Tell a story with Clipping Masks Photoshop - More than meets the eye
- At the end of this presentation you will be able to create text and image effects using Layers and Clipping Masks from these examples using PhotoShop CS6
- At the end of this presentation you will be introduced to the location of text effects and patterns
- This presentation will provide you with additional resources and tutorials as you explore clipping masks
- For anyone new to PhotoShop clipping masks
VIDEO USING A FEW CLIPPING MASK SCENES
This is my story about surviving a tornado. It is relayed in a video I created using Voice by Adobe.
First a quick overview of the Layers Panel.
This presentation uses numbers 2, 6 and 7
I want to replace the white text color with the background cloud photo behind the word CLOUDS
Clipping Mask
Rearrange layers so that the text or shape layer is on the bottom.
- Rearrange layers so that the text or shape layer is on the bottom
- The bottom layer determines what part of the top layer will show through
- Right click on the top layer
- Select 'Create Clipping Mask'
Only the color of the text is replaced with the top layer image. The image outside of the bottom layer (text) is 'clipped' away - transparent.
Blending Options can be selected to create effects. Here they are applied to the text 'CLOUDS'
- Here three layers are involved. The photograph layer, the text layer and the star shape layer
- Blending options can be applied to any of the individual layers before or after clipping
- Arrange the layers so that the text layer is above the photo and the star shape layer is directly below the photo
- Right click on both the photo and the text layers and select Create Clipping Mask
Clipping Mask
This is the result after following the instructions above
Shape boundary box is shown to center the Star shape over the Text.
- Any layer below the shape or text layer will not be effected by the clip as seen here with the background purple
- Any layer above those clipped to the star will not be effected by the clipping mask
Here are two layers. The background will not be clipped away so that layer remains below the black circle.
Clipping Mask
The photo of the woman needs to be inside the circle.
- Select the layer above the circle
- Right click on that layer and select Create Clipping Mask
- Move the top layer over the circle
- Notice the arrow on the top layer to the right points to the circle layer where it is clipped
- After the clipping mask is made everything outside of the circle to the right is made transparent and only the part of the image over the circle shows through
- Notice that the circle shape color is changed to white. It can be any color.
You can also place text or an image in a newly created empty layer as shown here File>Place
Clipping Mask
Another layer was added using this gold image
Create or add a Pattern
- Make sure a new empty layer is selected
- At the top menu select EDIT>FILL>Contents>drop down list select PATTERNS>Custom Pattern to open the installed selection of patterns preset
Start saving textures to your computer and imagine the possibilities from glittering gold text or dozens of shapes ready to use in PhotoShop
Any of these shapes already installed in PhotoShop can be resized and used to make Clipping Masks.
Shape Tool selected. The internet has additional shapes that can be added to the shape tool
It's all done with PhotoShop Clipping Masks and Layers
- We have seen that one or more layers can be clipped to a shape or text layer
- The bottom layer determines the shape and the clipped images outside of that bottom layer shape or text will be made transparent
- layers can be moved independently to center or resize them
- Blending effects can be added to layers before or after being clipped
Additional Ruskin Tornado video for those interested. There are no clipping masks in the video below.
Created with images by Mariamichelle - "storm clouds rain" • uroburos - "graphics virtuoso technique and great the background"