This wikiHow teaches you how to create a layer mask, which can be used to hide or show parts of other layers in Adobe Photoshop.
Step
Step 1. Open or create a Photoshop file
To do so, double-click on the blue program icon containing the letter " PS, " then click File on the menu bar at the top of the screen and:
- Click Open… to open an existing document; or
- Click New… to create a new document.
Step 2. Click the layer you want to mask
The "Layer" window is located at the bottom right of the screen.
Step 3. Draw a selection outline on the area that will remain displayed on the layer
To do so, use:
- "Marquee Tool" to make a selection outline on a wider area, the edges of the selection line do not need detail. (The "Marquee Tool" icon is a dotted line at the top of the "Tools" menu. Click-and-hold "Marquee Tool" to display all types of "Marquee Tool" in the drop-down menu); or
- "Pen Tool" to outline the selection on the edges of more detailed shapes, such as individual flower petals. (The “Pen Tool” icon is a pen tip located above the letters T on the "Tools" menu. Click-and-hold the “Pen Tool” icon to display all types of “Pen Tool” in the drop-down menu).
Step 4. Click the "Add Layer Mask" icon
The icon is a light gray rectangle with a dark gray circle in the center. It's located at the bottom of the "Layers" window.
If you used the “Pen Tool” to draw a selection outline, click the icon again once the label changes to "Add Vector Mask."
Step 5. Save edited changes
To do so, click File on the menu bar, then click Save on the drop-down menu.
