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Masking Options in Luminar AI

  • Updated

Masks allow you to hide or obscure an effect in parts of an image. To fine-tune an effect in select areas, brush it in or out.

LuminarAI offers three types of masks:

  • Paint Mask. Using a Paint Mask is one of the easiest ways to mask an image. You can use brush strokes to add to or subtract from the mask.
  • Radial Mask. A Radial Mask offers a quick and easy way to mask an elliptical area of your photo.
  • Gradient Mask. A Gradient Mask makes it easy to create a gradual blend between two states.

Local Masking
Creating a Tool Mask
Using a Paint Mask
Using a Radial Mask
Using a Gradient Mask
Additional Mask Controls

Local Masking


Local Masking makes it possible to layer multiple adjustments. This is helpful when you need to make precise adjustments to an image or to adjust multiple areas of an image independently.
  1. Open an image you want to edit into the Single Image Edit Mode.
  2. Click the Local Masking icon in the right-hand panel.
  3. Click the + Add button and choose a Local Masking adjustment type. You can add multiple adjustments of the same type as needed. You can add a Basic adjustment or a Texture overlay.
  4. Choose from Paint Mask, Radial Mask, or Gradient Mask in the drop-down menu.
  5. Select the appropriate mode (Focus, Defocus, Restore) to apply or remove the effect.
  6. If using the Paint Mask additional options appear.
    • Adjust the Radius, Softness, and Opacity settings of the Brush tool.
    • Typically, Radius and Softness are good at the default values of 100.

Creating a Tool Mask

 

You can also apply a mask directly to most tools. This allows you to apply the results of a tool to a specific area. Perhaps you want to enhance just the sky or add details to the foreground. Gradient Masks and Radial Masks can help you smoothly blend an effect.

To create a tool mask:

  1. Select a tool in the Edit panel.
  2. After you make an adjustment in a tool, the Rest tool and Add Mask icons will appear at the top of the tool window (to the left of the toggle to turn the tool on and off). This makes it easy to see if a tool has been applied to an image.
  3. Click the Edit Mask icon at the top of the tool to reveal masking options.
  4. Choose from Paint Mask, Radial Mask, or Gradient Mask in the drop-down menu.
  5. Use the techniques covered in this chapter to edit the mask.

Using a Paint Mask

 

The Paint Mask tool can be used in either Brush or Erase mode to add to or subtract from the masked area. Select the Brush mode to apply the mask. Selecting the Erase mode lets you erase masked areas to refine your selection.

Here’s how to use the Paint Mask tool:

Here’s an example of how to use the Paint Mask tool. Let’s add an obvious effect so it’s easy to view.  

  1. Open an image in LuminarAI
  2. Select the Creative tab within the Edit panel.
  3. Choose the Dramatic tool and increase the sliders to high values so the effect is easy to see.
  4. Click the Mask icon within the tool.
  5. Choose the Paint Mask mode in the mask tool.
  6. Use the brush to select areas of the image to which you want to apply the Dramatic tool. Masked areas will be indicated by a translucent red mask. This mask is visible while you are clicking to brush. You can also turn it on by going to the three-dot icon and choosing Show Mask at the bottom of the menu that opens
  7. As you work, you can easily undo your brush strokes. Simply choose Edit > Undo or press Cmd+Z (macOS) or Ctrl+Z (Windows)
  8. Continue painting the mask until you get the desired results. Use the Radius, Softness, and Opacity sliders to control your Brush and Erase tools.
  9. If needed you can use the Additional Mask Controls to refine your mask.

Using a Radial Mask

 

Using a Radial Mask is a quick and easy way to highlight the sun, a face, or anything else in your photo. You can use the Radial Mask tool to create an ellipse or circle that makes it easy to create a gradual blend between two states.

Here’s how to use the Radial Mask tool:

  1. Make an adjustment to your image in a tool in the Edit panel (such as the Dramatic tool).
  2. Click on the Edit Mask icon to create a tool mask.
  3. Select the Radial Mask option from the drop-down menu.
  4. Choose from the Standard or Inverted Radial Mask to affect your image.
    • By default, the Radial Gradient mask that is created will “protect” the center of the circle/oval and any enhancements will be applied outside of the inner circle.
    • The Inverted Gradient will invert the mask so the effects are applied to the inner circle.
  5. Click and drag to create a circular mask. You will see a translucent red overlay indicating the affected areas
    • If needed, go to the Mask controls (three-dot icon) and choose Show Mask so you can see the gradient.
    • The same controls can be used Invert or Clear the gradient if needed
  6. The Radial Mask tool offers simple controls to refine the gradient:
    • Drag the middle of the gradient (the dot) with the Hand tool to place its center.
    • Click and drag on the inside circle to adjust its radius, which affects the size of the gradient.
    • Click and drag the outside circle to adjust its radius and affect the feathering of the gradient.
    • Drag a control point on the outside circle to adjust the aspect ratio and create an ellipse.
    • Click on the outer circle to rotate the gradient mask (you’ll see arrows indicating rotation).
  7. You can also adjust properties like Blending modes and Opacity to change the mask’s impact on the image.

Using a Gradient Mask

 

The Gradient Mask tool is useful for creating a gradual blend between two states. The Gradient Mask is a favorite of landscape photographers as it enhances images smoothly by applying effects along a gradient.

How to use a Gradient Mask:

  1. Make an adjustment to your image in a tool in the Edit panel (such as the Dramatic tool).
  2. Click the Edit Mask icon to create a tool mask.
  3. Select the Gradient Mask option from the drop-down menu.
  4. Click and drag to create a linear gradient. You will see a translucent red overlay indicating the affected areas
    • If needed, go to the mask controls (three-dot icon) and choose Show Mask so you can see the gradient.
    • The same controls can be used Invert or Clear the gradient if needed
  5. The Gradient Mask tool offers simple controls to refine the gradient.
    • Drag the top line or bottom line with the Hand tool to expand or contract the gradient.
    • Drag the middle dot to position the gradient.
    • Click and drag just outside the middle dot to rotate the mask.#

Additional Mask Controls

 

Once you’ve added a mask, you can now add to or subtract from the masked area.

Click on the mask controls (three-dot icon) next to the Mask Type drop-down menu to find the following controls:

  • Fill. This option covers your entire image with a mask. After using Fill, you can select Paint Mask and use the Erase mode to subtract from the mask.
  • Invert. This option inverts any mask you’ve created so that its opacity and transparency values are reversed.
  • Clear. This option removes your mask entirely. After clicking Clear, you can use the Paint Mask, Gradient Mask, or Radial Mask tools to add details back to the image.
  • 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.
  • Paste. This option pastes the current mask stored on the clipboard for use on another tool mask.
  • Show Mask/Hide Mask. This option controls the visibility of the mask. Clicking Show Mask displays the mask as a red overlay. For greater precision, you may continue drawing your mask while this overlay is shown. Hide Mask removes the red overlay.

 

 
 

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