how to use Masks

[kimmer]

I have PSP X7, 64bit. I am having trouble learning how to use masks--I am used to PSE, sorry.

Are there any good, point by point, how to tutorials out there? I have not found any, but maybe searching for wrong terms. I want to learn to make my own grunge masks.

Thank you, kimmer

[LeviFiction]

For the most part masks work in a very similar fashion to PSE, or at least I think they do.

The biggest difference is that Masks in PSP are their own separate layers where as in PSE the mask is part of the layer. What this means is that in PSP when you add a mask to a layer it creates a layer group with the layer you're masking on the bottom, and the mask layer above it. The mask will then only work on images inside this layer group. The flexibility of this is that you can use one mask to mask multiple layers, but I don't know of any practical purpose for that.

From there just like in PSE you can use your paint brush or any of the other tools to paint on the mask layer. Black conceals, White reveals, and greys are a translucent inbetween.

To add a mask to a layer first highlight the layer in the Layers Palette. The active layer will be the layer that gains a mask.

Then using either the buttons on the bottom of the Layers palette, or from the Layers menu select New Mask Layer -> Show all.

Show all creates a default all white mask, meaning everything on the layer beneath is visible. HIde all would create a black mask hiding everything. You can also make masks from current selections (either hiding the selection or only showing the selcted areas) You can also create a mask from an open image inside of PSP.

The other way to create a mask inside of PSP is to use the Load/Save mask option.

In the Layers menu there is an option to Load/Save a mask, you can choose to load a mask from disk or from an alpha channel. You cannot load a mask into an existing mask. You can only load a brand new mask. So again, select the layer you want to mask.

Layers -> Load/Save Mask -> Load Mask from Disk

Then you should be presented with a series of pictures you can use as premade masks.

I give a very poor example of loading masks this way here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akPmkmB9VV4

From there....I don't know what kind of grunge mask you want to make. Or how to go about instructing you on that.

[kimmer]

LeviFiction--

Thank you for the reply, and I understand some of it. The grunge part I do know.

I will experiment today with your instructions and let you know how I did.

Thank you again,
Kimmer