遮罩输入Mask Input
学习目标LEARNING OBJECTIVES
学完你能认出节点上的蓝色箭头(Key 三角),会把一个节点的遮罩接给另一个节点,用黑白遮罩精确限制效果范围。
概念说明CONCEPTS
遮罩输入(Mask Input)是节点左侧的蓝色箭头(Key Input)——它接收一张黑白遮罩:白色区域保留该节点的效果,黑色区域移除效果,灰色按比例打折。
操作步骤STEPS
- 在节点 A 上画好窗口(或做好限定器选区)——它右侧的蓝三角现在输出这张遮罩

- 新建串行节点 B,在它上面做一个明显的效果(如大幅压暗)
- 从节点 A 的蓝色 Key Output 拖一条线,接到节点 B 左侧的蓝色 Key Input

- 选中节点 B 按
Highlight验证:窗口内正常显示(效果生效)、窗口外盖灰(受保护) - 想断开时,把连线从 Key Input 上拖走即可
练习PRACTICE
动手任务
- 节点 A 画窗口、节点 B 做夸张压暗:先不连线看全画面变暗,再接上 Key 线,确认只剩窗口内变暗。
- 把同一张遮罩再接给第三个节点 C 做调色,体会"一张遮罩喂多个节点"。
自检清单
做完任务后逐条自查,全部能打勾才算过。
Learning Objectives学习目标
After this card you can spot the blue Key triangles on a node, patch one node's mask into another, and use a black-and-white matte to limit an effect precisely.
Concepts概念说明
The Mask Input is the blue arrow on a node's left side (Key Input) — it receives a black-and-white matte: white keeps this node's effect, black removes it, and gray applies it proportionally.
- Blue triangles come in pairs: Key Output on the right (sends this node's selection), Key Input on the left (receives a mask from elsewhere); drag a line from Output to Input to patch it.
- Green dots carry the picture, blue triangles carry the selection: green circles move the RGB image itself; blue triangles carry only the black-and-white "where it applies" data.
- Where masks come from: draw a window (see Power Windows) or select by color with the qualifier (see Qualifier), and that node's Key Output carries the mask.
- Outside is the automatic:
Add Outsideis auto-patch plus auto-invert (see Outside Node); manual patching keeps every step in your hands.
Steps操作步骤
- Draw a window on node A (or build a qualifier selection) — its right blue triangle now outputs that mask

- Add a serial node B and give it an obvious effect (e.g. a heavy darkening)
- Drag a line from node A's blue Key Output to node B's blue Key Input on the left

- Select node B and press
Highlightto verify: normal inside the window (effect on), gray outside (protected) - To disconnect, drag the line away from the Key Input
Practice练习
Hands-on task
- Draw a window on node A and darken heavily on node B: first watch the whole frame darken unconnected, then patch the key link and confirm only the windowed area darkens.
- Feed the same mask into a third node C for color work — feel how one matte can drive several nodes.
Self-check
Work through the task, then tick every line; all checked means you own this card.
FAQ常见问题
What's the real difference between the blue arrows and green dots?
Green dots carry the picture itself (RGB); blue triangles carry only the selection (a black-and-white matte). Patch green to green and blue to blue — never mix.
My node's effect vanished after patching the mask?
The matte is probably all black, or inverted. Go back to the source node and press Highlight to check the selection; for the opposite area, think Outside (see Outside Node).
Can one mask feed several nodes at once?
Yes. A Key Output can patch into multiple Key Inputs — edit the selection once and everything updates together (see Key Signal).