Photoshop tools: the mask
If you remember, in our review of the basic tools of Photoshop we have tried two that are commonly used to select and isolate elements of an image: the Selection and Pen . Both are essential in many cases, but there are others that are limited by the route that traces them.
In those cases, Photoshop has another more general form of selection: the masks . If you have not used up to now, join us for this tutorial and you’ll see that the selection method is more natural and intuitive who has this program.
How do masks?
In Photoshop, the layers are like sheets of acetate overlays. If you cut one using the Selection or Pen and eliminate everything else, what you’ve done is the same as if you cut these sheets . As you might guess, this is a destructive and irreversible option.
The function of the mask is different. In this case, the equivalent would be an opaque sheet superimposed over each layer , which would see only the clipped over it. So do not lose the image of the layer, but to recover it would only remove the mask that covers it.
Mask Types
There are three types of masks, and each layer can have one of each:
tiposmasc1. Layer mask: a mask is formed by a bitmap image. This image can only be in grayscale , with this gradation what set the opacity of the mask and therefore what is seen in the layer.
2. Vector mask : a mask consisting of a vector path . Here there is opacity, which define the layout of the mask will be visible behind her.
3. Clipping Mask : is to make a layer is covered by the transparent pixels below it. That is, the layer below a clipping mask mask act on it, but both still work as layers and display their content wherever it is unobstructed.
Quick Mask : we speak of them in the tutorial on the Selection tool . They are like the masks but they apply to a choice rather than one layer.
Ways to apply a mask
1. Released as a layer
Common type is the creation of a mask. To accomplish this, click on the "Create Layer Mask"mascbotonwithin the "Layers." The result you see on the menu itself, since it appears to the right of the thumbnail of the layer.
At first, this mask is completely blank and will not be opaque, if you press Alt while clicking the same button, black mask and will leave the total opacity.
From here, you can edit the mask to any Photoshop retouching tools : brushes, pencils, eraser, correction, filters … But keep in mind that while you select any color, will work only in grayscale . Three examples:
In the first example, we started with a mask without opacity and have drawn several lines with variants of darkness .
In the second example, we have begun in white and we’ve applied a gradient from white to black . This resource is often widely used to create reflections of objects on surfaces.
In the third example, we render clouds filter on the mask. The result is similar to a layer fog clears.
2. Based on a selection
Another way is also widely used as a selection and turn it into a mask that is applied only to a certain layer. Always remember that selections and masks, but with different functions are interchangeable.
Define the region to select the tools and menus that show you in this tutorial . Then click on the "Create Layer Mask" and get a layer mask in the shape of the selection. Even if you have applied smoothing effects or draft selection, will lead to variety in its equivalent gray mask.
As before, if you press Alt along with this button will reverse the colors and, consequently, crop areas.
3. Creating a vector mask
There are two ways to create a vector mask. The first one will explain it in the tutorial on the pen tool , under the heading "What I can do with a plot?". The other way is having previously created a layer mask. Pressing the same button, it will create a vector mask blank.
In both cases, the only tool to edit is the Pen.
4. As a quick mask
As noted, the management of such masks is related to the selection and, therefore, find more information on how to implement the tutorial on this tool .
The masks and their relationship with the channels
And, for Photoshop, a mask is, after all, an alpha channel applied only to a layer . Explain later how you can take advantage of the channels, meanwhile, will help you to know that the panel channels if the channel mask is visible, you can make selection by the bottom button "Load channel as selection."
Removing a mask
Remove mask is achieved as a layer. However, before doing so a window will appear asking if you definitely want to apply the layer mask. Make sure what you want, because the process is as destructive as erasing what is outside of a selection.
Final details
A couple of final tips about masks:
* You can not apply layer styles and blending modes to a mask. However, it can be applied to the bonded layer and act as if the mask was transparent.
* Everything said about layer masks is also applicable to groups of layers .
We hope that this information will be easier to use masks. Its use is so broad that will inspire you to do much more refined designs in Photoshop.
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