Adobe Photoshop CS2 On Demand [Electronic resources]

Creating a Layer Mask

The creation of a layer mask requires two things: an open document and any Photoshop layer type with the exception of the Background. When you add the layer mask, you will be working with two layer elementsthe image and the mask. It's important to know what element you're working on, or you might wind up painting on the image instead of the mask. When that occurs, it's good to remember the undo button. Once the mask is created, you can selectively control, without erasing, the visible portions of the image.

Create a Layer Mask

Open a document.

Click the

Layers palette.

Click the layer to contain the mask.

Click the

Add Layer Mask button.

Click on the image thumbnail to modify or adjust the image.

The active pointer resembles a paintbrush, indicating you are working on the image.

Click on the mask thumbnail to modify or paint the mask.

The active pointer resembles the mask button, indicating you are working on the mask.

Click the

chain button to separate the mask from the image.

This allows you to move the mask, without moving the image, or vise versa.

Click the

chain button again to reestablish the link between mask and image.

Shift+click on the mask button to temporarily disable or enable the mask.

Alt+click (Win) or Option+click (Mac) to view or hide the mask in the document window.