A little clarification earlier than starting: for the sake of convenience, I will use the term fusion masks in this article. Although the period layer mask appears more specific to me, I will still use the first period because it's far the only used by Adobe (and for the reason that Adobe software users are the maximum numerous…).
If you've got already watched some of my tutorials, you've got realized that: fusion masks are everywhere! Few retouching or photomontages that don't use this famous mask. It is therefore because of this that I decided to write this article in place of repeating with each video how it works…
Understanding the operating precept of these masks will boom your creative opportunities. So make the effort to examine and examine the videos beneath because it's far a vital function in picture editing.
The reason for a layer mask is to limit the show or effect implemented to a layer to a part of that layer. And all of this, reversibly.
To understand the operating principle of these masks, open an image and add a fusion mask (the icon looks as if a circle in a rectangle): a white rectangle seems and is placed to the right of the layer to that you asked whatever it is created. This representation model is identical regardless of the software program you use.
Nothing is happening right now. The newly created masks are white. This white color approach for software "Make appear". Show what? you could wonder? Display what's on the layer with which it's miles associated, particularly the image. Since the entire mask is white, the entire picture is seen.
Now take the comb tool and paint part of this layer mask with black (make sure that the layer masks is chosen and now not the layer). You will see that the image disappears within the area you simply painted. The black on the mask method for the software program "Hide". Hide what? Hide what is at the layer it is associated with. Suddenly, it's far as if we saw through the layer where the brush became passed.
Last test: paint in gray (nevertheless at the mask of course) and you will see that the pixels of the associated layer might be partially visible (or partly masked it is identical). The darker the gray you have got chosen, the more seen the protecting and of course, the lighter the gray, the much less visible the effect.
In summary, the white color displayed, the black mask and the sun shades of gray partially mask the layer related to the fusion masks.
Some can also say ok, however, the Eraser device is ideal for erasing all or a part of the pixels on a layer. It's true, but the problem with this device is that when it is erased, it's miles erased! If your hand turned into too heavy and when beginning your picture you want to come again to the erased regions and nicely it is too late ... All you need to do is begin throughout again.
This is the big gain of the fusion masks: its reversibility. You can thus skip white, black or grey on your mask to modify at amusement the zones to which the masking has to apply.
Whether it 's making use of a blend mode, changing the opacity of a layer, adding a fill or adjustment layer, or playing with the impact of a filter, all of this could partially apply to your photomontage through the fusion masks.
Now that you apprehend the principle, you'll be wondering in what instances to use these masks in photo editing? To can help you higher understand, I created 2 videos:
The first will assist you to learn how to merge 2 completely different pictures to create a photomontage of the most lovely effect.
The second video tutorial presents the possibility of the usage of the mask to limit the effect of an adjustment layer.
The creative possibilities are of course no longer restrained to these examples, but they're the maximum frequently used cases.
Yes, most photo editing software based on layer management includes this feature. As said at the beginning of the article, best the name changes.
I should factor out, however, that this function appeared with version nine of Photoshop Elements posted in 2010 (it became time!). If you have got an earlier version, nothing is lost!
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