Layer Masks in Elements

uzziel says

RE: Layer Masks in Elements

MikeTheTog, that's a top tip! Thanks for sharing it

And Kingsley, thanks for the video - if you hadn't done the video, Mike might not have been prompted to mention the plug-in

12 June 2009 18:30

kingsleysingleton says

RE: Layer Masks in Elements

Hi Gary – glad you enjoyed the vid.

The advantage of using an Adjustment Layer and its attached Mask is that it works just like a proper Layer Mask in Photoshop. So therefore, you paint in black to hide pixels, white to reveal them and shades of grey to get different opacity effects. 

If you use a blank layer instead of an Adjustment Layer the clipped layer is instantly hidden and you'll be able to reveal pixels by painting in any colour. However, Elements won't recognise transparent pixels already on the layer (these will just get filled up with the colour you're painting) and you won't be hide the pixels again by painting white – you'll have to use the Eraser instead.

if you're using this system in Elements as well as using regular Adjustment Layers, it makes sense to double click on the Adjustment Layers you're using as masks and call them 'Mask 1' or similar. 

Hope this helps,

Kingsley Singleton
Deputy Editor, Digital Photo

23 April 2009 10:27