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Post by Tpgettys on Apr 6, 2020 4:31:21 GMT
This is one of those things I can never remember. It was even shown in a recent tutorial/challenge.
How do you load an existing layer mask into the editor, and then restore it after editing?
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Post by cats4jan on Apr 6, 2020 13:01:49 GMT
I use my masks as I would use any jpg or png. I drag/drop or copy/paste it into my project - similar to how you would add any photo to a project. Doing it this way guarantees you don’t need to worry about any changes to masks because the original is not changed
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Post by ritage on Apr 6, 2020 17:28:27 GMT
Tom,
I duplicate the Mask File, then close the original. The duplicate can then be altered any way desired, either after dragging into an image or free standing.
BTW I do this with any existing element I use to construct an image, even current selections.
Rita
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Post by Tpgettys on Apr 6, 2020 17:56:53 GMT
Janice and Rita, thank you very much for responding. I guess I didn't do a good job asking my question. I often use a layer mask to selectively apply an adjustment to an image. What I was asking was how to briefly load the layer mask into editor, and then restore it as a layer mask.
Last night I was using Ctrl, Alt, shift in various combinations to no avail. What I realized today was I kept double-clicking. If you just Alt-click a layer mask (one click only!) the mask is available for editing. It goes back to being a layer mask when I click some other layer.
So, problem solved! Thanks again for your efforts.
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HappyScot
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 111 
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by HappyScot on Apr 7, 2020 17:21:23 GMT
Sorry Tpgettys I'm just curious. Why and what editing would you do to a mask away from its layer? |
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Post by cats4jan on Apr 7, 2020 17:28:10 GMT
Sorry - misunderstood the scope of the thread. I’m deleting my response so as not to send the thread in another direction
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Post by Sepiana on Apr 7, 2020 17:42:25 GMT
Why and what editing would you do to a mask away from its layer? HappyScott, The technique Tpgettys is talking about is the standard way to check the accuracy of a layer mask. I use it all the time. Checking the Accuracy of a Layer Mask |
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Post by Tpgettys on Apr 7, 2020 18:52:04 GMT
Sorry Tpgettys I'm just curious. Why and what editing would you do to a mask away from its layer?
Thanks for your question HappyScot! The short answer is that it allows you to bring to bear the full power of the editor in modifying/adjusting a mask.
A use of this technique can be found in this Creative Effects Challenge: Luminosity MaskThe basic idea was to duplicate your image, make it black-and-white, and then use that as the image mask. By doing this the mask allows you to adjust just the light areas of the image (or the dark if you invert the mask). I think that is very clever!
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