Masks: grade one part of the photo

A color pin normally affects matching colors across the image. A mask limits those adjustments to a region. Pins created while a mask is selected belong to that mask.

Add a mask

1. Open the Color tab. The scope bar above the wheel starts with Whole image.

2. Click + and choose Radial mask for an oval or Linear mask for a gradual transition across the image.

3. Adjust the mask using its handles on the photo.

4. Place and adjust color pins as usual. New pins belong to the selected mask.

Select Whole image to create pins that work across the photo again. Existing masked pins stay within their masks.

Shape the mask

Select a mask's chip to show its handles on the photo. Changes apply as you drag; there is no separate apply step.

Radial mask

• Drag the center handle to move the mask.
• Drag the edge handles to adjust its width and height.
• Use the width handle to rotate the oval.
• Drag the fainter handle to adjust feathering.

Linear mask

• Drag the center handle to move the mask.
• Drag the second handle to change its angle and the width of the transition.

The solid line marks the middle of the transition. The dashed lines mark its start and end.

Preview the mask

Hover over a mask's chip to preview its coverage.

With the mask active and no pin selected, hold H to show the mask against a dimmed grayscale photo. With a pin selected, H previews that pin's affected areas instead.

Rename, invert, or delete a mask

Double-click a mask's chip to rename it. Right-click it for these options:

• Invert — reverse which area the mask affects.
• Center mask in frame — bring the mask back to the center if you've moved it outside the photo.
• Delete mask — remove the mask and all pins assigned to it.

Each photo supports up to eight masks and 12 pins in total.

Copying and exporting masks

Recipes save whole-image pins only. Masks and their pins are not included.

When copying a look between photos, select Masks (and their pins) to include them.

LUT exports cannot include masks because a .cube file stores color changes without image positions. Tone Caliper warns you when masked pins are excluded from the export.