ADOBE PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 9

USING PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 9
Using layers
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Layer masks
About layer masks
Layer masks are resolution-dependent bitmap images that are edited with the painting or selection tools. A layer mask
controls the visibility of the layer to which it is added. You can edit a layer mask to add or subtract from the masked
region without losing the layer pixels.
A layer mask is a grayscale image, so areas you paint in black are hidden, areas you paint in white are visible, and areas
you paint in shades of gray appear in various levels of transparency. You can use the paint brush or the eraser to paint
over the mask.
Add a layer mask to an image
❖ To add a layer mask, select the part of the image that you want to show and click the Add Layer Mask button in the
Layers panel.
Note: A mask thumbnail linked with the layer thumbnail is added. This thumbnail represents the grayscale channel
that is created when you add the layer mask.
Clipping masks
About layer clipping masks
A clipping mask is a group of layers to which a mask is applied. The bottommost layer, or base layer, defines the visible
boundaries of the entire group. For example, suppose you have a shape in the base layer, a photograph in the layer
above it, and text in the topmost layer. If the photograph and text appear only through the shape outline in the base
layer, they also take on the opacity of the base layer.
You can group only successive layers. The name of the base layer in the group is underlined, and the thumbnails for
the overlying layers are indented. Additionally, the overlying layers display the clipping mask icon .
You can link the layers in a clipping mask so that they move together.
The shape in the bottom layer of the clipping mask determines what area of the photo layer above shows through.
More Help topics
“Understanding layers” on page 57
“Link and unlink layers” on page 67
Last updated 1/27/2011