Using the Mask Tools

Use masks to create transparent areas on a layer. You can create polygon, rectangular, elliptical, and freehand masks.

When you draw a mask over a layer, the portion of the layer that the mask covers is not visible in the composite (or is only partially visible, depending on the mask's opacity).

To add a mask to a layer:

1. Import a front layer and a back layer. This example uses the following layers.



2. Select the front layer (the layer to which you want to add a mask).
3. Choose Operators | Mask, then choose one of the following.
   
   

   Choose:	To:
   Draw Mask	Add a mask operator to the selected layer and begin drawing a polygon mask object. For more information, see Polygon Masks.
   Elliptical Mask	Add an elliptical mask object to the selected layer. For more information, see Elliptical Masks.
   Rectangular Mask	Add a rectangular mask object to the selected layer. For more information, see Rectangular Masks.

   
   
   

The selected layer opens in the mask operator.

4. As needed, select a mask tool and draw the mask on the layer.

Note: Disable Invert if you want the mask to remove the area outside the mask shape and keep the area inside the mask shape (a "holdout mask"). Enable Invert to remove the area inside the mask shape and keep the area outside the mask shape (a "garbage mask").

5. To adjust the mask's opacity, click the Modes button on the Mask Controls panel, then adjust the Opacity slider.
6. To give precedence to mask objects higher in the stack, adjust the mask's color in the Color slider. For more information on using mask color, see "Modifying Mask Color" on page 228.
7. To feather the mask's edge, adjust the value in the Feather field. For more information on softening edges, see Using Mask Edge Gradients.
8. To invert the mask, enable the Invert button.
9. To adjust any of the mask's transform properties (position, rotation, scale, and pivot point), click the Transform button on the Mask Controls panel and make the necessary modifications.
10. Click the Back button to return to the composite and see the results of the masking operation.



Note: You can also press Ctrl + [ (Windows) or Command + [ (Macintosh) for return to the composite.