Creating and deleting layer masks

You can create a new, blank layer mask, or you can create a layer mask based on the layer’s transparency. A layer mask based on transparency is white wherever the layer has content, and black in other areas. Intermediate levels of gray are partially transparent. For more information, see Preserving layer transparency.

You can delete layer masks you no longer need. You can also clear a layer mask without deleting it, leaving you with a blank mask.

Layer masks let you define what areas of a layer are visible in the document window. Masking originated as a technique for creating color separations, where sheets of masking material were hand-cut to define the color regions in an image. In the Corel Painter digital workspace, the layer mask is a powerful tool for controlling image composition and effects.

Layer masks vs. channels

A layer mask is similar to an alpha channel. Both are grayscale images that you can create and edit. Although the Channels panel provides access to both channels and layer masks, their characteristics and functions are different:

For more information, see Creating and copying channels.

A layer mask for the butterfly layer is created based on its transparency. Black areas are transparent; white areas reveal the image.

To create a blank layer mask

2	In the Layers panel, click the New Layer Mask button .

The layer mask icon varies in appearance depending on how you’re viewing the layers. If you are displaying layers as No Thumbnails, the icon is the same as the New Layer Mask button . If you’re viewing layers as any size of thumbnail, a small-scale representation of the mask displays as the icon.

You can also create a layer mask by choosing Layers Create Layer Mask.

To create a layer mask based on transparency

2	Choose Layers Create Layer Mask From Transparency.

You can create layer masks based on transparency for pixel-based layers only. Other layers must first be converted to default layers by clicking the Layer options button in the Layers panel, and choosing Convert To Default Layer.

Earlier versions of Corel Painter used layer visibility masks. If you have a file with a modified visibility mask that was created with an earlier version of Corel Painter, use this procedure to load the visibility mask to a layer mask.

To delete or clear a layer mask

To	Do the following
Delete a layer mask	Do one of the following: Choose Layers Delete Layer Mask. In the Layers panel, select the layer mask and click the Delete button . In the Layers panel, select the layer mask, click the Channel options button , and choose Delete Layer Mask. In the Channels panel, click the Channel options button , and choose Delete. Click the Delete button at the bottom of the Channels panel.
Clear a layer mask	In the Channels panel, click the Channel options button , and choose Clear.

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