GENERAL
The Masks module in the Matrix allows you to create multiple shapes inside a Layer to add an alpha channel for masking areas or cutting holes in the parent Layer. Masks are rendered after a qualifier (and as such can e.g. be used to clean a qualifier). To prevent confusion -the shapes do not carry any grading information and are not intended for grading multiple shapes at once.
CONTROLS
NEW
If no shapes or (parent) Layer is present yet, the New button will create a new rectangular Layer and a new shape and the SCRATCH cursor switches to a green cross-hair when placed over the Viewport - similar to drawing a new Layer. Shapes in context of the Masks menu are always drawn in free-form mode. If a shape is already selected, the New button will remove the shape-canvas and allow you to draw a new shape.
ADD
The Add button will add another shape to the shape-list and allow you to draw the shape in the Viewport.
DELETE
Removes the current selected shape.
SHAPE MODES
The drop down control next to the mask name allows you to set the mode: Add or Remove.
ACTIVE/DEACTIVATE
With the square button next to the mask mode you can activate / deactivate each shape individually.
OTHER CONTROLS
The other available controls on the Masks menu function identical to those on the Canvas menu, discussed earlier in this chapter - be it that the Shapes are based on 2D instead of 3D geometry.
COPY A MASK
You can make a copy of a mask by holding down the pen on a mask in the list. SCRATCH will add the copy to the pen and you can drop the it either in the Mask- or Layers List of the current shot or another shot. Note that this is always a copy - not a move.