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Add layer masks



When you add a layer mask, you need to decide if you want to hide or show all of the layer. Later, you’ll paint on the mask to hide portions of that layer and reveal the layers beneath. Or, you can create a layer mask that automatically hides a portion of the layer by making a selection before creating the mask.

Add a mask that shows or hides the entire layer

  1. Make sure that no part of your image is selected. Choose Select > Deselect.
  2. In the Layers panel, select the layer or group.
  3. Do one of the following:

    • To create a mask that reveals the entire layer, click the Pixel Mask  button in the Masks panel, or click the Add Layer Mask  button in the Layers panel, or choose Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal All.

    • To create a mask that hides the entire layer, Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS) the Pixel Mask  button in the Masks panel, or Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS) the Add Layer Mask button, or choose Layer > Layer Mask > Hide All.

Add a layer mask that hides part of a layer

  1. In the Layers panel, select the layer or group.
  2. Select the area in the image, and do one of the following:

    • Click the Pixel Mask  button in the Masks panel, or the New Layer Mask button  in the Layers panel to create a mask that reveals the selection.

    • Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS) the Pixel Mask button in the Masks panel, or the Add Layer Mask button in the Layers panel, to create a mask that hides the selection.

    • Choose Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal Selection or Hide Selection.

Apply a layer mask from another layer

 Do one of the following:

  • To move the mask to another layer, drag the mask to the other layer.

  • To duplicate the mask, Alt-drag (Windows) or Option-drag (Mac OS) the mask to other layer.