Skip to main content
M
maritatglobal
Participant
February 14, 2019
Answered

Undo keeps Enabling Layer Mask when it's Disabled

  • February 14, 2019
  • 2 replies
  • 720 views

I "Disable" a layer mask and enable its highlight while I use a brush to paint on the mask layer. However, while I'm working like this and I hit the hotkey for Undo (Ctr X) the mask is "Enabled" and I loose the ability to see what I'm doing. I've attached screen shots of what is happening before/after the hotkey is hit. It happens when I select Undo from the Edit menu as well. I have used this working method for years and this has never happened before. I checked the Keyboard Shortcuts and Menus dialog box, there is no hotkey for "Enable/Disable Layer Mask". The mask is not "Enabled/Disable" between the actions in the History pane when it's been happening; even after using multiple tools, it's not just the brush. And if the mask has been Enabled for a few actions, hitting Undo does not make the mask Disabled... so the problem is only occurring when the mask is Disabled to begin with.

If I hit Undo again (two times in a row), the mask returns to being Disabled. But that means I have to Undo two steps at a time to have the mask back at what I need it to be. Is anyone else having this issue? I don't see any discussion on it.

It got frustrating having to go back to the Layers panel and Disable the mask again after any Undo's. Yes, I've made a hotkey for "Enable/Disable Layer Mask", but that's not keeping it from happening every time I Undo anything. If this is a glitch caused by the most recent update, I'm hoping it will be fixed on the next update.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer davescm

My supervisor just followed the same steps and had the same result as mine.


Hi

I can replicate that here in CC2019 (v20.0.3) on Windows 10. I just tried it in CC2018 (19.1.7) and it works correctly i.e. the mask remains disabled.

It will be worth raising a bug report here:

Photoshop Family Customer Community

Dave

2 replies

Mike_Gondek10189183
Community Expert
Mike_Gondek10189183Community Expert
Community Expert
February 14, 2019

Would love to help you, but hard to follow your post. Read 3X and cannot  create the issue you have, but something may be missing such as the "q" or "\" shortcut. I assume you meant Ctrl Z not Ctrl X for undo.

Can you simplify and put into steps we can follow.

  1. Shift Click on mask thumbnail to hide mask
  2. Paint with black on mack to hide
  3. Undo
  4. this happens, but I expect this to happen

You also may consider a layer structure such as this. The Multiply dummy layer is set to multiply, and is only a temporary layer to help you paint on the product layer mask. I have the top part to finish.

M
maritatglobalAuthor
Participant
February 14, 2019

Apologies, I did mean Ctr Z for Undo.

Thank you for the dummy layering suggestion.

Here's the steps for this example:

  • Open File
  • Add Layer Mask
  • Invert Layer Mask
  • Disable Layer Mask
  • "\" to turn on mask highlight (blue)
  • Paint (3 strokes with white)

  • Undo (Using Ctr Z)

The mask is Enabled when I "Undo", but it shouldn't. The mask should remained Disabled.

    M
    maritatglobalAuthor
    Participant
    February 14, 2019

    My supervisor just followed the same steps and had the same result as mine.

    melissapiccone
    Community Expert
    melissapicconeCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 14, 2019

    Are you painting with black and white? What actions are you performing that you need to undo? If it's painting, you can use x to switch back and forth from black to white.

    The screenshots you shared show hiding the layer mask as the last thing you did, so the behavior makes sense. I'm assuming there are brush strokes in there in between when you are having this problem?

    Melissa Piccone | Adobe Trainer | Online Courses Author | Fine Artist
    M
    maritatglobalAuthor
    Participant
    February 14, 2019

    Yes, I already use ^X to switch between black and white.

    Here is another example. The Disabling of the layer mask is 5 steps previous. The brush and rectangular marque tool have both been used. I'm using the marque tool when I hit the hotkey for Undo, and the mask is enabled. This 'enable mask' should not happen when I use Undo.

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices