Getting the most from Photoshop’s Clipping Masks
Every Photoshop user should know how to use this terrific tool
By Mike Jackson
Posted on Sunday, January 1st, 2017
Photoshop has about a gazillion tools and features, but a few powerful ones jump off the page that could help many sign designers. Clipping masks is one of them. Try it a few times and you’ll probably use it regularly.
The term “clipping mask” might sound complicated, but actually the steps to using them are very fast, easy and powerful. To be specific, once two layers are in place, it takes only one click! And it takes only one click to reverse the effect. I’ll show the basic few steps first, then a few extra features to show how powerful and flexible the steps can be.
Typically, one image layer or texture layer is “clipped” into the boundaries of an object on an underlying layer. The object layer reveals areas inside its visible area and hides everything else. The object layer can be a single element, multiple elements or even editable text.
Mike and Darla Jackson operate Golden Studios in Loveland, Colorado, and do a variety of sign-related projects. Mike’s website is www.goldenstudios.com. His email address is golden@goldenstudios.com. You can see more of Mike’s photos at www.tetonimages.com and www.goldenstudios.com.