Duplicating a layer mask across multiple layers

[Alun]

I have imported a video as layers into Photoshop and there are now 25 layers. I want to mask an area in all but one of the layers to make an animated GIF. I create the layer mask on Layer 2 and I've have found I can copy the same mask to another layer by clicking and dragging it there whilst holding down the Alt key

My question is how can I apply the same mask to say 24 layers at the same time rather than individually?

Thanks in advance

 

[dv8_fx]

You can create a new layer above the layers you need to mask and apply a mask to it. This means the layer that doen't need masking has to be the topmost layer....

My question is what is the mask for?

 

[Alun]

Thanks for the reply - I'm trying to build a cinemagraph using masks to mask out video layers like this. The masks are all identical as they just show the isolated areas of movement in each frame

 

[Paul MR]

This script should do the job, it requires Photoshop CS3 or better and the layer with the mask selected along with all the other layers that want the mask.

It looks for a layer that has a mask, then copies that mask to all the other selected layers.

 

[Alun]

thanks for the reply and the file. I'm using CS5 and when i expand the zip file (33k) using Stuffit it creates a file with a .cpgz suffix of only 8k - am I doing something wrong?

 

[hawkeye]

You could put the 25 layers into a group and add the layer mask to the group folder.

 

[Paul MR]

You should be able to double click on the zip file to open it, and the file inside will have an extension of .jsx
The script should be placed into the following folder:-
PC: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe PhotoshopCS5\Presets\Scripts
MAC: <hard drive>/Applications/Adobe Photoshop CS5/Presets/Scripts
If Photoshop was open close and restart it so that it canpick up the new script.
To use:-
Select your layers
File - Scripts - select the script

 

[cmf0106]

Marked for script.

 

[Alun]

Works a treat! Thanks

 

[quistyle]

Hi. Thanks for providing the script. However... whenever I run it, it crashes PS.
I'm running CS5 on OSX leopard. Any idea what I'm doing wrong?