photoshop: image pasted into mask layer not showing

[jeannehilary]

I have watched the Julianne Kost tutorial and followed the instructions.
The image I've pasted into this photoshop template appears to be in the mask layer, but it's not visible.
I've been able to do this successfully with masks I make myself, but not with this template purchased on Adobe Stock. There's a lot more going on in this template than anything I've ever made myself.

[J E L]

@jeannehilary, I'm not sure exactly what's happening but instead of pasting your image into the layer, what happens when you use File > Place Embedded? Can you link to Julieanne's tutorial and I'll take a look?

[jeannehilary]

Here is the tutorial:
https://youtu.be/Vzvv0DfvJm8?si=Z8o7psd8ZM-NaZLN

And here are screenshots of your suggestion, which places the image on a new layer.

[J E L]

Okay, thanks for that., I think understand better now! In your first set of screenshots, it looks like the Background copy layer is selected. But I'm assuming you are trying to paste your t-shirt image into the layer mask where it says [YOUR IMAGE HERE]. What happens when you turn off the layers on top of that layer? Can you see your pasted image then? What is the format (i.e., jpg, png) of the bicycle riding moose image? Where are you pasting it from? Not sure what else to ask, but others may have more ideas. It's possible the template has some issues. If you want to share it, we can test it on our end.

[jeannehilary]

What happens when you turn off the layers on top of that layer?Nothing

Can you see your pasted image then? No

What is the format (i.e., jpg, png) of the bicycle riding moose image? png

Where are you pasting it from? an open file

As you can see in the first set of screenshots, the moose image is pasted into the mask.

I doubt the file is defective, as I have had this same problem with another mask template I bought from Adobe Stock which is structured in the same way.  Here it is.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/113v3tyyl9s1c7jqy3x2d/Black-T-shirt-template.psd?rlkey=hlgr7c89uix6qq...

[J E L]

@jeannehilary, thanks for adding the template. I don't see a way to paste the graphic into the layer mask as in the tutorial. I think this is because this has a masked “shape” of the t-shirt? Instead, I placed my fish graphic on top of that layer. Is this the intended result? The folds seem to come through correctly. I think it might be as simple as just adding the graphic layer on top. Is there some other effect you are looking for?

[jeannehilary]

This is the workaround I used as well, placing my image in a new layer on top and adjusting the blend mode.

However, this does not answer my original question, which was how to place the image on the mask layer named YOUR IMAGE HERE.

Is it possible to get an answer to the original question?

[r-bin]

Menu->Layer->Smart Objects->Replace Contents. Then select your image to "paste".

[J E L]

@r-bin, thanks, that's helpful. @jeannehilary, try this:

• Copy the graphic image to hold in your clipboard.
• Select the layer mask, use alt to open and isolate the mask (as shown in the tutorial)
• Layer > Smart Objects > EDIT CONTENTS (not Replace)
• The isolated mask layer is now open in a new tab.
• Paste and transform your graphic to your liking.
• SAVE and close.
• Return to the template and click off the mask to see the results.

[J E L]

ETA: You won't “see” your graphic in the layer thumbnail or the layer mask. But when the layer is active, you can further transform your graphic.