Nevermore
09-20-2005, 09:49 PM
I haven't written a tutorial before so if things aren't clear or if there are any errors, please let me know and I will do my best to fix them. I have only been playing with masks for a relatively short amount of time but cannot fathom how I ever scrapped without them. If people have any interest, I would like to write about a few different kinds of masks but to start, a question I frequently see asked is how to make corners rounded (usually for photos) or how to fill text with photos or patterns. You can use clipping masks to achieve both of these effects.
Clipping Masks
There are different kinds of masks used for different techniques and purposes. One of the most useful masks is a clipping mask.
Essentially you are "clipping" your patterned paper or photograph to a shape. One of the easiest examples is rounded rectangles. You can use this technique to make patterned mats or tags or if you would like your photograph to have rounded corners.
1. Press “d” to get the default colours loaded. You can use any colours you want but if you are just learning, it is easier to see what is going on if you use black.
2. Select the Shape Tool. On the options bar, click “fill pixels” and the rounded rectangle. Indicate the radius of the corners on the rectangle (you may have to play with this to get the amount of “roundedness” you want).
3. Draw out your rectangular shape on a new layer. Make it as big as you want. If you are not happy with the size, use Ctrl-T to adjust it or Ctrl-Z to undo and draw it again.
4. Put the paper or photograph or ribbon or whatever you want to use on a new layer directly above the black shape layer. From now on, I will just refer to paper but you can use many things (experiment!). To help you place the paper where you want it, you can use guides or grids or you can lower the opacity of the paper layer momentarily to allow the black shape to show through more clearly. You don't need to fret too much--you can move the paper layer around once it is clipped so you can readily see where it looks best. Ah, the joys of clipping!
5. Now, clip the paper to the shape by using Alt-Ctrl-G (Ctrl-G for CS). For the anal minded who like to have three ways of doing everything, you can also go to Layer and scroll down to "Create Clipping Mask" or you can take your cursor and hover it between the line that divides the shape layer from the paper layer in the layers palette. While hovering, hold down Alt. When you see the cursor change into a funny shape (trust me, you will know it!), click.
6. Kowabunga! The paper is “clipped” to the shape and you have a patterned rounded rectangle. The paper itself has not been cut, deleted or cropped--It still exists as the full paper but all that is visible is that part of it that is on top of the masking shape.
Some further notes:
1. If you don’t like where the pattern on the paper appears on the shape, use your move tool to move the paper. Often this is easiest to see after you have clipped.
2. If you are perfectly thrilled with your clipped item, you can merge the paper layer with the shape layer to make the image size smaller (select the paper layer and use Ctrl-E). Once you do this, of course, you only have one merged layer and you will no longer be able to play. You are trading off image size for flexibility, so make sure you really are thrilled.
3. In addition to custom shapes, you can use vectors as clipping masks. If you use the Text tool and place some text on a layer, you can “fill” the text with the paper (or a photograph! or a ribbon!) by putting the paper on a new layer above the text and clipping.
4. Want to be real adventuresome? Not only can you use many things with which to fill the shape, you can clip to ANYTHING—try it. On your shape layer doodle a bunch of paint strokes. Place a paper on a new layer on top and clip. Having fun yet?
Clipping Masks
There are different kinds of masks used for different techniques and purposes. One of the most useful masks is a clipping mask.
Essentially you are "clipping" your patterned paper or photograph to a shape. One of the easiest examples is rounded rectangles. You can use this technique to make patterned mats or tags or if you would like your photograph to have rounded corners.
1. Press “d” to get the default colours loaded. You can use any colours you want but if you are just learning, it is easier to see what is going on if you use black.
2. Select the Shape Tool. On the options bar, click “fill pixels” and the rounded rectangle. Indicate the radius of the corners on the rectangle (you may have to play with this to get the amount of “roundedness” you want).
3. Draw out your rectangular shape on a new layer. Make it as big as you want. If you are not happy with the size, use Ctrl-T to adjust it or Ctrl-Z to undo and draw it again.
4. Put the paper or photograph or ribbon or whatever you want to use on a new layer directly above the black shape layer. From now on, I will just refer to paper but you can use many things (experiment!). To help you place the paper where you want it, you can use guides or grids or you can lower the opacity of the paper layer momentarily to allow the black shape to show through more clearly. You don't need to fret too much--you can move the paper layer around once it is clipped so you can readily see where it looks best. Ah, the joys of clipping!
5. Now, clip the paper to the shape by using Alt-Ctrl-G (Ctrl-G for CS). For the anal minded who like to have three ways of doing everything, you can also go to Layer and scroll down to "Create Clipping Mask" or you can take your cursor and hover it between the line that divides the shape layer from the paper layer in the layers palette. While hovering, hold down Alt. When you see the cursor change into a funny shape (trust me, you will know it!), click.
6. Kowabunga! The paper is “clipped” to the shape and you have a patterned rounded rectangle. The paper itself has not been cut, deleted or cropped--It still exists as the full paper but all that is visible is that part of it that is on top of the masking shape.
Some further notes:
1. If you don’t like where the pattern on the paper appears on the shape, use your move tool to move the paper. Often this is easiest to see after you have clipped.
2. If you are perfectly thrilled with your clipped item, you can merge the paper layer with the shape layer to make the image size smaller (select the paper layer and use Ctrl-E). Once you do this, of course, you only have one merged layer and you will no longer be able to play. You are trading off image size for flexibility, so make sure you really are thrilled.
3. In addition to custom shapes, you can use vectors as clipping masks. If you use the Text tool and place some text on a layer, you can “fill” the text with the paper (or a photograph! or a ribbon!) by putting the paper on a new layer above the text and clipping.
4. Want to be real adventuresome? Not only can you use many things with which to fill the shape, you can clip to ANYTHING—try it. On your shape layer doodle a bunch of paint strokes. Place a paper on a new layer on top and clip. Having fun yet?