Using a linked layer to define a group's layer mask

[andyj29576424]

Greetings,

I am trying to figure out a way to use a linked layer to define a group's layer mask. So, currently, I manually achieve this by placing a linked layer, then select its pixels, invert selection, then add a layer mask to a group and fill the selection black- what I want is the ability to have this automatically happen, so when the content of that linked layer changes, the mask that was created from it changes as well. If I could use the group as a clipping mask for the linked layer, that would do it, but it seems I can't do that. Is there another way?

[teachbit]

you can apply a clipping mask to a layer group:

Stacking Layer Masks with Groups

There are many situations in which it would be useful to apply more than a single mask to a layer.

For example, you may want to preserve the hard edges of a mask, while further adding to the already masked area with soft brushes.

Simply adding a second Layer Mask won’t work – Photoshop will create another Mask, but it will be a Vector Mask, which you can’t paint on.

Instead, here’s what you can do:

1. Place the Layer within a Group
2. Apply a Mask to this Group

You can keep stacking this infinitely. if you need another layer mask, just put the group within another group, and put a layer mask on that!

[Chuck Uebele]

Yea, I don't think that's possible. For a clipping mask to work, it has to have transparency, not just white and black, like a regular mask. Maybe you could try the blend if sliders to produce that transparency. 

Edit: Nope, just tried, it and it didn't work.