Digital Scrapbooking Tips

Will you be listening for the clippity clop of reindeer hooves on your roof this year? I know at least one little boy who will desperately try to stay awake on Christmas Eve, just listening for Dancer and Prancer!

Even if you can’t stay awake to witness the visit from that Jolly Old Elf, you can still enjoy clippity clipping in Photoshop and Photoshop Elements this season. Try this clipping mask shortcut on your holiday projects and give yourself a few extra seconds of holiday prep time!

When you are using a layered template, a layered frame set, or a photo block, you’ll use clipping masks to digitally “glue” your photos and papers to the placeholder. In Photoshop Elements, this process is referred to as “grouping”, while in Photoshop the term used is “clipping mask” but the process is the same.

To use masks, stamped blocks, layered templates or photo masks, begin by dragging a photo over the mask or placeholder layer. Make sure that the photo layer is directly above the mask layer. If it isn’t, use the Move tool to drag the layer directly above the mask layer. The photo needs to be large enough to completely cover the mask. Use the corner handles to resize either the photo or the mat if necessary.

In Photoshop, hold the Shift key as you are resizing to keep the image in proportion. In Photoshop Elements, you’ll need to experiment with the Shift key since early versions require the Shift and later versions do not.

With the photo in place, move your cursor between the photo layer and the mask layer. Press the Alt key (Mac: Opt key) on your keyboard. As you do this, your cursor changes to a double-circle arrow. When this occurs, click once. The photo will take the shape of the mask or layer beneath it.

Using the Move tool, you can still move, resize or twist the photo at this point. When you are satisfied with the position, press Ctrl E (Mac: Cmd E) to merge the two layers together.

And finally, don’t forget, you can use the same technique to apply patterned paper to the mask instead of a photo.