PS CS2 Layered Masks

[twinsmomflor]

Any suggestions of a book or tutorial for layered masks. I am currently taking DSU221. But, I need more detail on how to use it. For example if you created a black and white image and you want to use it for mask. How do you do it?
I appreciate any suggestions. Thank you. Flor.

[LadynRed]

Here's how I would do it.

1- Select the layer to apply the mask to
2 - add layer mask (bottom of the layers palette, square with circle in it) - that gives you a mask thumbnail next to your image thumbnail on the layer. If you alt-click the layer mask button, you get an all-black mask which is "hide all".
3- Alt-click on the layer mask- this will let you work directly on the mask
4 - Copy your b/w image and paste it into the layer mask
5 - click on the color image thumbnail to get back to the image itself.

You may have to Invert the mask image to get the results you want - black hides, white reveals the image under the mask.

[twinsmomflor]

Thanks very much for your help. I was able to do it until number 3. When I try to copy the b/w image into layer mask. It created another layer and it didn't let me paste it into the layer mask. Did I miss something?
Thanks again for your help. Flor.

[twinsmomflor]

I was able to move the image using the clone stamp. But not copying and pasting. This is a lot of fun, but a lot to learn. I appreciate your comments. Thank you. Flor.

[LadynRed]

Make sure you're actually working on the layermask before you try to copy the b/w image into it. Your canvas should be completely white (or black if you reversed it), then paste the image into the mask.

I did double-check the process since I use both PSCS and CS2, but it works the same in both versions.

[twinsmomflor]

I don't know what I am doing wrong. The image is white and If start using the brush it will start revealing the picture. But for some reason the moment I paste it it the black and white image goes to the top layer instead of the mask layer.
As I mentioned before, I could use the clone stamp and clone everything to the empty layer. Maybe some setting in my program is not correct. Thanks a lot for your help.

[LadynRed]

Flor, do you use Hello! ? If so, then maybe I can help you online that way.
I'll try to reproduce what's happening to you.

[twinsmomflor]

Yes, I do. I'll pm you the information. Thanks a lot!