Problem masking

[Thomas Schwarz musicanera]

Problem masking

Hello, I am describing my problem here and hope for a solution:

I have a picture, a drawing with a signature. The signature is not easy to read, so I created a new layer and redrawn the signature by hand.
This layer lies above the image layer. This works fine.

Now the problem: I want the signature of the original picture to show through. That's why I masked the drawing in the area of the signature. I can use it to completely hide the signature.
But if I want a transparent, shimmering effect on the signature by reducing the opacity of the mask, the rest of the drawing is also reduced. what am I doing wrong here?

Kind regards and thanks for the help!

[iconoclast]

Hi Thomas!

Click on the mask layer to select only this one and adjust the opacity of the mask then.

 

[smadell]

Thomas...  If I'm reading this correctly, you have two pixel layers, one on top of the other. The top pixel layer has a mask attached. You would like to lower the effect of the mask. In other words, the "black" part of the mask should be less effective in hiding the top layer, but the "white" part of the mask should be unaffected. If this is correct, keep reading.

Basically, you need your mask to act as if it were some shade of grey instead of black. That way, the mask would only partially hide the top layer. You can do this in 2 ways: first, you can paint your mask using grey instead of black; second, you can use a Levels adjustment on the mask itself.

(1) Add a Levels adjustment.  (2) Drag the Levels adjustment on top of the mask icon – you'll see a blue line, and it should be vertical and to the right of the mask thumbnail.  (3) In the Levels adjustment panel, change the drop down menu from "Master" to "Alpha".  (4) Use the "Output Black Level" slider to change the opacity of the mask where it is black, but leave the white areas alone.  (5) Here's a video I did a while back in response to a similar question.