Adding Multiple Gradients to One Layer Mask

[JayFree]

I was wondering if there was anyone to add several gradient masks to one layer mask? In Photoshop you are able to add several gradient masks to one layer so for instance, I want to fade out all four sides of an image, I can. Maybe I'm missing something in Designer and Photo but currently I have to add a mask do the gradient, then add another mask to the same layer, create the gradient, and repeat the process based on how many gradients I need. 

Essentially, we would like to just be able to continue adding gradients to the same mask instead of creating new masks.

[thomaso]

Hi @JayFree,
welcome to the Affinity forums!

In Affinity you can't apply more than 1 gradients (as fill colour) to 1 item. One workaround could be a combination of different gradient options, for instance to use a gradient fill + a gradient layer-effect. But additionally, layers of type "Mask" are limited towards other layer types, for instance they don't show layer-effects which get applied to them.

So I know compromises only. In case of fade out all four sides of an image you could use a workaround of a masking rectangle shape as masking object + blur it with a Gaussian Blur Layer-Effect to cause reduced opacity at its edges. Or apply an elliptical transparency gradient to the masking shape, as kind of transparency vignette, unfortunately not rectangular, as with 4 linear gradients.

[tudor]

1 hour ago, thomaso said:

In Affinity you can't apply more than 1 gradients (as fill colour) to 1 item.

Yes, you can.

Here is the result:

[NotMyFault]

5 hours ago, tudor said:

Yes, you can.

While true in Theorie, this does not help in the specific case of the OP:

1. appearance panel not available in Photo
2. Does not work on mask layers

 

[NotMyFault]

14 hours ago, JayFree said:

I was wondering if there was anyone to add several gradient masks to one layer mask? In Photoshop you are able to add several gradient masks to one layer so for instance, I want to fade out all four sides of an image, I can. Maybe I'm missing something in Designer and Photo but currently I have to add a mask do the gradient, then add another mask to the same layer, create the gradient, and repeat the process based on how many gradients I need. 

Essentially, we would like to just be able to continue adding gradients to the same mask instead of creating new masks.

 

You found a weak spot of Affinity Photo.

Depending on your workflow needs, there are multiple workarounds possible, but all are limited and cumbersome:

1. The method of @thomaso 
2. If you want to get fewer layers: Creating several layers as you do, and then combine them into one. Unfortunately, this will be a destructive operation. 
3. Using pixel layers, and then use them as masks with the known methods (blend mode erase & blend range settings)

please note that multiple layers used as masks are always subtractive. If you want additive masks, more effort ist required

Edited September 4, 2022 by NotMyFault

[tudor]

3 minutes ago, NotMyFault said:

appearance panel not available in Photo

He asked about both Designer and Photo in the original post.

[NotMyFault]

2 hours ago, tudor said:

He asked about both Designer and Photo in the original post.

You are right, but the second point still holds (does not work on mask layers)

Edit: but it works on vector layers used as masks.

Edited September 4, 2022 by NotMyFault

[tudor]

1 minute ago, NotMyFault said:

You are right, but the second point still holds (does not work on mask layers)

It does not work on pixel masks. It does work on vector masks.

[NotMyFault]

1 hour ago, tudor said:

It does not work on pixel masks. It does work on vector masks.

No. It does not really support transparency. If you create a radial gradient, and reduce the transparency of one node, the color is replaced by black instead of becoming transparent. (Tested on iPad).

to be clear: it works in general, but it is not really usable for masking purposes.

Edited September 4, 2022 by NotMyFault

[tudor]

8 minutes ago, NotMyFault said:

No. It does not support transparency.

 then what magic did I do in the screenshots I posted above?

[GarryP]

One method to get masks with multiple gradients is shown in my attached video.
(In the video I am just revealing layers rather than drawing them, to save time. Note the use of the Multiply blend mode.)
The original “Mask four sides” layer can be saved as an Asset to be reused, and modified before making into a mask if necessary.

It’s not as good as being able to add multiple gradients to a mask but someone might find it useful.

This technique can be used in any of the Affinity applications.

[tudor]

For this type of pixel masks, I prefer the good old paint on mask technique.

[NotMyFault]

1 hour ago, tudor said:

 then what magic did I do in the screenshots I posted above?

You are right. I was working on iPad, and the UI does all it can do to make this task as hard as possible, next to impossible. When using appearance panel with multiple fills, the UI jumps erratically from a selected fill to the rectangle itself. 

After trying again on Desktop, it worked.

 

[telemax]

Yes, masks can consist of several parts, and can also be non-destructive:

[thomaso]

3 hours ago, tudor said:

3 hours ago, NotMyFault said:

No. It does not support transparency.

 then what magic did I do in the screenshots I posted above?

I get a third result: it does support transparency but appears to subtract the transparent areas of several fills (while both black or white work for the non-transparent areas). – What is setup wrong below?

[NotMyFault]

51 minutes ago, thomaso said:

get a third result: it does support transparency but appears to subtract the transparent areas of several fills (while both black or white work for the non-transparent areas). – What is setup wrong below?

For multiple fills, the regular layer/alpha blending is applied. It might be easier to spot if you isolate the vector mask. The blend mode allows more flexibility, e.g. to use add. 

And the color itself is irrelevant when used for masking. Only the opacity / transparency values of the colors matter.

[tudor]

Another experiment with a vector mask.

gradient mask.afdesign

[JayFree]

Thanks guys for all of the replies! Does anyone know whether they addressed this in V2?

[MEB]

Hi @JayFree,
Welcome to affinity Forums
No changes here other than the addition of Compound Masks in Affinity Photo (ability to perform boolean operations between masks a bit like (vector) Compounds in Designer)