How to Use the Clipping Mask (in Photoshop)

written by Amanda Taylor of TaylorMadeDesigns

Ever wonder how people get their pictures to be in the same shape of letters, or a perfect circle or a cool shape? Well, this tutorial is for you! Clipping Masks are probably one of the TOP things I LOVE about digital scrapbooking...and probably one of the EASIEST to do!!! Today we will be using a clipping mask that is in the shape of a bar code. So fun!!! Here is what our finished picture will look like on a layout:


1. Open a new document by choosing "FILE" and then "NEW". (**Note: Ctrl+N is he shortcut for this.)



2. Open the clipping mask of your choice, making sure you can see both your blank document and the clipping mask, as shown below:



3. Choose your MOVE tool from the tools menu. (**note: clicking the letter V on your keyboard will also activate this tool.)


4. Drag your clipping mask over onto your blank document.


5. Decide on your picture and repeat steps 2, 3, and 4. Your document should look something like this. (**Note: make sure your photo layer is on top of your clipping mask layer as the red arrows indicate.)

6. Move your cursor over to your layers palette and place it right in between your photo layer and your clipping mask layer and hold down your CTRL key. (**NOTE: Your cursor should change in shape and appear as shown in the image below.)



7. Now simply click your mouse and your photo will "attach" itself to your clipping mask and transform itself into it's shape. (**NOTE: CTRL+CHIFT+G in CS2 & 3 or CTRL+G in PSE will also clip your photo to your clipping mask. Just be sure your photo layer is active.) Your photo layer will now be indented a bit with a little arrow that shows it is connected to your clipping mask layer.



8. Now, if you'll notice, there is still a "bounding box" around your photo, even though the only part of it that is visible is the part showing through the clipping mask. This is so you can tell where your photo is to move it around within your clipping mask so that you can place it where you want it. You can also choose your MOVE tool and grab one of the corners to resize your photo if needed. (*NOTE: Be SURE to hold down your SHIFT key while resizing your photo so that it maintains its proper proportions.)

9. Last step... go to your layers palette and click on your photo layer. While holding down your CTRL key, also click on your clipping mask layer. This allows you to choose both layers at the same time. Now, you can click on the little chain-link icon to lock your layers together so that when you try and move them, they will be connected and always move together.

10. Now you have your photo in the shape of your bar code and all you have left to do is find your favorite paper and flourishes, type your text and title and you've got a very unique way to display your photo on a scrapbook page! Good luck and have fun!!!