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How to Control Layer Mask Default


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Rich54

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In a recent Photoshop (CS5) session, whenever I clicked the layer mask icon to create a new mask, the mask would automatically fill with black. The normal default is the opposite—masks are initially filled with white—which is what I prefer. I couldn't figure out how to control this, and couldn't find any help on the internet that addresses this. In desperation, I closed Photoshop, restarted it, and the problem went away. Pure luck.

Does anybody know where the control for this is? I know that holding down the Alt key affects the layer mask fill. But without touching the Alt key, I seem to have somehow toggled my default setting and I can't figure out how that happened.
 
Hey Rich.

In my searches and experience I have never heard of or found a method to change the default setting of the layer mask icon to "Hide All". It will always defaults to "Reveal All". As you mentioned, the only way to control the type of layer mask is to use the Option/Alt key while clicking the layer mask icon or Cmd/Cntrl - I to invert it after it's added.

I have had this issue in CS6 before, so I'm familiar with what you experienced. I also cured the problem by restarting Ps.
 
HI @Rich54
The know way this occurs is if the Opt/Alt key was depressed when you click the Mack Icon.
So possible problems
The key is sticky or stuck
Sticky keys is turned on (system option)
Photoshop is in a bad state so reset.
Using AI to see about what would stick the key gave this information:

Why restarting fixed it​

Restarting Photoshop resets the keyboard modifier state, so the program no longer thinks Option/Alt is pressed. That’s why the mask creation returned to the normal white default.

Quick diagnostic trick (if it happens again)​

Before restarting Photoshop:
  1. Click the Add Layer Mask icon.
  2. If it creates black, press and release the Option/Alt key once.
  3. Try again.

Often this unsticks the modifier state immediately.

Another quick check​

Create a mask via the menu:
Layer → Layer Mask → Reveal All
If that works normally, it confirms the issue is modifier-key related, not a mask preference.
 
John,
These are good suggestions if it happens again. I suspect a sticky key is probably not the issue because my current keyboard is fairly new. I was having problems with the old keyboard and replaced it sometime last year.

I've gotten so used to clicking the mask icon that I don't think I've ever created a mask from the menu commands. That will be an interesting thing to try if this happens again and it might point to the "keyboard modifier state" as being the issue. I had never heard of that until you mentioned it here.

I'm currently on a one-year extension for Windows 10 support. At some point in the next year I'm going to be forced to upgrade to Windows 11, which will require a new PC. It's not clear that my old CS5 will be compatible with Windows 11, so that may open a whole new can of worms.
 
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