I don't mind if you use a new layer to mask another, it's a valid option. ...when you said.. "Mostly, what I do, is to create a layer of the colour I want, lock the layer with the image I want to show... select the layer I want to "put a 'hole' in", and use eraser, set to airbrush, fully soft, to get the "Fade-out" edge... if you want you start with a circle, and "pull" it into the shape you want to start with..." ....I remembered you can make this layer a Mask.... this layer (the one with the hole) in the layers palette... select all, cut. Click the double click background layer, hit ok, go to the layer menu (top of screen) select "add layer mask" reveal all. select the mask preview icon in the palette and paste you can now drag the layer with the mask to the another document window. ______ ....I also remembered you can make this layer a selection.... on the mac, hit the command key (on the IBm compatible - alt??) while clicking on this layer (the one with the hole) in the layers palette... using this special click will use this layer and make the edges of it (fuzzy or sharp) a selection. Click the background layer, go to the select menu (top of screen) select inverse. you can now copy and paste part of the image to the new document. --