Load a mask file that you have saved or load one of the sample masks that come with Paint Shop Pro. Mask files have a .PspMask extension. Use the Layers > Load Mask > From Disk command to load mask files or load image files as masks.
To load a mask from disk:
On the Layer palette, click the layer you want to mask.
Choose Layers > Load/Save
Masks > Load Mask From Disk to open the Load Mask
From Disk dialog.
The Mask group box shows all masks in all directories listed in your
file locations for masks. To change the default directory, click the Edit Paths button. For more information, see Setting
File Locations.
In the Mask
group box, click the drop-down list to choose from mask and image files.
The Preview group box displays the selected
mask on the image canvas.
In the Orientation group box, select from the following options:
Fit to canvas Adjusts the mask to fit the current image canvas (stretching or contracting as needed).
Fit to layer Adjusts the mask to fit the current layer data (stretching or contracting as needed). If the layer has not been shifted beyond the edges of the canvas, this option is identical to the Fit to Canvas option.
As is Places the mask starting in the top left corner of the current layer; this option does not change the mask proportions. If the mask image is smaller than the current layer, Paint Shop Pro by default masks all pixels outside of the mask image boundaries.
In the Options group box, choose whether Paint Shop Pro shows or hides pixels surrounding the loaded mask data (if there are any). These options affect the mask only if the Orientation option is As Is and the loaded mask is smaller than the current image canvas.
Invert transparency To invert the transparency of the mask image.
Hide all mask Makes surrounding pixels black to hide underlying pixels.
Show all mask Makes surrounding pixels white to show underlying pixels.
Use image value Makes surrounding pixels white or black depending upon whether the original mask was a show all mask or a hide all mask.
Click Load.
Paint Shop Pro adds the mask layer and the selected layer to a new layer group. The mask layer applies to the selected layer only. To apply it to all underlying layers, drag it from the layer group to the top of the main level.
Loading Masks from Alpha Channels