How to use Masks in PSP
Witty Mini Tut by İGukiCreations aka Kat
PSP 9 (works with other versions)
Needed
Graphic of your choice
Note
Saving too many Masks to
the PSP
program can result in
slowing PSP
down. Only save those
Masks that
you will use
frequently. Do not
rename the Masks as
tutorials
frequently specify a
Mask by file
name. Masks can be used
or
applied on graphics as
well as
backgrounds.
1 File > Open
Find your Mask 20-20
2 Layers > New Mask Layer
> From Image
Settings:
Source window = 20-20
Create mask from = Source
luminance Checked
Invert mask data = NOT Checked
OK
3 Layers > Load/Save Mask
> Save Mask to Disk
Settings:
Mask files = Here you should see
the 20-20 Mask preview
New mask - File name = Type in the
Masks name (20-20)
Save
Note:
If you get a pop up
window saying
the Mask is already in
there just
click OK and then Cancel
on the
Save window. You have
now
learned how to save a
Mask and can
do that if needed in
future. Some
tutorials call for an
already saved
Masks.
Using a saved Mask
in PSP
We will be using the 20-20 mask for
this as you should now have it
saved in PSP
1 File > Open
Find your Graphic
2 Layers > Load/Save Mask
> Load Mask From Disk
Settings:
Mask = 20-20
(use the drop down menu
to find it if
it does not show in this
window)
Create mask from = Source luminance
Orientation = Fit to canvas Checked
Options:
Invert transparency = NOT Checked
Hide all mask = Checked
Load
3 Layers > Merge > Merge Group
(this will merge the
mask Layer but
not other possible
Layers that are
open)
Using a Mask that has
been
opened up in PSP
We will be using the 20-20 Mask for
this
1 File > Open
Find the 20-20 Mask and minimize it
on the workspace
2 File > Open
Find your Graphic
3 Layers > New Mask Layer
> From Image
Settings:
Source window = 20-20
(use the drop down menu
to find it)
Create mask from = Source luminance
Invert mask data = NOT Checked
OK
4 Layers > Merge > Merge Group
(this will merge the
mask Layer but
not other possible
Layers that are
open)
Now you have learned how to Save
and use a Mask that you open in
PSP. These methods will work with
any kind of Mask so now it is up to
you. You can add Layers. You can
copy the Mask Layer and paste it as
New Layer on a background. Have
fun and experiment, it is really
simple. You can even add Drop
Shadow to the Mask Layer. That
looks great when using Border or
Edge masks.