Create a composite with layer masks on your iPad

What you learned: Add a layer mask, brush on a layer mask to hide and show parts of a layer, use a selection to create a layer mask

Layer masks are essential to creating composites in Photoshop on your iPad. They are used to combine layers by hiding and showing parts of a layer without permanently changing content.

Add a layer mask

1. Select a layer in the Layers panel.
2. Tap the Mask icon in the Task bar to add an empty, white layer mask to the selected layer.

Brush on a layer mask to hide parts of a layer

Brush on a layer mask with black to hide parts of a layer. The advantage of using a layer mask to do this is that your edits do not make direct or permanent changes to the image.

• In the Toolbar, set the foreground Color chip to black. When a layer mask is active, the Color chips default to black and white. You can switch the foreground and background Color chips by swiping up or down on them.
• Select the Brush tool in the Toolbar and use the Size option in the Tool Options bar to set the brush size. The brush preview in the image changes as you drag the Size slider.
• Brush with black on the layer mask to hide part of the active layer.
• If you want to bring some hidden areas back into view, swipe up or down on the Color chips to switch the foreground color to white. Then brush with white on the layer mask over the areas you want to reveal again.

Tips for experienced users: In Photoshop on your iPad, as in Photoshop on a computer, you can create a layer mask based on a selection, and you can brush on a layer mask with lowered brush opacity to partially hide layer content.