12

When I have a photo with a mask in Photoshop, I want to be able to edit this mask with a brush, e.g. I want to remove the sky from the photo. But as far as I know, I can only view the mask or the photo, but not both. I would like to be able to view them both, so that the mask is an "overlay" of the photo. How can I do that?

I hope that was clear...

2 Answers 2

20

You mean like 'quick mask'? Hold Shift + Alt and click on your layer mask. Your mask will be highlighted in red, with your photo still showing.

9

You can view the mask of a layer overlaid on top of the canvas by pressing \ (backslash, usually the key above return). This toggles it on and off for the currently selected layer. You can also open the channels panel and toggle it from there.

Channel Mask

Be careful though. The small box around the layer contents and mask indicates which one you're painting on.

Here's what it looks like when you're painting on the layer itself.

Paint on layer

And when you're painting on the mask.

Paint on mask

You can change the overlay colour by double clicking the quick mask button in the tool panel (second from the bottom).

Quick Mask Options

Or by right clicking on the mask in the layers panel and choosing Mask Options.

Photoshop CS6 shown, but this stuff hasn't changed for a while. Should be almost identical in all recent versions.

2
  • When the mask layer is visible (with /) you can also hide the RGB layer (and only show the mask layer) with `.
    – gitaarik
    Nov 14, 2015 at 13:06
  • Is ` \` doing the same thing (just to the current layer) as alt+shift+click on mask? Or are those technically different viewing modes? If so, what's the difference?
    – Jacob Ford
    Apr 4, 2020 at 18:16

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.