Photography has now become an essential part of every sector of our life. We no longer communicate with words only. Visuals work as a very strong medium of communication, be it business or technology. And to create eye-catching visuals, post-production is a must.
To know how to create a clipping mask in Photoshop is one of the essential works of creating images. Masking has diversified applications, and you’ll miss a lot of features if you don’t know the use of a clipping mask. This photoshop clipping mask shortcut will let you know how you can utilize clipping masks in photoshop.
The E-commerce world extensively depends on photography. This is the one thing that can have a huge effect on e-commerce business. Great photography can increase the conversion rate, and low-quality images can decrease the number too. So, there is no way to succeed here without mastering photography.
What you’ll learn in this article
What is a Clipping Mask in Photoshop?
You must have known the masking tape that many of us use one or another time in real life. What masking tape does is it hides a particular area. While doing craftwork or even drawing, masking tape is used to hide an area so that one can work on the open part without touching the hidden part.
Masking in Photoshop is just like that. While working in photoshop, masking hides a specific area. By creating a layer, masking separates one area from another so that you can work on specific details. Masking looks like an eraser, but unlike Eraser Tool, it keeps all the parts of the image. The task of masking is just to hide the selected area.
There are several kinds of masking, and clipping masks are different from others in their characteristics. The clipping mask works in multiple layers. You can create as many layers as you need and work on each layer separately. So, basically, a clipping mask is a group of layers that allows control of the visibility of different parts of an image.
When to Use Clipping Mask?
Clipping masks have many vital uses. If someone doesn’t know the features of the clipping mask, one might miss a lot. So, here is when you should use the clipping mask in photoshop –
- Different editing styles in one image
If you need to apply different effects on different parts of your image, you can use clipping mask there. As it creates multiple layers, you can just select the layer and apply changes only on that layer.
- Control visibility
You can control the visibility of layers with clipping masks. While working with multiple layers, layer placement determines the visibility of different parts.
- Create specific shapes
Using clipping masks, it is possible to create different shapes in an image. You can make a selection in whatever shape you want and then modify that part according to your need.
- Merge multiple image
Clipping mask is the best choice when merging multiple images into one. You can even add different parts of different images and place them at the desired place to create a totally new image.
How to Create a Clipping Mask in Photoshop?
To create Clipping Mask, you need to add a new layer and place it under the main layer. Then you need to create a shape with Marquee Tool and then fill the area. Then you can select the main layer and click on create Clipping Mask. Once it’s ready, place it wherever you need it.
Check out the complete process here –
Step 1 : Open
Go to File from the top left corner and click on Open to open the file in photoshop.
Step 2 : Add Layer
Click on the box with ‘+’ sign icon from the Layer Panel to add a transparent layer.
Drag the new Layer below the main Layer and hide the background layer and select the new Layer to work on it.
Step 3 : Take Tool
From the toolbar, take the Marquee Tool. You’ll find it at the second position of the toolbar. Choose any shape that you want.
Step 4 : Mark Area
Now mark the area on your image by drawing a shape.
Step 5 : Fill
Go to Edit from top menu and click on Fill.
Now Select Black and click on Ok.
Wait! You won’t see the changes yet.
Step 6 : Deselect
Go to Select and click on Deselect.
Step 7 : Clipping Mask
Select the main Layer at first.
Then go to Layer from the top menu. Click on Create Clipping Mask.
Your image is ready!
Now you can place the image if you need. You just need to click on the Move Tool and Place your image.
Step 8 : Change Color (Optional)
You can change the background color if you want. Go to the Layer menu and click on New Fill Layer and select Solid Color.
Now choose any color you want to use.
Place this Layer below all other Layers.
You can work on the inside image too. Just select the original Layer and make the changes you want.
Step 10 : Save
Go to File and click on Save As to save the file. Don’t forget to keep the PSD file.
What’s The Difference Between A Clipping Mask and Layer Mask?
As I’ve already mentioned, though they have similar kinds of roles in image creation, Layer Mask and Clipping Mask are totally different from each other. Clipping Mask works in a different way which allows it to have some features that Layer Mask doesn’t have.
Here are some of the basic differences between Layer Mask and Clipping Mask –
- Layer Number
While Layer Mask works with only one layer, Clipping Mask works with multiple layers. You can have as many layers as you want, but it’ll have to be more than one.
- Flexibility
Clipping Mask offers more flexibility as one can work separately on different parts. On the other hand, there is no chance of such freedom of work in Layer Mask.
- Layer Visibility
Layer Mask shows the masking area only in black and white. On the contrary, Clipping Mask shows masking areas by showing the layers. So, you get to see what changes you’re making in the overall image.
- Create Shapes
Clipping Mask can create any kind of shape and use masking to work on that to create eye-catching images. Layer masking doesn’t allow this feature.
We Provide The Best Quality Of Work
This clipping mask tutorial might have made you understand that creating a clipping mask is no big deal. But it takes time to be an expert at anything. The more one uses this effect; the more ideas s/he will have on applying this in a creative way. Not just to create creative images, expert assistance is necessary while working with bulk images.
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This strong combination reaches you with the professional-level work that you’re looking for. So, go for our free trial to have top-notch images for your business.
Final Thought
Clipping Mask is really a multi-dimensional tool of photoshop. If one can master it, s/he can create unique images using imagination. There is a chance to explore creativity for those who know photoshop image masking. Apart from that, this is useful in professional work too. So, you just can’t avoid Clipping Mask in any way!
