Wow! Read it fast and felt like I was at an air show!. Slowed down and OK ...got it.
Thanks so much for taking the time to walk me (and hopefully others) through this, JJ. I know it will help.
Oh ...the reason I was thinking white layer smart object was to make a 'system'. Here's what I ended up with through experimentation last nite:
- create a document with a white background layer plus a smart 2nd layer ...to a size common to one's projects
- create a bunch of masks ....on that layer
- save that file as a psd
- open that psd as layer in a book or other project
- on that second 'smar't layer, do a layer/smart object/replace content ...and pull in a photo ,,,which then becomes a smart object as well
- since the layer would already have an assortment of masks, deactivate all except those desired
- That layer could be duplicated within the document and and since it is 'smart' ...that photo replace by another and re-sized and separately edited as needed mask chosen..etc etc.
I tried it last nite and it worked surprisingly well ..the main thing lacking ...being my artistic ability in creating masks as nice as the ones in that program I mentioned. I'll get there though.
You'd have to watch their presentation video to see how they've set up the masking process. Way better than my crude attempt but I do feel like I have an efficient workaround.
Thanks again for your patience and guidance.