Inverting Layers in Photoshop

[stephenc84364103]

I'm just learning layers in Photoshop. So far so good. However, I cannot understand the purpose of inverting the layer whilst using the brush tool. What does it do? I just don't get it!

A simplified explanation will be much appreciated!

Thank you. 

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Please post meaningful screenshots including all pertinent Panels. 

What did you set the Brush Tool’s Blend Mode to (as indicated in the Options Bar)? 

[stephenc84364103]

I have asked a dimple question. I don’t understand the purpose of inverting
the layer mask. Not sure how I can explain this any simpler.

You have gone off in a a strange direction. Not sure why you can’t answer a
simple question. Nevertheless, thank you for responding.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

You asked an unclear question (What is »inverting the layer« supposed to describe exactly?), I asked for clarification. 

So again: Screenshots please. 

What is the Brush Tool’s Blend Mode (as indicated in the Options Bar)? 

Likes

[c.pfaffenbichler]

What is the Brush Tool’s Blend Mode (as indicated in the Options Bar)? 

[stephenc84364103]

Sorry if I offended you. I’m just a little frustrated.

Allow me to put it more simpler. What does it mean to invert the layer and
why is it important to do this in Photoshop?

[c.pfaffenbichler]

That’s still not clear to me. 

Are you talking about painting on a Layer, on a Layer Mask, something else entirely, …? 

Are you actually unwilling to clarify by posting meaningful screenshots? 

Good luck! 

[D Fosse]

The problem here is that no one understands why you want to invert the layer. Yes, it has some special purposes, but it's not something you ordinarily do. So what are you trying to do? Are you following a tutorial that tells you to invert the layer?

[stephenc84364103]

Correct! I’m following a tutorial of a photo with multiple curves layers.
As the tutorial progresses, layers are inverted often to provide greater
clarity to the changes with the brush tool I suppose but I really don’t
understand.

Again, my question is why do you invert the layer?

[D Fosse]

A layer mask is painted with black/white/gray brushes to reveal or hide the content. I honestly haven't the slightest idea why anyone would find it helpful to invert the mask, or the layer itself for that matter. It's not something you normally do; nor is it necessary for any normal purpose.

In short, there is no way to answer the question without knowing the exact steps in the tutorial, and what the desired result is supposed to be.

I suggest you go over the tutorial again and pay close attention to each step. I'm not trying to dodge the question, I just have no idea what the actual question is.

[stephenc84364103]

I will follow your suggestions. Thank you. However, every tutorial I watch
talks about inverting the mask. PHLearn, Anthony Morganti, Piximperfect,
Adobe tutorials and others. I don’t get it!

[stephenc84364103]

I really had no idea of how lightning or darkening a layer and inverting it allowed  for selective processing. I now have my head around this. Thank you for your help.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

»I’m following a tutorial of a photo with multiple curves layers.«

So after several posts you finally say what kind of Layer you are working on – if only one could have known that earlier … for example based on the screenshot you refused to post. 

Inverting an Adjustment Layer’s Layer Mask means that it then affects the areas that it previously did not affect and vice versa. 

50% gray areas in the Layer Mask would not show a change. 

[stephenc84364103]

My apologies I wasn’t trying to be difficult. I was oversimplifying things
by just asking the purpose of inverting a mask. Obviously you need some
background information to assess.

In the tutorial his workflow is to add the adjustment, invert the mask and
paint in with a white brush. I still don’t understand the point of
inverting the mask. I think you are saying it needs to be inverted to apply
either a white or black brush? I thought by hiding the layer and then
painting with the brush, the changes are not evident until you invert the
mask again. Maybe I’m making it more complicated than it needs to be.
Again, my apologies for being difficult.

[D Fosse]

You paint with white to reveal; black to hide. Inverting and then painting with white, is exactly the same as painting with black to begin with. So the inversion appears completely meaningless.

[c.pfaffenbichler]

If one creates an Adjustment Layer and it has a white Layer Mask it affects the whole image; by inverting the Layer Mask (making it black) it affects nothing and one can reveal it by painting with white (or gray to partially reveal it). 

[stephenc84364103]

I understand the concept now (the penny has dropped!). Thanks for your help with this and your understanding. Much appreciated!

[c.pfaffenbichler]

How a Layer Mask was created may become noticable if one moves the Layer or increases the Canvas. 

The additional area may then be white or black and it might affect the »new« areas in unintended ways. 

[melissapiccone]

Inverting a layer mask is not the same as inverting a layer - your original question was vague and lacking context prohibiting any meanigful answer. You explanation of watching tutorials and they all seem to include inverting a layer MASK makes much more sense and is a common practice. When creating a layer mask we often begin with a selection. It's often easier to select the oposite of the intended mask and requiring we invert the mask to hide to correct parts. The opposite of black is white, so if you have the wrong part of your image masked, simply cmd / ctrl i to invert the mask and now the correct part is masked - make sense? Let's say you want to replace a sky (not using the new cool filter, but the "old" way) - first you would select the existing sky because it's much easier to select than the rest of the image:

 Then I would click the new layer mask icon at the bottom of the layers panel and I have successfully masked out everything BUT the sky. 

I want the sky to have the mask and I need to invert the layer mask to get there. So here I have done my keyboard shortcut to invert and now I can add a new sky in the layer below .

[stephenc84364103]

Thank you for your helpful response. I really had no understanding of  layers or what it means to invert and allow selective changes to the image. I now understand how they work and the concept of ‘reveal and conceal.’ My apologies for the vague question. 

[rob day]

Seems like you are referring to a Layer Mask and not the actual Layer?

A Layer can have a Layer Mask which is a grayscale Channel that will hide or show areas of the Layer without actually removing the Layer’s pixels. You target the Layer Mask by clicking on it in the Layers panel—clicking on the Layer icon targets the actual layer:

The Layer Mask targeted

If I paint on the Layer Mask with black (inverting the white areas of the mask) it hides the image where I paint:

Painting with white (inverting the black areas) reveals the layer image:

[stephenc84364103]

Thank you. It all makes sense now. I appreciate your help.

[KShinabery212]

I saw your post and read the responses.

I do not think people were getting offended. I think you are misreading them as they are trying to help.

So, I figured out that you are working on a tutorial.  Maybe if you share the link to the tutorial we might be able to understand what you are trying to accomplish.  And then we as a community can come together and offer advice.

See, the most important thing when asking questions is to provide information.  This could be screenshots, it could be video (screen recording) or it could be links to a tutorial.  This allows us to figure things out and to get on the same page with you.  Otherwise it is like guessing.

Also another tip:  If you ever run into errors or big issues.  Also share the following:

Type of computer.

What version the operating software is.

How much memory you are using.

And which version of the application you are using.

Now these are irrelevant to the question you asked at the moment.  But let's say you are trying to render video and you are getting error messages... having this info could also be helpful.

So the more you tell us in your question... the more we can understand and give the appropriate answer.

Honestly, I do not think anyone was offended... they just wanted additional info so they could better help you. 🙂 🙂 🙂

[stephenc84364103]

I think some may have understandably become frustrated with my vague question. I really had no idea how layers worked and what inverting a layer does. I now understand that inverting a layer allows you to selectively lighten or darken parts of the image. My initial thoughts were back to front. I thought why lighten or darken if it has an opposite effect.  Once I  understood  how layers work and the concept of  ‘reveal and conceal,’ it all falls into place. Thank you for your understanding.