Iankahler wrote:
Then there is something wrong with my software?
I cant get an active mask layer unless I open a duplicate layer.
If I go to the mask symbol and click on that... I get nothing.
Like I said D... I have wasted WAY to many hours on this process. I have seen some beautiful work done with masking, and it is pleasure to see.
However,,, for me there is NO apparent or obvious solution... it is time for me to move on.
I dont know what else to say.... I have looked at, and read SO many offers of a solution... it just doesn't work for me. I will say again, This is a great thread for anyone who can learn from it. I am just NOT one such person.
Then there is something wrong with my software? ... (
show quote)
Please consider my previous suggestion that you post a screenshot of your failed masking attempt in Photoshop, showing the layer stack and icons that appear to the right of the main PS screen. We can probably be of more help if we can see what you are doing and figure why it isn't working.
Another try, though, at a simple exercise.
1.Open an image in photoshop, Make sure "layers" is checked under Window in the menu bar.
2.In photoshop click on the image layer in your image stack to the right of the large on-screen image
3.A thin white box will show around this little image icon to show the image itself is selected.
4.Go to the Menu bar at the top of your screen. Under the heading Layer, choose Layer Mask, Hide All
5.Your image will become invisible. It is masked.
6.A little box filled with black should appear beside the little icon of the selected layer in the layer stack.
7.Click on the black box and a thin white line will show around its edge to show the MASK is selected.
8.Choose a brush and select white as the foreground color in the two little paint box icons near the bottom left of your screen. Set opacity at 100%
9.Paint on the checkerboard screen where your image used to be. You will see white begin to show on the tiny black box, and you will see your image reappear as you paint. You are revealing the image hidden beneath the mask.
The reverse is true with a white mask that reveals instead of hides, then you paint with black to show what's beneath.
If you have another layer beneath the image, that is what will show when you choose the black mask instead of the checkerboard screen and what will show when you paint with black on a white reveal mask.
**It was easier for me to learn this stuff by using the commands in the upper menus before trying to use the little icons that are scattered at the edges of the various subwindows. Shortcuts are great but only if you fully understand what they do**.