Subtract/add using option key not working (layer masks with brush and eraser tools)

[hanzmade]

Hello 🙂

I've been using Photoshop since 2001. And as anyone I have my own preferences of using certaing features.

I normally edit a picture using layer mask with a brush or eraser and no matter what tool I'm using, if I press option key (mac) it will turn that tool into subtract mode or add mode (depending if I'm using a brush or eraser) making the process very easy.

I know if I press the x key (having white and black on the colours) will do the same thing, but sometimes I use colours and not only black and white, and yes I can use letter D (which is an extra step), but what if I need to keep 2 specific colours like green and red? That's why this is very important for me to use the option key to substract/add on the layer mask

So the problem is that I needed to delete every single file from adobe (due to another issue with illustrator) and I have lost that preference on Photoshop. Now when I press the option key with the eraser it shows this message: "Could not use the history eraser because the history state does not contain a corresponding layer." and when I use the option key with the brush tool it pick the eyedroper tool... So basically I've lost that preference I mentioned earlier.

Is there anyone that could help me a bit with this?

Cheers!

[Mike_Gondek]

You need erase to history to be checked. If you cannot check that, try restarting photoshop. I was getting the same issue as you but restarted photoshop and worked as I remember.

I personally never use the eraser or history brush as I just paint with black or white on a mask layer, but since noone was answering your post wanted to help.

[hanzmade]

Sorry for not replying before, I was quite busy 😞

Interesting option, I haven't seen it before. But it does not work on masks (the black/white extra layer besides the main layer) and it also doesn't work with brushes.. Any other suggestion?

Thanks a mill 🙂