How do you create a clipping mask in Photoshop?

Create a clipping mask

  1. Hold down Alt (Option in Mac OS), position the pointer over the line dividing two layers in the Layers panel (the pointer changes to two overlapping circles), and then click.
  2. In the Layers panel, select the top layer of a pair of layers you want to group, and choose Layer > Create Clipping Mask.

Why can I not make a clipping mask in Photoshop?

Your clipping mask object needs to be a single filled object to work properly. If you have a stroke but no fill, or if you have little sections of path, but not one full object, it won’t work.

What is the difference between a layer mask and a clipping mask?

Clipping masks also allow you to hide portions of an image, but these masks are created with multiple layers, where as, layer masks only use a single layer. A clipping mask is a shape that masks other artwork and only reveals what lies within the shape.

Why can’t I make a clipping mask?

You have to select more than one object. Both the path/shape that you want as clipping mask, and the object(s) you want to mask. The mask path/shape must be the top object in the layer.

Why are clipping masks useful?

Clipping Masks allow you to apply pixels on a layer or color and exposure adjustments via Adjustment Layers to only one particular layer as opposed to all layers below it. A clipped layer’s pixels or adjustments will be applied to any opaque pixels in the layer it is clipped to.

What is a clipping mask used for?

A clipping mask lets you use the content of a layer to mask the layers above it. Content of the bottom or base layer determines the masking. The non-transparent part of the base layer clips (reveals) the content of the layers above it in the clipping mask. All other content in the clipped layers is masked out (hidden).

How do you create layer mask in Photoshop?

Masking or Unmasking Part of a Layer Open or create a Photoshop file. Make sure that you haven’t selected a piece of an image. Select a layer. Select the part that you want to hide or show. Click the Layer menu item. Select Layer Mask. Click either Reveal Selection or Hide Selection. Move the mask if needed. Save your project’s changes.

How to use a vector mask in Photoshop?

In the Layers panel, select the layer containing the vector mask you want to edit. Click the Vector Mask button in the Properties panel or the thumbnail in the Paths panel. Then change the shape using the shape, pen, or Direct Selection tools. See Editing paths. See More…

How do I make a mask in illustrator?

Steps Open Adobe illustrator. Click on File. Long-click and release on the “shape” tool. Click on a tool. Draw the object you’d like to use as a mask. Click on the black pointer tool. Place the vector shape over the image. Press Ctrl + A (Windows) or ⌘ + A (Mac). Right-click or Control-click on the image. Click on Make Clipping Mask.

What is the layer mask in Photoshop?

The Layer Mask in Photoshop You can use masks to hide portions of a layer and reveal portions of the layers below. Layer masks are grayscale bitmap images that are edited with the painting or selection tools. Layer masks are nondestructive, which means you can go back and re-edit the masks later without losing the pixels they hide.