In Affinity Designer, you can use a clipping mask to confine one or more layers within the shape of another layer. Here's how:
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Prepare Your Layers: Have the object(s) you want to clip (the content) and the shape you want to clip it into (the mask). Ensure the content layer(s) are stacked above the mask layer in the Layers panel.
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Positioning: Arrange the content layers so that they are positioned where you want them to appear within the mask shape. Parts of the content that are outside the mask shape will become invisible.
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Create the Clipping Mask: There are two primary methods:
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Drag and Drop (Recommended): In the Layers panel, click and drag the layer(s) you want to clip onto the thumbnail of the mask layer. A blue horizontal bar will appear under the thumbnail indicating that the dragged layer will be clipped. Release the mouse button. The dragged layer(s) are now nested under the mask layer, indicating they are clipped.
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Mask to Below: Select the content layer (the layer you want to clip). Right-click (or Ctrl-click) on the layer in the Layers panel and choose "Mask to Below". This makes the layer immediately below the selected layer act as the mask.
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Adjusting the Mask: You can move and resize the mask layer independently to adjust what portion of the content layer(s) is visible. You can also move and adjust the content layer(s) within the mask to fine-tune the effect.
Example:
Let's say you have a photograph (content) and a rectangle (mask).
- Place the photograph above the rectangle in the Layers panel.
- Position the photograph so the part you want visible is over the rectangle.
- Drag the photograph's layer onto the rectangle layer's thumbnail in the Layers panel. Now, only the portion of the photograph within the rectangle's boundaries will be visible. The rest is clipped.
Key Considerations:
- The layer used as the mask dictates the visible area. Anything outside this shape will be hidden.
- You can apply a clipping mask to groups of layers.
- Clipping masks are non-destructive. You can always remove or adjust them.
- If the mask has intersecting parts, the content will be visible in those areas.
