pasting onto layer with a 'layer mask'

I've set up some images with layer masks, but i'm problems pasting items on to the layers that are masked. When ever I paste, photoshop (cs3) creates a new layer. Surely there is a way to paste onto the selected layer, and not to create a new layer?

any tips?

thanks

I'm not sure why you would want to do that. Two options. 1) Either paste to second layer and create clipping mask (ctr-alt-g??, layer...create clipping mask) if you want the transparency of the original layer to dictate the transparency of the second layer. Or, 2) just duplicate the mask from layer one onto the newly create layer by holding alt and dragging the mask to the new layer. Option 2 is what I think you want...

J

thanks for the help. i'm using cs here, and cs3 at work. I can't recreate the 'alt drag' to copy the old mask onto a new layer. But i'll try tomorrow in cs3.

why: i'm colouring some line drawnings. I've created masks of the basic shapes (as a 'layer mask' and drawn in some simple textures. Now, I've got better quality textures, and want to replace the old texture with the new ones, but keep the same layer mask.

You mos def want 2, then. In fact, you should be able to just drag the mask icon from old layer (lo-res) to new layer (hi-res).

J