Masks Menu

This menu contains functions related to mask operations such as creating a new mask, deleting a mask, inverting a mask, etc.

1. Create New Mask
2. Invert Mask
3. Delete Mask
4. View Mask
5. Edit Mode

Create New Mask

This function is used to create a new mask for the active layer. In order to create a mask for a certain layer you must first select the layer and then activate the function. In the functions dialog box you must select which basic mask you wish to create (after creating the mask you can edit it with the editing tools). The function's dialog box has a number of commands which enable the control of the function's operations:

1. Show All - Will create a basic empty mask (the entire layer will be displayed).
2. Hide All - Will create a basic full mask (the entire layer will be hidden).
3. From Image - Will create a mask which will be based on a picture which is currently open in the program.
4. From File - Will create a mask which will be based on a picture from a file.
5. From Selection - This will create a mask which will be based on the area of selection. This is active only when an area on the picture is selected. Show Selection will create a mask in which the parts on the layer in the area of selection will be visible and the parts which are without will be hidden (transparent). Hide Selection will create a mask in which the parts on the layer in the area of selection will be hidden (transparent) and the areas without will be visible.

In order to complete the process, you must press the OK button. In order to cancel the process, press the Cancel button.

Each layer can only have one mask. In case a new mask is added to a layer which already has a mask, the old mask will be deleted.

In order to activate the function press on the Create New Mask sub-menu under the Masks menu.

Invert Mask

A function used for the operation of inverting a mask (the function is only available when the layer has a mask). After activating the mask, the bright areas on the mask will become dark and the dark areas will become bright (in effect, the function does a negative operation on the mask). As a result of the mask's inversion, the visible, transparent and hidden areas on the layer will also be inverted. In order to invert a mask, you must first activate the layer on which the mask is present (select it from the Layers Window) and then activate the function.

In order to activate the function press on the Invert Mask sub-menu under the Masks menu.

Delete Mask

A function used to delete a mask from a layer. In order to delete a mask you must first activate the layer on which the mask is present (select it from the Layers Window) and afterwards activate the function.

In order to activate the function press on the Delete Mask sub-menu under the Masks menu.

View Mask

Pressing this sub-menu will cause the activation/cancellation of the mask's display (this sub-menu is only available when a layer has a mask). When the mask's display is active, it is possible to view it combined with the layer. In order to view the mask of a certain layer, you must first activate the layer on which the mask is present (selecting it from the Layers Window) and afterwards press the sub-menu.

To get to this sub-menu, select the Masks menu and then select the View Mask sub-menu.

Edit Mode

Pressing this sub-menu will transfer the mask to editing mode. Pressing it again will end the editing operation. In editing mode it is possible to edit the mask with the paint tools (such as the paintbrush tool, the line tool, the bucket tool, etc.). In order to edit a certain Mask you must first activate the layer on which the mask is present (selecting it from the Layers Window) and afterwards press the sub-menu.

To get to this sub-menu, select the Masks menu and then select the Edit Mode sub-menu.