Inverting a selection not working

[Lonapple]

I have been following a tutorial on how to mask complex images and when I get to the point of having pure black and white regions, I make a selection on the white part of the image but then want to invert the two region colors. CTRL I cause the white area to turn black but does not turn the black white so I end up with an all black screen. What am I doing wrong? I did it 2 days ago and it worked perfectly, now it won't.

[barbara_a · Accepted solution]

If only the white is selected only the white areas will change when you invert. It sounds like you don't need to make a selection. If nothing is selected and the mask is active all you would need to do is CTRL I and all areas of the mask will inverse.

[Lonapple]

Thank you!! That worked. Apparently the view I was watching had it wrong.

[barbara_a]

You're welcome. I'm glad that worked for you!

[tsurielh69235026]

I ran into the same problem..that is a great answer the only thing i will add is that its a little bit confusing cause its only seems that like a the black area is marked while the truth is that its only the white area is marked but because its sorrounding the black it look like the black area is selected 

[lambiloon]

hi if you have done 2 days ago correctly then just take a look a layers may be you have selected wrong layer...thanks

[Charbhel]

Hi, it is certainly too late for you, but for future people coming here:
Ctrl+I inverts the colors. Which makes your white become black.

To invert the selection, the correct shortcut is Ctrl+Shift+I or go to the menu Select > Inverse.

[grizzrod]

my inverse button is greyed out 

[JsShock]

Yeah, same. I can't figure out why.