To start, let’s create a layer mask on the “Fade” layer. Let’s not stop there! If layer masks can hold any grayscale information, why not try to mask a layer with something photographic? In this example, we will try using a textural image of plaster to mask the word “Fade”, which we’ve set in a vintage cursive font. Layer mask filled with photographic content In essence, the clouds in Layer 2 are “showing through” the areas of Layer 1, which have become transparent as a result of the gradient layer mask.
PERFECT LAYERS VS LAYER GUIDES FULL
As you can see, the thumbnail fills with a gradient from black to white and the corresponding layer smoothly transitions between full opacity and full transparency. Finally, let’s drag the gradient tool across the canvas. Press G to switch to the gradient tool, then select the layer mask by clicking on its thumbnail. Let’s see what happens if we fill the layer mask with a gradient ranging from black to white! In fact, layer masks can hold any form of grayscale pixel information. Layer masks don’t end with black and white. In this case, we would see half clouds and half bird. Instantly we see that the layer mask thumbnail turns black, and the corresponding layer disappears from the canvas – revealing the clouds in Layer 2!Ĭontrary to our previous example, which uses a layer mask filled with white pixels, layer masks filled with black pixels create full transparency in the corresponding pixel area of the layer which is masked.Ĭan you guess what happens if we fill half the layer mask with white and half with black? That’s right! Half the image becomes visible while the other half stays transparent. What happens if we replace the layer mask’s white pixels with black pixels? Simply click the layer mask thumbnail, then click Edit > Fill. This means the areas of a layer mask that hold white pixels allow the same pixel area of their corresponding layer to show through. That’s right, layer masks hold pixel data too! In fact, they can be thought of as layers in their own right, existing in a parallel universe.Ĭurrently, the layer mask in our example holds entirely white pixels, as seen in the layer mask thumbnail. The reason for this has to do with the contents of the layer mask. As seen in the example above, a white rectangle appears to the right of the image thumbnail.ĭespite the fact that we’ve added a layer mask, nothing has visibly changed on the canvas. Alternatively, you can navigate to Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal All (we’ll get to the other options later).
Let’s start by adding a layer mask to a layer.įirst, select the layer you want to mask (in this example Layer 1), then click the layer mask button as highlighted above. Photoshop provides a complete set of functions for handling layer masks. With that said let’s jump in! Layer mask tutorial. This means you can play with the transparency in a multitude of ways without harming the layer content or creating an irreversible mess.
Layer masks, on the other hand, leave the original layer pixel data untouched. That method resides in what we consider a destructive workflow. I mean… can’t I just use the eraser tool to remove parts of an image? The answer is yes! However, if you do those parts of the image will be lost forever. Similarly, Photoshop layer masks can be used to hide and reveal sections of a layer. These masks hide some areas of a persons face and reveal others-often the eyes, nose and mouth. To use a simple analogy, Photoshop layer masks work similar to masquerade ball masks. In other words, the areas of a layer that are hidden by a layer mask actually become transparent, allowing image information from lower layers to show through. Photoshop layer masks control the transparency of the layer they are “worn” by. They open huge doors to creative possibilities and help Photoshop users knock out simple tasks as well! What is a Photoshop layer mask?
PERFECT LAYERS VS LAYER GUIDES HOW TO
Because of their fundamental nature, every Photoshop user should have a working understanding of layer masks and how to use them. Photoshop layer masks offer advanced control over image transparency, one of the most basic functionalities of Photoshop.
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