Copying Shapes To The Mask Layer

You may prefer to draw mask shapes using the ordinary drawing tools instead of the mask tools, or to use an existing shape on your mask layer. This is particularly useful when working with soft masks, where you are applying levels of transparency to the mask objects. In the Selector Tool, select the shape, and copy, or cut it. Now switch into one of the mask tools and Paste. Use Paste in Place if you want the shape to appear in exactly the same place it was copied/cut from.

To copy shapes from the mask layer to any other, do the reverse. Select the shapes while in a region or mask tool, then switch to the Selector tool, and paste.