masks thoughts

[mikemeister_admin]

Just throwing it out, here...my general way of working with the masks has been to look at the thumbnails (show mask), choose the mask(set mask), and then I want to look at the composite image to see the effect of my curve adjustment. To do that, I have been going to chan: all, which is way, way, over to the left:). So two things: maybe a button saying something like "add image" next to the set mask button would be easy and intuitive.  And it may eliminate confusion about the difference between a mask and a channel (in purpose if not substance).

Gloria

[-default]

I like this idea.  How about making the mask button a toggle that goes between the mask and the composite image?

[mikemeister_admin]

That would absolutely work for me!
Another thing...The histogram is good inside the mask box in the curves window, but what about the thumbnail of the mask itself? that way you could see the changes you may make to the mask without switching from composite to mask in the main window...also would reinforce, to the mask beginner, what you are actually doing with a mask. Maybe.

[mikemeister_admin]

and since we're discussing masks, My other easy access button wish is for an easier way to get to "no mask".

[-default]

Wow - I like it.  It would not be difficult at all to show the mask image itself inside the curve window, and in some ways I like that better than the histogram, because it centers on the image, and not an abstract shape that may be unrelated.

Re the no mask button, have you configured the toolbar yet?  There is a small down arrow at one end of the tool bar that allows you to add and rearrange the items on the toolbar.  The No Mask button can be dragged out to the command bar.

[mikemeister_admin]

Nope, I haven't even looked at my options on reconfiguring the toolbar. Better get to that. Thanks.

re: I completely agree about the histogram in the curve window. It's cool, but not really helpful. A mask really would be both, and if it isn't terribly difficult even better!

[mikemeister_admin]

I was thinking...maybe the "show mask" button could be for (only)the full size view of the selected mask (showing 'no mask selected' when appropriate) And the "set mask" button could open the thumbnails, and one could select by clicking on them, as Greg mentioned. Because I also keep wanting to click on one of the thumbnails to select the mask--it just seems like it will work.  The 'blur' and 'invert' could stay where they are.
Am I in trouble now because I once voted for buttons?...well, that was a long time ago. :)

[-default]

Great minds think alike.  The Mask Carte will be a separate tear off window, with the current mask highlighted.  The Carte will also be shown when no channel has been selected.

One thing I'd like to do, but probably won't have time for in the first release (that phrase is coming up more often now!), is the ability to show composite "preview" thumbnails, each reflecting a different mask.