Masks over Multiple layers
A layer mask
is great for creating masks for a single layer. But what
happens when you have several layers that you want to mask
all at once? Well, let's find out why.
In order to create a mask for multiple
layers at once, I combine all of the layers I want to mask
into a layer set. This allows me to continue to be able to
edit each layer, but mask them all at once,
![](images/spivey42_image1.gif)
Let's say we have an image like this one
with 4 layers.
![](images/spivey42_image2.gif)
What we want to do is to click the link box
for all of the layers you want to mask. Here I am linking
all 3 layers above the background layer.
![](images/spivey42_image3.gif)
Once you have done this, click the arrow
button in the upper-right-hand corner. A flyout menu will
appear. Choose "New set from linked".
![](images/spivey42_image4.gif)
This will combine all of the layers into one
set.
![](images/spivey42_image5.gif)
Now that this is done, you can create a mask
layer above the new set by clicking the new Mask Layer
button at the bottom of you layers palette.
![](images/spivey42_image6.gif)
As you can see here, I have added a mask
layer and swiped a gradient from left to right with the
gradient tool using white as my foreground color and black
as my background color.
Here is what it looks like.
![](images/spivey42_image7.gif)
You will find a use for this little trick. I
am sure of it. I love the fact that I can do this without
having to permanently combine the layers that I want to
mask. Before Photoshop 6.0, this was the way it was done.
Take advantage of this if you can. Talk to you next week.
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