Doug Kerr
Well-known member
Hey, Photoshop experts,
I need help dealing with some overlapping language in Photoshop.
There are two "constructs" that both involve the word "clip". As I understand, this is the deal:
• Clipping mask - An otherwise "ordinary" layer can be given a special power; wherever its content is not (fully) transparent, the pixels in the layer above have their normal opacity (typically 100%). Wherever its content is (fully) transparent, the pixels of the layer above are given a opacity of 0%.
• Clips to the layer below - When an adjustment layer "clips to the layer below", it only affects the layer immediately below it; when it "does not clip to the layer below", it affects all layers below it.
I have been trying to find some relationship between these two concepts, but so far I haven't found it.
And that's OK. Indeed, in English, "clipping" (as in "clipping my hair") isn't necessarily related to "clip" ("clip your check to your application").
Of course, it is unfortunate that the names have the same root, if in fact the terms as used here have nothing to do with each other. ("Oh, you said 'illuminance'. I thought you said 'luminance'.")
But now we find another funny thing.
• If I right click on the layer control bar for an adjustment layer, I find on the context menu "Create Clipping Mask". If I click on it, it makes the adjustment layer be clipped to the layer below.
• If I right click on the layer control bar for an image layer, I find on the context menu "Create Clipping Mask". If I click on it, it makes the image layer below into a clipping mask.
• If I right click on the layer control bar for an adjustment layer that clips to the layer below, I find on the context menu "Release Clipping Mask". If I click on it, it makes the adjustment no longer clipped to the layer below.
• If I right click on the layer control bar for an image layer having a clipping mask below it , I find on the context menu "Release Clipping Mask". If I click on it, it makes the layer below no longer a clipping mask.
Is this because menu strings cost $5.00 apiece, and Abobe was too cheap to make these menu items say what they do in each case?
Or is there in fact some equivalence between "an adjustment layer being clipped to the layer below" and "a clipping mask" that I haven't recognized?
Best regards,
Doug
I need help dealing with some overlapping language in Photoshop.
There are two "constructs" that both involve the word "clip". As I understand, this is the deal:
• Clipping mask - An otherwise "ordinary" layer can be given a special power; wherever its content is not (fully) transparent, the pixels in the layer above have their normal opacity (typically 100%). Wherever its content is (fully) transparent, the pixels of the layer above are given a opacity of 0%.
• Clips to the layer below - When an adjustment layer "clips to the layer below", it only affects the layer immediately below it; when it "does not clip to the layer below", it affects all layers below it.
I have been trying to find some relationship between these two concepts, but so far I haven't found it.
And that's OK. Indeed, in English, "clipping" (as in "clipping my hair") isn't necessarily related to "clip" ("clip your check to your application").
Of course, it is unfortunate that the names have the same root, if in fact the terms as used here have nothing to do with each other. ("Oh, you said 'illuminance'. I thought you said 'luminance'.")
But now we find another funny thing.
• If I right click on the layer control bar for an adjustment layer, I find on the context menu "Create Clipping Mask". If I click on it, it makes the adjustment layer be clipped to the layer below.
• If I right click on the layer control bar for an image layer, I find on the context menu "Create Clipping Mask". If I click on it, it makes the image layer below into a clipping mask.
• If I right click on the layer control bar for an adjustment layer that clips to the layer below, I find on the context menu "Release Clipping Mask". If I click on it, it makes the adjustment no longer clipped to the layer below.
• If I right click on the layer control bar for an image layer having a clipping mask below it , I find on the context menu "Release Clipping Mask". If I click on it, it makes the layer below no longer a clipping mask.
Is this because menu strings cost $5.00 apiece, and Abobe was too cheap to make these menu items say what they do in each case?
Or is there in fact some equivalence between "an adjustment layer being clipped to the layer below" and "a clipping mask" that I haven't recognized?
Best regards,
Doug