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Creating/Using Temporary Masks

Posted: August 15th, 2014, 12:39 pm
by AHuntley
Hello All,

Sometimes when I've been using a piece of software off-and-on for many years and something happens that I don't expect (or don't think it always worked that way) I feel a little foolish asking, but...

When I build a mask that I wish to use only on a temporary basis for use with a transformation, after applying the transformation why can't I move on with other masking tasks? I seem to be caught in this circle whereby I can't use the Mask window to build another mask, nor can I close/cancel/etc the Mask window, nor can I close the image window containing the prior mask. When I try to close the Mask dialog, I get a message that I can't do that because it's involved with an active window, yet when I try to close said window I get a message informing me that the mask dialog is using it. Hmm... Basically, here's what I want to do:

1. Build temporary mask for Transformation use.

2. Apply one or more Transformation(s) which, of course, will create one or more new image windows.

3. With the Mask dialog still open, build a new temporary mask for further image adjustments.

Can I do this without creating actual mask image windows? How do I dismiss the previous mask? I think it has something to do with the history states?

Thank you for any help provided.

Re: Creating/Using Temporary Masks

Posted: August 15th, 2014, 9:54 pm
by ksinkel
I hope I am understanding your question. Here is how masks work:

Once you finish making a mask, close the mask window. (If a transformation is active, it must be closed first.) Closing the mask window does not delete the mask -- the mask remains available. It is displayed in its own image window as a black and white image.

To make a new mask, select the image you want to base it on and select Mask from the main menu. A pop-up menu is displayed -- it gives you the option to make a new mask or, if there is a existing mask the is same size as the image you are working on, the option of continuing to work on the existing mask.

Kiril

Re: Creating/Using Temporary Masks

Posted: August 16th, 2014, 3:49 pm
by AHuntley
Hello Kiril,

No, that is not what I'm trying to do. I know how to build a mask creating the 8-bit B&W mask window which can be used in most transformations; also saved for some later use.

What I want to do is create a temporary mask whereby I may apply a transformation through that mask, then have that mask go away because I no longer need it. Then, let's say a couple of transformations later (and a couple of image windows later) I want to build another temporary mask for yet another adjustment through that mask. Following the transformation I don't need that mask any longer. When I try to do this now (as of the latest version of PWP) I get into this circle whereby I can't close the mask dialog nor the image window that that dialog was associated with. I'm sure I must be doing something wrong...

Is this more clear?

Re: Creating/Using Temporary Masks

Posted: August 16th, 2014, 4:00 pm
by AHuntley
Never mind...I figured out what I was doing wrong.

If I would have payed closer attention to the message PWP was displaying at me that was the clue! Because I still had an active mask on an active image window a couple of windows back, the software will not allow me to build a new mask until that prior one is dismissed. Duh! I guess the 'ole synapse is getting tired... :)

Re: Creating/Using Temporary Masks

Posted: August 19th, 2014, 1:58 am
by tomczak
Hi Alan,

You may want to use the Support section of the Board, rather than Tips, when resolving issues like this. This makes Tips, kind of reserved for already solved and sometimes novel PWP techniques that you want to share with others, a little less cluttered and thus easier to go back to and search for advise, tricks and tips, than the regular Support section of the Board.

Cheers!

Re: Creating/Using Temporary Masks

Posted: August 20th, 2014, 5:09 pm
by AHuntley
Hello Maciej,

Thank you. I will keep that in mind.