How to edit mask with levels

[mmaaxx]

Hi guys, I'm really interested to find a way to edit my layer mask with levels.
It looks like that "levels" is only available as "Live filters" since I don't find it in the Filters tab.

Thank you~
Max

[GarryP]

Welcome to the forums.
Levels is available via either the Adjustments button at the bottom of the Layers Panel, or via the Adjustments Panel (see attached screengrabs).

[Dan C]

Hi @mmaaxx,

Welcome to the forums

As pointed out by GarryP above, Levels is an Adjustment Layer which you can add to any document.

9 hours ago, mmaaxx said:

I'm really interested to find a way to edit my layer mask with levels.

Are you looking to directly change the mask layer using an adjustment (such as Levels)? If so, can I please ask why/what you're trying to achieve here? There may be an easier way of achieving this in Affinity.

Thanks in advance!

[thomaso]

Another way maybe Blend Range Options set for the masking layer.

https://affinity.help/photo/en-US.lproj/index.html?page=pages/Layers/layerBlendRanges.html?title=Layer blend ranges

In the tutorial James Ritson shows a few samples for Blend Range settings. – At 04:15 min he starts to use Blend Range Options to partially mask a filter layer:

 

[JimmyJack]

13 hours ago, mmaaxx said:

Hi guys, I'm really interested to find a way to edit my layer mask with levels.
....

Thank you~
Max

Set your Levels adjustment to Alpha. 🙂

[mmaaxx]

I recorded a video to explain an iphotetic situation.

 

[Dan C]

Thanks for your video mmaaxx, as you've mentioned you'll need to group this adjustment layer with your masked image if you have a background pixel layer beneath the mask.

If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to ask

[JimmyJack]

@mmaaxx you don't necessarily need the extra element of a group.
Just nest the Levels under the mask. In the first example (when using the destructive Blur filter) the Levels can be in the mask or child position (child is shown).

I've included an option 2 that uses a none destructive Live Blur filter.
In this configuration both the Blur and Levels seem to have to be in the mask position on the mask itself. 

[Marcurios]

none of the suggested methods in multiple threads work for me, for this one, i can't nest levels as a child of a mask, it just won't accept it no matter where i drag the level adjustment.

nvm: i found a tutorial on youtube which explains in detail how it works..
i guess i'm going to have to do that every time i'm struggling with Affinity, cause it's so different from how other software does it.

[SergiuV.]

Hi all,

Struggled with the same technique that I often used in PS.
It does work in Affinity Photo, but the trick is that after nesting the level adjustment into the mask layer, you need to change the channel from 'Master' to 'Alpha'. A step that doesn't exist in PS.

I hope this will help someone, at least it will help me when I forget about it.
Kind regards