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Post by Sepiana on Sept 7, 2017 18:55:39 GMT
A clipping mask uses the contents and transparency of the layer below to determine which parts of the layer above are to remain visible and which parts are to be hidden. When you apply a clipping mask, one layer will affect the other layer with which it is grouped. In the first example below, the woman photo layer gets automatically clipped (masked) to the shape of the bottom layer (black-filled circle). In the second example, the texture layer is clipped (masked) to the shape of the bottom layer (woman silhouette). 
There is more than one way to create a clipping mask. First, make sure the top layer of the two layers you want to clip is activated. Then, . . .
In the Layer menu -- Go to Layer > Create Clipping Mask. (In earlier versions of Elements, the command is Layer > Group With Previous.)
OR
Press Ctrl-G/Cmmd-G. (Starting with Elements 15, the shortcut is Alt-Ctrl-G/Opt-Cmmd-G.)
OR
In the Layers panel -- Hold down the Alt/Opt key and move the cursor over the line which separates the two layers you want to group. The cursor will turn into two linked circles or, in more recent versions of Elements, into a tiny downward-bent arrow with a white square. When this happens, click once. Elements will group the two layers together (with a clipping mask).
OR
In the Layers panel -- Right-click on the top layer of the two layers and select Layer > Create Clipping Mask from the drop-down menu (starting with Elements 12).
NOTE The tiny downward-bent arrow with the white square displayed next to the layer thumbnail indicates that layer has been clipped to the layer underneath. Once you have the two layers clipped together, you can use the Move tool to reposition the top layer around so that the part of it you want will show through. When you clip two layers together, Elements will apply the Opacity of the bottom layer to both layers. You are not limited to just clipping two layers together at once. You can clip more than two layers as long as they are located next to each other in the Layers panel. |
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Post by Major Major on Sept 7, 2017 19:22:00 GMT
Can you please explain how to clip more than two layers? I can't seem to do it.
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Post by Sepiana on Sept 7, 2017 20:48:29 GMT
Craig, you need to first highlight the image layers you want to create a clipping mask for. Then, use the shortcut or go to Layer>Create Clipping Mask.
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Post by Major Major on Sept 7, 2017 21:30:50 GMT
Ah, got it. I was trying to do it with two masks. No workee.
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Post by ritage on Sept 7, 2017 21:39:29 GMT
You can also reposition the lower layer to show different portions of the upper one. You can resize the lower layer with the move tool or paint on it to reveal more of the upper image while you watch as it becomes visible. (in this example I painted with red to demonstrate where I added coverage).
To clip together more than 2 layers you can also just drag another one between the two or above the original 2.
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Post by Sepiana on Sept 7, 2017 21:44:24 GMT
Ah, got it. I was trying to do it with two masks. No workee. Good! That's a tricky technique. Also, it depends on the nature of your project; there is a place and time for this technique. |
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Post by Sepiana on Sept 7, 2017 21:48:16 GMT
To clip together more than 2 layers you can also just drag another one between the two or above the original 2. Great tip! That's the beauty of Elements . . . more than one way to do something. |
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Post by Lillias on Sept 7, 2017 21:53:46 GMT
It’s interesting how we can understand different things from the same question. Major Major asked ‘Can you please explain how to clip more than two layers? I can't seem to do it’. I thought what he was asking was how to clip two layers to the SAME clipping mask. I started to experiment and at first couldn’t see how to do this. So I did a Google search and came up with the article in this LINKI experimented and came up with this…As you will see I used one single mask but clipped two photos to it. Of course in order to see both images I had to put a layer mask on one and brush away some of the image to allow the other to show through. Also on the top layer I used the lighten blend mode. I’ve got to play with it a bit more but I’m quite liking it so far.   Images from morguefile mask from Graphic Design. |
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Post by Sepiana on Sept 7, 2017 22:56:55 GMT
I thought what he was asking was how to clip two layers to the SAME clipping mask. I started to experiment and at first couldn’t see how to do this.
I believe Craig's question was directly related to this statement in my OP.
You are not limited to just clipping two layers together at once. You can clip more than two layers as long as they are located next to each other in the Layers panel.
As I explained earlier, . . .
. . . first highlight the image layers you want to create a clipping mask for. Then, use the shortcut or go to Layer>Create Clipping Mask.
I mentioned this technique because many users of Elements are under the impression that clipping masks are about TWO layers only. This is about MULTIPLE layers to be clipped to ONE layer (at once). If you go back to my screen shot, you will see THREE layers (flowers) clipped to ONE layer (black-filled circles). Also, as I mentioned earlier, there is a time and place for this technique. It all depends on the "nature" of your project.
As a side note -- I myself learnt this technique from the Elements guru . . . Barbara Brundage.
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Post by cats4jan on Sept 8, 2017 9:53:27 GMT
Once I learned clipping masks, it opened up such a world of creativity. I don't know how I scrapped without knowing this, although I have to admit, I stick to one layer one mask. BillieJean - I like how you erased That would make a great scrapping addition. Remember guys - clipping masks can make some very cool text designs. Photos and other designed backgrounds can be clipped with text without simplifying your text.  |
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Post by Sepiana on Sept 8, 2017 16:56:58 GMT
Clipping Masks are indeed a very useful (and cleverly designed) feature in Elements. However, I would like to bring up the scenario below for the benefit of new users of Elements who may be following this thread.
- You copy/paste your photo onto the shape/template.
- You use Free Transform to enlarge the photo so that it will fit the shape/template it is being clipped to.
If doing the above results in your photo being enlarged by more than 100%, its quality will be affected, i.e., pixelation will develop. To quote Barbara Brundage in The Missing Manual . . . “it’ll go all pixely on you”. Fortunately, if you want to protect the integrity/quality of your photo(s), there is the workaround described below.
Bring your photo into Elements as a Smart Object by using the File>Place command. The advantage of working with Smart Objects is that they can be enlarged, shrunk, transformed, etc. without any problem. Open your shape/template first and, then, bring your photo into Elements by doing this command. Now, after you clip the photo to the shape/template, you can resize, transform the photo without its quality being affected.
If you are interested in working with Smart Objects, you may want to check . . . All About Smart Objects.
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Post by fotofrank on Sept 9, 2017 4:31:34 GMT
You can clip a number of layers, it just take a little more planning and masking.  |
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flora
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 55 
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by flora on Sept 23, 2017 1:08:21 GMT
It’s interesting how we can understand different things from the same question. Major Major asked ‘Can you please explain how to clip more than two layers? I can't seem to do it’. I thought what he was asking was how to clip two layers to the SAME clipping mask. I started to experiment and at first couldn’t see how to do this. So I did a Google search and came up with the article in this LINKI experimented and came up with this…As you will see I used one single mask but clipped two photos to it. Of course in order to see both images I had to put a layer mask on one and brush away some of the image to allow the other to show through. Also on the top layer I used the lighten blend mode. I’ve got to play with it a bit more but I’m quite liking it so far. Images from morguefile mask from Graphic Design. I use clipping masks all the time but haven't used this technique. I'm sure I'll be able to use it too. Thanks. SaveSaveSaveSave |
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