Can't paste image into layer mask

[arnoudh25213001]

I don't know why, but for some reason I can't post an image into a layer mask. I alt clicked it, it's editable, but pasting doesn't have any effect. 

[Trevor.Dennis]

I haven't read the rest of the thread, but I can tell you that you can't paste an image into a layer mask. 

What you can do is duplicate just one channel into a layer mask.

Ctrl click the channel to load it as a selection.

Select the layer Mask

With black as the foreground colour, use Alt backspace to fill the eselection.

A more useful application is to use Luminosity Masks.  These are very handy for targeting particular tonal values.  I use a free extension by Sven Stork called Interactive Luminosirt masks

https://exchange.adobe.com/apps/cc/12307/interactive-luminosity-mask

I see he has another extension that looks interesting.

[Bojan Živković]

Just tested Photoshop 25.1.0 Release, working as described above in my step by step answer. Can you record video or something?

[Dmitry34091910x7of]

Hello there, PS 25.3.1. Mac OS. Same problem - I can't paste into the layer mask.  I follow all the advice posted here.  https://youtu.be/uwH5ajzO5Ps

Restarted PS - doesn't help. Tried to different files - same result.

[Bojan Živković]

I am testing right now on Windows, it works, I do not think it is Mac related things, it works. Follow instructions and report result:

• Select all
• Copy Merged
• Select layer with mask then Alt or Opt + click on layer mask
• Paste
• Alt or Opt + click on layer mask to go back to normal mode

[Dmitry34091910x7of]

Same result https://youtu.be/4UxorCiLVMc

I asked a colleague to repeat this procedure on Windows - same negative result - can't paste. In her case, a new layer was created. I had it, too, in one of my trials. But not onto the layer mask.

[Bojan Živković]

Watch this video

https://youtu.be/pHpoZAMmGPQ?si=RGTwObpH1Uvk1Az3

[Dmitry34091910x7of]

Yes, I saw it. And many other videos showing the successful paste onto the layer mask. I don't see any difference in the steps between the successful video and mine. Do you?

[Bojan Živković]

I can not watch your video, it is private video, thats what is displayed to me.

 

Yes, I saw it. And many other videos showing the successful paste onto the layer mask. I don't see any difference in the steps between the successful video and mine. Do you?

By @Dmitry34091910x7of

[Dmitry34091910x7of]

Sorry!  Here it is https://youtu.be/4UxorCiLVMc . But as I said before I tried it on my wife's computer - and everything works as it should. Mac os the same PS. Something is wrong with my setup.  Should I reinstall?

[Dmitry34091910x7of]

Amazing. I tried it on my wife's Mac, the same PS version - it works without any problem! 

[mikeh13860916]

thank you a million times over, this finally worked when none of the other methods did.

[D Fosse]

@Trevor.Dennis 

You can paste any image into a layer mask. All you need to do is target the mask by alt-clicking it, and paste. As Bojan describes.

The image you paste can be any color mode, RGB, Lab, CMYK. It will be converted to your working gray in the layer mask.

I've done it this way for many years. I just tested it to be sure, in case there was a bug in v25 or new behavior. But there isn't. It still works like it always has.

[Dmitry34091910x7of]

Hi there, I have the same problem pasting onto a layer mask. Have you managed to resolve yours?

Thank you!