P:(Masking) Option to replace or merge masks when applying Develop preset

[jwaltman]

Prior to Lightroom Classic 11, when a preset with masks was applied, any previous masks were replaced.  With the new mask model in version 11, masks in presets are added to whatever masks were already present.  As this is a departure from the previous behavior, there should at least be an option to mimic the old behavior.

Note that when syncing Develop settting between two photos that both have masks, Lightroom brings up a dialog to ask if the masks should be replaced or merged. At the very least this option should exist for presets that contain masks too.

The workaround today is to "Delete All Masks" before applying a preset with masks.  This is an extra step I'd rather not have to remember to do.

[ArianL]

Is there a way to change how masks are handeld when applying presets?

I have the issue, that every preset just adds masks to the already existing masks instead of replacing them. Is there a way where a preset replaces everything incl. masks?

Thanks a lot in advance, a solution would help a lot!

Best,

Arian

[JohanElzenga]

AFAIK, that is the way it is. The preset adds a mask, and cannot know whether or not that mask should replace an existing mask or not. So presets don't replace masks, only add them.

[ArianL]

Thanks for your response! I mean if I raise the exposure by 0,5 and the preset has a exposure gain of 1 it also is not combining those values and make it 1,5 but rather 1 (last preset). I do understand that it is different with masks, but still it would be awesome if a preset can just be a starting point for my edits without having to remember to remove the masks beforehand.

I will think about making mask presets and exclude them with my normal presets.

[JohanElzenga]

You could go to 'Ideas' and see if somebody already posted a feature request for this. If so, add your vote, if not you can post the feature request yourself.

[johnrellis]

Others have asked for a way for an option for presets to replace rather than merge their masks into the photo:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-ideas/p-masking-option-to-replace-or-merge-masks-wh...

It could behave like Copy/Sync of masks works, asking each time if you want to merge or replace. Or it could be an option in the preset or in Preferences.

[johnrellis]

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

https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-ideas/p-masking-option-to-replace-or-merge-masks-wh...

[ArianL]

I 100% agree with this! Please make this an option in a future update! This is not an improvement what you did with LRC verison 11.

[C.Cella]

It was suggested to use a modifier to trigger "a headless" Apply and Replace

e.g.

Cmd + click Preset = any Masks in the preset will replace the existing ones.

.This would spare having to select replace in a dialog window.