Copy a layer mask from one document to another

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
September 29, 2024
3 replies
2150 views

Is there a way to copy a layer mask from one document to another? I have several pictures that are mockups of my products where the product is in the exact same place, just a different design on the product. I need to get rid of the background, but unfortunately, Ps isn't great with background removal because it's mostly white on a white background. I'd like to make a layer mask for the first product and copy that mask to the rest to get rid of the background. Is this possible?

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Correct answer Stephen Marsh

Sure, a layer mask is just a special "contextual" alpha channel that is visible when the layer is active. This can be copied and pasted via the clipboard, or you can use Apply Image* to duplicate the layer mask channel content from the source document to the target document layer mask channel (apply a blank layer mask to the target document layer first).

*The two files must have the same pixel dimensions and bit depth.

R

r-bin

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Conrad_C

Community Expert

Just a side tip, which may or may not be useful to you…

If the product outline is the same in all photos, and a uniform mask edge is OK (hard-edged or feathered), consider using a vector mask (a mask based on a path, similar to a clipping path).

First, create a vector path outline of the product using any method that works, such as making a selection and converting it into a path, or drawing the outline with one of the pen tools. Then, with the path selected, copy the path to the clipboard (Edit > Copy).

Next, select the product layer and paste (Edit > Paste). As long as the layer is not a locked Background, pasting the path will make it a vector mask for the selected layer.

The potential advantage of this is that it works regardless of the size of the document. This gets around the requirement that Stephen_A_Marsh pointed out, which is that a pixel layer mask must be the same pixel dimensions and bit depth as the destination document. With a vector mask, those don’t matter. You can just paste that path on the product layer in other documents.

shenaj22153905Author

Known Participant

@Conrad_C thank you! I really appreciate this info!

Stephen Marsh

Correct answer

Community Expert

Sure, a layer mask is just a special "contextual" alpha channel that is visible when the layer is active. This can be copied and pasted via the clipboard, or you can use Apply Image* to duplicate the layer mask channel content from the source document to the target document layer mask channel (apply a blank layer mask to the target document layer first).

*The two files must have the same pixel dimensions and bit depth.