How To Paint A Layer Mask To Max-Out At a Specific Transparency With Multiple Strokes

[Chrisn N]

Using PS Elements 2024.

When I paint in a layer mask I can choose the transparency. Typically I might select say 50% or whatever.  Now I want to use the brush tool to paint an area with multiple strokes and want to keep the maximum transparency at 50% Is there a way to do this in PS Elements?

As soon as I let go of the mouse the brush will start to paint over the previously painted area.  So Unless I can do it all in one stroke I cannot succees. I want to paint in a specific area with multiple strokes to max out at a specific transparency.  Typically i might miss a part and need to use multiple strokes to fill in the holes. 

Your advice would be appreciated.

Kind regards

Chris 

[Greg_S.]

I'm not exactly sure if I understand what you are trying to do.

Layer masks are either black, white or a shade of grey.  If you are painting on the mask using a 50% brush opacity, each brush stroke will have a cumulative effect.  However, if you create your mask using 100% brush opacity to select a particular area of the layer, you can lower  the layer transparency to your desired limit.

[Chrisn N · Accepted solution]

Thank you Greg for your reply. What I want is to paint a layer mask to a specific transparency (eg 50% or whatever) using "Multiple Strokes" without the "cumulatative effect.  This way, if I miss a part, I can easily paint over it without darkening the already painted mask. 

This would be useful, for example, when blending two similar images using a layer mask. Part of the mask would be 100% and part will need to be 50% and maybe another part 20%, The problem is I would have to paint everything in one go without letting go of the mouse.  If I missed a part, then I would have to paint over any holes and then I would increase the transparency over the already painted areas. 

Yes, there are several work-arounds. One, as you describe, involves making a duplicate layer and lowering the transparency of the whole layer and masking out what you don't want. Another solution involves Alt + Click on the layer mask to reveal it, and use the clone tool or the spot healing brush to fill in the holes that have been missed.

I searched the web and others have had exactly the same question without finding the solution. 

In the meantime, I have finally found the solution. It was provided by FotoFrank on the, "Photoshop Elements and More" forum. The solution is so simple, it made me wonder, "now why didn't I think of that?"

Instead of painting black set to 50% transparency, change the foreground colour to 50% grey (or whatever) and paint with 100% transparency.  This works just the way I want it. Even with multiple strokes, there is no cumulatative effect. The maximum transparency painted on the layer mask will always be the same as determined by the foreground shade of grey.

Kind regards

Chris

[Greg_S. · Accepted solution]

OK.  Glad you figured it out.

Another approach you may take to get the selection right instead of making multiple brush strokes on the mask is to first make an ordinary selection of the area to be masked on the image itself.  That way you can use all of the selection tools (including the Quick Selection tool and the Magic Wand).  Then, when you paint the mask with the brush, it will only affect the selected areas.

[Chrisn N]

Thanks for the useful tip Greg!

Kind regards

Chris