To "cut out" type in Photoshop, the most common technique is to use a clipping mask to reveal an image inside the text. Here's how:
Steps to Create a Clipping Mask:
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Prepare Your Layers: Ensure your image layer is positioned above your text layer in the Layers panel. If it's not, simply click and drag the image layer to the top. The layer order is crucial for clipping masks to work correctly. Think of it like a stencil: the text is the stencil, and the image is what fills the stencil.
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Create the Clipping Mask: Select the image layer (the one you want to appear inside the text). Then, go to the "Layers" menu at the top of the Photoshop window. Click "Create Clipping Mask." Alternatively, hold down the Alt/Option key and click between the image and text layers in the Layers panel. A small arrow icon will appear, indicating the clipping mask is active.
Explanation:
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What a Clipping Mask Does: A clipping mask uses the transparency of one layer (the text layer in this case) to define the visibility of another layer (the image layer). Only the parts of the image layer that overlap the visible pixels of the text layer will be visible.
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Layer Order is Key: The layer above the text layer is the one that gets clipped.
Example Scenario:
Let's say you have an image of a sunset and the word "SUN." You want the sunset image to appear within the letters of the word "SUN."
- Create a new Photoshop document.
- Add your sunset image to a layer.
- Add a text layer with the word "SUN" on it, using a bold font for the best effect.
- Make sure the sunset image layer is above the "SUN" text layer.
- Select the sunset image layer and create a clipping mask (Layer > Create Clipping Mask).
- The sunset image will now only be visible inside the letters of "SUN."
Alternative Interpretation: Actually Cutting/Deleting the Type
If you meant to completely delete the text, leaving a hole in a background layer, the process is different:
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Rasterize the Text Layer (If Necessary): If your text layer is still a type layer (indicated by a "T" icon in the Layers panel), you'll need to rasterize it first. Right-click on the text layer in the Layers panel and choose "Rasterize Type." This turns the text into a regular pixel-based layer. Note: Rasterizing makes the text uneditable as text.
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Select the Text: Use the Magic Wand tool or the Quick Selection tool to select the text. You might need to adjust the tolerance settings of the Magic Wand tool for accurate selection.
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Delete the Selection: Press the Delete key (or Backspace on Mac) to delete the selected text. This will create a transparent area in the rasterized text layer where the text used to be. If the background layer is locked, you will need to unlock it first.
Troubleshooting:
- Clipping Mask Not Working? Double-check that the image layer is above the text layer. Also, ensure that the image layer is selected when you create the clipping mask.
- Cannot Delete Text? Make sure the text layer has been rasterized and is not locked. Also, confirm you are working on the correct layer.
