Select and Mask - How to change background to black using View Mode

[Jeffrey_Ross]

Mac OS.

Photoshop 2025

I am working my way through Photoshop tutorials and I am stuck. I have selected a subject, used select and mask and I now want to change the background to black (see attached). When I open the View Mode properties panel, I cannot figure out how to change the background to black instead of transparency. In the View Mode window, nothing is selectable. 

Any ideas would be helpful. Thanks!

J. Ross

[jace_1401]

To set a black background in Photoshop 2025’s Select and Mask on Mac OS, click the View Mode dropdown in the Properties panel and pick “On Black” (or press “A”). If it’s not clickable, make sure the layer mask is active in the Layers panel (click the mask thumbnail). To keep the black background, click “OK” (output to “New Layer with Layer Mask”), add a new layer below, and fill it with black (Edit > Fill > Black).

If the dropdown’s still stuck, share a screenshot of your Properties and Layers panels. What tutorial are you following? That’d help me nail it down.

[Jeffrey_Ross]

jace_1401, Thanks for taking the time to respond to my query. Unfortunately (as you can see by the screenshot), there is no View Mode in the propoerties panel and that is why I am having the problem. How do I get the View Mode to show in the properties panel which has nothing that is currently selectable. 

[davescm · Accepted solution]

Your screenshot shows two properties panels. The one on the very right is the Select and Mask properties and you will need to use the scroll bar at the very right of that to scroll up and see the view mode options, which are above the transparency slider which is in view.

Dave

[Jeffrey_Ross]

I guess this is a "duh" moment on my part. So simple yet so far away. Thanks! I don't work much with Photoshop except for distrations. I appreciate the tip! Glad to have you and the community as a resource! J. Ross

Your screenshot shows two properties panels. The one on the very right is the Select and Mask properties and you will need to use the scroll bar at the very right of that to scroll up and see the view mode options, which are above the transparency slider which is in view.

Dave

By @davescm

Your screenshot shows two properties panels. The one on the very right is the Select and Mask properties and you will need to use the scroll bar at the very right of that to scroll up and see the view mode options, which are above the transparency slider which is in view.

Dave

By @davescm

[Trevor.Dennis]

Something else worth knowing is that when some of the panels get confused, there is a reset button via the top right drop-down