Delete Layer Mask
There are a few ways to edit a layer mask, I would start by showing you how to remove it and what exactly is the difference with a vector mask.
The easiest way to remove it is, to select it and click the trash icon in the “Masks” panel.
A second way is to select the layer mask in the layer, hold the Alt key on your keyboard pressed and click the trash icon in the “Layers” panel.
A third way is to drag the layer mask to the trash can icon in the “Layers” panel.
This will open a dialog with three options:

1. Choose “Apply”, then the layer mask is directly applied to the layer and thus this change is permanent.
2. Select “Cancel”, then everything is canceled.
3. And select “Delete”, then the layer mask is removed.

 
Vector Masks
In contrast to layer masks, which are pixel based, vector masks are not based on pixels but on points and curves.
Vector masks are therefore suitable for hard-cut shapes from a layer mask and moreover, the shapes in vector masks can still be edited.

In the example I used an image with two layers. I have a layer with an image of a snowy forest (1) and a picture of a young lady on a snow holiday (2).

The intention is that I want the forest as background for the picture with the girl. One possibility for this is to make use of a vector mask.

The first thing I do is to draw a path around the girl (3). Whether you do it with the pen tool or do it with a selection tool and get the below selection of a path, it does not matter, as long as you have a path.

Then you add a vector mask by pressing the “Vector Mask” button in the “Masks” panel (4).

Once this button is clicked, the data is hidden from the path and the underlying layer is shown, which is the forest (5).

The edge of the path is still visible in the image, if you wish to hide, click the vector mask (6).

if you wish to add a number of other vector shapes to the vector mask, no problem, select the vector mask again by clicking on it, select the “Custom Shape” tool in the tool bar (7), choose a shape in the options bar (7) and sign with it.

The advantage of a vector shape in a vector layer is that you can always adjust it.

Select the “Direct Selection” tool in the tool bar, this is the icon with the white arrow (9), click the edge of the path and click and drag the handles or blocks (10) to the desired position.

If you want to move a vector shape, select the “Path Selection” tool in the tool bar, this is the icon with the black arrow, click the shape and drag it to the desired position.

If you want to change the color of a shape, select it, choose a color, select the “brush” tool and color your shape with the new color.

You see, you can just do the same with a shape in a vector mask, but then, a shape is in a shape layer. Just make sure you select the vector mask.

As I told, you can also add a layer mask to a layer where there is already a vector mask applied.

Just click the “Pixel Mask” button in the “Masks”pane or any of the other ways to add a layer mask.

I will make it bit mysterious until I get to the “gradient” in the layer mask.

I select the “Gradient” tool in the tool bar (12).

Attention! Make sure that the layer mask is selected before proceeding.

I choose the “linear gradient” in the options bar (13) and click and drag the mouse from bottom right to top left of the image (14).

If you prefer a “radial gradient” or any other “gradient”, then select it in the options bar.

The only thing you must remember is that the gradient consists of grayscale and the rest of the layer mask has nothing. More about the “Gradient” tool in a later lesson.

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