hideMasks = function (force) {
		// ensure no pane is resizing - could be a timing issue
		if (force || !state.paneResizing) {
			$Ms.hide(); // hide ALL masks
		}
		// if ANY pane is sliding, then DO NOT remove masks from panes with maskObjects enabled
		else if (!force && !$.isEmptyObject( state.panesSliding )) {
			var	i = $Ms.length - 1
			,	p, $M;
			for (; i >= 0; i--) {
				$M	= $Ms.eq(i);
				p	= $M.data("layoutMask");
				if (!options[p].maskObjects) {
					$M.hide();
				}
			}
		}
	}
@param {boolean=}	force		Hide masks even if a pane is sliding