Masking multiple layers to achieve some effects

Hi,
I understand (at least a little) about how masking works. As far as I see it reveals layer underneath it.
What I am wondering if there is some ways to reveals different(multiple layers) layers or masking is done only on one layer.
I have searched and some pages suggest it is possible to mask multiple layers but it doesnt actually show any examples or step by step tutorials.
Any help would be appreciated,

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=flash+masking+multiple+layers
The Help on masking has a heading "Mask additional layers after creating a mask layer" that might point you in the right direction.

Similar Messages

Masking multiple layers with one mask

Is there any way to do this???
When I setup template files for say... thumbnail images with rounded corners and a dropshadow, I preffer to do this the way that Photshop and imagready allow you to do it > creat a shape and use it to mask whichever layers above it. That way if I choose to make it one or two pixels wider, I just do it to the masking layer and resave the tumbnails out. As far as I can tell Fireworks makes you create a different mask for every layer so you would have to change it in every layer... not the best work flow!
Thanks for any help with this.

" Hmm...could something like this be done using an animation, then export the animation to images?"
My imagination doesn't lead me to a solution using the animation features. How about a custom Command that creates an instant mask with shadow? Let's say I've got a stack of Bitmaps sitting on the canvas. I hide all but the one on top, and then draw a shape I want to mask them with. I'll use a star Auto Shape as an example. If I Shift + Select the bitmap and the star Auto shape, and then choose Modify > Mask > Group as Mask, the bitmap gets clipped to the shape of the star, and the Group as Mask step gets recorded by the History panel. If I then select the now star shaped bitmap, I can add a drop shadow to it. The drop shadow step is also recorded by the History panel. If I Shift + Select the two steps that were recorded in the History panel, [Group + Set LIve Filter] I can click on the Save as Command icon at the bottom of the History panel, give my new Command a name (I'll use Shadow Mask), and then save it to the FW Commands list.
Once my command is available, I can use it as follows.
-Choose Modify > Ungroup to ungroup my original bitmap/star mask group
-Hide bitmap 1
[note that the star shape is still sitting on top of the stack of hidden bitmaps]
-Resize the star shape as I wish
-Unhide bitmap number 2
-Choose Select > Select All to select the star shape and the second bitmap.
-Apply my custom "Shadow Mask" Command.
-Export
-Ungroup and follow the steps above to mask and export the images.
It's still a bit fussy, but it saves a couple of steps. I'll bet someone could create an extension that makes it even easier.

Mask multiple movieclips from single mask

Hi,
h have big movieclip 450X350 and there are many small thumbnails i need to mask those from big movieclip, I need to animate those so that i can't put those in a single movieclip, Is it possible to mask multiple movieclips from single movieclip...?

If you want to mask them using Actionscript then you should be able to place them inside a movieclip/sprite as separate animations/movieclips and then assign the mask to the container.
You can mask multiple layers under one layer if you use the timeline

Photoshop Mask Layer, see through multiple layers.

Dear All -
I am a new learner to Photoshop and working on Layers and Layer Mask to obtain see through multiple Layers effect.
Below is the description of my problem that I am looking forward towards resolution in this forum. I will be glad if some expert can guide me on this.
I have three layers of different colors as below.
Layer 1topmost layer) with Red color filled rectangle.
Layer 2(below Layer 1) with Green color filled rectangle.
Layer 3(bottom most layer, below Layer 2) with Blue color filled rectangle.
When I erase something with brush on Layer 1 using masking Layer 1, it hollows the erased part and start showing the Green color of Layer 2 in hollow section of Layer 1.
What I want to achieve is that, when I erase Layer 1 using layer mask, then it should hollow Layer 1 as well as Layer 2 and should show Blue color in the hollow section of Layer 1.
i.e: Hollow section made on Layer 1(using Layer Mask on Layer 1) should also be applied on Layer 2 so that Layer 1 and Layer 2 becomes hollow using eraser and I should see through Layer 1 and Layer 2 and Blue color of Layer 3 should be visible from the hollow section.
Though I can do this by Flattening Layer 1 and Layer 2 together so that it forms one single Image, and then when I hollow this Flattened image using Layer Mask, then it will show me Blue color. But I do not want to do this, as I would lose the flexibility to unhollow/recover the hollow region on both Layer 1 and Layer 2 independently in the future.
Thank You,
Saurabh Khanna.

Here's a sample of copying the layer mask onto layer 2 using a hard cutout.
Here's the same thing using a soft feather cutout.

How to share the same mask across multiple layers?

Say one needs multiple layers, one above another, to share the same layer mask. Is there any smart way to tell all those layers they have to use the same mask? As opposed to copying the same mask into all layers. The latter approach has the disadvantage that, when you need to change the mask, you need to copy it again into all layers that must share it.
Thank you.

Put the Layers in a Set and apply the mask to that.

Feature Request, option to relink all unlinked layer masks when transforming multiple layers at once.

As a professional PS artist who works on files with sometimes hundreds of layers, I often need to transform many layers or groups at once. It is a nightmare to find that after the transformation, a mask did not get included in the transformation, (especially when the file is many gigs large, and the transformation took 15 minutes). Sometimes, a mask is accidentally unlinked, but more commonly I unlink it temporarily, but forget to relink it. There is currently no way that I'm aware of to find these pesky unlinked layers, other than going through every single one. What would work great is to have a popup asking if you would like to relink all unlinked layers, whenever you're transforming multiple layers that include one or more unlinked masks. Or else have an option in the layers palette to either select or relink all unlinked layered masks. Hope this makes sense. Cheers!

Michael,
It looks like you are right! Thank you for your help.
I still have a small concern. I looked at the documentation and it reads,
"The configuration settings for a cache instance are stored in the USER_SDO_CACHED_MAPS metadata view. You should normally not manipulate this view directly, but should instead use the MapViewer administration tool, which uses this view to configure map cache instances."
But, I tried inserting records into USER_SDO_CACHED_MAPS and it works, and I can't really see any reason not to directly insert records into this table, so...
Perhaps that warning is there simply because potentially you could screw things up tinkering with the table directly.
Cheers!
John

Scaling Effects on Multiple Layers

Is it possible to scale the effects I have applied (namely, stroke) on multiple layers at the same time?
I currently have 20 layers with the stroke applied, and it's a tedious and time consuming task scaling them individually after I've scaled the image/design (using Layer -> Layer Styles -> Scale Effects).

rbd_bellamy wrote:
Is it possible to scale the effects I have applied (namely, stroke) on multiple layers at the same time?
I currently have 20 layers with the stroke applied,
Given that you say you have 20 layers with the same stroke effect, why don't you just scale your stroke effect on one layer (as you already did) and then right-click on layer >> copy layer style after which you select the remaining 19 layers (click first, shift-click on last) and right-click >> paste layer style ?

Masking off multiple layers (Somewhat urgent)

Example: http://sidneysm.com/storage/MatteIssue.png
Look at the example. I have a background layer, two or more midground layers, and a foreground. The middle layers are on Basic Motion paths to move past the "window" in the foreground. I can crop the background to the window, but cropping's useless for moving objects. Outside the foreground graphic should be solid transparency. How can I do the Final Cut equivalent of Shake's "Over > Over > Inside" to mask these layers to the window?
Unfortunately, I need this resolved in the next hour or so. Thanks in advance.

I didn't.
The rules of the forums ask that if someone takes the time to provide you a helpful answer or an answer, that you reward that person with a Helpful or Solved click. It is common courtesy.

Need suggestion/Tip on achieving desired effect

I am trying to achieve this effect in AE cc 2014 Definitely, Maybe scene - YouTube
I am looking at making a similar video with the different video clips wiping in and out with the same transition. You can see that each video clip is divided by a black boarder which can also double as a transition. I already tried using CC Jaws, but i don't get that black boarder effect with the wipe.
I tried using Masks and that seems to be very time consuming. Any thoughts or suggestions on how to make this effect without spending a lot of time on it?

Masks or track mattes are the way to go. Surprise, Visual Effects are time consuming. You will get faster with practice. There is no click here and do that button in AE.
If it were my project I would animate shape layers, one for each transition, then use the shape layers as track mattes for the video clips. There may be some tracking or some repositioning of the clips. It all just takes time.

How to Apply adjustment layers to multiple layers that have different blending modes ...

How to Apply adjustment layers to multiple layers that have different blending modes and keep the colours the same as the adjusment done?
I work in Animation painting Backgrounds. My files are sometimes upwards to 200+ layers.
I will use adjustment layers to quickly balance colours and constrast on top of those many many layers.
The only way that I know of how to apply adjustment layers it to every single layer ( by applying I mean I need to get rid of the adjustment layers because we cant use them in production but i need the new colours be applied to all layers underneath ) in a psd is to manually do it By duplicating the adjusment layer 200+ times and then merging each layer to one of those adjustment layers so that that layer can take the adjustment layers effect permanently.
The issue is that Within Those 200 layers I have some layers set to Multiply or OVERLAY.    IT obviously wont apply the adjustment layer properly to those layers because those layer blend mode affect the layers under them. The colour wont be the same anymore in the spots that had the multiply blended mode.
HEres an example of a simple File. to show what i mean.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3408266/ball%20layers.jpg
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3408266/ball.psd
I have 2 adjustment layers up top. I need to get rid of them by applying them to each layer! I cannot merge any of the layers. We need all those layers for production.
I can apply the adjustment layers manually and this works GREAT for all Layers set to normal. THey take on the colour change just FINE.
However, The issue is that layer 6 and layer 4 are both set to mutiply and this screws up the colour once i apply the adjustment layers to each layer manually...
How can i apply my adjustment layers to a file like this with some layers being set to multiply while keeping the layers exactly the same configuration and The new colour taking efffect exactly how i looks before i apply the adjustment layers?
Now the simple solution is to merge the multiply layers to the layer that it affects HOWEVER I NEED those multiply layers to be seperate!
I'm assuming what I want to do is impossible? Hope this isnt confusing. As far as i know its impossible to do what I want it to do. but just wanted to ask and see.
I would REALLY REALLY love to talk to a adobe programmer/ technician/pro working at adobe about this. Theres just no way to get in touch with anyone... =(
any thoughts ?

Sure... if you want to put it that way. Either way its not the desirable outcome.
its just frustrating that theres no way to apply adjustment layers to hundreds of layers while keeping them in the same configuration ( blendmodes, layer order , without merging) while keeping the same end result.
works great if all your layers are set to normal though..    But I really need to keep shadow layers seperately and be able to adjust on the fly aswell as apply those adjusment to all my layers.
I suppose that just isnt possible.   I understand the math required for this would be tremendous/ complicated if something like this would ever be implemented. Would be nice if adobe could come up with some solution to this. Its really a huge issue in my work flow and theres no alternatives.    How else can I adjust colours to 100+ layers with a few clicks that lets me play around the the adjustment until im happy with the outcome.    Really wish i could adjust and the quickly apply that adjustment to all my layers regardless of blend mode.   LIke If the Layers with blendmode could somehow take the properties of the adjustment layer and keep adjusting those layers undereathe on top of that blended mode that its doing...

Smart filters that blend through multiple layers?

Does anyone know if this is possible? I'd like to use Smart Filters - or something - to stack filters in a way that's cumulative and applied to the layers below. It's been a couple versions since I really sank my teeth into the deeper parts of layer blending. Just wondering if this is possible. I know how to simulate the effect with clever masking and lots of filters, I was just wondering if it's been implemented in a more interactive way.
For example, I'd like to create a Gaussian Blur masked effect (white box below), and layer it up with other Gaussian Blur effect layers so that their effect where they overlap is cumulative (blue box). Basically I'd like the area of the effect to be a live, movable widget, and be able to arrange these widgets dynamically.
Make sense? Is this a feature request? Or is it one of those "oh man that's been in Photoshop since 3.0, you didn't know?" things.

Well, in Photoshop CS2 I haven't seen any way to do that, although if you find a way be sure to share!!
But CS2 does have some image-modifying filter-like layers (AKA fills and adjustment layers). It creates a new layer that applies adjustments to the layers underneath and it has an editable mask. Although they don't have as much variety as filters themselves (or gaussian blurs for that matter), they are stackable and incredibly useful when you want reversable edits!
The adjustment layer button are right by the "New Layer" button--it's the half black half white circle. Sorry if you already knew about this, just trying to be of at least some help! Maybe those CS3-54 users can provide further insight into this...?
-Monica

Change opacity of multiple layers in ImageReady?

Does anyone know how to change opacity of MULTIPLE layers in Adobe ImageReady CS2 (NOT cs5)? I have like 30 layers, and I'm trying to fade out effect of all 30 layers, if I do it manually I'll have to click layers and change opacity 300 times, that's ridiculous. When I select all layers for some reason the opacity tab is faded out??

This would be an excellent question for the Photoshop (ImageReady) forum.

Expression / Linked slider for controlling multiple layers

I'm trying to create a slideshow with many many layers. Image sizes vary across the board.
I'd like to line them all up and set some Ken Burns keyframes on the scale before I use keyframe assistant to sequence them.
Is there anyway I can control these keyframes with relative values? So that I scale multiple layers in the same manner although they have different concrete values?

You can set up an expression that automatically starts a scale and a move on an image, tie variables to Effects Control Sliders and save the whole set as an Animation preset. That way you can drop all your photos in a time line, Scale and position the layer in it's final resting place, then set an out point for each layer, then elect them all and apply an animation preset and sequence the layers. EZ as pie, once you write the expression.
To setup an auto scale expression you simply divide the height of the composition by the height of the current layer and multiply by 100. Adding an expression Control Checkbox to layer and naming it AutoScale will give you the ability to turn auto scaling of the layer on or off. Here's the expression:
h=height;
ch = thisComp.height;
s = ch/h * 100;
if (effect("AutoScale")("Checkbox") == 1) {
ns = s}
else
ns = value[0];
[ns, ns, 100]
Use caution because this will scale a layer up to fill the comp height as well as scale a layer down. Also take note that if your layer is scaled down more than 50% you are probably not getting the best results in terms of image clarity or render times. Ideally any 2d footage layer in your composition should be some where close to 100% scale at some point in the composition. If the layer is 3D then the distance between the camera and the 3D layer should be approximately equal to the zoom value at some point in the composition with the layer at 100% scale.
Just for fun, try this Effects Preset that I have in my collection. Make the layers 3D, position them at their ending position, set an out point, then apply the animation preset. The layer will fade in and move to the ending position then fade out. You have a point control to control the starting point and a switch to make the layer fit the comp vertically. You can control the fade in - fade out time in frames, set easing, setup rotation, and there is a setup switch to kill opacity changes so you can see the starting and ending setup for your layers.
3DSlideshow.ffx
It's a good idea to start building your own animation presets library so you can have access to complex expressions with a click or two. I have more than 200 in mine. I pointed an alias to a dropbox account so I can have access to all my presets anywhere I am in the world.

Delete multiple Layers by selecting multiple object?

Hi Designers,
I'm going to connect my AI file to After effect.
So I had to create lots of layers in order to edit them seperatly in After effects.
But it seems like my amount of layers are too large because AE always crashes (not responding -> Force quit)
So I wanna break some stuff down in multiple AI files, but I don't wanna go and select every layer and delete it.
That would take too much time.
Is there a way to select the multiple objects in Illustrator and delete that but also its layer its in?
Thank you!

MisterStylow wrote:
Delete multiple Layers by selecting multiple object?
So I wanna break some stuff down in multiple AI files, but I don't wanna go and select every layer and delete it. That would take too much time.
[Q:] Is there a way to select the multiple objects in Illustrator and delete that but also its layer its in?
You could do that via a script, here is a quick example:
// Purpose: Select multiple objects and delete them along with their layer
// Note: However, it does not differentiate sublayer structures
// Just select your desired items, then run this script snippet,
// to remove the selected items along with the layer they are on.
var doc = app.activeDocument;
for (var i = doc.layers.length - 1; i >= 0; i--) {
    var layerID = doc.layers[i];
    if (layerID.hasSelectedArtwork == true) {
        layerID.remove();
Hope it proves useful to your efforts and workflow. Keep us posted.

MULTIPLE place image import...& "save as.." multiple layers to multipage PDF

Hello,
just some suggestions I`d like to see to speed up my set up and output..
i`d like to import multiple placed images into illustrator CS4. So open dialogue box place, and multiple select images for placing.
regards output save as...
Can we output multiple layers into a single PDF in illustrator? Or multiple layers into single JPEGS from illustrator with one command instead of individually saving out each layer... would be a huge time saver for me.I create different artworks on different layers..
Currently I output each completed layer individually and then right click those outputted jpegs in their output folder and choose "combine supported files into acrobat..." to make a single acrobat file..i`d like to do this right in the illustrator "save for PDF" dialogue box. Adding something in the Save for PDF output dialogue box to save layers to one PDF as multiple pages would be a helpful time saver..
I`d also like to be able to CTRL click multiple layers and go " save as..." only those layers get saved out...

, bridge -FILE/PLACE into ai, goes to separate layers in AI as placed.
in PS, bridge/tools/ps/load files into ps layers.. CS4.
just using right click in explorer on individual PDF docs from layers saved from PS to combine to PDF. but cannot output multiple pds from layers in AI in CS4.

Masking multiple layers to achieve some effects

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