Alpha Chanels

[Grace231876259guu]

Hi, I'm very new to the Photo Shop and already encountered a problem. I'm trying to make adjustments to a selection in Quick Mask Mode and wanted to use a paint brush tool to refine the selection. Getting an error message: can't change Alpha Chanel. What do I do wrong? The chanels seem to be automatically created in the panel on the right. If I delete any chanels, then the picture changes colour. Would be grateful for any advice.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Could you please post screenshots with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Channels, Options Bar, …) visible? 

What is the Selection for ultimately? 

Why are you working in Quick Mask instead of using a Layer Mask right away? 

[Grace231876259guu]

Hi, Many thanks for  your quick reply. I can't send you a screenshot as I continued to work on my selection and eventually found the way to adjust it. It's a picture of a head and I wanted to change the background. The Quick Mask helped me to see what was selected. I'm just starting Layers on my course so it's a slow process. I was thrown by the Alpha Chanel message on my screen - my picture appeared as a new chanel.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Keep an eye on the Channels Panel in such cases – which Channel’s are selected, which Channel/s are visible, …

[Grace231876259guu]

Thank you!

[Mohammad.Harb]

When using Quick mask mode . a new channel will be created temporarly, 

you can access quick Mask mode by pressing Q 

[Grace231876259guu]

Thank you!

[Lumigraphics]

An alpha channel is, more or less, a saved selection. If you have already created an alpha channel then you have to be working on that channel to modify it. With a selection, there is no permanent channel so you use Quick Mask mode (Q) to show it.

[Grace231876259guu]

Thank you very much. That's much clearer.