New Mask Layer vs New Empty Mask layer

[pjglad]

What is the difference and purpose? Thanks.

[MEB]

Hi pjglad,

A New Mask Layer will create a mask filled with white which will reveal the whole image it's attached to (press ⌥ (option/alt) and click the mask's thumbnail in the Layers panel to see the mask as a greyscale image on canvas - in this case you will see it totally white). You have to paint the mask with black to hide/conceal parts of the image the mask is affecting.

 

A New Empty Mask Layer will generate a mask filled with black thus hiding the image completely from view (press ⌥ (option/alt) and click the mask's thumbnail in the Layers panel to see the mask as a greyscale image on canvas - in this case you will see it totally black). You will have to paint it with white to reveal the image the mask is affecting.

 

This also applies to adjustments and filters built-in masks: an adjustment's mask filled with white will affect the image layer equally as a whole at full strength (by default filter and adjustments's masks are filled with white). If you go to menu Layer ▸ Invert, the mask will change to full black meaning it will not have any effect (no strength) over the layer(s) its applied to. If you paint on it with white (or a greyscale value) you will see the adjustment or filter to start affecting the image on the areas you painted in. From here you can see how this can useful to selectively paint with the adjustments/filters over the areas you want.

 

[pjglad]

thanks

[Felipe Adan Lerma]

Incredibly useful info for me! Gotta save this for reference! Thanks!