Automatic mask replacement in Photoshop

[RudnevTokyo]

Вопрос к знатокам. Я часто работаю с ретушью архитектурной визуализации. Обычно у меня все объекты в фотошопе разбросаны по папкам и на папку назначена маска. Например, папка стена кирпича и его маска, а здесь стена бетонная. Внутри папки просто корректируем цвет. Папки 10-20 на проект. Но после того, как ретушь закончена, клиент часто просит изменить геометрию объекта. Кирпичная стена увеличивается, бетонная стена уменьшается, все маски меняются после рендеринга. По сути, ретушь остается, но нужно поменять все маски. Вопрос, можно ли организовать это автоматически в фотошопе. Чтобы все маски вели в общее хранилище. Я просто заменяю все файлы в этом хранилище и все. Есть ли такая возможность в фотошопе?

[Peter Villevoye]

If i understand it correctly (and if any crucial details didn't get lost in translation), you want to keep the masks in sync with the geometry of the layer's image ? That's odd, because that's the standard way how layers and masks are handled (moved and scaled), unless this chain (link) between the image and mask icon is switched off: 

  

But somehow, I think something else might be bothering you.

Could you supply a screenshot of your Layers panel of such a complex design ?

And perhaps a visual impression (image or screenshot) of what's going wrong ?

[RudnevTokyo]

I want Photoshop to take the mask from this folder on the computer.
Is it possible to make it so that when I replace the mask file on my computer, the mask will automatically change in Photoshop ？

[Bojan Živković]

So you want a script or Photoshop to monitor a folder for changes, and when a change occurs, to import a file and replace a mask in a specific document? Perhaps a script can accomplish that; I'm not certain. Let's wait for scripters to see this post and respond to your question.

@c.pfaffenbichler @Stephen Marsh 

[RudnevTokyo]

Да, вы правильно поняли, спасибо. Я искал в интернете информацию на эту тему, но ничего не нашел.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

The issue of Hotfolders has come up a few times and, while I never pursued the approach/es mentioned, they should be possible. 

But I don’t understand the scenario. 

What connects that specific group to that specific file? (The names do not seem to match for example.) 

I wonder if a »plain« Linked Smart Object-spproach might not be more efficient. (»plain« because Layer Masks cannot be Smart Objects, but a Smart Object can be used similar to a Layer Mask by applying a Blend If and using it as the base of a Clipping Mask or as a Knockout.)

[Peter Villevoye]

Ah, I understand your workflow now ! (I also see some 3D-generated object selection masks and normal maps.) You're using separate files as masks, and want them to be converted (and updated) to layer or group masks.

There are levels of automation possible in Photoshop: 

[1] An Action, which mimics a sequence of steps, including the opening or processing of a certain fixed or variable file. There's only one downside to this: Actions (or Batches) are user invoked. So it's not an option to let Photoshop 'scan' a folder automatically and let files be updated autonomously.

[2] Scripting could maybe solve this, but I'm not familar enough with this.

As mentioned by @c.pfaffenbichler, using these files as linked Smart Objects in combination with a clever Blend setting might be the easiest solution. I tried it, and it worked ! The linked placed Mask_test.png became a Smart Object layer and its Blend setting makes it serve as a mask. Note to hold the alt/option key to drag only the left part of the right slider, to let the edges become soft (just as the grey level indicates a graded opacity). Otherwise it's a hard cut-off in opacity.

Try building this into your workflow. It surely needs a lot of combining and tweaking, but updating the Mask-test.png instantly had its effect in the combined image. It's up to you to decide if these preparations are worth the effort (especially when you need a lot of such masks).

My only worry is that the mask layer might blend a bit of its own subtle gray in the edges, in stead of just masking the original color. Maybe some one else knows another nifty option in this panel to prevent that, or use a different technique to get a better result ?

[RudnevTokyo]

Thanks for your help, but I'm having trouble understanding the process.
I made a scheme of 6 pictures on which you can see the sequence of my actions.
1 frame. I opened the RGB image.
2 frame. I inserted a “Smart object” with the image of my masks on the RGB channels.
3 frame. I right click on the Smart object and use the “Create clipping Mask” command
4 frame. Right-clicking on the “Smart object” and using the “Blending Options” command.
5 frame. In the “Blending Options” settings in the “Blend if” line I choose “Green”. I set the “Blend if” to about 233/255.
6 frame. Here you can see the result. I was able to get a green mask, but was unable to get it to work as a mask for the RGB layer.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Please provide the two images. 

You apparently did not create a Linked Smart Object but an embedded one. 

The »Mask«-Smart Object can form the basis of a Clipping Mask (in a Group) or it can knock out from the top. 

[c.pfaffenbichler · Accepted solution]

Knock out: 

[RudnevTokyo]

Thank you, following your instructions I was able to create a mask from the “Smart object”. It is strange that there are no videos on youtube about this issue. Or maybe I searched wrong. This is a very useful fine-tuning for masks. I think I can save a lot of time at work using Smart object masks. Thanks again.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Please make sure to use a Linked Smart Object so the connection to the separate file is maintained and updating it works. 

[Peter Villevoye]

Well, the typical use of 3D renditions for object selections, converting them into editable and automatically updating masking files, is not really something very common ! There are already 1001 workflows available in Photoshop, and it depends on you to come up with an undocumented workflow number 1002 !

Photoshop is just a huge toolkit. Imagination and ingenuity is the real wizardry...