I'm very surprised about this. I would have thought that paint.net, being so popular, would surely have done masks - aw well you learn something new every day. Still hoping there will be help with other software though.
Nov 22, 2011

I can help if you are using Max 2.0 software! Pick your photo like usual and then when it opens you will have the choice to shadow it or crop and it will also have a place to check the box for "custom shape". Click on that and it will open many different masks you can choose from. I also use photoshop sometimes.
Nov 25, 2011

If anyone needs help with DSA2 i can help with that,
Nov 25, 2011

1. First open photo'
2. Open mask
3. With mask still in work space go to edit and chose select all
4. Go back to edit chose copy
5. Open photo in work space
6. Got to edit & choose paste in New layer
7. Choose keep Canvas size
8. Now position & size your mask over photo
9. Choose magic wand & click on mask; Then go to edit & click on INVERT selection
10. Now highlight photo the photo layer
11. Now click DELETE
12. Your photo will be under the mask so highlight mask layer & DELETE it.
You should now have your photo in the shape of the mask.
p.s. Also you may lover opacity of the mask layer to see where you have it on photo before clicking on the magic wand.
Nov 25, 2011

One more tip with Scrapbook Max 2: follow Littlepixel's instructions, but if you click "browse" then you can add masks created in other kits -- won't be limited to just the ones preloaded in the software (though they are nice).
Nov 26, 2011

For gimp users...
Open photo, Open mask
With Mask layer above photo layer in dialog box, click on mask layer and search down options and select “ alpha to selection”.
( see marching ants around mask outline)
Switch to photo layer in dialog box
click on "Select" drop down menu and then click “invert”
Click on "edit" drop down menu and “cut”
Hide mask layer (click on eye in layers dialog) and you should see your photo in the mask shape
Then go ahead and delete mask layer.

Nov 26, 2011

Thank you all for leaving these instructions. Hopefully they have been useful to those using those programmes.. It's always great to learn new skills.
Nov 26, 2011

Thanks to Annita for the tut on using PaintNet with masks. I can see it works but my masks are coming into PN too large at the moment so I have to keep trying with it. I can see it will work, great tutorial Annita and I've learned a couple of PaintNet things that I didn't know, so doubly useful! Many thanks for your help, hugs, Pauline
Nov 27, 2011

photoshop elements 6 this is how I do masks.
1. Place mask on to workspace.
2. open and place your photo.
3. Take arrow from mouse and place between the mask layer and photo.
4. Right click mouse at same time of pushing alt key.
This works with most masks. I have had some that it doesn't
it is quick and easy.

Nov 27, 2011

Wish I could be of help with masks..but no one I know of uses Ulead...

I basically place the mask over the background I am useing merge it all extract the mask by colour select invert, then place the image under it & add shadow to make it more prominent...I find it is very easy this way...but I suppose putting this into practise with other programs may not be..hug..nessa xxx
Nov 27, 2011

Thanks guys. I'm keeping up with all the lovely pages and I'm thrilled with the response. Hopefully your instructions will have been helpful to some of the members. Will have to run another mask challenge soon - it's been very popular. Hugs. Joce :) :)
Nov 29, 2011