Clipping Masks

I tend to get people asking me how I get my pictures in a unique shape or how I take a custom shape or brush and apply a texture (without using the pattern tool in the blending options). EASY! Well, there are two different ways that I know of, but I think by far the easiest is the Clipping Mask function. This function is multi-purposed, but generally it is a mask that interacts with the layer above it.

{Img.1} Using a selection from the Custom Shapes menu, size it on your workspace as close to the size as you want it. Getting the size accurate from the beginning will save you time later. Place your image on your workspace...make sure your image is above your custom shape layer - if not, move it so it is. Right-click with your mouse on your image layer (in your layers toolbar, not on the workspace). Select Create Clipping Mask. Your image has now "cropped" to the shape of your Custom Shape.


{Img.2} Using a shape from a brush I place it on my workspace so it is where I generally want it to be and close the right size. You aren't set in stone on the position or size, but I find if you get it close to how you want the end product to be, the easier it is. Same procedure as above, but instead of placing a picture, I am using a texture file.

{Img.3} Yes, it works on text/fonts too! This is my favorite part actually, because you can really get your titles to match your design! Same as the above items; however, some fonts may make you rasterize the text layer before you can do this. Remember, if you rasterize your text, make sure your text is the size you want it because you will not be able to change the size (correctly) afterwards - you will only be able to edit the size using the Transform (Ctrl-T) method.

{Img.4} And of course, you can always use it as a fast way to round corners...I find it easier than the rounded rectangle marquee. This would follow the same steps as the Custom Shape method.

I hope this helped some of you out there. I think the coolest thing about using Clipping Masks to achieve this look is that you can move or crop it and it will retain the shape - it acts as a cut-out stencil on a piece of paper and moving the image underneat the piece of paper. So try the Clipping Mask next time...in my use, it's indispensable!