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Posted on 12/12/10 01:01:40 AM |
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DomeniaBlack
* Posts: 4 Reply |
Layer Mask
I'm sure there is a simple solution to my question. I'm in CS3 trying to do a layer mask and I'm missing that icon where you can see whether you're working on the layer or mask. Please help! |
Posted on 12/12/10 07:56:17 AM |
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Nick Curtain
Model Master Posts: 1768 Reply  |
Re: Layer Mask
Hi Domenia I'm not sure how much you know, so have attached a screen grab. Two ways to create a mask - 1 via the layer menu, or - 2 via the icon at the bottom of the layers palette. Masks can be hide all, or reveal all. Painting black on a white mask will hide the layer and painting white on a black mask will reveal the layer detail. I find the latter is very useful to ensure you only reveal the elements of the layer you need. It's very easy to miss edges, particularly if the layer is moved after the mask is created and worked on. If you click on the icon in the layers palette a reveal all (white) mask will be the default. If you hold ALT when clicking on the icon, a hide all mask (black) will be produced. Of course you can inverse the mask by holding down CTRL & I, if you forget to hold ALT when selecting the mask. Once the mask is present, you'll see a frame around it. Click from layer to mask and back again and the frame will jump. Personally, I think Adobe should make it clearer if you're working on the mask or layer. I've found myself painting on the layer pixels by mistake and then having to undo, which is not always possible if the history state is set to a low level, say 25 and you've been clicking away with the brush for ages. I hope this helps and is not too basic for you. Nick  |
Posted on 12/12/10 10:19:43 PM |
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DomeniaBlack
* Posts: 4 Reply |
Re: Layer Mask
Thanks Nick for responding!! I've done everything you've suggested and I understand what you have shown me. My whole thing is I don't get the frames around the mask nor do I get the brush tool or quick mask icon to indicate what layer I'm actually working in. It's driving me crazy!!! I have CS3 so I don't know if that's a feature missing in CS3 or if it's some type of bug in my Photoshop. |
Posted on 12/12/10 10:31:49 PM |
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GKB
Magical Montagist Posts: 4033 Reply  |
Re: Layer Mask
Hi Domenia, Can you post a screen shot showing your problem? I'm sure there will be a simple answer. Gordon _________________ Why isn't 'phonetic' spelled the way it sounds? |
Posted on 12/12/10 11:35:54 PM |
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DomeniaBlack
* Posts: 4 Reply |
Re: Layer Mask
Hi Gordon, Perhaps I don't have a problem. I can see the frame around the mask that Nick referred to before. I think I agree with him that it ought to be more clear what layer you're working on. I'm working off the photoshop files from the CD "How to Cheat in Photoshop" Third Ed. CS2. In their example (from the book), you can see the icon displaying a quick mask or brush (right next to the visible layer icon). As you can see from the screen shot, I only have the eye icon. I'm using CS3, perhaps they changed that feature???  |
Posted on 13/12/10 08:02:43 AM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 7052 Reply  |
Re: Layer Mask
The double corners around the Mask icon shows that you're working on the mask here. That's your only clue in the Layers panel. But when you look in the window title, it will gives you more information: Filename @ 100% (Layer 1, RGB/8 ) This shows the name of the file @ the current view size, followed by (in brackets) the name of the layer you're working on, and whether you're working on the main layer (RGB) or the mask (it will say Layer Mask instead of RGB). The brush/mask icon was removed from Photoshop after CS2. |
Posted on 13/12/10 10:20:47 PM |
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DomeniaBlack
* Posts: 4 Reply |
Re: Layer Mask
Thanks Steve!!!! Love the book--very helpful and to the point. |
Posted on 14/12/10 07:44:44 AM |
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Steve Caplin
Administrator Posts: 7052 Reply |
Re: Layer Mask
You're welcome - and I'm glad you're finding the book useful. But the book is just the beginning: make full use of the forum! Questions like yours are exactly what it's here for. |