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G R A P H I C S - P R O. C O M J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 3 • G R A P H I C S P R O 8 9 than simply dragging opacity sliders. Layer masks rely on the darkness or light- ness of white, black and gray to reveal, hide or partially conceal layer content. In Photoshop a layer mask is created several different ways. (Fig. 7) At the bottom of the Layers panel click the Layer Mask icon From the Menu at the top of the screen choose Layer > Layer Mask > Reveal All to produce a white layer mask that displays all of the layer content. From the Menu at the top of the screen choose Layer > Layer Mask > Hide All to produce a Black layer mask that conceals all of the layer content. If a selection is active, Reveal Selection or Hide Selection choices are displayed and produce a mask in the shape of the selection If there are transparent areas on the image, From Transparency produces a mask in the shape of the transparent or semi- transparent areas on the layer. White, black and gray Layer masks use a shade of a neutral gray to reveal or conceal layer content. Any region on the mask that is completely white reveals the content. One hundred percent black on the mask completely conceals layer content. Shades of Gray, depending on how dark or light they are, produce semitransparency. Darker grays conceal more, and lighter grays reveal. ese shades can be painted on the mask directly with a brush or any other tool that produces color. Gradients can be applied to layer masks so that areas can be subtly blended into one another. (Fig. 8) Selected areas on masks can also be filled with the paint bucket or the Fill command. More transparency What I'm about to explain next goes well beyond even Superman's X-ray vision. In the realm of digital graphics software, transparency can be applied to produce a myriad of spectacular color combina- tions, all using layers, pixels and of the most magical of all, Blend Modes! When I initially explained how trans- parency works; that it's an algorithm that applies finite sequential mathematical instructions to produce an effect, in this case, blending and diminishing of the col- ors on the topmost layer's pixels, I didn't mention that there are many other algo- rithms within the software that produce even more transparent effects. Blend Modes combine the color of the pixels on two or more consecutive lay- ers. ey apply an algorithm to the tar- get layer that alters color combinations of the bottom layers unique ways. Opposite colors like reds and greens may cancel each other and produce areas of dark gray, while colors that are closer to each other on the color wheel, like reds and yellows, may produce richer, more satu- rated oranges. Blend modes can be quite useful for color enhancements, saturation spiking, darkening and lightening con- tent and even for beautiful special effects. Furthermore they alter transparency and color and can even be mitigated with the Opacity slider. With 31 blend modes to choose from, you can imagine the many possibilities. (Fig. 9) Super powers OK! Now that you're aware of the poten- tial of your newly endowed super-power — virtual X-ray vision, you can have fun experimenting with these amazing fea- tures. Like Superman, you are able to see through brick walls, and solid oak doors and better still, make anything you don't like disappear. You can also magically alter color with the click of a mouse. Not bad for a mere mortal. GP Fig. 8: Gradients can be applied to layer masks so that areas can be subtly blended into one another. Fig. 9: Blend modes can be quite useful for color enhancements, saturation spiking, darkening and lightening content and even for beautiful special effects.