Skip to main content
manuorama
manuorama
Inspiring
April 21, 2020
Answered

display error of masks in Photoshop CC 2020

  • April 21, 2020
  • 5 replies
  • 1753 views

Hi, 

 

I have an issue / bug with Photoshop 21.1.2:

In previous versions I was able to display a mask by pressing the „<"-button (transparent red).  In Photoshop 2020 that doesn’t work when I have selected the brush tool (which is necessary to edit a mask). However it works just fine while other tools are selected (for example magnifying glass tool.)

 

I spend a lot of time with editing masks. That’s why I stick to Photoshop CC 2019 which is a pitty.

 

Best,

Manuel

 

PS: Mac OS 10.15.4

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer manuorama

Summary: It´s a feature, not a bug 😉

The "toggle composite and grayscale mask in Quick Mask mode", has been reassigned to "toggle between painting and erasing with the same brush tip".

In my opinion it is very disappointing that Adobe is aware of this problem for more than five month and hasn't really solved it.

On a German keyboard (qwertz) the key we are talking about the "<"-button.

 

However there are two solutions right now: 

1. You can press "control + <" and the mask will always be displayed.

2. You can switch to another tool (everything expect the brush) and the "<"-key will work again.

 

Both ways work, but are less convenient. I would have been happy to hear that by Adobe, too. I kind of had to figure that out myself.

 

PS: German keyboard (qwertz), Mac OS 10.15.4, PS 21.1.2

 

5 replies

manuorama
manuoramaAuthorCorrect answer
Inspiring
April 22, 2020

Summary: It´s a feature, not a bug 😉

The "toggle composite and grayscale mask in Quick Mask mode", has been reassigned to "toggle between painting and erasing with the same brush tip".

In my opinion it is very disappointing that Adobe is aware of this problem for more than five month and hasn't really solved it.

On a German keyboard (qwertz) the key we are talking about the "<"-button.

 

However there are two solutions right now: 

1. You can press "control + <" and the mask will always be displayed.

2. You can switch to another tool (everything expect the brush) and the "<"-key will work again.

 

Both ways work, but are less convenient. I would have been happy to hear that by Adobe, too. I kind of had to figure that out myself.

 

PS: German keyboard (qwertz), Mac OS 10.15.4, PS 21.1.2

 

    PECourtejoie
    Community Expert
    PECourtejoieCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 21, 2020

    Hello, yes in some languages, it is the shortcut to toggle the brush tool into the eraser (a one key shortcut to the clear mode) but it steals another function.
    You can vote in this discussion and give your language options: https://feedback.photoshop.com/photoshop_family/topics/toggle-composite-mask-key-overridden-in-photoshop-2020

      R
      Community Expert
      Rob de WinterCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      April 21, 2020

      Hey! On a mask I never used '<' , but always use \ (backslash). Does this work for you?

        manuorama
        manuoramaAuthor
        Inspiring
        April 21, 2020

        I´m working on a German keyboard. Backlash doesn´t work. Thanks for your reply anyway. 

        Pete.Green
        Adobe Employee
        Pete.Green
        April 21, 2020

        Hey Manuel,

         

        Thanks for asking about this -- What language is your keyboard set to currently?

        Generally, with English keyboard layouts, the red mask behavior you're describing should be activatable using the Q key, and not the < key. Q will toggle the Quick Mask mode for the current layer, and using a brush you can create/modify a selection or mask.

         

        Let us know if that helps.

        Regards,

        PG

          manuorama
          manuoramaAuthor
          Inspiring
          April 21, 2020

          Hi Pete,

          thanks for your reply. 

           

          I use a German keyboard (qwertz). I experience that issue on two diffent Macs (with different operating systems, too).
          Indeed I use custom shortcuts, but it´s the same with default settings. Changing the language / keyboard setting is not really an option for me.

           

          Best,

          Manuel

          c.pfaffenbichler
          Community Expert
          c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          April 21, 2020

          Does turning off »Use Graphics Processor« in the Performance Preferences (Photoshop > Preferences > Performance > Graphic Processor Settings) and restarting Photoshop have any bearing on the issue? 

          Does turning on Photoshop > Preferences > Performance > Legacy Compositing and restarting Photoshop have any bearing on the issue? 

          manuorama
          manuoramaAuthor
          Inspiring
          April 21, 2020

          Thx. Unfortunately that didn´t help. 

          Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
          Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices