Is there a way to make a mask that is in the shape of a linear gradient? I want to mask an object with a smooth mask that goes from full masking on the left to no masking on the right. I am imagining something like the gradient tool in photoshop. When I hold down the control key while dragging out an action line with the move tool I get some kind of a masking effect but I don’t know how to control it. Is this a tool for making masks? If so how do you use it?
Thanks,
-Joe
What you are doing is using topological masking - the mask is applied according to the topology of the model. This may be the best way to get the effect you want. Drag out the line in the direction that you want the gradient to go. After applying the mask you can blur it to soften the gradient by Ctrl+clicking on the mask (or pressing Tool>Masking>BlurMask).
Another way would be to create a gradient alpha (such as Alpha 27) and use it with the MaskRect brush. Hold Ctrl to select the brush and apply the alpha to it.
Thanks Marcus,
The drag rect with alpha 27 seems to be just what I want.
The topological masking feature does not seem to be very useful. When drawing out the mask with the action line the mask flickers badly. What gets masked seems to be a combination of the angle of the action line and also something to do with angle of polygons in the mesh. I don’t really understand what topological masking is doing.
-Joe