Option for automatically choosing brush tool depending on layer type

What problem do you see this solving?

This would address at least three problems:

1. Creating non-trivial masks often involves frequently switching between adding a bit of mask with a brush and erasing a bit of mask with the eraser brush in an iterative process.

Paul Steuneberg (Image Alchemist) confirms that it is rather normal to frequently change between brushing and erasing: "When I create a Mask, I often switch between the Brush and Eraser before I am satisfied with the result. I almost always use the keyboard shortcuts for that, ‘b’ and ‘e’ respectively."

David Grover echoes that approach as he finds using the keyboard shortcuts 'b' and 'e' more efficient to toggle between brushing and erasing than turning the pen around on a tablet: "You can actually flip the Wacom pen upside down to automatically choose the eraser, but I actually find it faster to simply hit ‘e’ on the keyboard to select that option and then ‘b’ to return to brush."

The problem is that the above tips refer to older versions of C1 which allowed one to just press 'b' and get the brush tool that fits the selected layer. Since version 13.1.0162 this is not possible anymore, since depending on what layer one is working on, one has to press different keys, e.g., 'q', 's', and 'b', in combination with 'e', since each layer type requires a specific brush tool be chosen.

This is problematic because

a) one needs to choose four brush keyboard shortcuts that result in keys on the keyboard to be close enough to each other to support a swift brushing/erasing operation for each layer type. This also means that two easy to use keyboard shortcuts cannot be used for other functions anymore.

b) one has to memorise four keyboard shortcuts instead of just two.

c) one always needs to be aware of which layer type one is working on. This is particularly hindersome when switching between different layer types when working on an area where different layers overlap and interact. Also, one may be brushing on a layer, then briefly adjusts something else (like vignetting), and then wants to return to brushing. Now one has to find the right key again, instead of being able to just press the same key all the time, regardless of what layer type one is working with.

2. The second problem that would be solved is that dedicated keys on external controllers (such as the Contour Shuttle Pro V2) are rare and having to assign four keys just for brushing is much worse than having to assign two keys only.

3. The third problem that would be solved is that one no longer would have to be careful about the ordering of one's actions. Since C1 version 13.1.1 the situation got a bit better since choosing any brush first and then selecting the layer will override the previous brush selection and automatically choose the brush appropriate for the layer type. However, when selecting the layer first and then a brush, if one gets the brush type wrong, C1 will automatically change the layer selection to a layer fitting the brush or create a new layer.

I am asking for a function (that can be associated to a keyboard shortcut) that will always select the brush that is appropriate for the currently selected layer. Adding this function would not invalidate any current way of working with brushes. Users so inclined could still use 'q', 's', and 'b' to automatically jump to layers and/or create new layers. Adding the function I am proposing would not harm anyone who prefers the current system but increase productivity for others.

When was the last time you were affected by this lack of functionality, or specific tool?

I am affected by this all the time. I use brushes (off all three kinds) on almost all images. Almost every image benefits from local adjustments that involve the use of adjustment-, clone-, and healing brushes. I also rarely get the mask of a layer perfectly right the first time, so revisiting mask selections is something I do very often. Often different image adjustments interact, so there can be quite a bit of time passing between mask adjustments.