Quick inquiry, how do you paint a layer mask?

[wls]

FOUND THE SOLUTION

I'm running into this very problem on v1.8.3 right this moment.  I opened a JPG, then dragged another on top of it, and Option-clicked the mask Layer Button, and expanded the layer to select just the mask.

Using the D (default colors), X to exchange and put white on top, I'm now trying to paint on my black mask.

It's possible to make this stand out as obviously broken.  Clicking the mask icon itself, right click and select Edit Mask.  At this point, the canvas goes black (as it should), waiting for white paint.

• Paint Brush Tool (Width 200px, opacity 100%, Flow 100%, Hardness 0%) -- painting with white didn't work.
• Color Replacement Brush Tool (Width 200px, opacity 100%, Flow 100%, Hardness 0%) -- works
• Pixel Tool -- works

Closer inspection if the tool bar reveals that Protect Alpha is on!  It was not on for Pixel Tool, and when turned on there, same problem.  Color Replacement doesn't have that option. Mystery solved.

Affinity Photo is working as designed, but the "bug" is that when editing a mask, when Protect Alpha is on, you simply can't edit the mask.  Turn Protect Alpha Off when Editing a Mask.  This will not be obvious to new users (or some old ones) and is great source of frustration.  It'd be nice if either that option isn't present when editing a mask, is ignored when editing a mask, or an assistant lets you know what's going on.

 

 

[twd013]

I've been having the exact same issue and it has been driving me nuts. Here's my workaround: before creating the mask, right-click on the layer and Rasterize. Then create the mask layer and paint away.

[ilm1429]

Just to reboot this thread by saying that I have similar issues and it's driving me nuts.
Today, I couldn't paint the mask in white, I could mask out by painting black, but not white. I set all brush colors to white (FG and BG), no selection, not preserve alpha, brush at 100%.
 

[R C-R]

3 minutes ago, ilm1429 said:

Today, I couldn't paint the mask in white, I could mask out by painting black, but not white.

White reveals; black conceals. So if you are painting on a mask with a white brush, it won't affect anything that isn't already at least partially masked out.

[ilm1429]

I know,
What I meant is that sometimes, I would conceal with black and, when I try to reveal back with white it doesn't work, and if I switch the color to black, I can conceal again (??)

 

[R C-R]

Is "Protect Alpha" checked on the Context Toolbar? Also, on the Context Toolbar what is the Blend Mode set to? 

[ilm1429]

Oh man! Sorry for this one

It was actually set to multiply.
Thank you for pointing this out.

[ilm1429]

Ok, so I wanted to follow on with a related point, which is that, sometimes, or many times, the mask won't be 100% opaque/transparent.
The brush settings opacity, flow, hardness are all 100%, no wet edges, layer and brush modes set to normal, still we can see a little of the masked area (maybe 10%)

It happens a lot, I'm just fighting with it right now. There is absolutely no explanation I can give.

Do you have an idea?

Thank you.

[carl123]

Check the colour panel when it happens again, there is a colour opacity slider there that may not be at 100%

Also, check you are using one of the "Basic" brushes

[ilm1429]

Thanks for your answer.

I forgot to mention that this one was also at 100%

 

[ilm1429]

Here is an example
note: it doesn't matter which brush I choose, even the basic ones have this problem. And I try to do dozens of strokes at the same spot, there is a limit, it can't get more transparent than that.
That's really a concern.

 

 

[GarryP]

Can you give us a full-screen screenshot where we can see:

• the Paint Brush Tool is selected;
• the Context Toolbar settings;
• the brush you have selected is one from the Basic category;
• the Colour Panel with the Opacity settings visible;
• the Layers Panel with your Mask layer selected.

[carl123]

...and please upload the document

[ilm1429]

Sure

Note: I recreated and it does it all the time actually

mask_opcity_test.afpub

[carl123]

Explained here...

 

[ilm1429]

Ok, thanks for the info.

We'll be patient then.

[jofalvar]

Hello
can you please show in a screen grab where the mentioned buttons are?

"

Check the Protect Alpha button in the context toolbar on bottom. Is it enabled (does it have a thin outline around the circle)? If so tap it to disable this.

Also make sure you don't have the Opacity or the Flow of the brush set to 0% in the context toolbar on bottom."

 

Thank you

[jofalvar]

Found the button and once I de selected the Protect alpha button;

The button is the last item on the right so you have to click on the arrows to reveal it.
my problem is solved.....
No I can use the brush tool on a mask with white or black color.....

This forum is amazing !
 

[jofalvar]

My Mac book pro has the dynamic tool bar that is sensitive to touch and syncs with affinity so that when I choose my tool; the context tool bar shows up, very close to my fingers.

The problem is that I have been touching the alpha button by mistake because I had not acknowledged it was there.....

Just a heads up....