Sunday, November 30, 2008

CoffeeShop Layer Mask Action for PSE4-6!

Click here to download the free action!


Here is the CoffeeShop Layer Mask action for PSE 6 and below (PSE7 and up have this option built it).

This action allows you to add a layer mask to layers such as texture layers and copied backgrounds so you can "mask out" effects (as seen above). Please see my CoffeeShop Layer Mask Tutorial for examples. Elements has layer masks automatically with Adjustment Layers (such as hue/saturation), but they are not offered if you make a new layer, copy a layer that is not an Adjustment Layer, or add a texture or another image as a new layer. You can manually add a layer mask (as seen in my tutorial), but it is so much faster to use an action.

Just make sure your layer where you want to add the layer mask is selected, and then click on the action to add an instant layer mask! Paint with a soft black brush with adjusted opacity to remove things from that layer, or fill the layer mask with black to completely mask out all of that layer's effect, then use a soft white brush with adjusted opacity to "paint" back in things. For one example, you can use this to mask out color pop from skin in CoffeeShop Vivid.

Do you want to download thousands of professional CoffeeShop PSE/Photoshop actions (including exclusive ones not found anywhere for free), textures/overlaysscrapbooking papersclip art/design elementsphoto storyboards and frames, and Lightroom presets from this site in one convenient zipped file AND help support this one-woman blog? 

Just click here for my CoffeeShop Mega Download Pack!

27 comments:

  1. Thank you so much....I can't wait to try this out!

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  2. Can't wait to try it out. Thanks so much!!!

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  3. I hope you guys can use this nifty tool! And thanks for your nice comments!

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  4. I just found this site and WOW I LOVE it! Thank you so much for posting all these tutorials and actions! I could stay up all night reading through your blog!

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  5. Thanks for the tutorial..i think the mask thing has finally clicked.

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  6. I am trying to figure this out. Thank you for putting all ths time into explaining it.

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  7. Thank you so much for being so generous with your work on actions for PSE as that was the only thing that my PSE couldn't do that I wanted it to do. Pioneer Woman has some great actions and I felt so sad that most actions seem to be for PSCS3/4; anything but PSE. I am so happy I found your blog and I look forward to coming back again and again. As soon as we have enough to buy food and medication for my DH and oldest son, I will be coming back to donate to your site because you share all of your hard work which takes up alot of time to provide it in such an easy way to install, use and understand. Bless you.

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  8. When I tried to download, I got an "invalid file" error... I'll check back later, thanks~!

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  9. Loved your explanation. I have never done this before but I can't wait to try it out...thanks!!!

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  10. Thank you so much for sharing your talent!

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  11. Hi. I downloaded it, installed it and tried to use it. I get a response

    "The Command "Make" is not currently available"

    Does anyone know what the problem is?

    Thanks.

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  12. Hi, I´d like to know how to install this Action on PSE after downloading it.
    Thanks for your wonderful tips!
    ThaĆ­s Coutinho, Brazil

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  13. thank you...can't wait to play! :)

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  14. Thanks so much for making this action available to us. I've used it already several times since I downloaded it today! It is so great to have. I posted your link on my blog to let others know about your wonderful work with PSE.

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  15. Thank you so much. I was going crazy trying to figure out a layer mask. I had directions to blend which called for using a layer mask and I couldn't find it anywhere. I finally figured out that she was using Photoshop and not Elements. I was so upset that Elements did not contain this action. Now I am so happy.

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  16. i still cant figgure out how to download these actions and use them in my photshops elements 6 i tried to follow the step by step directions but cant seem to grasp it? any help i really would love to try and improve my pics!

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  17. Having the same problem as Savannah... I followed the install intructions for Mac to a tee and it doesn't pop up in the photo effect :-( Could it be that I don't know what the instructions are talking about when it says to "drop the .png in the files"?
    Thanks!
    Love your tutorials btw - so easy to understand & inspiring!

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  18. same problem when trying it with a mac, followed the instructions for adding actions but it still won't show up??

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  19. I absolutley love your material!! I posted your button on my myspace page for my photography! Thanks again for all the great things you offer!!

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  20. Can this be used on CS3 or CS4 or just Elements? Do you know an equivalent action for CS3/CS4?

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  21. I couldn't get it to work. There was a black aquare in my effects tab and when I clicked it and apply it said "make" not available :(

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  22. where do i install this,as well as the storyboards

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  23. Rita,
    I have been on this site now for almost 13 hrs and I have downloaded just about everything you have and everything you have suggested! I absolutely love your blogs!! Although you have explained everything pretty clearly I am obviously not the brightest color in the box I can not figure out the CoffeeShop Eye Bright. the clipping mask and that stuff I mean how do I get the actions into my photoshop if I just go to "open CoffeeShop Eye Bright" or the mask action all it does is open a layer that that has the txt on it I am so confused please please please help!!I am also a stay at home mom with two boys almost the same age mine are 2 & 6! Please help me

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  24. It says not compatible with pse8. Is there an update? thanks!

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  25. I used this for the 1st time today and it is so very excellent! Thank you!!!

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  26. Thank you! I have used several of your actions before but I'm having trouble with this one. When I click on the action in Elements 7 I get an error message telling me that it is not compatiable with my version. Any insight would be greatly appreciated :) Thanks again for making these available :)

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  27. I downloaded your Layer Mask Action but don't know how to get it to work in Photoshop Elements 5. I tried opening it like a file and making it a layer and then try brushing away and it just colors my picture black. Please help!
    Thanks,
    Kelly

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Thank you for taking the time to leave a message, I love reading them! All comments are personally moderated by me and I will post and answer them them as soon as possible.
Rita