How to unerase, using a mask

[lumberman69]

Hi, I'm fairly new to PSP x6, and trying to learn layers, and masks.
My problem concerns how to correct the removal of too much image with the brush, and how to replace it (using a mask).

I've watched several psp tutorials on this topic, and they always say that I need to switch the foreground colour (to white, if I've been using a black brush).
When I switch to white, then left click and drag over the required area, I get no action at all.

I have found a poor workaround, using the invert command, but it is a clumsy approach and hard to get the required result.

I would add that the wet look box is always unchecked (as some of my research noted that this could be the problem).

Would appreciate any comments, thanks.

[LeviFiction]

The wet look for the paint brush just creates a solid ring with a transparent middle to emulate wet paint. So long as it is unchecked the paint brush should act normally.

Here's one little trick, if you right-click with the paintbrush you'll draw using the background color. So if you use black as the foreground to erase and white as the background you can erase and paint back in by just altering left and right-clicks.

The most basic things to look out for, that I can suggest at this moment, are make doubly sure the mask layer is still selected when you try painting with white.

Make sure there is no selection. Go to the selections menu, if "Deselect" is available then click it to remove any selections you may not see. If you have a selection you will only be permitted to paint in those areas. I doubt this is your problem but it's always important to look out for if you've ever accidentally made a selection.

Blend modes and opacity - The paint brush has its own blend modes. So that you can paint and get a certain effect without effecting the whole layer. If this blend mode is set to something that nullifies white, that could also be an issue. Opacity, if you've been painting with low opacity then the change will be subtle. Make sure opacity is set to 100.

Make sure you don't have any textures turned on in the materials palette. Again an unlikely issue but something to be aware of. Textures are meant to make it seem like you're painting on top of a particular textured surface so you get variances in color. Some textures really limit the drawing area making it seem like you're not doing anything if you paint in the wrong places. But, again, highly unlikely in this case. Just covering my bases.

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If none of that seems to be a problem there is the slight chance that you have a corrupted workspace. A corrupted workspace has been known to make tools function in a strange way.

To fix this issue you close PSP, hold SHIFT while double clicking on the icon. This will reset the workspace to the way it was when you first installed the software so any changes to preferences, or placement of tools, toolbars, and palettes will be lost as well as custom keyboard shortcuts. All content will still be there, brushes, textures, tubes, scripts, all of that will stay but the workspace will be reset.

[lumberman69]

Thanks, Levi

I will work through your suggestions, and give you an update then.

[df]

Are you using a mouse or another device? Sometimes my Wacom tablet will do similar to what you describe. You can move the cursor all over but when you try to click and drag the cursor stays put until you release the click. That's a tablet issue which can be worked through but I won't dilute the conversation if that's not the case.

[lumberman69]

Note to Levi,

Thanks, Levi...you solved my problem.
Your tip # 4, Blend Modes and opacity, hit the nail on the head. The blend mode of my brush was set at multiply before. As soon as I switched it to Normal Blend, the "unerase" function worked
perfectly with the foreground set to white.

To be honest, I was a bit confused about blend modes for the brush. Now I will leave it set at normal, unless I am just working on a specific area of the image, and not the full layer.

Your help is much appreciated.

[lumberman69]

thanks for your reply, Dan

Yes, I am just using a mouse, and Levi was able to fix my issue for me.

[hartpaul]

A good check when you have unknown problems is to reset that tool to its defaults. For the Brush tool click the Presets and then the Reset to Default button.

[lumberman69]

Thanks, hartpaul.

I will work that tool default reset in to my routine.