Use clip masks

To modify the transparency of an object or object group by using a clip mask
To create a clip mask from an object transparency
To remove editable areas by using a clip mask
To combine a clip mask with an object or object group
To disable a clip mask
To modify a clip mask
To delete a clip mask

A clip mask is a layer that floats above an object, which allows you to make changes to the object transparency without permanently modifying the object. You can create a clip mask that shows the object, so you can apply transparency to specific areas of the object. For example, if you want to reveal the image background through the object. Conversely, you can create a clip mask that hides the object, so you can apply transparency to gradually reveal only parts of the object. You can also convert an object transparency into a clip mask, so you can modify or remove the transparency effect.

The grayscale object (left) was stacked over the colored object (center), and a clip mask was created from the grayscale object (left). With the clip mask selected, the Paint tool was used to reveal the color in the butterfly’s wings (right).

In addition, you can conditionally remove an unwanted part of an object by defining an editable area to create a clip mask. For more information about editable areas, see Define editable areas.

If you are satisfied with the clip mask results, you can apply the change to the object permanently by combining the clip mask with the object.

You can modify the size of a clip mask after you’ve created it. You can also adjust the transparency of a clip mask to control the extent to which pixels in the image are visible.

You can also disable a clip mask to reveal the object, while preserving the clip mask, or delete a clip mask.

You can also apply a clip mask to an object group.

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You can use a clip mask to define an editable area. For more information, see To define an editable area by using a clip mask.

To modify the transparency of an object or object group by using a clip mask

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1 Select an object or an object group.
2 Click Object Clip mask Create, and click one of the following:
• To show all — creates a clip mask that reveals the entire object or object group
• To hide all — creates a clip mask that makes the object or object group appear fully transparent
3 In the toolbox, click the Paint tool .
4 Click a color from the color palette.
Choose a lighter color, such as light gray, to apply less transparency. Choose a darker color, such as black, to apply more transparency.
5 Drag in the image window.

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You can change only the active clip mask.

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You can also create a clip mask that reveals the entire object or object group from the Objects docker by clicking the Create clip mask button .

When you apply a clip mask to an object group, you can modify the view of individual objects in the clipped mask area by selecting them in the Objects docker and moving them around.

To create a clip mask from an object transparency

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1 Select an object or object group that has a transparency.
2 Click Object Clip mask Create From object transparency.

To remove editable areas by using a clip mask

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1 Select an object or object group.
2 In the toolbox, choose a Mask tool.
3 In the image window, define an editable area.
4 Click Object Clip mask Create, and click one of the following:
• From mask — hides the area surrounding the editable area
• From inverted mask — hides the editable area while revealing only the area that surrounds it

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You can also create a clip mask that reveals the entire object or object group from the Objects docker by clicking the Create clip mask button .

To combine a clip mask with an object or object group

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1 Select an object or object group that has a clip mask.
2 Click Object Clip mask Combine.

To disable a clip mask

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1 Select an object or object group that has a clip mask.
2 Click Object Clip mask Disable.

To modify a clip mask

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1 In the Objects docker, right-click the clip mask thumbnail, and click Paint On Clip Mask.
2 In the toolbox, click the Paint tool .
3 Perform a task from the following table.

 

To
Do
Increase the size of clip mask
Apply white brushstrokes.
Decrease the size of clip mask
Apply black brushstrokes.
Modify the tranasparency of a clip mask
Paint with lighter colors to increase transparency and darker colors to decrease it.

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To highlight the clip mask in context of the rest of the image, you can display a red-tinted transparent overlay by right-clicking a clip mask in the Objects docker and clicking Paint On Clip Mask In Context. If you adjust the transparency of a clip mask in certain areas, the degree of red displayed by the overlay in those areas varies accordingly.

To delete a clip mask

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1 Select an object or object group that has a clip mask.
2 Click Object Clip mask Remove.

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