Has anyone figured out a way to create a layer mask in E3? I'm trying to do some editing of some photos, and really want a layer mask. I know you could do it in Elements 2 by holding down the 'alt' key while opening a 'ripple' filter, but apparently that doesn't work in E3... I'm dying to have a layer mask and I really don't want to have to load E2 just to do it...
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Elements 3.0 masks
- Thread starter Glenn W.
- Start date
jfriend00
Forum Pro
There are a number of ways to simulate a layer mask in PSE3. The easiest way I know of (and I hope others post if they have other ideas) is to create a levels adjustment layer, hit OK to create it with no changes to the levels, then group a layer above it. The mask in the adjustment layer will apply to all layers above it that are grouped with it.
Here's a simple example that shows how the white in the mask lets the grouped layer through and the black in the mask blocks the grouped layer and thus shows the layer below.
--John
Here's a simple example that shows how the white in the mask lets the grouped layer through and the black in the mask blocks the grouped layer and thus shows the layer below.
--John
Easiest way so far is to download and install these and you'll have a regular PS type paint-on layer mask:
http://member.melbpc.org.au/~pshipley/Download.htm
http://member.melbpc.org.au/~pshipley/Download.htm
Steve Meredith
Well-known member
As an extension of the original question, I would like to know if it is possible with Elements (I have 2.0 with Hidden Power Tools and 3.0) to copy a grayscale layer that I create to use as a mask into the layer mask. I've been trying to do this for a few days now and haven't succeeded. (With full Photoshop you can create a channel using the grayscale layer, load the channel as a selection and then create layer mask from selection.) Anyone know how to do this in Elements?
Steve
Steve
jfriend00
Forum Pro
You can paste any clipboard contents into a mask in PSE3.
Make your selection
Copy it to the clipboard
Select a layer with a mask (I used an adjustment layer I had)
Alt-click on the mask which will show just the mask
Paste (the clipboard will go into the mask)
--John
Make your selection
Copy it to the clipboard
Select a layer with a mask (I used an adjustment layer I had)
Alt-click on the mask which will show just the mask
Paste (the clipboard will go into the mask)
--John
Steve Meredith
Well-known member
Thanks, John. Didn't know about Alt-clicking on the mask. (I bet that's in the manual somewhere...)
Doug Wampler
Leading Member
This works for me... Quite frankly, that's not too hard, not sure why you feel a need for any simpler way then that...
Thanks, that helps ALOT.
Thanks, that helps ALOT.
Here's a simple example that shows how the white in the mask lets
the grouped layer through and the black in the mask blocks the
grouped layer and thus shows the layer below.
--John
I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong, or what, but I tried doing the things it talks about on that site, but it didn't seem to offer any other forums of 'layer masks'... at least not that I could tell...
jfriend00
Forum Pro
The shipley stuff is a pain to install. I only got it working after I deleted some files in a "cache directory" in the Elements file hierarchy. I don't have Elements here with me now so I can't tell you exactly what I deleted, but it was named something obvious including the word cache. I think you had to delete this in order to cause Elements to recognize the shipley plug-ins.
After you get it all installed, it's then kind of hard to find the new things in the Elements UI. I did not find the install instructions for this stuff very complete. If someone else hasn't helped you by tonight when I'm at my PC with Elements, I'll post more detailed help.
--John
After you get it all installed, it's then kind of hard to find the new things in the Elements UI. I did not find the install instructions for this stuff very complete. If someone else hasn't helped you by tonight when I'm at my PC with Elements, I'll post more detailed help.
--John
I just spent a bunch of time trying to install it and get it to work.. forget it..I gave up.
jfriend00
Forum Pro
I got it to work, but it was a pain. I was thinking about posting very simple instructions for how to get just curves to work since that is the ONE thing that I wanted from it. I may do that tonight or tomorrow night.
--John
--John
Makinations
Veteran Member
That would be remarkably cool. I'm waiting for the new hidden power of photoshop elements 3 book to come out that should give me some of this.
Or would if Amazon ever got it and shipped the damned thing to me.
Makinations
http://www.smrlabs.com
Or would if Amazon ever got it and shipped the damned thing to me.
--
Makinations
http://www.smrlabs.com
I hear you about Amazon. I ordered the book several weeks ago and am waiting for them to get it in stock!
Makinations
Veteran Member
This one picture explained layer masks for me.
Makinations
http://www.smrlabs.com
--Here's a simple example that shows how the white in the mask lets
the grouped layer through and the black in the mask blocks the
grouped layer and thus shows the layer below.
--John
Makinations
http://www.smrlabs.com
Yes, it's true that the installation instructions for the Shipley tools are pretty bad. You don't need winzip or another special utility. Get the instructions from his page, but unzip the file on your desktop.
Now look at the file path to the filters and effects in your PE 3 program files. You want to peel off all those extra folders till the new tools are only en-foldered to the same extent that the existing ones are and then drag them into the proper directory. Follow his instructions about trashing the caches and they should show up in your Styles and Effects palette.
The problem is that there are way too many folders around everything, but if you get rid of the extra junk they should work fine.
Now look at the file path to the filters and effects in your PE 3 program files. You want to peel off all those extra folders till the new tools are only en-foldered to the same extent that the existing ones are and then drag them into the proper directory. Follow his instructions about trashing the caches and they should show up in your Styles and Effects palette.
The problem is that there are way too many folders around everything, but if you get rid of the extra junk they should work fine.
I got the package installed, and the filters and effects show up where they are supposed to be. However, I can't get quick mask to work. It highlights in red properly, but it won't let me make changes, such as levels or brighten/darken.
I am using PSE 3.
Has anyone gotten quick mask to actually work?
Gary Cahn
I am using PSE 3.
Has anyone gotten quick mask to actually work?
Gary Cahn
Yes, it works for me. It was a little tricky figuring out the Use Standard Mode step until I read the help but everything seems to be working as it should.
Steve110587
Senior Member
it has all kinds of tricks like this.. emulating Element's big brother. i havent looked at it for several months.. i forget exactly.. but the grouping thing for mask i am pretty sure it is all in there.
its an excellent book .
its an excellent book .
Actualy I figured out my problem... I wasn't reading the directions clearly enough, and simply didn't understand the whole process of using the tools... Once I removed the cache files, and looked in the right loction (Effects) they the addtional stuff was there and works fine near as I can tell... So far I've really only used the feature to add a layer, but I see others there now anyway...
Thanks to all who've contributed to this thread... I now have several differnt ways to acomplish what I was trying to do (digital makeup), and have also developed a new understanding of ways to do simmilar things from within Elements 3.0. I now have almost ZERO desire to go buy PSCS....
I hope, and it looks like I wasn't the only one wanting to know more ways to do things in Elements...
For what it's worth... I also descovered that the old way of creating a layer mask, by using the "ripple" effect, still does work as well. I don't know what I was doing wrong when I had previously tried that trick of holding the 'alt' button down... but I re-tried that, and got it to work as well...
Thanks to all who've contributed to this thread... I now have several differnt ways to acomplish what I was trying to do (digital makeup), and have also developed a new understanding of ways to do simmilar things from within Elements 3.0. I now have almost ZERO desire to go buy PSCS....
I hope, and it looks like I wasn't the only one wanting to know more ways to do things in Elements...
For what it's worth... I also descovered that the old way of creating a layer mask, by using the "ripple" effect, still does work as well. I don't know what I was doing wrong when I had previously tried that trick of holding the 'alt' button down... but I re-tried that, and got it to work as well...
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