Editing layer masks

When you select a layer mask, you can edit it as you would edit a channel. You can paint in a layer mask; apply effects to it; fill it with a color, pattern, gradient, or weave; and feather it. You do not have to view a layer mask to edit it; you can select the layer mask, make changes to it, and view the resulting image immediately.

A layer mask before (left) and after (right) feathering

When you edit a layer mask, you are making modifications to the mask, not to the layer’s image. You can use shades of gray only; no colors are available. This is because the layer mask is a grayscale image that is separate from the RGB image.

The paint and effects you apply to a layer mask are reflected as follows:


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