Multilayer Masks

page one
An Elements user, Helge Hansen, sent me a wonderful technique for getting a layer mask effect in Elements. (Elements doesn’t have layer masks) It is simpler and faster than my own procedure for adding a real layer mask.
     From this idea, I have figured out that this same technique can be used to mask multiple layers with the same layer mask. This works just as well in Photoshop as it does in Elements.
     Photoshop 6 users can already add multilayer masks by applying a layer mask to a layer set. Please see the bottom of this page for how you can combine a layer set mask with this technique for added flexiblity.
     The process is very simple. The image I used for demonstration is shown below, along with its Layers palette. As you can see, I had four different arrows, each on its own layer.

Older Tutorials
Quick Mask
Adjusting Contrast
Using Curves
Scanning Negatives
Rubberstamping
More Adjustments
Sharpening
Filters
Color

Make sure the adjustment layer is at the bottom of the group and is grouped with the image layers.
     Now, click on the adjustment layer’s mask icon to put the mask into edit mode, and edit the mask by painting, filtering, etc. as usual.
     Here are two examples showing the effect. First, I used the type mask tool to add a large letter “M” to the mask. I inverted the selection outline and filled with black.


In the second example, I used the gradient tool to add a radial gradient to the mask.

The following is for Photoshop 6 users only.

You already have the ability to apply one mask to multiple layers. If you have your layers in a layer set, you can click the folder layer (the top of the layer set) and add a mask to it. This will mask all the layers in the set.
     If you use the technique described above to add an additional mask to the layers in the set, you can then move the bottom mask around with the move tool and watch the intersection of the two change. This can be handy if you’re experimenting with special effects. Here are a few illustrations to show exactly how this works. First your Layers palette after both masks are added.

As you can see, I’ve added two large letters to both the masks (sorry for these dopey examples). The image then looks like this.

Next, I used the move tool to drag the bottom mask around in the image (the letter M). You can see the moved mask in the layers palette.

And, in the image. Again, sorry I didn’t use more creative images as examples.

If you would like to download a zipped pdf file of this tutorial, please click on the link below and save it to your hard drive.
Multilayer Masks pdf
65 KB
If you don’t know how to expand a zipped file or use Acrobat Reader, download the file, above, and then go here to find instructions

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Copyright © 2002 by Jay Arraich.
All rights reserved.
All photographs copyright ©2002 by Jay Arraich
jay@arraich.com