Layer Mask Paste Into is Always Gray

[mada]

Whenever I try to paste into my layer mask, the pasted image loses its color and turns gray. How can I keep the color when pasting?

Both files are RGB mode. I can paste the image into the image (but not the mask) and it will maintain its color.

 

[chrisix]

masks only deal with opacity
thus, has no value in storing color, so it desaturates it into a greytone image

aka, it's supposed to do that, because masks don't have use for color.

 

[mada]

Ok, maybe I'm not thinking of the right thing.

What I am trying to do is to paste a texture into my file, but so it only shows up within a selected area. I want to be able to move/adjust the positioning of the texture while maintaining that selected area. (so it does not just move the whole shape around, but moves the texture within the shape)I've seen it done in a video tutorial, but they do not describe what they did. All it shows is the new layer with the texture and a mask.

 

[mada]

Figured it out, it was just a matter of pasting into. I thought I tried this before but apparently must have no been doing it correctly...

 

[ibclare]

You can also do tihs by pasting your texture onto a layer above your shape. Then you clip it to the layer (alt/opt click between the 2 layers). It's a very cool effect. You can do it right over a text layer too, any shape layer, or render.

 

[MikeMc]

You can also do tihs by pasting your texture onto a layer above your shape. Then you clip it to the layer (alt/opt click between the 2 layers). It's a very cool effect. You can do it right over a text layer too, any shape layer, or render.

And then play with your blending modes...