Masking type in photoshop

[hillariej47137277]

So I made a type layer. I added a mask to it so I could make the type look grungy. Now I am trying to make the mask "stick" to the type so that if I want to put a space between a letter, the mask stays on the type where I put it. How can I do this? "Apply Layer Mask" option is greyed out so I can't do that.
Please Help!!!

[hillariej47137277]

[davescm]

Hi

A better way is to use clipping.

Put your "grunge" layers above the text layer. Alt-Click (opt-Click on Mac) on the border between the new layer and the layer below.  A small arrow will appear to show the layer is clipped to the layer below.

Now the text itself will act as a mask and is fully editable

I hope that helps you

Dave

[Barb Binder]

Darn it, Dave. I spent too long working on my grunge.

[Chuck Uebele]

We're both too slow.

[davescm]

ACPs - we're like buses. Wait around long enough and three turn up at once ..

Dave

[Barb Binder]

LOL. At least we all came up with the exact same answer.

P.S. I hate it when a bunch of us answer at once and my answer is the one that totally misses the mark.

[hillariej47137277]

So that sounds great but the thing is, it's not a layer. I made a mask on the type layer and drew in the mask. So yeah. I'm pretty stumped here.

I just made the edges of the type kind of ragged and I want to keep it that way but I need to adjust some spacing in the letters.

[Barb Binder]

How about using a clipping mask?

[hillariej47137277]

I'm stuck with how I did it unfortunately. Next time I will use clipping mask but for this I need it to be what I drew in. Eek
So I have to find a way to make the mask stick if that makes any sense to you.

[Barb Binder]

Is this what you have now?

[hillariej47137277]

pretty much

yes

[Barb Binder]

If so, it's an easy transition to what we are all recommending:

1. Ctrl/Cmd click on your mask (in the layers panel) to select it
2. Select > Inverse
3. Add a new layer above the type layer
4. Click on the new layer to make it active
5. Edit > Fill (I used white)
6. Right click the new layer > Make Clipping mask

[hillariej47137277]

cntrl/cmd/ and click does not give me an option for inverse

[Barb Binder]

No. There are two separate steps.

First load your mask as a selection: hover over the mask in the layers panel and hold the Control key on Windows (Command key on a Mac) and click. You will see marching ants.

Then, go the Select menu and choose Inverse.

[hillariej47137277]

Ok so thanks so much.

Yeah this still doesn't so what I need it to though. so when I adjust the type, the mask doesn't move with it. I need the edged on the type to stay exactly the same. I don't know if this makes sense. As if if was just how the typeface was. When I add a space since the mask stays where it is, the edges change. And I need them to stay as is.

Maybe this is not possible and I just have to make each letter and object just move them around independently.

I just figured there was a way to do this. hmmm

[Barb Binder]

If you adjust the type, you may need to adjust the mask. Neither regular masks nor clipping masks auto-adjust. Just use Edit > Free Transform. The three of us who have contributed to this thread would all approach this with clipping masks, and that's still the recommendation.

[hillariej47137277]

thank you!
Yeah that was my problem and that was what I was hoping to do. Wish I could just apply the mask and be done. Could always create a typeface, yeah forget that. haha
But thanks

[Barb Binder]

always happy to help.

[Chuck Uebele]

A better way would be to use a clipping mask:

Add your grunge layers above the text layer, then press alt/opt, while clicking between the grunge layer(s) and your text layer, This way you can edit your text layer.:

Damn, Dave & Barb I guess I'm a little too slow.