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Patrick27029827to3e
Known Participant
December 18, 2023
Question

Gradient Mask tab is disappearing

  • December 18, 2023
  • 1 reply
  • 966 views

Maybe I''m doing something wrong but it looks more like Photoshop not working correctly.

 

If I use a gradient to mask a layer, I can use the controls on the document or in the properties window to adjust the gradient. For some reason, when I deselect and return to this layer mask, the gradient option is gone and all that is left is a Layer Mask with controls for Density and Feather. The icon for the gradient mask is missing.

 

I should add that this is a gradient mask, often on a gradient layer.  So, I am creating a radial gradient layer and then masking with a linear or angular gradient. It works fine while I'm adjusting and then stops appearing as an option after I have deselected and reselected it. But if I create a new layer w/gradient mask and reselect original, it sometimes reappears as an option...

 

I have found that if I apply a gradient mask to another layer and then return to the original layer, the tap reappears. 

 

Basically, photoshop is acting like I rasterized the gradient ramp...

 

Anyone else have this issue?

 

Windows 10 Pro

nVidia RTX 4090

96 Gb RAM

i7-6800k @ 3.4

 

 

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    1 reply

    Semaphoric
    Community Expert
    SemaphoricCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    December 19, 2023

    Layer masks are raster images so they are indeed rasterized. Rather than a mask, try putting a gradient layer with a Foreground to Transparent gradient below the original gradient, and make a Clipping Group of the two. That way, you can use the controls of the lower layer to adust the effect.

      P
      Patrick27029827to3eAuthor
      Known Participant
      December 21, 2023

      I'm not able to find any information Photoshop's Clipping Groups. Are you refering to Clipping Layers?

       

      Have you tried that? It doesn't seem to work the way a mask works.

       

      I am looking for an editable gradient that I can use to mask the layers transparency. 

       

      Clipping Layers include the opacity of the Layer below, I need it to exclude in addition subtract.

       

      Here's an example. The first panel is the gradient that I need to mask. The second panel is the gradient that I am using as a mask. The third panel is the result with clipping layers. The fourth result is what I am trying to accomplish and what IS accomplished but the gradient randomly diassapears and is rasterized at the least convenient times.

      Semaphoric
      Community Expert
      SemaphoricCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      December 21, 2023

      The term seems to be Clipping Masks. The lower gradient needs to be some color to transparent for this to work:

      When editing the gradient, you don't use the Properties panel, but Layer > Layer Content Options... which is Old School, and doesn't have the slick interface you get when the layer is created:

       

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