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Edit layer masks

Learn how to quickly edit layer masks in 5 simple steps

Masking enables you to create anything you can imagine in Photoshop. You can add a mask to a layer and use the mask to hide portions of the layer and reveal the layers below. 

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Follow along with a sample file to learn how to edit layer masks using the Layers panel in a few simple steps.

To easily edit and refine existing layer masks, do the following:

  1. In the Layers panel, select the layer containing the mask you want to edit.
  2. Click the Mask thumbnail in the Layers panel.

  3. Select any of the editing or painting tools. The foreground and background colors assume default grayscale values when the mask is active.

  4. Do one of the following:
    • To subtract from the mask and reveal the layer, paint the mask with white.
    • To make the layer partially visible, paint the mask with gray. Darker grays make the level more transparent; lighter grays make it more opaque.
    • To add to the mask and hide the layer or group, paint the mask with black. The layers below become visible.
    edit layer mask
    Paint with white to reveal and with black to hide parts of the active layer.

  5. (Optional) To edit the layer instead of the layer mask, select it by clicking its thumbnail in the Layers panel. A border appears around the layer thumbnail. 

    To paste a copied selection into a layer mask, Alt-click (Win) or Option-click (Mac) the layer mask thumbnail in the Layers panel to select and display the mask channel. Choose Edit > Paste and then Select > Deselect. The selection is converted to grayscale and added to the mask. Click the layer thumbnail in the Layers panel to deselect the mask channel.

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