Adobe 13102498 - Photoshop CS3 - Mac User Manual page 326

A vector mask creates a sharp-edged shape on a layer and is useful anytime you want to add a design element with
clean, defined edges. After you create a layer with a vector mask, you can apply one or more layer styles to it, edit
them if needed, and instantly have a usable button, panel, or other web-design element.
See also
"About masks and alpha channels" on page 269
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
Make sure that no part of your image is selected. Choose Select > Deselect.
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In the Layers palette, select the layer or group.
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Do one of the following:
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• To create a mask that reveals the entire layer, click the New Layer Mask
Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal All.
• To create a mask that hides the entire layer, Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS) the New Layer Mask
button, or choose Layer > Layer Mask > Hide All.
Add a layer mask that hides part of a layer
In the Layers palette, select the layer or group.
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2 Select the area in the image, and do one of the following:
• Click the New Layer Mask button
• Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS) the New Layer Mask button to create a mask that hides the
selection.
• Choose Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal Selection or Hide Selection.
Apply a layer mask from another layer
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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.
Edit a layer mask
Click the layer mask thumbnail in the Layers palette to make it active. A border appears around the mask
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thumbnail.
Select any of the editing or painting tools.
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Note: The foreground and background colors assume default grayscale values when the mask is active.
Do one of the following:
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• To subtract from the mask and reveal the layer, paint the mask with white.
in the Layers palette to create a mask that reveals the selection.
button in the Layers palette, or choose
PHOTOSHOP CS3 319
User Guide