new layer-mask

[carrbowl]

I'm trying to learn Mizuno's Super Airbrush photoshop thing..and I'm stuck. I'm suppose to "Add a layer mask to the layer we have been filtering and fill it with black. This will essentially cause the image to disappear and the layer beneath (our original) will show through. Don't worry - it's still there, it's just been hidden or 'masked'." Part of the problem might be I'm only in Photoshop Elements 6.0. I thought I had it at one point, but the color was white...now I can't even get the "add layer mask" to highlight so I can click on it.. Oh do I need a class!!!! Any help would be appreciated....

[Photographer557]

Renae,

I wish I could help you. I was doing the same thing and I am having the same problem. I cannot seem to find the layer mask. I went to fill layer and it created a whole new layer which is not in the tutorial. Anyway I hope someone has the answer.

Good question.

Thanks for asking it.
Greg

[The Loft Studios]

Originally Posted by carrbowl

I'm trying to learn Mizuno's Super Airbrush photoshop thing..and I'm stuck. I'm suppose to "Add a layer mask to the layer we have been filtering and fill it with black. This will essentially cause the image to disappear and the layer beneath (our original) will show through. Don't worry - it's still there, it's just been hidden or 'masked'." Part of the problem might be I'm only in Photoshop Elements 6.0. I thought I had it at one point, but the color was white...now I can't even get the "add layer mask" to highlight so I can click on it.. Oh do I need a class!!!! Any help would be appreciated....

I'm not totally sure what you are trying to accomplish, but to add a Layer Mask,
simply create a New Layer or make a Copy of your Original Layer (again, depending on what your trying to do). Go to the bottom of your Layers Palette and click on Create Layer Mask and fill it with Black. This is the procedure in PS, not sure about Elements.....

[wapiti]

I use Richard Lynch's Hidden Powers of Elements in Photoshop Elements 5.0. Didn't know that there was a 6.0 version. Are you sure of this? When I add a mask to a layer it is also white, but that is no problem as the portion masked is still eliminated. With Hidden Powers, the layer mask is in the Special Effects Palett. I just click on the layer mask window and hit apply and the mask is added to the layer. After masking, I have to flatten the layers to get the mask effect. This may be of no help to you as you using a different product to get your mask. I am still somewhat new to this procedure, so forgive me if I am telling you something that you already know.

[DavidsStudio]

Originally Posted by carrbowl

I'm trying to learn Mizuno's Super Airbrush photoshop thing..and I'm stuck. I'm suppose to "Add a layer mask to the layer we have been filtering and fill it with black. This will essentially cause the image to disappear and the layer beneath (our original) will show through. Don't worry - it's still there, it's just been hidden or 'masked'." Part of the problem might be I'm only in Photoshop Elements 6.0. I thought I had it at one point, but the color was white...now I can't even get the "add layer mask" to highlight so I can click on it.. Oh do I need a class!!!! Any help would be appreciated....

In the image for Step 5 (I think that is where you are stuck), look at the bottom of the Layers Palette. There are 5 icons there. The second one from the left (grey box with white circle) will add a layer mask to the layer you have selected. In the case of the Step 5 image, the selected layer is the one above the background layer with the blue border showing it is active. When you click on the layer mask icon, it will add the layer mask to the active layer. It will be white when it is first added. To fill it with black, click Command-I (on a Mac - Similar on a PC). That should get you over the hump.

You might also take a look at the tutorials on YouTube by a woman that calls herself Photoshop Mama. This link will take you to the one I think will be most helpful. Even if you don't buy the action she sells (I did and love it), the rest of the tutorial is a good introduction to doing retouching using layers. The link is: Photoshop Mama's Makeover

Best to you

David

p.s. Just reread your post. Not sure if Elements does layers. If it does, it will most likely have a procedure similar to what I described.

[carrbowl]

David...thanks for your help...when I get time, I will try it again. Elements does layers for sure. I have tried Photoshop mama, but the one I did used a command that called for a "powder" command that you needed to download. I couldn't find it and looked on the website and noticed there were others that had the same problem. Apparently I 'm not the only PP challenged one out there!!! Thanks again...hope it works!!

[Arnor]

Hi Renae,

Originally Posted by carrbowl

Part of the problem might be I'm only in Photoshop Elements 6.0. I thought I had it at one point, but the color was white...now I can't even get the "add layer mask" to highlight so I can click on it.. Oh do I need a class!!!! Any help would be appreciated....

I only have an old version of Elements and it doesn't even have masks<g> But if 6 is anything like Photoshop CS, then all you do is click on the white mask icon in the layer palette and then select your fill tool and fill the mask with black. Then you can paint through the mask using white to reveal the layer(s) underneath.

First you click on the layer that you are going to mask.

Then you create a new mask by either clicking on the "Add Layer Mask" icon in the layer palette (looks like frontloaded washingmachine;) or by using "Layer |Add Layer Mask" from the menu. There are two options there. Hide all which will paint it black and Reveal all which will paint it white. Don't worry if you pick the wrong one. If the mask shows up white and you need it black, simply make sure that your mask is selected by clicking once on the mask icon, then select the fill tool, select the appropriate color, then fill the image with it. The mask will paint to the fill color and you can now paint white to reveal or black to hide.

There is a lot of tutorials on Photoshop out there. When I get stuck and need help I start by using google to search for tutorials on the subject. In your case you could try to search for Photoshop mask tutorials. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...Mask+tutorials

For example http://www.planetphotoshop.com/category/effects/ has quite a few tutorials that look good and detailed.

Hope this helps:)

Best regards,