Spark your imagination
with Layers

Ever wondered what a layer mask does and how you can use layer masking in your editing? Layer masking is a reversible way to hide part of a layer. Masking gives you more editing flexibility than permanently erasing or deleting part of a layer. Layer masking is useful for making composite images, cutting out objects for use in other images, and limiting edits to part of a layer. A mask allows you to reveal parts of the layer below.

Think of a layer mask like a tool that can create eye holes in a mask to reveal the person wearing it. You can even use a mask on the base layer without adding more layers, allowing you to reveal parts of the original image without edits applied.

If you’re using Luminar Neo as a plugin, you can find masks by clicking Add a mask in the plugin menu. This will automatically add a mask and reveal the layer below. You can then make desired adjustments and move the transparency slider for precise results. The masking tool allows you to create masks with a brush.

Layers allow you to work out parts of the image separately with layer masks, create double exposures, and add textures. Rather than editing the entire image, you can apply edits to different parts and levels and have the option to make select adjustments. It’s a chance to explore your creativity!

Layers let you apply different effects to different areas of an image. They also let you save your progress and undo changes at any time without affecting the whole image. For example, you can take a black and white photo and creatively apply a splash of color only to part of it. Your photo will definitely stand out!

Luminar Neo can simplify and speed up routine tasks in your current editor as a plugin. With the help of AI, creating a layer mask is easy: just swipe with a brush to select the mask area.

Luminar Neo is not only a photo app with layers. It offers you more than 20 AI-powered tools. You can replace the background and remove power lines in a click, change the sky, and retouch a portrait in less than five minutes. Learn mоre here.

A layer mask in photo editing serves as a non-destructive way to control the visibility of different parts of a layer. It allows you to selectively hide or reveal portions of the layer without permanently deleting any pixels. By using a layer mask, you can make adjustments or apply effects to specific areas of an image while keeping the original image intact.

In the Layer Propreties find the Masking tab. There you’ll see a lot of actions. One of them is Invert. This option inverts any mask you’ve created to reverse its opacity and transparency values.

In the Layer Propreties find the Masking tab. There you’ll see a lot of actions. One of them is Copy. This option copies the current mask to the clipboard. To use this copied mask, create a new mask using any tool and paste it into the new tool mask.

Luminar Neo has four types of layer masks:

Brush Mask. Using a Brush Mask is one of the easiest ways to mask an image. You can use brush strokes to add to or subtract from the mask.

Linear Gradient Mask. The Linear Gradient Mask is useful for creating a gradual blend.

Radial Gradient Mask. A Radial Gradient Mask offers a quick and easy way to mask an elliptical area of your photo.

Mask AI. Mask AI detects up to nine separate elements in a photo: people, skies, buildings, vehicles, water, plants, mountains, and both natural and artificial ground for the perfect mask.