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A layer mask is great for
creating masks for a single layer. But what happens when you
have several layers that you want to mask all at once? Well,
let's find out why.
In order to create a mask for multiple layers at
once, I combine all of the layers I want to mask into a layer
set. This allows me to continue to be able to edit each layer,
but mask them all at once,
Let's say we have an image like this one with 4
layers.
What we want to do is to click the link box for
all of the layers you want to mask. Here I am linking all 3
layers above the background layer.
Once you have done this, click the arrow button
in the upper-right-hand corner. A flyout menu will appear.
Choose "New set from linked".
This will combine all of the layers into one
set.
Now that this is done, you can create a mask
layer above the new set by clicking the new Mask Layer button at
the bottom of you layers palette.
As you can see here, I have added a mask layer
and swiped a gradient from left to right with the gradient tool
using white as my foreground color and black as my background
color.
Here is what it looks like.
You will find a use for this little trick. I am
sure of it. I love the fact that I can do this without having to
permanently combine the layers that I want to mask. Before
Photoshop 6.0, this was the way it was done. Take advantage of
this if you can. Talk to you next week. |