New Lightroom Classic Linear and Radial Gradient Tools vs. Old Version

[Frank Biganski]

Hi,

I solely use Lightroom Classic to edit real estate images, and I've been happy with the older version of LR when the linear and radial gradient tools were always just one click away.  I could add multiple edits a lot faster as both icons/tools were just one click away and overlays were instant.

So after updating to current LR Classic (I was quite a few versions behind), it now seems I have to click "Create New Mask" for every single edit and this really slows down my work flow.

I love and appreciate the amazing new masking benefits, but is there a simplier way of using the linear and radial gradient tools without having to create a new mask every time? 

If anyone has some shortcut idea or tutorial links, that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and cheers!

~ Frank

[Jim Wilde · Accepted solution]

On the top line of the "Create New Mask" panel is "?" icon:

Clicking on that will reveal an extensive list of masking shortcuts, like this:

From that list, you will see that the shortcut for creating a Linear Gradient is M, and the shortcut for a Radial Gradient is Shift+M.

[Sean McCormack · Accepted solution]

Some of the new Masking changes are also a perception change. Every time you used the old tools, you were creating a mask, but Lightroom was hiding that from you. Now, you know you're making a masking. You can still edit each mask. If you need a new mask specifically, the shortcuts Jim showed will speed it up. For the most part these are the same shortcuts from previous versions of Lightroom. 

[Frank Biganski]

Thanks so much for your replies gents. It took a short while to get used to this new method of editing but after editing one job and about 50-60 images, it's now a breeze -- multiple masks and all.

One other question... can I permenatly turn off the overlay color? I can uncheck the box but overlay still appears when I hover my mouse on the gradient black dot.

Thanks again!

Frank

[Jim Wilde]

Start a new mask, then click on the tri-dot icon bottom right of the Mask panel (on the Show Overlay line), In the resulting menu, you can uncheck the option to "Automatically Toggle Overlay". That should do the trick.

The problem with permanently turning off the overlay will be when you use one of the AI Maks (Select Subject or Sky) or try to use the Brush....without the overlay you have no clue as to what the mask looks like.

[JP Hess]

I personally don't know that you can disable the overlay color. However, that color will disappear as soon as you start to make adjustments on any of the masks. So it shouldn't be a distraction in my opinion.

[Bob Somrak]

To "disable" the overlay color just lower the opacity of the overlay color completely.

[Frank Biganski]

Brilliant! Thanks! The flashing was driving me crazy.  I'll get past this "new" learning curve, but I am loving it. Cannot believe how easy it will not be to create amazing masks!  Thanks gents!

~ Frank