Layer Masks in PE5?

[qceagle]

I have a question about using masks with the brush tool in PE5. Most of the tutorials are designed for earlier editions, in which you can choose Mode and then have the options of "Selection" or "Mask". There are many more options when you go to Mode in PE5 and none of them are "Mask". I have used the magnetic lasso to select a portion of a picture and I'd like to fine-tune it with the brush tool and mask. How do I get to the correct mask layer to accomplish the fine tuning? Thanks for any help.

[kimi_boo]

Hi eagle...

You can use a levels adjustment layer to make your mask.

You can also add a mask to the software. Here are two freebies.

http://www.cavesofice.org/~grant/Challenge/Tools/index.html

http://www.graficalicus.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=164

[Byron Gale]

gceagle,

Do you mean that you want to use the Selection Brush, but have the rubylith mask visible instead of the selection marquee?

The Selection Brush is grouped with the Magic Selection Brush tool on the same button in the tool box. Press "A" on your keyboard to select the tool group, then pick the Selection Brush tool from the Options bar. Also on the options bar, you can change the mode from "Selction" to "Mask".

HTH,

Byron

[qceagle]

Thank you Byron and kimi_boo. Somehow, I figured out how to make the mask work with the selection brush. Even though I had an adjustment layer, I did not have the layer that I wanted to work on "active". When I realized that mistake, and made it the active layer, things were better. (I was clicking on the eye, instead of the layer itself.)

Byron, thanks for making me notice the difference between the "brush tool" and the "selection brush tool". That explains why I couldn't find "mask" when I clicked on the mode options.

Have a great day and thanks to both you again.

qceagle