Lost In Photoshop As Usual

[michael8016]

I am editing and selctin a picture to remove backround on I use and select just fine with the lasso tools but now i wanmt to mask using the brush tool and I do not have the same tool bar (select/deselect) as the manual shows and when I try to go from normal to mask in mode there is nor mask but a dozen other things I can such as overlay etc wish The manual pics look like what my screen show LOL

Mike

[Diana]

Hi Mike,

Are you using Photoshop or Photoshop Elements? If you are looking for a mask icon in Elements, you won't find one. It sounds like what you're describing (dozen other things such as overlay) is the Layer Modes.

To get a mask in Elements, you have to download and install an add-on such as Grants Tools, Graffi's, Richard Lynch's, or About.com also have Layer Masks addons. Here are the links to find them:

http://www.cavesofice.org/~grant/Challenge/Tools/index.html
http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/pselements/p/layermasks.htm
http://www.hiddenelements.com./
http://www.graficalicus.com/graffishop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=58

Diana

[michael8016]

wierd thing is is that i am watching an elements video instructional .. may be i AM WRONG\

[michael8016]

i AM WATCHING SCOTT CROSS VIDEO USING SELECTION TOOLS AND IT SURE DOES HAVE MASK IN THE MODE elements

[winwintoo]

Actually, you can use the mask icon of any layer adjustment layer if your intention for the "mask" is to make an intricate selection.

1. create a new adjustment layer - don't change any settings for this exercise.

2. click on the "mask" icon on the layer - you will see two icons - one tells what kind of layer it is, the other should be all white. Click on the white icon so that it's selected, hit ctrl+i (or cmd+i on a Mac) to turn the white box all black.

3. hold down the Alt (option key on a Mac) and shift keys and click on the mask icon again - a transparent red "film" should appear over your picture.

4. select the brush tool and white paint and start painting over the part of the picture that you want to select. The red disappears as you paint providing a visual indication of where you've been. If you "paint outside the lines" ie. make a mistake, you can switch to black and paint the mistake back in.

5. when you are sure you've painted over all that you want to select, ctrl (cmd on a Mac) click on the mask icon and the marching ants appear around the part you painted. You can save this as a selection, but if you now want to grab that important part and move it somewhere, make sure the layer the image is on is the active one.

Works for me, Margaret

[winwintoo]

What version of Photoshop Elements are you using - is it the same as the one in the video? There are changes in the program in different versions.

Also are you sure it's Scott Cross? There is a Dave Cross and a Scott Kelby - can you tell us where you found the video so we can try it.

Take care, Margaret

[michael8016]

dave cross
Using Selection Tools, Part 3 by Dave Cross
Using selections tools to make the perfect selection every time.

Quicktime movie loading. (Press the "play button" when ready)

[michael8016]

and if it isn't the same in my elements 5 how do I do exactly what he did in that video

[TonyW]

It sounds like you're using the regular brush tool. You need to be using the selection brush tool which is different. Press A and you'll get it That one has a Mask mode and will let you add to or subtract from the selection by painting.

Tony

[winwintoo]

It sounds like you're using the regular brush tool. You need to be using the selection brush tool which is different. Press A and you'll get it That one has a Mask mode and will let you add to or subtract from the selection by painting.

Tony

Thank you Tony - you showed me something new! The "mask" mode of the selection brush is available in PSE v3 on the Mac if anyone is interested.

Margaret

[michael8016]

thank you! I am grateful!

[Diana]

Ohhhh.....finally after a little more information, Tony has solved the mystery. I thought you were talking about a traditional Layer Mask. Now that I go back and reread your original question it makes sense. Sorry I got off on the wrong track. Glad Tony was astute enough to catch what you were talking about.:)

Diana