What is Layer Mask and it’s Uses?
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by: admecmultimedia2012
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Date: Mon, 12 Dec 2011 Time: 5:22 AM
The given below press release is being written on Layer Mask, Layer masks are a big asset to Photoshop and can open up complete new world of photo editing – once you know how to use them. In this article I have briefly described about what is layer mask, its advantages and uses.
What is Layer Mask?
Layer mask is one of the most used elements in Photoshop. Layer mask defines the transparency level of particular areas. It enables us to get rid of a part of the layer but with the possibility to edit the result. It in fact blocks part of the layer from appearing, as if erased, while still being there. Layer Masks, put simply, are like a hidden layer that tells Photoshop where to “hide” the information in chosen layer. To be more exact, it’s an “alpha channel” used to mask out the image information we want to hide. Because this information is in another channel separate from the image in our layer, we can revert to our original, unmasked layer at any time.
Using the eraser doesn't make it look any different than using a layer mask. The layer mask simply aids in keeping the pixels hidden in case we need them again. And unlike the eraser, we aren't just limited to the paintbrush to erase with when using a mask.
A mask makes part of a layer transparent. In a portrait, we might want to sharpen only certain portions of the subject. By using a sharpened layer with a mask on top of an unsharpened layer, we can experiment with changing the mask to control which areas appear sharpened. While we can accomplish the same thing using a combination of the eraser and history brush, masks have many intermediate and advance applications that the eraser cannot do at all.
Advantage of layer mask over eraser tool
In Photoshop Layer Mask is the best way to hide and reveal certain parts of a layer:
1. One of the biggest advantages of layer masks over the eraser tool is that they are non-destructive. If we erase something, it's gone. With a layer mask, we can go back at any time and modify the mask, even in a totally separate editing session. So, the next morning if we change our mind or notice that we cut something off that we shouldn't have, it's easy to deal with.
2. Another advantage of layer masks is that we can visually see what we are doing. Semi-transparent areas such as we would get with feathering or erasing with a soft brush are clearly visible. We have much finer control.
3. We can do things with a layer mask that we simply cannot do with an eraser. We can apply an adjustment or a filter to the mask or use tools such as dodge and burn. Find edges, for example, can be used to create a specialized mask for edge sharpening. The list goes on. It's really quite powerful.
Use of Layer Mask:
In Photoshop, a Layer Mask is the best way to hide and reveal certain parts of a layer. Here are some examples of using Layer Mask:
1. To add a Mask to a layer, first you must select the respective layer and then click on the Mask button. You may find the button in the bottom area of the layer`s section. You will notice that in the right side of the layer will appear a thumbnail. For using the layer mask, click on the layer mask thumbnail and start hiding and revealing layers.
2. To create a new layer mask, just click Add Layer Mask on Layers palette. A white rectangle will appear next to the layer thumbnail. Layer mask is a grayscale image. What you paint in black will be hidden, what you paint in white will show, and what you paint in gray shades will show in various levels of transparency. By these steps you can perform a simple collage using layer masks.
Summary:
In This article I have given my own personal views about Layer mask, but it’s only possible if you are well aware of the Photoshop software, you must have professional touch in your work, and for that one must take training from a professional college / institute like ADMEC Multimedia Institute, which gave highly technical and professional level training.
Resources: This Article is published by ADMEC MULTIMEDIA INSTITUTE, for more information please contact to: 99 1178 2350, 011-3130 5055, 011-3203 5055. Our partners: http://www.actionscriptinstitute.com, http://www.postproductioninstitute.com, http://www.graphic-design-institute.com
About the Author
ADMEC- Animation & Digital Media Education Center is a leading institute having affiliation with "Vishwakarma Open University" offering various diploma and certificate courses in Web Designing, Animation, Graphic Designing, Film Making, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Final Cut Studio, 3d Gaming, Motion Graphics etc.
