Move and copy Layer Mask

When you have added a layer mask to a layer, you have the ability to move and / or copy it to other layers.
To move a layer mask to another layer, click the layer mask and drag it to the desired layer.
When you see a black border appear around the layer where you want to place the layer mask, release the mouse button.

If you want to copy a layer mask to one or more layers, you do exactly the same, just hold the Alt key on your keyboard pressed.

Transform and move Layer Mask

To create a layer mask and create it only to transform or move, the first thing you should do is to remove the link between the photo and the layer mask.
This is done by clicking the icon in the shape of a chain.
Once you have disconnected the layer mask, you can move and transform it separately.
To move the layer mask, you choose “Move” tool in the toolbar and drag it to the desired position.
To transform, click “Edit” in the menu bar, choose “Transform” in the drop-down menu, and click the transformation that you want to apply.
Click and drag the handles on the edge until you’ve reached the desired changes.
Click the Enter key on your keyboard to capture the transformation.

A layer mask for multiple layers

If you want to use a layer mask on multiple layers, you create a group of these layers.
Select the layers that you want to make a group (1) and click the downward pointing arrow in the menu bar of the “Layers” pane (2).

In the pop-up menu that appears, choose the option “New group of layers.”
In the dialog that appears, you give a name to the group and click the OK button.
This adds a group to share the “Layers”.
Select the group layer (3), the one with the folder icon and click the “Add Layer Mask” button (4).
You already know how to fill a layer mask with content.

When you’ve applied a layer mask to a group of layers, you still have the possibility to add a separate layer mask to each layer in the group.
You already know how to add a layer mask to a layer.

 

Another tip!
When you put a group in another group, we call this a nested group, you can also add a layer mask to this group. In other words, you have a group in a group, in a group, in a group, you can still add as many layer masks as you want.
To place a group in another group, select the group to place in another group, click the downward pointing arrow in the menu bar of the “Layers” pane and choose “New group of layers” again.

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