What is the difference between a vector mask and a pixel mask, and how do you apply each?

What is the difference between a vector mask and a pixel mask, and how do you apply each?

• A. A vector mask affects only color information and not transparency.
• B. A vector mask is edited by painting with grayscale on the layer.
• C. A vector mask uses a path for crisp edges; a pixel mask uses grayscale transparency. To create a vector mask, draw a path and choose Create Vector Mask; to create a pixel mask, click the Layer Mask icon and paint with black/white.
• D. A vector mask and a pixel mask are created the same way.

Answer: (C)

Masks control what parts of a layer are visible, and the type of mask determines edge behavior and how you edit it. A vector mask uses a path to define the visible area, so the edges stay crisp and scalable as you transform or resize. You build this by drawing a path with the Pen tool or shape tools and then applying the mask by choosing Create Vector Mask. You can refine the edge by adjusting the path with vector editing tools. A pixel mask uses grayscale transparency painted on the raster mask itself, so the visibility is determined by pixel values. White reveals, black hides, and gray values give partial transparency, allowing smooth blending with the underlying image. To create this, click the Layer Mask icon to add a pixel mask, then paint with black, white, or gray to sculpt the transparency. In short, vector masks define crisp, scalable edges via paths, while pixel masks provide flexible, photo-realistic blending through painted grayscale.

Masks control what parts of a layer are visible, and the type of mask determines edge behavior and how you edit it. A vector mask uses a path to define the visible area, so the edges stay crisp and scalable as you transform or resize. You build this by drawing a path with the Pen tool or shape tools and then applying the mask by choosing Create Vector Mask. You can refine the edge by adjusting the path with vector editing tools.

A pixel mask uses grayscale transparency painted on the raster mask itself, so the visibility is determined by pixel values. White reveals, black hides, and gray values give partial transparency, allowing smooth blending with the underlying image. To create this, click the Layer Mask icon to add a pixel mask, then paint with black, white, or gray to sculpt the transparency.

In short, vector masks define crisp, scalable edges via paths, while pixel masks provide flexible, photo-realistic blending through painted grayscale.