Leveling Masks ?

#1

Hi there.
I was wondering if it’s possible to level/curves/exposure basically apply any kind of adjustment layer to a mask.

I need a convenient way to control how things look and I don’t want to destroy my mask’s source using the regular Levels.
I have a greyscale image and I want to play with the masks levels to reveal/hide parts from the layer.

Hope I am clear.

Thanks
N

#2

Well I dont know about CS4 but I know you can’t, so what I imagine you would do (and what I would do) is make a copy of your original mask and keep it as a hidden layer, then just do your levels on the mask. If you make a mistake, you always have your original as a backup.

Who knows, maybe this will be a feature in the future, only if you make enough noise about it.

:smiley:

#3

nirishere, try this:

  1. select the mask layer and press crtl+G to group it by itself
  2. shoot in whatever adjustment layer(s) you want into that group
  3. right-click and choose “convert to smart object”
  4. alt-click to put it as a mask

worth giving a shot

(edit)

it works just fine
you can edit the smart object live side-by-side :wink:

#4

Creeto, it seems like this would be the approach of photoshop to that issue indeed,
it’s just that I don’t know how to make a smart object into a mask.
in other words I am not sure I get step 4. did you mean creating a clipping mask ?
Can you make a smart object also say an alpha channel somehow too ?
tx

#5

you have the smart layer above, hold down the crtl and set your mouse between the layers. it will look like two circles crossing each other. then just click

try, if you don’t make it work i’ll make a short video for you

#6

my “mask” is a grayscale image, and it keeps showing even if I clip-mask it as you said. seems like I missed something.

#7

i made a video for you…tho i made it for clipping mask the same principle works for you

notice that’s it’s important to set the GROUP to NORMAL mode and not PASS THROUGH which is the default mode

video res is better if downloaded

http://www.zshare.net/video/7002831325bf967b/

hope this helps

#8

I am not sure but I think what nirishere want is something like this:

You have a grayscale layer mask just like that

Now, nirishere would like to be able to modify levels from the mask in a non destructive way (just like the feather which is now non destructive in Photoshop CS4).
So your mask could be this

or that

or anything else

But I don’t think it is possible yet…maybe in CS5

#9

it’s very possible. the technique i posted apply to any type of masks/effects

#10

Hey thanks for the video Creeto!
I tried to do as suggested with a gradient, and what I got was this:
It works more as a clipping mask but does not do the trick for a greysscale mask :

#11

I watched again your video and really, I don’t see anything which allows to edit layer mask with levels.

 Using the levels on layer mask allows to change transparency of the layer [u]dynamically[/u] according to its mask. In your example, you have shown it is possible to add adjustment layer on what is appearing behind the mask (but not in a dynamic way since you need to save everytime to update the result). It works of course also on the mask itself but adding levels on a simple layer will not change transparent pixels, it will just change contrast.

The idea behind adding levels on layer mask is to extend transparent area (black pixels) or opaque area (white pixels) according to the grayscale image.

…or maybe I am dumb and I need more explanation =p

#12

Hecartha I think you get the point. Your example pinpointed the issue.
I just don’t know how it can be achieved in an elegant, non destructive, needless-of-copy-pasting, error prone method to get to it.
Creeto, your solution is very interesting, yet the problem remains.

#13

ok. i see…not thinking very clearly when working i guess although it was a nice solution for other situations :stuck_out_tongue:

since i hate to fail solving a problem i’ve got another idea. i’ll post a video soon

#14

here’s another idea then. this one is using layer properties for the actual mask

i’ve found some really nice solutions thanx to your topic. so thank YOU :slight_smile:

(edit)

have to remake it so it’s understandable…

#15

i have to admit i must give up on this :frowning:

the closest i came was to duplicate the layer with mask and record an action with saved preset so i could recall it quickly. worked pretty well tho

#16

Try this setup,

folder 1 with mask1
that is grouping
folder 2 with mask 2 (your original mask)
that is grouping
layer 3 (image)

You can then paint or do a gradient fill on mask 1, still retaining your mask 2 (original mask)

#17

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