To quickly turn off the Quick Mask in Photoshop, you simply need to exit Quick Mask mode.
Exiting Quick Mask mode is straightforward and can be done using two primary methods, according to the information from 09-Oct-2021:
Methods to Turn Off Quick Mask
Turning off the Quick Mask means you are returning to standard editing mode, where your selection is represented by marching ants rather than the colored overlay.
Here are the ways to achieve this:
- Click the Quick Mask Icon: Locate the Quick Mask mode icon in the toolbar. Clicking this icon again will toggle the mode off.
- Press the Q Key: The Q key is the keyboard shortcut for Quick Mask mode. Pressing Q will switch you into Quick Mask mode, and pressing it again will switch you out, effectively turning off the Quick Mask.
These methods allow you to seamlessly transition between refining your selection with the Quick Mask overlay and viewing your selection as a standard marching ants outline.
Understanding Quick Mask
The Quick Mask mode is a temporary mask used primarily for making and refining selections. When it's active, areas outside your selection are covered with a translucent color (usually red), allowing you to use painting tools (like the Brush and Eraser) to easily modify the selection area.
Turning off the Quick Mask reveals the selection as a traditional boundary, making it ready for further operations (like applying adjustments, filters, or creating a new layer).
Summary Table:
| Method | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Toolbar Icon | Click the icon | Exits Quick Mask Mode |
| Keyboard Shortcut | Press the Q key | Toggles Quick Mask Mode |
Using either of these methods will successfully turn off the Quick Mask overlay and restore your view to the standard Photoshop interface with your selection visible.
