How to Copy a Layer Mask in Photoshop

When performing non-destructive edits, layer masks help to refine the layers. There is no simple “right-click solution” when you need to copy a layer mask, which happens frequently.

So, how would you copy layer masks in Photoshop the best way? It’s pretty convenient and easy, so let’s get going!

What is Layer Mask?

Layer masking is a reversible method of hiding a portion of a layer. This provides you with more editing options than permanently erasing or deleting a portion of a layer. Layer masking can be used to create image composites, cut out objects for use in other documents, and limit edits to a portion of a layer.

How Do I Copy a Layer from One Photoshop File to Another?

• Choose select > All to select all of the pixels in the layer, then Edit > Copy.
• Drag the layer name from the source image’s Layers panel into the destination image.
• Drag the layer from the source image to the destination image using the Move tool (Select section of the toolbox).
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• To move a layer mask from one layer to another layer, just click and drag the mask to another.
• With keyboard shortcut, to copy a layer mask to another layer press and hold “Alt” (from windows) or “Option” (from macOS) then click and drag to another layer.

Layer Mask Copying Techniques in Photoshop

This article will demonstrate a quick tip that will allow you to paste a picture into a Layer Mask in Photoshop. Also, we’ll share a few techniques for editing your mask and refining the outcomes.

Copy Layer Masks

1. Layer masks don’t have a “copy” option. So, need to utilize an easy keyboard shortcut. For Mac: Hold Option + Drag Mouse or Alt + Drag Mouse on a PC to duplicate a layer.
2. You can copy the layer mask by dragging it over the desired layer. Put the layer mask on the other layer by letting go of the controls. The original layer mask will now exist as a duplicate copy. This is ideal for instances where you require a matching layer mask for multiple layers! You can duplicate both layers and layer effects using this method.

Exporting Layer Masks

1. Click the layer mask you want to save.
2. Select the layer mask under the Channels Tab.
3. Copy layer masks using the Edit menu (Command C – Mac, Control C – Windows).
4. Choose the layer you want to copy from the Layers
5. Select Edit > Copy.
6. Launch the image you wish to paste the layer into. Choose a layer if the image has it. The copied layer will overwrite the selected layer when it is pasted.
7. Select Paste As New Layer under Edit.

Editing Layer Masks

1. Click the thumbnail for the layer mask in the layer’s panel.
2. Select the Brush tool in the tool panel and set the Foreground Color to white.
3. Drag your image to expose portions of the layer.
4. Set the Foreground Color to black, then click and drag your image to hide layers.

Copy Layer Mask to Multiple Layers

1. You are free to copy a layer mask onto as many other layers as you want. But, you cannot copy to many layers at once. However, dragging and dropping is a rather speedy process.
2. If it’s that important, you can combine the layers to which you wish to replicate the mask. The mask will then be applied to all the layers when its copied to the group.

Combining Layer Mask

Start with a document with two or more layers of photos, each on its own. In the Layers panel, select the top image layer. Select the Add layer mask button. This gives the chosen layer a white layer mask.

Layer Mask for Painting

Altering a painting tool’s blend mode can be useful when painting in a layer mask. When drawing with the default gradient in a mask, it is simple to draw a different gradient to replace the first one if the mask isn’t quite right.

Suppose you wish to draw a second gradient that will augment or detract from the mask, switch the Gradient tool’s blend mode to Multiply or Screen before dragging the second gradient.

Non-destructive Layer Mask Edge Softening

Use the non-destructive Feather slider on the Properties panel when dealing with layer masks instead of attempting to guess the feather value required to soften the edges of a mask. The feather can be correctly adjusted if the image is later resized or other changes are made.

Saving Layer Mask as a GIF:

GIF the animation to export.

Select File > Export > Save for Web (Legacy).

From the Preset menu, choose GIF 128 Dithered.

Pick 256 from the Colors menu.

Change the Width and Height fields in the Image Size settings if you’re using the GIF online or want to reduce the animation’s download size.

Converting Negative to Positive:

Press “Ctrl-I,” “Image,” “Adjustments,” “Invert,” or “Invert.”

If you click the command, the image changes to positive and again to negative. Through this process, both values and colors are converted to complementary forms.

Copy Layer Masks in Photoshop Elements

Technique 1:

In Photoshop Elements’ more recent edition, copying a layer mask for usage on another layer is fairly simple. But you can still use previous versions to do so with a few more steps.

1. You can only copy a layer mask previously made.
2. When seeing the layer mask thumbnail in the Layers panel, hold down the Alt (Mac: Opt) key and drag it to the new layer.
3. Photoshop Elements won’t copy the mask until you press the Alt key (Mac: Opt key). It will only move it to the next layer.

Inverting or Deleting Masks:

4. Select Filter > Adjustments > Invert from the menu bar or use the shortcut Ctrl I (Mac: Cmd I) to flip a mask—white turns black, and black turns white.
5. Right-click the mask thumbnail and select Delete Layer Mask from the layers panel.

Technique 2:

Note that this technique is only for Photoshop Elements 9 or later versions.

1. You can only replicate a layer mask previously made.
2. Click the Add Layer Mask icon from the Layers panel. Be sure you are on the layer that requires a masked copy.
3. Alt-click on the layer mask thumbnail you want to copy (For Mac: Opt-click)
4. Select > All in the menu bar, or press Ctrl-A for a shortcut (Mac: Cmd A).
5. To copy the mask, select Edit > Copy.
6. Click on the thumbnail to select the layer that needs a mask.
7. Select Edit > Paste in the menu bar to paste the mask contents.
8. To deselect, press Select > Deselect.
9. Done!

All done! Isn’t it good to learn something easy about Photoshop once? Especially if it is a time-saving suggestion like this one. I hope you found this material useful.

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