User's Manual

Table Of Contents

15.3. Using a Brush Mask

The Brush can be used in either Paint mode or Erase mode to add to or subtract from areas of the mask.

Clicking on the Paint option will add white areas to the mask. These areas will be preserved on the current

layer. Brushing with Erase mode is handy for “trimming” overspray of the mask and making your selection

more accurate.

To control a brush, click the Brush Settings drop-down menu (it’s next to the Erase option). In this window,

you can configure all the paint brush settings such as Size, Opacity and Softness. In the center of the grid

there are various presets for quick selection. If you have a pen tablet attached, you can also configure Pen

Pressure, Radius and Opacity levels.

Here’s how to use the Masking Brush tool:

1. Open an image in Luminar 4

2. Click the Add Layer button (+ symbol).

Let’s add an obvious effect so it’s easy to view.

3. With the adjustment layer selected, choose the Creative category of tools.

4. Apply the Dramatic tool and increase the sliders to a high setting.

5. Create a Layer mask on the adjustment layer by clicking the Edit Mask button.

6. Choose Brush from the pop-up list. You now have two options to decide how the initial mask is

created.

• Paint. Clicking with the Paint tool fills the mask with black (hiding all of its results). As you paint

and add strokes they are added in white. This method allows you to brush and add the results

of the Adjustment layer selectively.

• Erase. Clicking with the Erase tool fills the mask with white (showing all of its results). As you

paint and add strokes they are added in black. This method allows you to brush and subtract

the results of the Adjustment layer selectively. The erased areas will show through to the

image below.

7. Stroke with the Brush tool to add the results to the layer selectively. Masked areas are visible mid-

process thanks to a transparent red Rubylith mask. As you paint, you will initially see the transparent

red Rubylith mask. The effects will become visible when you release the mouse button.

8. After adding the mask, you can click the Visibility icon (eyeball) to view the Mask.

9. Click and paint on the canvas to modify the selected mask (layer or adjustment layer). As you work

you can easily revert brush strokes. Simply choose *Edit > Undo *or press Cmd+Z (macOS) or Ctrl+Z

(Windows).

Skylum Luminar - 4