Layers & Masks Flashcards

How do you add a mask that hides the entire layer (filled with black) instead of revealing it?

Answer: Alt/Option-click the Add Layer Mask button

Alt/Option-clicking the Add Layer Mask button creates a mask filled with black, hiding all layer content immediately.

The Density slider in the mask Properties panel acts like:

Answer: Reducing the mask's opacity without permanently altering it

Density controls how opaque the dark areas of the mask are; lowering it makes hidden areas partially transparent without changing actual mask pixel values.

To select all pixels on a layer (load its transparency as a selection), you:

Answer: Ctrl/Cmd-click the layer thumbnail

Ctrl/Cmd-clicking a layer thumbnail loads the layer's non-transparent pixels as a selection, useful before creating masks.

Which blending mode is ideal for combining a neutral 50% gray layer with the image to add dodge-and-burn non-destructively?

Answer: Overlay

Overlay mode renders 50% gray as invisible, so painting lighter or darker on such a layer dodges or burns the composite non-destructively.

What does Shift-clicking a layer mask thumbnail do?

Answer: Temporarily disables the mask with a red X

Shift-clicking a layer mask thumbnail toggles it off (disabled), indicated by a red X, so you can preview the unmasked layer content.

In the Select and Mask workspace, the 'Output To' dropdown can deliver the result as:

Answer: A selection, mask, new layer, or new document among other options

'Output To' offers multiple options including Selection, Layer Mask, New Layer, New Layer with Layer Mask, and New Document.

Which command lets you move all layers within a group while keeping the group's layer mask in place?

Answer: Unlink the group's mask, then use Move tool on the group

Unlinking the group's mask (clicking the chain icon) allows you to reposition the group's layers independently while the mask stays fixed.