ACE Layers and Masking Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which layer blend mode makes white areas of a layer transparent while preserving dark tones?
- Multiply (Correct answer)
- Screen
- Overlay
- Luminosity
Correct answer: Multiply
Multiply blend mode multiplies pixel values, making white (255) transparent and preserving or darkening other tones.
Question 2: What happens when you Alt-click (Option-click on Mac) on the boundary line between two layers in the Layers panel?
- The layers merge into one
- A clipping mask is created between the two layers (Correct answer)
- The top layer is duplicated onto the bottom layer
- Both layers are linked together
Correct answer: A clipping mask is created between the two layers
Alt-clicking (Option-clicking) between two layers in the Layers panel creates a clipping mask, confining the top layer's content to the shape of the layer below.
Question 3: In a layer mask, painting with 50% gray produces what effect on the masked layer?
- The layer becomes completely transparent
- The layer becomes completely opaque
- The layer becomes 50% transparent (Correct answer)
- The layer is deleted in that region
Correct answer: The layer becomes 50% transparent
Gray values in a layer mask create partial transparency — 50% gray makes the corresponding area 50% transparent.
Question 4: Which command converts a layer's transparency into a selection?
- Select > Color Range
- Ctrl/Cmd-clicking the layer thumbnail in the Layers panel (Correct answer)
- Filter > Extract
- Edit > Define Selection
Correct answer: Ctrl/Cmd-clicking the layer thumbnail in the Layers panel
Ctrl-clicking (Cmd on Mac) the layer thumbnail loads the layer's transparency as a selection.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a Vector Mask in Photoshop?
- To mask using pixel-based brush strokes
- To mask a layer using a path or shape for a resolution-independent, scalable mask (Correct answer)
- To apply color range masking with luminance data
- To restrict an adjustment layer to a single channel
Correct answer: To mask a layer using a path or shape for a resolution-independent, scalable mask
A Vector Mask uses a path to define the visible area of a layer, remaining resolution-independent and producing crisp, scalable edges.
Question 6: How do you temporarily disable a layer mask without deleting it?
- Drag the mask to the trash icon
- Shift-click the layer mask thumbnail (Correct answer)
- Alt-click the layer mask thumbnail
- Right-click the mask and choose Flatten Mask
Correct answer: Shift-click the layer mask thumbnail
Shift-clicking a layer mask thumbnail toggles it off (shown by a red X), revealing the full layer without permanently removing the mask.
Question 7: Which blending option in the Layer Style dialog controls how a layer interacts with layers below it based on tonal values?
- Opacity slider
- Blend If sliders (Correct answer)
- Fill slider
- Advanced Blending checkboxes
Correct answer: Blend If sliders
The Blend If sliders in the Layer Style dialog let you hide or reveal parts of a layer based on the tonal range of that layer or the underlying layers.
ACE Layers and Masking Techniques 2
Which layer blend mode makes white areas of a layer transparent while preserving dark tones?