ChickieShannon
03-21-2008, 11:10 AM
A clipping mask is an object or a group of objects whose shape masks other artwork so that only areas that lie within the shape of the masking object are visible. Essentially, you are clipping the artwork to conform to the shape of the object (or mask).
There are many ways to work with clipping masks. Probably the most used ones in digital scrapbooking are taking a font or shape and *filling* it in with photos or patterned paper. To see what I mean, I am going to use a clipping mask to make patterned paper in the shape of an arrow.
1. Create a new canvas any size at 300dpi with a transparent background.
2. Click the Shape tool (here I am using the arrow shape). Make sure the Shape Layers option is on. Select your shape from the Shape drop down menu.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/smbogan2001/Freak/1-3.jpg
3. Draw your shape.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/smbogan2001/Freak/2-3.jpg
4. Open your patterned paper. Drag the patterned paper onto the canvas with your arrow.
5. To create a clipping mask, make sure your paper or photo is on the top layer and the shape is on the bottom layer just underneath it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/smbogan2001/Freak/3-3.jpg
6. Select Layer> Create Clipping Mask (or you can press ALT+CTRL+G for a shortcut key).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/smbogan2001/Freak/4-3.jpg
7. Voila! You will be left with your arrow filled in with your paper.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/smbogan2001/Freak/5-3.jpg
8. But we're not done yet. ;) You can adjust the paper/photo layer to fit inside the arrow to your liking. To do so, select the paper layer and then click the Move tool. Make sure the box is checked for *Show Transform Controls*. This means you can see the edges of that layer; in this case, your patterned paper.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/smbogan2001/Freak/6a.gif
9. Holding the Shift key down, click on one corner of the paper with your mouse and drag back and forth to resize to fit inside the arrow to your liking. You can also move the paper around inside the arrow by clicking inside the paper area and moving the paper around inside the arrow.
Here is my finished arrow after I resized and moved around the paper:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/smbogan2001/Freak/8a.gif
Below are some different examples and techniques you can try using a clipping mask.
Example...
You can use a clipping mask with a font. Thick/fat fonts work the best. I used Arial Black in this example. I simply created a new canvas with a transparent background, typed the word Spring!, and then dragged my paper on top just like the above directions, and pressed ALT+CTRL+G. Now I have a cute title for my layout.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/smbogan2001/Freak/9.gif
Another example...
For a distressed look on my photo, I created a 4x6 canvas with a transparent background, drew in some scribbles with my brush, dragged the photo over, and used my clipping mask.
my scribble:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/smbogan2001/Freak/11.gif
with my photo:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/smbogan2001/Freak/12.gif
And another example...
Rhonna Farrer has a Photo Die Cuts kit at 2peas where you can make cute shapes out of your photos.
the diecut:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/smbogan2001/Freak/7-2.png
the photo afterwards:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/smbogan2001/Freak/10.jpg
And one more example...
Digital templates also use clipping masks to fill in each layer with papers or photos.
The template before:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/smbogan2001/Freak/13a.gif
The template after: (all you do is drag your photos and papers onto each layer and use your clipping mask to shape them)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/smbogan2001/Freak/14.gif
As you can see, basically any shape or font will work. There are lots of possibilities!
Your challenge is to use a clipping mask and create two things. The first is to create a shaped photo (like the arrow example above but instead of using patterned paper, use a photo). The second thing to create is a word title with patterned paper (like the Spring! example above). Link your examples here from your Photobucket (or similar site) account.
I can't wait to see what you create!
[This tutorial was created using Photoshop CS2.]
There are many ways to work with clipping masks. Probably the most used ones in digital scrapbooking are taking a font or shape and *filling* it in with photos or patterned paper. To see what I mean, I am going to use a clipping mask to make patterned paper in the shape of an arrow.
1. Create a new canvas any size at 300dpi with a transparent background.
2. Click the Shape tool (here I am using the arrow shape). Make sure the Shape Layers option is on. Select your shape from the Shape drop down menu.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/smbogan2001/Freak/1-3.jpg
3. Draw your shape.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/smbogan2001/Freak/2-3.jpg
4. Open your patterned paper. Drag the patterned paper onto the canvas with your arrow.
5. To create a clipping mask, make sure your paper or photo is on the top layer and the shape is on the bottom layer just underneath it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/smbogan2001/Freak/3-3.jpg
6. Select Layer> Create Clipping Mask (or you can press ALT+CTRL+G for a shortcut key).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/smbogan2001/Freak/4-3.jpg
7. Voila! You will be left with your arrow filled in with your paper.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/smbogan2001/Freak/5-3.jpg
8. But we're not done yet. ;) You can adjust the paper/photo layer to fit inside the arrow to your liking. To do so, select the paper layer and then click the Move tool. Make sure the box is checked for *Show Transform Controls*. This means you can see the edges of that layer; in this case, your patterned paper.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/smbogan2001/Freak/6a.gif
9. Holding the Shift key down, click on one corner of the paper with your mouse and drag back and forth to resize to fit inside the arrow to your liking. You can also move the paper around inside the arrow by clicking inside the paper area and moving the paper around inside the arrow.
Here is my finished arrow after I resized and moved around the paper:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/smbogan2001/Freak/8a.gif
Below are some different examples and techniques you can try using a clipping mask.
Example...
You can use a clipping mask with a font. Thick/fat fonts work the best. I used Arial Black in this example. I simply created a new canvas with a transparent background, typed the word Spring!, and then dragged my paper on top just like the above directions, and pressed ALT+CTRL+G. Now I have a cute title for my layout.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/smbogan2001/Freak/9.gif
Another example...
For a distressed look on my photo, I created a 4x6 canvas with a transparent background, drew in some scribbles with my brush, dragged the photo over, and used my clipping mask.
my scribble:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/smbogan2001/Freak/11.gif
with my photo:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/smbogan2001/Freak/12.gif
And another example...
Rhonna Farrer has a Photo Die Cuts kit at 2peas where you can make cute shapes out of your photos.
the diecut:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/smbogan2001/Freak/7-2.png
the photo afterwards:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/smbogan2001/Freak/10.jpg
And one more example...
Digital templates also use clipping masks to fill in each layer with papers or photos.
The template before:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/smbogan2001/Freak/13a.gif
The template after: (all you do is drag your photos and papers onto each layer and use your clipping mask to shape them)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v352/smbogan2001/Freak/14.gif
As you can see, basically any shape or font will work. There are lots of possibilities!
Your challenge is to use a clipping mask and create two things. The first is to create a shaped photo (like the arrow example above but instead of using patterned paper, use a photo). The second thing to create is a word title with patterned paper (like the Spring! example above). Link your examples here from your Photobucket (or similar site) account.
I can't wait to see what you create!
[This tutorial was created using Photoshop CS2.]