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I wish to create a bookmark shape within a bar shape and make it look like it is "part" of the underlying bar shape, i.e. It conforms to the same gradient, but is only a different color.

I created the below bookmark before I wished to do this. It is currently a smart object and also a raster image, so I am assuming it will be of no help.

My idea was to use the Pen tool to create a work path as part of the bar (using this existing bookmark as a template for the shape). I did this, but I was not sure where to go from there.

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

enter image description here

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marked as duplicate by Scott, Brendan, Johannes, JohnB, MephistonX Apr 25 '13 at 15:41


errrr.. huh? You mean you want the little hole in it? If that's the case, see here: graphicdesign.stackexchange.com/questions/8384/… –  Scott Apr 24 '13 at 12:47
Sorry I wasn't clear enough. I don't want a hole - let's say I want to keep the bookmark the same color as it is, but I want it to conform to the same gradient as the underlying layer. I assuming this bookmark itself (as it's raster) won't help, but I need to somehow carve another (bookmark-shaped) path into the underlying layer which I will then need to somehow make inherit the same gradient? By "same gradient," I mean, if the bookmark were the same color as the underlying bar and had no stroke, you would not be able to see it... –  zakgottlieb Apr 24 '13 at 15:51
I'm still not really getting it. Can't you simply create a shape layer and lower the Fill slider in the Layers Panel to 0%? –  Scott Apr 24 '13 at 17:09
I think it was a bad image - I've updated it. I want the bookmark to "belong" to the bar it is placed on by sharing its gradient, and perhaps looking like it is part of the bar itself - that is all. Apologies for not being clear enough. –  zakgottlieb Apr 24 '13 at 22:23
I think I might understand your question now. Do you want the bookmark shape to have the same effect as the back button in your image? –  Derek Apr 24 '13 at 22:36
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3 Answers

up vote 1 down vote accepted

Okay. Take a look at this question:

Name and possibly a tutorial for this inset rounded rectangle technique

Basically the a very similar set up. The primary difference is in how the shape is filled and the blend mode for the gradient overlay.

blend bevel inner shadow gradient overlay

the final image consisting of 2 layers. The red layer, then a vector layer for the rectangle with the above layer styles applied to it.


This allows the inner shape to only adjust highlights and shadows so... if you alter the red layer, the shape changes as well...

inset 1

Of course, you can always tweak further to meet your specific needs.

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Thanks, this was very helpful. –  zakgottlieb Apr 25 '13 at 23:11
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Make your bookmark shape a solid red color then change the blending option for the layer to color.

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I'd make an Hue/saturation adjustment layer with a mask the shape of your little bookmark (you can use a vector mask or a raster mask.

Then you can tweak the hue to your hearts content.

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