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darenr9897
darenr9897
Participant
April 4, 2018
Answered

Layer Masks are Transparent

  • April 4, 2018
  • 2 replies
  • 6978 views

Just recently when I make a selection and add a layer mask my selected image turns transparent. For the image attached I used Color Range to make selection and when I add the layer mask it comes out looking like this. The same thing happens if I try to make a selection using Channels. I did change my mask layer display options to black and 100% opacity in Channels. I can't find anything on the wonderfully vast internet to fix this issue. Any help is greatly appreciated.

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Correct answer davescm

It looks like Select color range has partially selected the color of the wanted area. Do you get the same issue with a simple lasso selection with no feather?

For a simple smooth edged shape like that I would use the pen tool to create a path then use the path to make the mask

Dave

2 replies

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
April 4, 2018

It looks like Select color range has partially selected the color of the wanted area. Do you get the same issue with a simple lasso selection with no feather?

For a simple smooth edged shape like that I would use the pen tool to create a path then use the path to make the mask

Dave

    darenr9897
    darenr9897Author
    Participant
    April 4, 2018

    Hmmm, well that makes sense. No, when I use the pen tool, lasso tool, or magic wand and then apply a layer mask the image stays at 100% opacity. I just noticed this happening the last couple of projects and didn't know if I accidentally hit something I wasn't supposed to. Thanks for your help!

    Barb Binder
    Community Expert
    Barb BinderCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 4, 2018

    Can you please include the open layers panel in you screenshot?

    ~Barb

    ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
    darenr9897
    darenr9897Author
    Participant
    April 4, 2018

    Barb Binder
    Community Expert
    Barb BinderCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 4, 2018

    Layer masks are black and white and shades of gray. Black hides the pixels on that layer, white shows them, and all the grays in between offer partial transparency. There are grays in that mask, which is why we can see through the couch.

    ~Barb

    ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
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