Layer lockout part 2 --the mask

[madelyn]

I searched and saw the recent "locked out" post, but I still can't find my answer.

I use layer masks and do work on them, then go do something else. When I want to add to the former mask(s), the mask icon is grayed out . When I click on the mask , nothing happens. When I double click the icon a box comes up that says "Layer Mask Display Options, Color, opacity 50%" . And when I click on the layer, a large drop down "Layer Styles" with blending options appears.


I would really like to fine tune my layer masks after the first go around.

Notes: These are not background layers, or even copies of background layers. I can click the unlock between the layer and layer mask, but it doesn't seem to help.

Thanks in advance! m

[sPECtre]

Hello!

ALT+click on the layer mask to be able to see the edits you are doing, instead of the layers content.

If it does not work, what version of Photoshop? Win/Mac?
Greyed out? Could you post a screenshot?

[madelyn]

Hi! I'm glad you up at this hour! I'm going to try that right now.

I don't know how to post a screenshot. Is there a thread for that? In fact I"m pretty sure I've posted to the wrong forum--I should have posted to the newbies one. Maybe a moderator can switch it for me?

I'm new to photoshop, photography and this board. I got cs5 for my birthday a few weeks ago and I work on my mac powerbook with a second monitor.

Thanks for answering.

[sPECtre]

It is mid day up here... I'm on the other side of the pond...
Targeting your layer mask should fix your issue.

For the screen shots, follow those instructions: Capture a Screen Shot with Mac OS X
Maybe crop the image in photoshop to show the relevant part, save it, then attach it to your post.
Hope this helps!

[madelyn]

I saw that as soon as I posted. I was just waking up and not quite "with it" yet. I tried alt and get nothing. I'm going to try to post a screen shot.

[sPECtre]

Yes, no too fast, if it is that early up there ;D
Did you try to click the layer mask's thumbnail? What is peculiar about those layers? What is the color mode of the files, etc.

[madelyn]

Here are the screen shots. [IMG]<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v338/goldierose/?action=view&amp;current=Screenshot2010-11-24at33444AM.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/goldierose/Screenshot2010-11-24at33444AM.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/IMG]
and
[IMG]<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v338/goldierose/?action=view&amp;current=Screenshot2010-11-24at33131AM.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/goldierose/Screenshot2010-11-24at33131AM.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/IMG]
I hope they show up.

It looks like I posted the wrong code. Can you see it?

[madelyn]

I've tried to click on the thumbnail. What the color mode refer to? I haven't heard of that before. I'm new, though.

[sPECtre]

Madelyn, your albums are protected by a password.
Sorry, I was not specific enough: Did you ALT+click the layer mask icon?

I was asking if the files are 32 bit, if they are in another mode than RGB, but you might not have changed it from the default.

[madelyn]

Maybe these will work. They are in 16 bit, RGB pro. And I alt-clicked the layer mask icon. So frustrating. But thanks for your help!

I think it worked! The first one is from clicking on the layer mask icon, the second screen shot is when I click on the layer itself.