Re-editing selections

[Alan9940]

Let's say I create a circle lasso, and then create a curves adjustment layer. I now have a mask attached to my adjustment layer. I go on to do other things. Is it possible to activate this curves layer later on and re-display the circle lasso allowing me to change it?

[Hoogo]

Does it look like this?

Curve.png

I see different solutions for your problem.

1) Closest to your request: The layer list has a channel list by its side. open that list, right click the special channel, and create a mask from it. At least you have a selection/mask now,
2) The adjustment layer is a normal layer. Maybe you don't need the mask itself, but want to change it? You can paint and apply any tools to that layer.
3) You could start with a white vector circle insetad of a circle lasso, then "layer > Change adjustment" (something like that). That allows the nicest changes to the circle, but no painting anymore.

[Alan9940]

Well, I'm thinking #1 is what I want, but it doesn't work as I would expect. I'm working on a standard RGB image (Picture Mode) and want to apply some darkening to the upper image area using a curve adjustment layer. After using the Circle Lasso and creating the curves adjustment layer, my layers panel looks like this:

Screenshot 2026-04-17 120932.png

Sorry, I tried to add a couple more images to this post, but get some sort of error status when I upload them. Trying to explain it all in words is probably going to be pretty confusing, but if I deselect the original lasso, move on to other things, then want to re-edit the curves adjustment lasso selection it seems that this original selection is not really editable. This is a bit of a bummer because I may want to modify a selected area based on other image adjustments made down stream.

If I right-click the Special Channel and select Channel to Selection, the lasso returns but cannot really be modified. If I grab, say, the center lower handle and pull it down, the shape of the circle lasso changes but the darkening effect from the curves adjustment remains as it was originally applied. This is very easy to see if the curves adjustment is re-opened and the original area is made even darker. Does this make sense? I hope it does. Basically, I want to apply a vignette to the upper image area, only, and if I want to adjust it later I'd like to have that option. Given the power of PL, if there's a better or easier way to do what I'm trying to do I'm all ears.

Thank you.

[shijan]

Here is how to create adjustment layer with vector mask instead of default raster mask. You can fill that base vector mask with vector gradient as well.

[shijan]

When you create Adjustment Layer based on Lasso, it simply creates black raster image and fills lasso area with white color. So the only way to modify it is to paint with white colored brush on Adjustment Layer. So if you need to create Vignette or some simple shape that require non-destructive modification - use vector mask.

[shijan]

To be honest in your situation it may be even better to use circular gradient as mask.
- Add Adjustment layer and vector layer into Group.
- Right mouse click on eye icon to switch vector layer to mask mode.
- Switch vector mask to Luminance mode in Layer Attributes.
Here is PLD example.

Screen Shot 2026-04-17 at 10.55.12 PM.jpg

[Alan9940]

I think the vector mask is what I really want, but I'm going to need to spend some time playing around with it because this is beyond my current skills.

[Alan9940]

@shijan,

I thought I recognized your userid because you helped me with crafting irregular vignettes last year. I understood the concepts at that time, but since PL is not a "daily driver" for me I've pretty much forgotten what I previously learned about vector shapes and vector masks. I just upgraded to v25 and installed PL on my new Macbook, and I really want to learn to do things natively vs relying on plugins and external programs to accomplish simple tasks.

Anyway, thank you both for your help.

[Hoogo]

So you don't like the old circle anymore and want to replace it with a different one.
I think I would keep the curves adjustment for the purpose of the vignette, but you may want to check the old thread about that.
Some more ways to do that:

If you're sure it will be something circular:
1- layer > vector > fit in vector layer
2- Go to the fill color of the new layer and select the circular bw gradient
3- Use the vector tool (key V) to see the gradient, move it around, move the colors...
4- layer > change adjustment > curves

Curves1.jpg

But maybe you need more complicated shapes, maybe more than 1 circle?
...
4- Group that single vecor layer
5- layer > change adjustment > curves on that group. Now you can add or replace layers in the mask

Curves2.jpg

[Alan9940]

Thank you, Hoogo. Nearly every time I post a question on this forum, I'm always impressed by the level of knowledge and expertise of the members here. It makes me realize how little I truly know about this very powerful piece of software. I will study this thread and the previous one, and see if I can educate myself a bit.

Thanks, again, to both of you.