select subject and copy that mask to another layer

[michelleb40662674]

A couple months ago I figured out this fantastic short cut and now I can't remember how to do it, and it's driving me CRAZY!!! I've searched and cannot find an answer so I'm trying here. On some images, I like to add a sun effect. I run the action, which automatically adds a mask to the layer. With the mask selected, I click image and apply image. This creates a very natural look. I added a mask to this layer. I then went to the background layer and hit select subject, creating a selection that I then copied onto my new mask on the above sun layer. It was a very simple, quick click and I cannot for the life of me remember how I did it! It saves so much time rather than trying to brush the effect off of my subject! Plus, it's a much cleaner option. Can anyone help out please???

[Trevor.Dennis]

Hi Michelle.  Can you show us a screen shot with document window and layers panel, and maybe name some of the layers if relevant to this process.  That might help us put it together.

[Stephen Marsh]

It was a very simple, quick click and I cannot for the life of me remember how I did it!

By @michelleb40662674

Did you hold down a modifier key such as OPT/ALT?

Did you drag the mask from one layer to another?

[r-bin]

Maybe you shouldn’t have created a mask and then tried to “copy” the selection onto it? Maybe after creating a selection you should have just clicked on the create mask symbol at the bottom of the panel to create a mask from the current selection. Or click on the mask creation icon while holding Alt. This will create an inverse mask through which your subject will be visible.

If you want to work with an already created mask, then you could select Menu->Select->Save selection.

There, select the Mask Channel as the destination and the Relace, Add or Subtract mode.

This item can also be found in the context menu by right mouse click when any selection tool is active.