Layer Masks

Layer masks control a layer's level of transparency. While it is easy to control the opacity of a layer globally using the Opacity slider, layer masks are useful for targeting a particular part of a layer. Use layer masks to hide or reveal portions of the layer beneath. Layer masks are effective for combining multiple images into a single image or for making localized adjustments.

Layer Mask Example

To help understand how masks are related to layers, start with a black layer mask completely covering the layer below it. Paint the black layer mask with a white brush to brush "holes" through the mask, allowing the layer below mask to become visible through the holes. Conversely, a white layer mask is transparent and completely displays the layer below it and painting on the white layer mask with a black brush will masking the image, covering the layer below.

To create a layer mask:

Do one of the following:

  • In the Layers pane, right-click a layer to add a layer mask to and select Set Mask White or Set Mask Black.
  • Select Layer | Mask | Set Mask White or Set Mask Black from the main menu.
  • At the bottom of the Layers pane, click the Add layer mask button.

The layer mask appears in the Layers pane as a white or black box adjacent to the thumbnail of the selected layer. To perform actions on the layer mask, select the mask in the Layers pane. Alter the opacity of the layer mask by dragging the Opacity slider at the top of the Layers pane. Adjustment tools can also be applied to selected layer masks.

Selected white layer mask

Selected black layer mask

To disable a mask:

  1. Select the mask in the Layers pane.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • Right-click the mask and select Disable mask from the context menu.
    • In the Layers pane, after selecting the mask, click the Disable mask button.
    • Select Layer | Mask | Disable Mask from the main menu.
    • Press Ctrl + Shift + M.

To enable a mask:

  1. Select the mask in the Layers pane.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • Right-click the mask and select Enable mask from the context menu.
    • In the Layers pane, after selecting the mask, click the Enable mask button.
    • Select Layer | Mask | Enable Mask from the main menu.
    • Press Ctrl + Shift + M.

Mask Properties

The properties of each layer mask on each individual layer are adjusted in the Mask Properties panel. Adjustments made in the Mask Properties panel are non-destructive, meaning adjustments can me made at any time throughout the editing process.

To access the Mask Properties panel:

Select the mask in the Layers pane. The Mask Properties panel is displayed as a movable pane adjacent to the selected mask in the Layers pane.

 

The following adjustments can be made to a layer mask:

Feathering

Non-destructively feathers the mask to avoid sharp edges or a stark contrast between the mask and the layer. Move the slider to blur the edges of the mask.

Show Overlay Displays the overlay as a visual indicator residing on top of the image.
Disable/Enable Mask Toggles between disabling the mask and enabling the mask.

Invert

Non-destructively inverts the mask. Turns a white mask black, and a black mask white.

Displaying a mask overlay:

Make masks easier to see by enabling the Show Overlay checkbox in the Mask Properties panel.

To customize the Mask Overlay:

  1. Right-click a mask in the Layers pane and select Mask Overlay Options... from the context menu.
  2. In the Mask Overlay Options dialog, select one of the following overlay options in the left-hand section:

    3. Mask Highlighted

    Highlights the mask in the selected color. Select a color from the drop-down menu and customize the transparency of the mask overlay by using the Opacity slider in the right-hand section of the dialog.

    Mask Exposed

    Highlights the non-masked areas of a layer in the selected color. Select a color from the drop-down menu and customize the transparency of the unmasked area by using the Opacity slider in the right-hand section of the dialog.
  3. Click OK.

The mask overlay is only visible when the layer is selected.

To edit a layer mask:

Select the layer mask in the Layers pane, then choose any adjustment, drawing, or selection tool.

Mask Flexibility

Create or modify selections from masks.

To create a layer mask from a selection:

  1. Make a selection in the Display Area.
  2. Go to Layer | Mask | Add Mask to Selection.

Or:

  1. Make a selection in the Display Area.
  2. Click the Add layer mask button. Or add any adjustment layer by selecting one of the icons from the bottom of the Layers pane to automatically make a mask from the selection.

Or:

  1. Make a selection in the Display Area.
  2. Right-click the layer in the Layers pane and select Mask From Selection from the context menu.

To add a mask to a selection:

  1. With the mask selected in the Layers pane, make a selection.
  2. Right-click the mask and select Add Mask To Selection.

To subtract a mask from a selection:

  1. With the mask selected in the Layers pane, make a selection.
  2. Right-click the mask and select Subtract Mask From Selection.

To select the area common to the mask and the selection:

  1. With the mask selected in the Layers pane, make a selection.
  2. Right-click the mask and select Intersect Mask With Selection.

To delete selected mask pixels:

See Using Selections.

Creating Layer Masks From Specific Colors and Tones

Create masks from specific targeted colors and/or tones, including skin tones.

To create a layer mask by targeting colors or tones:

  1. Select a layer and set a white or black mask.
  2. Right-click the mask and select Pixel Targeting... from the context menu.
  3. In the Pixel Targeting panel, configure the settings.
  4. Click OK. The mask is created from the targeted color(s) and/or tone(s).

Creating Layer Masks From Images

Copy color images and paste them as grayscale (luminance) masks on other layers, including adjustment layers.

To create a mask from an image:

  1. Do one of the following:
    • Right-click an image in the Layers pane and select Copy from the context menu.
    • With an image selected in the Layers pane, select Edit | Copy from the main menu.
  2. Select a layer in the Layers pane and do one of the following:
    • Right-click the layer and select Paste as Mask from the context menu.
    • Select Edit | Paste as Mask from the main menu.
    • Select Layer | Mask | Paste as Mask from the main menu.

See also: