ON1 Photo RAW 2027 masking tutorial

Dan from ON1 demonstrates the masking redesign planned for Photo RAW 2027. He explains that Photo RAW 2026 exposed mask layers directly, but users found the different behavior across layers, filters and local adjustments confusing. The redesign places masking controls on the object being adjusted and aims to make those controls behave consistently.

The tutorial uses a mountain photograph with a person in a yellow jacket. Dan selects the subject and adjusts midtones, structure and color. A separate linear gradient lowers foreground exposure and contrast, with a cooler color adjustment. He then subtracts the subject mask so the foreground changes leave the person unaffected. Hover previews show the individual masks and their combined coverage.

For the mountain light, he positions a radial gradient near the top of the frame and raises exposure and warmth. He subtracts a luminosity mask, then inverts it to restrict the adjustment to the brightest mountain edges. Edge shift, feather and levels or windows controls provide further refinement.

The demonstration also covers naming adjustments, separate linear and radial gradient tools, and a consolidated overlay menu. Dan says the properties inspector and existing masking tools remain available. He presents the release as coming that fall; this is a preview of the planned workflow.