As a new convert to Photoshop 6 which I like very much, I have found a strange problem which I can't find an answer to in the handbook (do you ever?). I open an image and attempt to apply a text mask, but as soon as I click inside the image as per instructions, my image is then covered with a red filter similar to the rubylith in Quickmask at about 50% opacity. I mention this last bit because it only appears when I go into the Quick Mask Options and set it at Masked Area. If I change the Options to Selected Area I now get the Type Mask appearing in red intil I click the Commit button. So there seems to be some connection between the Type Mask and the Quick Mask. Any ideas?

This could be because you have the create mask button, it has a funky symbol on it,pushed located on the top type tool bar under the menu bar. When you activate the mask and text the buttons will dissapear. You can get rid of the red filter by clicking the X button on the extreme right of the same bar thus the type buttons will reappear. The button next to the mask is normal type, press it and you can type normaly on the picture. Though by now you had probably figured this out a while back, but I can't believe no one ever responded. But in case you hadn't,just trying to help you.

Hello Lioness, Thanks for trying to help. I have looked at your suggestion but it seems to be the same as I was already doing (maybe I didn't explain myself very well) I know that the "broken line" Text symbol indicates that the text I will be applying will be a mask, so when I select it and then click inside the image to position the text, that is when the red mist appears along with the flashing curser. I then type the text that I want which appears normal and when I then click on the Commit button the red mist disappears and leaves the flashing Text Mask. It's no big deal it's just that I was wondering if anyone else was getting this as well. Thanks for taking the trouble to respond. Regards. Jack Casement

Yes, I gotten that too and it was very frustrating beacause it hadn't been my intention to apply a mask, so I was sympathetic to your question. I've noticed when you do click the commit button that, you can't make the backround invisible to actualy see the text. That's why I have been avoiding that mask tool for now. ANyway I have to admit, I am also relatively new to Photoshop 6. I guess we just learn as we go.