Progressive stages of mask detail?

[BillRB]

I am fairly new to Affinity and using it mostly for very very detailed masking of hi-res picture masking to create a simulated 3D object in a CAD program.  I have two issues and questions:

1. Is there a best or recommended way to select, in progressively detailed masks, the final selected portion of the original picture?  If I did the fine detail masking all in one session, it would likely be something like 6+ hours to define it at the level I really need.  So, I am currently doing it in progressive stages and sections.
2. How do I keep the mask selection detail done at a very low level (3 pixel focus) when I zoom out to create the mask? I have done this a couple of times and I am loosing the detail level of the mask when I create it and save it.  When I go back to it after, the detail I selected at the low level was lost.

Practical experience and suggestions are greatly welcome!

 

[Leigh]

Welcome to the forums BillRB :D

 

I've just created a low level mask and I don't seem to be missing any detail. Is it possible to show us an example?

 

You might get better results using the Quick Mask tool to create low level selections. This would allow you to save the selection to a File or Spare Channel for editing at a later time. Once you've finished with the Quick Mask, you can turn your selection into a Mask.

 

The following video explains how Quick Masks work: https://vimeo.com/130973259  and you can save your selection to a Spare Channel or File by going to Select > Save Selection. You can then use the selection at a later time by opening the saved selection by going to Select > Load Selection or going to the Channels Panel.

[BillRB]

Leigh, 

 

Thanks for the great reply.  I watched the video (very helpful) and I'll give the Quick Mask approach a try.  The other part you mentioned about saving as a Spare Channel is over my head at the moment so, I'll have to do some more reading first before I try that part.

 

But, (hopefully) here attached is my work-in-progress affinity file of the picture I am masking.  It is the tail sections which are the main challenge to mask tightly and in sufficient detail for a clean sharp edge.

Phoenix for bill M1.afphoto

[Leigh]

Thanks for the file. I've replied to your PM :D