring to Front.

Step 11

Rename the layer to "Cap", set the blending mode to "Normal" and bring back the Fill to 100%.

Step 12

Lastly, select the Layer Mask thumbnail in the Layers Panel, and using a black brush color paint over the bottle part to hide it and only let the cap be visible.