A layer covering all non-transparent areas in Photoshop

Question

I have a PNG layer which has a drop shadow applied in Photoshop.

I'd like to create another layer of white color which would cover all non-transparent pixels on the canvas (i.e. the original PNG + the shadow).

Is there a way to conveniently do this in CS5(12)?

Here is a screenshot of the original image (on the left) and the best approximation I could get it to (on the right). However, the problem is that the shadow is not solid white as it should be (this is needed for the resulting image to act as a mask in mobile gaming framework).

Answer 1

If your copy of Photoshop is CS2 or later, copy the layer and convert it to a Smart Object. Then use Layer > Rasterize > Layer

If earlier than CS2, copy the original layer and place an empty new layer beneath it.

Then merge the copied layer into the empty layer to flatten it with Layers > Merge Down...

In either case, next lock the transparency on the returned layer and fill with white:

Answer 2

If I understand correctly, which I'm not entirely sure I do (rarely am). You should be able to Control Click on the Layer and it will select all existing pixels. Then just create a new layer and fill with white.

Oh I see with your edit. You'll want to Right Click the layer and choose "Rasterize Layer Style"

Then do the Control Click on layer to select all those pixels. (note I did this screenshot before the edit so my layer style isn't rasterized in the picture)

Create a new layer and fill with white.

Answer 3

• duplicate all layers
• with all your copies still selected, merge those layers
• done. Add a color overlay of white to the layer if you like.

Answer 4

Here is the solution I found works for my task:

1. Duplicate the original image.
2. With it being selected, go to Select / Color Range and in the "Select" drop-down choose "Shadows", OK. This will select the full drop shadow area applied to the original image.
3. To turn it to solid white, go to Layer / New Fill Layer / Solid Color and apply white.
4. In order for the inside areas of the original image to be white as well, duplicate the original layer again, apply white Color Overlay to it and merge it with the white shadow layer (from steps 1-3).

As a result, the resulting white layer occupies the identical area of the original image (incl. its shadow), and the shadow is solid white as needed.