A faster way to copy a mask from an adjustment layer

[dattanchu]

I have 2 layers:

1- Level Adjustment Layer with a Mask
2- Background

I want to copy the Mask of the adjustment layer 1 onto a new adjustment layer. Currently, I have to Select All on Layer 1, Float Selection, Promote to Layer, then create a Layer Mask based on Image and choose Luminance.

In Photoshop, holding Alt and drag the layer mask will copy one adjustment mask to another. How can I do this faster?

[hartpaul]

Not really sure what you are trying to do but am guessing you want the black white image from a levels layer copied to another adjustment layer eg a curves on the same image.
What I did:
1. Made the masked part of the levels adjustment layer. Made a selection based on the black part .
2. Saved the selection to the Alpha channel . Selections None
3. Created the second adjustment layer eg Curves.
4. Load the selection from the Alpha Channel
5. Paint or fill in the black area .
This will give you a masked adjustment area on your curves matching that on your Levels adjustment layer.
It would be nice to be able to copy a mask from one adjustment layer direct to another mask or adjustment layer.

[LeviFiction]

hartpaul, if you have the selection active when you create the adjustment layer it will auto-fill to match the selection. So you'd only need to invert it before creating it.

dattanchu, I don't have a better method. Though you can defloat a selection back into a mask. So after floating the mask, create a new adjustment layer, then defloat the selection back down and your mask fits. You can also use copy and Paste into selection to get a similar effect. Float the selection, copy it, defloat, create the adjustment layer, select all, paste into selection.

Depending on what exactly you want, a "selection from" commnd or just something that'll only copy adjustment layer masks to other adjustment layers it might be possible to make a script that simplifies this and makes it easier.

[dattanchu]

Thanks LeviFiction, that works for me. Paste Into Selection is easy enough to do.

I will try my hand at making a script for this. Seems like something that should be part of core PSP. Oh well, community help FTW.