helpy helpy helpy.

i have no idea about how to use a layer mask,
and what its good for, ive read tutorials mentioning using it,
but ive just sat there clueless.
what button is it in the tool bar?
how do you use it??
all help appreciated.

for example

use the marque tool and make a selection somewhere on a image.
In the layers palette, click the small button at the bottom at the window, second from the left i think.

And viola, you masked an area, now use the brush and eraser to remove more or add more... :)

The layer mask is perhaps one of Photoshops most handy things along with adjustment layers and channels. :)

A layer mask is basically something that lets you remove or put back in areas of a layer. Once a layer mask is in place (there is a little icon at the bottom of the layers palette) you use black or white and the shades in between to slective remove or add back in the visibility of the layer the mask is on. You can also make layer masks based on selections (make your selection on any non background (locked background) layer then click the layer mask icon at the bottom and voila.

I ti is handy because you can effectively erase the layer or parts of it without actually affecting the layer at all, so if you need to add stuff back in you go over the mask with white...

Well thats a very breif primer. :)

I hope this helps.

erm erm yeah kinda get it
cheers

:)

Its not the easiest of concepts to grasp onot, but your world will open up when youmaster the layer mask. :)