Masking is an effective pic editing technique to select and remove sections of the foreground or background of a picture. The easier Photoshop mask is called a layer mask while a vector Photoshop mask is more advanced. Both techniques implement different tools to achieve the same effect. A layer Photoshop mask is more often used to make masks of different transparencies, especially when overlapping and masking different pictures. On the other hand, a vector Photoshop mask is used when you need clean edges and lines that don't blur when resized.
The Easier Photoshop Mask: Layer Masks
For this pic editing technique, start by creating a second layer in the Layers window of Photoshop. Typically, this second layer is a duplicate of the background or contains a different image. Look to the bottom of the Layers window for the "Add layer mask" button, a gray rectangle with a white circle inside of it. By clicking this button, you create the layer Photoshop mask. Now, turn to the pic editing Brush tool. Before painting with the brush, note the foreground and background colors. These are usually set to 100% black and 100% white for pic editing with layer masks.
When you paint with black, you hide the areas you've painted in the layer Photoshop mask to reveal the background layer unless it's disabled. In pic editing, many like to use a Photoshop mask instead of the Eraser tool to erase sections of the photo because the original can be easily restored by painting with white to reveal areas of your Photoshop mask. To work with transparencies in pic editing, paint with different shades of gray.
The More Advanced Photoshop Mask: Vector Masks
When working with a vector Photoshop mask in pic editing, you typically make an outline or clipping path and then mask out anything outside of that path. For this reason, this Photoshop mask is often referred to as a clipping mask. Use the Pen or Shape tool to trace the form of the image area you want to keep. With more experience, you'll be able to use the Pen tool in pic editing to accurately trace curves as well. Don't forget to close the clipping path by clicking on the very first point you made when you reach the end.
To create the vector Photoshop mask, you use the same "Add layer mask" button except that you press the "Control" or "Command" button on your keyboard before clicking. This turns the pic editing button into: "Add vector mask." As soon as you click the button, the Photoshop mask is created such that the image within the clipping path stays and the rest of the image is hidden.
The Easier Photoshop Mask: Layer Masks
For this pic editing technique, start by creating a second layer in the Layers window of Photoshop. Typically, this second layer is a duplicate of the background or contains a different image. Look to the bottom of the Layers window for the "Add layer mask" button, a gray rectangle with a white circle inside of it. By clicking this button, you create the layer Photoshop mask. Now, turn to the pic editing Brush tool. Before painting with the brush, note the foreground and background colors. These are usually set to 100% black and 100% white for pic editing with layer masks.
When you paint with black, you hide the areas you've painted in the layer Photoshop mask to reveal the background layer unless it's disabled. In pic editing, many like to use a Photoshop mask instead of the Eraser tool to erase sections of the photo because the original can be easily restored by painting with white to reveal areas of your Photoshop mask. To work with transparencies in pic editing, paint with different shades of gray.
The More Advanced Photoshop Mask: Vector Masks
When working with a vector Photoshop mask in pic editing, you typically make an outline or clipping path and then mask out anything outside of that path. For this reason, this Photoshop mask is often referred to as a clipping mask. Use the Pen or Shape tool to trace the form of the image area you want to keep. With more experience, you'll be able to use the Pen tool in pic editing to accurately trace curves as well. Don't forget to close the clipping path by clicking on the very first point you made when you reach the end.
To create the vector Photoshop mask, you use the same "Add layer mask" button except that you press the "Control" or "Command" button on your keyboard before clicking. This turns the pic editing button into: "Add vector mask." As soon as you click the button, the Photoshop mask is created such that the image within the clipping path stays and the rest of the image is hidden.
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