Photoshop - Don't erase! mask instead!

Hey, everyone! Howard Pinsky here with a Photoshop public service announcement. If you've ever touched the Eraser Tool when you're editing in Photoshop, you're doing it wrong! Whenever I get the chance, I try to promote non-destructive editing. The ability to make an edit in Photoshop, but easily reverse it later on if you have to. Today's video is going to show you how to erase non-destructively, using Layer Masks. Let me show you how this works. Here I have a document that contains one simple layer. In this case, my goal is to remove the background in this photo, leaving only the subject in the foreground. Beginning Photoshop users will usually go straight for the Eraser, as that's the tool that makes the most sense to those just starting out. Let's look at why this is a terrible idea. When I start erasing the background of this image, it certainly seems like it's doing what we want it to, but just like using an eraser in traditional art, this process is very destructive. At this point, if the document is saved, and closed, everything that you erased is lost. So unless you have a duplicate of that layer, when that document is opened again, there's no easy way to bring back that data. On the flip side, there's a much more efficient way to erase, parts of your layers. Using the same layer as an example, instead of grabbing the dreadful Eraser, we're going to be using a Layer Mask, instead! To add a Layer Mask to a layer, you can click on the "Add Layer Mask" icon at the bottom of your Layers panel. This will place a white box beside the layer's thumbnail. The reason that the Layer Mask is white, is because the basic rule of thumb, is that white is visible, while black is hidden. So now, instead of erasing, we're actually going to be brushing, with either a black or white brush. As I paint black on the Layer Mask, I'm seeing the same result as I saw when I used the Eraser, so what's the difference? Well this time, nothing is being destructively removed. Instead, you're simply hiding parts of your layer, which can easily be brought back by switching to a white brush, and painting. There's another big advantage of using Layer Masks. If you've ever tried to use the Eraser on a Smart Object, an Adjustment Layer, or a Vector shape, you've likely seen a warning which tells you that the layer is not directly editable, and that it must be rasterized, which isn't the smartest move. Rasterizing a Smart Object or a Vector shape destroys its original properties, which defeats the purpose of using those layer types to begin with! With Layer Masks, you can simply add a mask to any type of layer, and just like we did a moment ago, hide portions of the layer with black, or reveal with white. Completely non-destructive. So if you're one to grab the eraser tool in Photoshop, next time you go for it, visualize me smacking your hand as you move the cursor across your screen to the Tools Bar. Just don't do it. I honestly can't think of a good reason why you should use the eraser rather than using Layer Masks. Unless you're a traditional digital painter, and you only work on one layer, and some people still do. As always, thanks for watching, make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more videos, make sure to check out my website at IceflowStudios.com, and now make sure to follow me on Google+. Nathaniel from Tutvid.com and I are doing a weekly Google+ Hangout where we're going to have all sorts of guests. Last week we had Jared Polin from FroKnowsPhoto, this week we have Justin Seeley from Lynda.com, and who knows who we'll have next. Take care!