How To Use Photo Masks

Photo masks are are grayscale raster layers that allow you to hide portions of your image, and reveal others. This editing technique is vital when merging multiple images into a single composition. Using layer masks are quick, easy, and flexible since you're not erasing pixels, you're hiding them, preserving the information if you need to undo your edits. Read the guide below to learn how to use photo masks.

You can create a mask from an image by loading the image file from disk. When you use an image as a mask for another image, Corel PaintShop Pro applies the mask as a grayscale image. The source image is not altered.

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To create a mask layer

1. Install PaintShop Pro

To install PaintShop Pro photo editing software on your PC, download and run the installation file above. Continue following on-screen instructions to complete the setup process.

2. Select the layer

On the Layers palette, choose the layer that you want to mask.

3. Apply New Mask Layer

Choose Layers > New Mask Layer, and choose one of the following options:

Show All — shows all underlying pixels
Hide All — hides all underlying pixels

To create a mask from an image

2. Choose an image

Open the image that you want to use as a mask.

3. Select the layer

On the Layers palette, choose the layer that you want to mask.

4. Open the Add Mask From Image dialog box

Choose Layers > New Mask Layer > From Image to open the Add Mask From Image dialog box.

5. Reselect the image

Open the Source Window drop-list, and choose the image.

6. Make adjustments

In the Create Mask From group box, choose one of the following options:

Source luminance — determines the degree of masking based on the luminance value of the pixel color. Lighter colors produce less masking; darker colors produce more masking. Transparent areas completely mask the layer.
Any non-zero value — applies masking without gradation. Pixels with an opacity between 1 and 255 pixels become white; transparent pixels become black. Transparent areas completely mask the layer.
Source opacity — determines the degree of masking based on the opacity of the image. Fully opaque pixels produce no masking; partially transparent pixels create more masking; transparent pixels produce full masking.
If you want to reverse the transparency of the mask, mark the Invert mask data check box.
Click OK

The mask layer and the selected layer are added to a new layer group. The mask layer applies to the selected layer only. For information about editing a mask, see Editing masks. To display the mask on the image, click the Highlight mask area button on the Layers palette. To apply the mask layer to all underlying layers, drag it from the layer group to the main level on the Layers palette.

To create a mask from a selection

2. Make a selection

Make a selection on a layer by using the Selection tool , the Freehand Selection tool , or the Magic Wand tool .

3. Hide/Show Selection

Do one of the following:

To mask the selection, choose Layers > New Mask Layer > Hide Selection.
To mask everything except the selection, choose Layers > New Mask Layer > Show Selection.

If you apply a mask layer to the background, the background is automatically converted to a raster layer. The mask layer and the selected layer are added to a new layer group. The mask layer applies to the selected layer only. For information about editing masks, see Editing masks.