You can also use the content of a layer to mask the layers above it in the Layers palette, creating what is known as a clipping mask. Adding several images to a clipping mask makes it a clipping group. After the clipping mask or group is created, you can control how image layers blend together by painting in the base layer with the Brush tool, or by filling selections with a color or gradient. In Photoshop, clipping masks are necessary when creating print graphics that contain images cropped inside of text or shapes. Unlike opacity masks in Illustrator, you cannot place editable text or shapes inside a layer mask in Photoshop; therefore, clipping masks are your only option when creating this type of effect. The following is a step-by-step example of how two images can be combined by using a traditional image layer clipping mask:
1. Create a new layer between the two image layers that you would like to mask. Be sure to give the layer a descriptive name. In this example, I chose to name the layer screen mask.
2. Make a selection of the area you would like to mask by using any of the selection tools. In this example, clicking the eye icon next to the layer thumbnail turned off the visibility for the top image layer, and then the Quick Selection tool was used to select the screen area of the computer monitor. Refine Edge was used to fine-tune the selection edges.
3. With the new layer still selected in the Layers palette, fill the selection with any color (white in this example). Note that when layers are grouped as described in the next step, the image above is cropped inside the filled area of the base layer below. All pixels in the surrounding transparent area of the base layer are concealed. Choose Select --> Deselect or press F/Ctrl+D.
4. Select the top image layer and turn its visibility back on. Create a clipping mask by using the Group command (Option+F for Mac, or Alt+Ctrl+G for Win), or by Option/Alt+ clicking between layers in the Layers palette. If necessary, reposition the grouped image inside the cropped area with the Move tool.
1. Create a new layer between the two image layers that you would like to mask. Be sure to give the layer a descriptive name. In this example, I chose to name the layer screen mask.
2. Make a selection of the area you would like to mask by using any of the selection tools. In this example, clicking the eye icon next to the layer thumbnail turned off the visibility for the top image layer, and then the Quick Selection tool was used to select the screen area of the computer monitor. Refine Edge was used to fine-tune the selection edges.
3. With the new layer still selected in the Layers palette, fill the selection with any color (white in this example). Note that when layers are grouped as described in the next step, the image above is cropped inside the filled area of the base layer below. All pixels in the surrounding transparent area of the base layer are concealed. Choose Select --> Deselect or press F/Ctrl+D.
4. Select the top image layer and turn its visibility back on. Create a clipping mask by using the Group command (Option+F for Mac, or Alt+Ctrl+G for Win), or by Option/Alt+ clicking between layers in the Layers palette. If necessary, reposition the grouped image inside the cropped area with the Move tool.
Clipping Masks and Groups
![Clipping Masks and Groups]()
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