P:(Masking) Masking, Flatten Mask

[GoldingD]

Request for change:

In Masking, add the capability to flatten a complex mask.

For example;

Create a Mask, make several Adds, maybe a few Subtractions, what the heck an Intersection, Now I want to simplify that from a bunch of components into one, I have no fear of wanting to undo this. Flatten the combined mask into one.

Another example'

I create a subject mask, I make additions, I want to invert but I am too lazy to start over, Flatten the mask into one, now it will invert properly. the whole mask, not just one component (yes, creating the initial subject mask, then inverting, then adding etc would be better, but...)

By the way, could this save some memory, some hard drive space?

[JohanElzenga]

You don't have to start over when you invert a mask. What you have to do is invert the base mask, and then toggle all 'refine masks' from add to subtract and vice versa (right-click on it). Adobe could (should) make a button that does this all in one click, but flatten the masks would be a very poor workaround so I would personally never support such an idea.

[Photovit]

After trying out the new masking options on V11, refining the subject sdmask with add and subtract, inverting for BG editing, and reading about the issues that have been the subject of the  Invert/Flip Mask Group  I feel that what would resolve all of this is an option to Merge theentire mask group with all its refining layer masks after duplicating Mask. This will allow us to keep the components if needed further refinement, and also have a merged version for a perfect Invert.

[JohanElzenga]

Merging components has already been suggested, but I think it's a bad idea. One of the great improvements in the new masking is that your work is now completely non-destructive. You no longer brush in the mask, you add a separate brush component. Merging these components would be going back to the previous version and it is not necessary at all, and creating a merged duplicate mask would only increase the catalog size. An "Invert Mask" button at the top level could take care of all the inverting/adding/subtracting without destroying the components by merging them and without creating a duplicate mask.

[Lonyee]

It would be an awesome feature to be able to combine multiple created objects inside a mask.

In the current version of lightroom that is not yet possible/supported, but it would be an awesome addition like combining layers inside of Photoshop, because it would use a lot less RAM inside my computer when it is just one or two objects instead of up to 20 before my lightroom slows/stops responding (current situation).

Current OS: Windows 11, but i'd like to see this feature in all versions of lightroom, because it would drastically improve workflow for everyone who uses masking.

[GoldingD]

Consider creating a mask, perhaps an object mask, and add additional objects into the mask, as opposed to creating individual object masks.

[johnrellis]

Moderators, @Rikk Flohr: Photography, please merge with this existing Idea:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-ideas/p-masking-masking-flatten-mask/idi-p/12494484