[1] Using layer masks on various layers

■Layer masking layer folders

 

Layer masks can also be created on layer folders.

They are created in the same way as normal layers.

When applied to a folder, they are very useful to color only specific parts such as skin and clothes.

For example, when painting clothes, no matter how much paint is overflowing...

 

the overflowing parts can be easily hidden by placing the layers of painted clothes inside a folder and creating a layer mask.

 

In this case, the outside parts of the clothes are hidden with a mask as follows.

 

 

 

■ Applying layer masks on tonal correction layers [PRO/EX]

When a Tonal Correction layer is created, it comes with a layer mask.

 

In this layer mask, the masked area can be changed using a drawing tool.

By changing the layer mask, it is possible to change the area in which the tonal correctional layer is applied.

 

 

 

■Using layer masks on tone layers[PRO/EX]

On a tone layer, layer masks control the areas in which the pasted tone is showing.

 

By drawing on the layer mask of the tone layer, the visible area of the pasted tone can be changed.

 

However, drawing with tools that have gradients, such as a watercolor brushes and drawing tools that use anti-aliasing, will create areas with a halftone gray.

 

In this situation, selecting [Duotone] as the expression color for exporting or printing does not output the gray area.

In addition, if you export in grayscale or RGB/CMYK color, you may accidentally create a moiré effect when printing the page.

Be careful not to edit the tone layer mask with a tool that uses gradients.

 

[2] Operating layer masks

A layer mask can be operated with the menu displayed by right clicking the [Layer] palette icon or thumbnail of the layer mask.

 

＜Delete Mask＞

The layer mask is deleted. All of the masked areas will become visible.

You can also delete it by selecting the layer mask and clicking the [Delete Layer] button in the [Layer] palette.

 

＜Apply Mask to Layer＞

The layer and layer mask is combined into a raster layer. This cannot be selected with the layer mask of a layer folder.

The masked area of the layer is erased, and the layer mask is deleted. In addition, it is converted to a raster layer.

It can also be applied by clicking the [Apply Mask to Layer] icon in the [Layer] palette.

 

＜Enable Mask＞

The layer mask can be enabled or disabled.

Clicking [Enable Mask] in the [Layer] palette or clicking the thumbnail of the layer mask while holding the shift key will also change this.

 

＜ Show Mask Area ＞

The areas hidden by the layer mask are displayed in blue.

Clicking [Show Mask Area] on the [Layer] palette or clicking the thumbnail of the layer mask while holding the Alt key (Option key for macOS) will also display it.

 

＜Link Mask to Layer＞

The link between layer and layer mask can be toggled on and off.

The link to a layer is enabled when the layer mask is created.

Clicking the tick mark on the [Layer] palette can also toggle it on and off.

 

If the link is active, moving and transforming the layer will move and transform the layer mask correspondingly, so it can be edited in the same way as with normal layer movement.

When the link is disabled, moving or transforming the layer or mask will only move and transform the selected layer/mask.

 

This is the end of the basic introduction to layer masks.