TheEyesHaveIt

Hello,
 
If I have a black and white pixel layer (or a grayscale pixel layer), is there a way for me to select the white area of it? I'm essentially creating a mask on a pixel layer, but now what to select it so I can actually apply it as a mask on a mask layer. It's a luminosity representation, so I ideally want to transfer it as is to a mask layer.
 
Cheers!

Thank you! One thing that's nice about luminosity masks over blendif though is ability to modify them using like levels (crush the blacks for example) or use them for selections. Does AP not have traditional luminosity masks?

Good morning, TheEyesHaveIt
 
MBd has guided you in the right direction. The way to achieve this is with the Blend Options graphs. You access them by choosing a Layer, clicking the 3-Dot icon at the top of the Layers studio, and then fiddling with the two graphs at the bottom. The graph on the left will alter the opacity of the current layer based on the luminosity of that layer. The graph on the right alters the opacity of the current layer based on the luminosity of the layers underneath it.
 
You can achieve "luminosity masks" using these two graphs. If you want to mask the layer itself, use the graph on the left. If you want to limit an adjustment layer or a live filter layer, use the graph on the right.
 
In terms of traditional luminosity masking, aim for graphs that approximate the diagrams in the attached image. I have used the Blend Options panel in the Desktop version to create the images (simply for ease of doing screen shots, and such) but the graphs are very similar in the iPad version. The nice part of this is that you get a real time update as you move the line in the graph, so you can manipulate it to your exact liking.
 

 
Also, you should note that I have only used the graph on the left in the images. You can do the same thing using the graph on the right if you want your luminosity selection to be based on the layers underneath the current one.

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I think part of it is if you're coming from Photoshop, you need to revise your workflow to fit into AP's UI / layout / functionality. This is for better or worse. Maybe Serif should've kept things more similar to Photoshop in certain cases to ensure lower switching costs, but then perhaps they feel they are doing things in a more intuitive way.
 
I think the other thing is that Photoshop has a lot of cool features, but AP I believe has some unique ones as well. For example, being able to preview what is beneath a mask when you hover the brush without having to actually paint is pretty handy. I'm sure there are others, but I'm very new.
 
Having said all this, I too get very frustrated within AP because I'm using to Photoshop. Just as AP will continue to get better, we shouldn't forget that Photoshop will as well. AP will really never "catch up" in that sense. So they need to focus on efficiency and workflows that are more intuitive and useful for photographers. Right now, some basic stuff is missing there.

You might want to try this:  https://forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/topic/30523-luminosity-masks-for-adjustment-filter-layers/
 
Or this:  https://forum.affinity.serif.com/index.php?/topic/27214-luminosity-masks/
 
I hope these fill at least part of your need(s). Enjoy them.