GIMP Version: 2.8
Operating System: Windows
OS Version: 7 pro
GIMP Experience: Intermediate Level

---

I've always what the difference is between white (full opacity) and black (full transparency) they seem to be the same to me.

It pretty much is the same thing. Full black lets you start with a transparent mask you can paint in in white, and full white is totally opaque so when you paint with black it basically erases. It all depends what you're using it for, I guess.

Yup... it's just a case of making the start point closest to what you want. If you want to start with the layer showing & just mask off a part of it, start with white and paint out the bits you don't want in black. But if you want most of the layer hidden, start with black & paint in the bits you do want in white.

That's pretty much what I thought they worked.

Yeah, I wouldn't lose too much sleep over the difference in the settings. The real magic in that window is mastering the "grayscale copy of layer." If you can learn how to use that effectively, you will really be amazed at what layer masks can do for you.

I actually wrote an entire book on these things...they're incredibly powerful.

I like to use b/w gradients on white layer masks to fade parts of images if they have to blend with something else. The grey-scale fades opacity nicer than anything else I've tried.

I did a little YouTube video on how to make a 3D heightmap pattern using gimp w/ layer masks.

I tried to embed the video but if if dind't work here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bfy-YPIPxY

You could probably use color if you wanted to create a 3D looking object using the same type of technique.

Alan

I hope you don't mind I fixed your video for you.
Cheers, Odinbc

I don't mind at all. I looked at the source code for the page and I don't understand how to imbed a video.

Thanks, Alan