HI,

i'm trying to record a simple action for the layer mask blending process in ~ this (http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/digital-blending.shtml) ~ article.

It falls over at the alt + layer mask part. Yes i can do the whole thing manually but recording the action doesn't recognise the alt+mask click to select the mask for pasting the background onto.

can anyone help ?

cheers..

Nacoya,
You are correct. The Alt + Mask Click works manually but will not work in an Action. I am not sure if this is a bug or if there is a reason. It would be worthwhile posting the question in the Adobe Photoshop User Forum http://www.adobeforums.com/cgi-bin/webx/?14@457.ohKjggBzqJs@.ee6b366
In the meantime, here is a work around. Instead of doing Alt + Click, make sure that you click on the layer mask to make it active. Then do Image > Apply Image. When the dialog box comes up, select the background or merged RGB image which should be the default. Make sure the Blend Mode is set to Normal and the opacity = 100%. This will accomplish the exact same result as the Alt+Click+Paste.
Regards, Murray

Nacoya, I just tried the Alt+Click in PS7 and it works fine. However it does not work in Photoshop CS2. It is either a bug or a limitation in CS2. I will post the question in the Adobe Forum and see if someone has a response.
Regards, Murray

great,

thanks for both the work around and the follow up. I'll look forward to your findings,

cheers

From Ben Willmore:

"You should be able to record viewing the layer mask into an action
if you use the channels palette to accomplish it (turn on eyeball for
mask, turn off RGB eyeball)."

thanks doug, i'll try it later on..

cheers

Nacoya, I posted the quesyion on Adobe's User - User Forum. The responses were all work-arounds but no comment on why the shortcut does not work in SC and CS2.
Regards, Murray