Pasting into a Layer mask.

[jameswatt3d]

Hi,
I am currently trying to paste an image into a layers mask but can't find any code in the Javascript reference for doing this.

Can I set up the mask as the activeChannel or can I select the mask directly through the activeLayer?

Hope someone can help!
Cheers,
James

[Paul MR]

Here is one example....

Code: Select allmain();
function main(){
if(!documents.length) return;
//select your layer first
if(!hasUserMask()){
    alert("This layer does not have an user mask!");
    return;
}
//get whatever you want to paste into the mask
var file = File.openDialog("Please select JPG file.","JPG File:*.jpg");
if(file == null ) return;
open(file);
activeDocument.selection.selectAll();
activeDocument.selection.copy();
app.activeDocument.close(SaveOptions.DONOTSAVECHANGES);
//open mask ready for pasting
selectMask(true);
//paste selection
activeDocument.paste();
//close mask
selectMask(false);
//deselect
activeDocument.selection.deselect();
}

function selectMask(open){
var desc15 = new ActionDescriptor();
var ref9 = new ActionReference();
ref9.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID('Chnl'), charIDToTypeID('Chnl'), charIDToTypeID('Msk ') );
ref9.putName( charIDToTypeID('Lyr '), activeDocument.activeLayer.name);
desc15.putReference( charIDToTypeID('null'), ref9 );
desc15.putBoolean( charIDToTypeID('MkVs'), open );
executeAction( charIDToTypeID('slct'), desc15, DialogModes.NO );
};
function hasUserMask(){
     var ref = new ActionReference();
     ref.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID("Lyr "), charIDToTypeID("Ordn"), charIDToTypeID("Trgt") );
     return executeActionGet( ref ).getBoolean( stringIDToTypeID( 'hasUserMask' ) );
};

[jameswatt3d]

Thanks for the help. That worked a dream!

Is there any way to understand the code in the selectMask function? How did you write it?

[Paul MR]

That function was created with code generated with the ScriptListener Plugin.
Just use alt/click on the user mask and look in the log for the generated code.

Hope this helps.

[jameswatt3d]

Thanks Paul, will have a look at the ScriptListener. Sounds like it might be increasingly useful.

Cheers!