Unlinking layers and masks – Adobe Photoshop CC 2014 v.14.xx User Manual
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To create a mask that hides the entire layer, Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS) the Add Layer Mask button, or choose
Layer > Layer Mask > Hide All.
In CS5, you can also use the Masks panel (Window > Masks).
Add a layer mask that hides part of a layer
1. In the Layers panel, select the layer or group.
2. Select the area in the image, and do one of the following:
Click the New Layer Mask button
in the Layers panel to create a mask that reveals the selection.
Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS) the Add Layer Mask button in the Layers panel, to create a mask that hides the selection.
Choose Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal Selection or Hide Selection.
Create a mask from layer transparency
If you want to directly edit layer transparency, create a mask from this data. This technique is helpful for video and 3D workflows.
1. In the Layers panel, select the layer.
2. Choose Layer > Layer Mask > From Transparency.
Photoshop converts transparency into an opaque color, hidden by the newly created mask. The opaque color varies greatly, depending upon the
filters and other processing previously applied to the layer.
Apply a layer mask from another layer
Do one of the following:
To move the mask to another layer, drag the mask to the other layer.
To duplicate the mask, Alt-drag (Windows) or Option-drag (Mac OS) the mask to other layer.
Unlinking layers and masks
By default, a layer or group is linked to its layer mask or vector mask, as indicated by the link icon
between the thumbnails in the Layers panel.
The layer and its mask move together in the image when you move either one with the Move tool
. Unlinking them lets you move them
independently and shift the mask’s boundaries separately from the layer.
To unlink a layer from its mask, click the link icon in the Layers panel.
To reestablish the link between a layer and its mask, click between the layer and mask path thumbnails in the Layers panel.
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