Mask layers

A mask layer is a way of creating a mask that will affect one or more image layers. Once you create a mask layer, it will remain until you delete it.

When you create a mask layer, masked regions are indicated by a red color.

A mask layer can either contain paint or shapes.

A mask layer that contains paint is indicated by in the Canvas Layer Editor window and is similar to an image layer.

See Introduction to image layers.

A mask layer that contains shapes is indicated by in the Canvas Layer Editor window and is similar to a shape layer.

See Introduction to shapes.

Regions of a mask layer that contain paint or shapes are masked, and regions of a mask layer that do not contain paint or shapes are not masked.

Creating and using masks

There are several ways you can create a mask, including:

• Create a mask by selecting a region
• Create a mask from an image file
• Create a mask by painting
• Create a mask from curves

You can perform the following operations on masks:

• Invert a mask
• Customize the mask display
• Dis-associate or associate a mask with an image layer
• Delete masks

You can also perform most image layer operations on mask layers, including:

• Name an image layer
• Import an image as an image layer
• Select an image layer
• Duplicate an image layer
• Move, scale, or rotate an image layer

  You cannot move, scale, or rotate a mask layer that contains shapes.

• Flip an image layer horizontally or vertically

  You cannot flip a mask layer that contains shapes.

• Arrange image layers
• Hide or show an image layer
• Change the opacity of an image layer
• Merge image layers
• Export an image layer
• Clear an image layer

  You cannot clear a mask layer that contains shapes.

• Delete an image layer