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Export masks from Capture One to Photoshop

Victor
  • Updated

Introduced in Capture One version 16.7.2, Capture One can now export masks as alpha channels in PSD and PSB files, so you can reuse precise selections in Photoshop or other editors without rebuilding them. This includes AI masks, Luma masks, and hand-painted masks, to make it easier to move from Capture One to pixel-based workflows like compositing, retouching, and advanced color grading.

What are alpha channels and why use them?

Alpha channels are extra grayscale channels embedded in an image file that store selections or transparency information.

  • White areas are fully selected
  • Black areas are not selected
  • Gray areas are partially selected (soft or feathered edges)

You can use alpha channels to:

  • Load stored selections for retouching (for example, skin, background, product)
  • Build layer masks in Photoshop from precise, reusable selections
  • Speed up compositing by keeping clean cutouts of subjects, products, or skies
  • Hand off consistent selections to retouchers, designers, and VFX teams

By exporting masks as alpha channels, you only need to create your masks once in Capture One, then keep using those same selections in other apps.

What gets exported as an alpha channel

When you export to PSD or PSB with this option enabled, Capture One creates a separate alpha channel for each mask on your layers.

The following mask types are exported:

  • AI masks (for example, Subject, Background, AI Select, People Masks)
  • Luma Range masks
  • Brushed masks (Brush, Magic Brush, AI Select)
  • Groups of masks created with Combine Masks feature.

Each mask is written as a grayscale alpha channel that preserves:

  • The exact shape of the mask
  • Feathering and soft edges
  • Partial transparency and density

Masks are only exported in PSD and PSB files. Other formats, such as JPEG or TIFF, do not include these alpha channels.

If a layer does not have a mask, no alpha channel is created for that layer.

How to export masks as alpha channels

You can export masks as alpha channels either from an Export Recipe or via Edit With.

Using Export Recipe

  1. Open the Export dialog.
  2. Select or create an Export Recipe.
  3. Set Format to PSD or PSB.

  4. In the Metadata, enable Masks (as Alpha channels). Export your images using that recipe.
     

When you open the exported PSD or PSB in Photoshop or another compatible editor:

  • Go to the Channels panel.
  • You’ll see the standard RGB channels plus one additional channel for each mask you had in Capture One.
  • Command/Control-click a channel to load it as a selection, or convert it to a layer mask.

Exporting via Edit With

  1. Right-click an image (or selection of images) in the Browser.
  2. Choose Edit With.
  3. In the dialog that appears, set the Format to PSD or PSB.
  4. In the Metadata, enable Masks (as Alpha channels).
  5. Click Edit With to generate the PSD/PSB and open it in the chosen application.

The exported file will include the same set of alpha channels for your masks, just as with an Export Recipe, so you can immediately start using those selections for retouching, compositing, or further adjustments.

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