Doubt on layer masks

[sovereign]

Ok .. I create an adjustment layer, that comes with a white mask already.
I can the paint with back, and if I want to refine it I can activate the "special" channel so I see a red overlay on top of the effect.
Cool !

But .. how does work the mask brush ?
It works with a lasso, overlay on top by default, and I don't understand how to commit the selection to the mask already present.

Thanks !

[Herbert123]

Two methods:

1) after creating a mask in mask mode, select the adjustment layer, and choose TOOL-->MASK-->MASK TO ALPHA. This will add either a mask you are working on in mask mode or an existing lasso (selection) to the selected layer adjustment's mask.

2) create a mask in mask mode, or a lasso. Select the adjustment layer, and at the bottom of the layer panel, open the mask drop down menu (icon with cat). Choose "Create from Mask". This will add a layer mask to the adjustment layer. Generally this is much more flexible, since you can now create layer mask groups as well.

3) Select the adjustment layer in the layer stack, and switch to the brush tool. Set the foreground colour to black, and click "Apply to Entire Image". This will fill the layer adjustment layer with black, and hide the effect. Now use selections and hit the <delete> key to add to the mask. The greyscale value in the background colour controls the amount.

[photoken]

(...) at the bottom of the layer panel, open the mask drop down menu (icon with cat).

[Herbert123]

(...) at the bottom of the layer panel, open the mask drop down menu (icon with cat).

What? It is definitely a sad looking kitty!

Untitled.png

Aqua_Kitty_Milk_Mine_Defender_Artwork_5.png

[photoken]

That sad "Aqua Kitty" is obviously a Canucks fan. This kitty, however, is sleeping very contentedly, indeed:

kitten Blackhawks 01.png

[bkh]

But .. how does work the mask brush ?

Actually, you don't normally use the mask brush to change the "mask" of an adjustment layer. The mask brush creates a selection mask (just called "mask" in PL), basically the area inside the lasso. Instead, just use the normal brush (or any other drawing tools, like the eraser) to paint on the adjustment layer using an appropriate level of grey. Normally, you'd use black and white as foreground and background colours. Similarly for layer masks, clipping layers etc.

Cheers

Burkhard.