You can mask an image in Photopea by adding either a raster or vector mask to the layer.
Adding a Mask in Photopea
Photopea offers both raster and vector masks, providing flexibility in how you control transparency on your layers. Here's how to add them:
Steps to add a mask:
- Select the Layer: First, choose the layer you want to apply the mask to in the Layers panel.
- Add the Mask:
- Raster Mask: Go to Layer in the top menu, select Raster Mask, and then click Add. This will create a mask based on pixel data.
- Vector Mask: Go to Layer, select Vector Mask, and then click Add. This creates a mask based on vector paths, which are scalable without losing sharpness.
- Mask Thumbnail: A thumbnail of the new mask will appear next to the layer thumbnail. This indicates that a mask is now active.
How Masks Work:
- White: Areas of the mask that are white will show the layer in full opacity.
- Black: Areas that are black will hide the corresponding part of the layer.
- Grayscale: Gray shades will make the layer partially transparent.
Editing the Mask:
- To edit the mask, you must click on its thumbnail in the Layers panel.
- Use tools like the Paint Brush tool to paint directly on the mask. Use black to hide areas and white to reveal them.
- You can also use selection tools to create precise mask shapes.
Enabling and Disabling Masks:
- Clicking on the mask thumbnail will select the mask for editing.
- You can enable or disable a mask using the mask's thumbnail. This allows you to see the layer with and without the mask's effect.
Deleting Masks:
If you need to remove a mask, follow these steps:
- Select the Layer: Choose the layer with the mask you wish to delete.
- Delete the Mask:
- Raster Mask: Go to Layer, select Raster Mask, and then click Delete.
- Vector Mask: Go to Layer, select Vector Mask, and then click Delete. The selected mask will be removed from the layer.
Summary Table
| Action | Raster Mask Path | Vector Mask Path |
|---|---|---|
| Add Mask | Layer -> Raster Mask -> Add | Layer -> Vector Mask -> Add |
| Delete Mask | Layer -> Raster Mask -> Delete | Layer -> Vector Mask -> Delete |
By following these steps, you can efficiently add, edit, and remove masks in Photopea, giving you fine-grained control over image transparency and compositing.
