PCPhoto
Trade Tricks: Layer MasksGain more control over your photos with this key image-processing tool |
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While theyre not particularly intuitive and may discourage
photographers who could benefit from using them, Layer Masks are an
essential tool when working in an image-processing program. As youll
see, theyre worth the effort required to learn them. A Layer Mask appears in the Layers palette as a box on a particular layer. If its white, its on (the layer acts normally); if its black, its off (the layers effect disappears). Think of the following analogies: A light switch turns on the lights, allowing you to see the contents of a room, just as white turns on the layer, allowing you to see its contents. Black is like turning off that switch so you cant see the layers contents. Gray is in between, sort of like putting a dimmer on the switch. The real power of Layer Masks comes when you paint parts of the layer on and off. Click on the Layer Mask box to be sure youre working in it, then paint black over parts of the image where you want to remove the layers effect, or white where you want it to show. Go back and forth as much as you like to refine your work. You even can use the Gradient tool for large areas that need a gradual change from on to off. A useful technique for refined changes is to fill the Layer Mask with black (look for a Fill command), then paint back just whats needed in white. |