Masking in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign

Understand how a selection defines visible and hidden areas and drives masking, using marquee and subject selection, quick mask, and black-or-white painting to refine and convert to masks.

Apply select and mask to refine edges and restore hair detail with the refine edge brush, then use dodge and burn and mask view for precise pixel masks.

Explore Photoshop's frame tool and clipping masks to create non-destructive, framed placeholders that mask outside content, then enhance with desaturated drop shadows, multiply blending, and levels for realism.

Learn to create clipping masks in Photoshop by clipping text or image layers to underlying shapes, using alt/option between layers or cmd/opt+G, and combine with pixel masks for creative effects.

Learn to create vector masks with the pen tool and curvature tool, mastering path mode, anchor-point control, and edge refinement for hard-edge selections.

Compare vector masks and pixel masks, showing how vector masks yield crisp, resolution-independent edges using direct selection and path tools, while pixel masks rely on imperfect automated selections.

Master the smart filter mask in Photoshop by applying non-destructive motion blur to smart objects and masking filter effects with brushes, using the three mask types: filter, pixel, and vector.

Combine a pixel mask and a vector mask on two duplicated layers to create a best-of-both-worlds selection, using vector for hard edges and pixel for hair.

Master vector masks and path operations to combine multiple paths into one mask for crisp, editable selections, unlike magic wand or color range, edges stay sharp.

Learn to create a vector mask from scratch with the ellipse tool in path mode, use combine shapes and subtract shape, and preview by adjusting mask density.

Combine shapes in a vector mask using subtract front shape and subtract from shape to hide details, switch path operations, then refine with pen and direct selection tools.

Master non-destructive vector masking in Photoshop using shapes and vector masks. Create crisp, resolution-independent selections with ellipse and rectangle tools, then refine with free transform and radius adjustments.

Use the pen tool in path mode to create independent shapes and subtract them from an object as a mask, refining anchor points and handles with spacebar and alt/option.

Check the other image, raise vector mask density to 100% to fully hide or reveal details, and note that merging selected paths creates a single outline with a non-destructive workflow.

Master the path arrangement feature in vector masks by adjusting shape order. Move shapes up or down, bring shape to front, or send to back to control visible details.

Assess the Photoshop pen tool versus the object selection tool powered by Adobe Sensei for selections and masks, and understand why the pen tool yields crisper edges and its settings.

Adjust pen tool settings to customize path color and thickness, enable rubber band previews, and switch to precise cursor mode with caps lock for cleaner previews before anchor points.

Master pen tool shortcuts in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign by learning anchor point placement, handle adjustments, alt/option splitting, shift-constrained lines, and starting new paths.

Turn a selection into a vector mask with the pen tool for precise, non-destructive hard edges, then refine edges using the direct selection tool and anchor points.

Use the curvature tool as a fast alternative to the pen tool for curved shapes. Place and adjust anchor points, switch tools, and refine paths by dragging and adding points.

Duplicate the half with path selection tool and alt key to create symmetry, flip the copy with a minus width in free transform, then join paths and remove anchor points.

Combine multiple parts into a single vector mask using the pen tool with subtract front shape to remove hollow details.

Master the pen tool to shade edges, convert paths to selections and vector masks on layers, and create lines, shapes, and dashed strokes for stitching details in a nondestructive workflow.

Create clipping masks in Illustrator by placing a top rectangle over artwork and applying a clipping mask. Learn to edit mask contents, move elements independently, and release the mask.

Discover draw inside in Illustrator, where you place artwork inside a container shape to automatically form a clipping mask and restrict drawing to that area.

Learn to use Illustrator's opacity mask to control visibility with black-to-white gradients, using the transparency panel, masking shortcuts, and clip options for smooth transitions.

Apply a clipping mask in Illustrator to place the artwork pattern inside the dress, then adjust the clipping path color, and move and rotate the pattern non-destructively using keyboard shortcuts.

Create a reflection of a logo in Illustrator by duplicating with the reflect tool and applying a gradient opacity mask using the transparency panel, then adjust with the gradient annotator.

Explore how to combine a clipping mask and an opacity mask in Illustrator by clipping a ribbon to a ninja head, then using a radial mask to soften the background.

Create a global mask in illustrator by converting a rectangle into a clipping mask and applying it to all layers, with rounded corner options.

Explore masking techniques in InDesign by using frames as masks to crop and reveal image details, and adapt shapes like ellipse, polygon, or star frames to create creative masks.

Create a grid of frames with the rectangle frame tool, turn them into a single compound path, and paste images into the grid using paste into for a masked composition.

Learn to create cutout masking in InDesign using pen and pencil for sharp or organic selections, add a frame, and refine edges with smooth and close path options.

Outline text in InDesign to create a compound path frame that holds an image inside each character, enabling you to position the photo within the type using the content grabber.

Explore feathering in InDesign with the gradient feather tool to fade one side of an image. Adjust radial and basic feather options to ghost images and support text over graphics.

Use the Detect Edges feature in InDesign to auto create a clipping path from a high-contrast image, adjust with threshold, then apply it to text wrap.

Combine the features of Photoshop and InDesign to create selections and clipping paths from alpha channels and saved paths, then apply them as masks.

Explore combining vector and pixel masks in Photoshop to create precise cutouts, then use InDesign's object layer options to blend the masked image with original for out of bounds effects.

Celebrate completing the masking course with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, and check out more courses as you practice the class project; see you in the next lesson.