How to Use Clipping Masks in DesignScape

Learn how to use Clipping Masks in DesignScape

This tutorial will show you how to use clipping masks in DesignScape. Clipping masks are a non-destructive way of revealing parts of a layer in a design. DesignScape is a browser-based software available to Unlimited and Pro Plus Members. It is an excellent editing alternative to Photoshop and Illustrator.

Let us jump right in and get started.

We will make use of this gold digital paper and a fun chunky font called Garbanzo. You can either begin by starting a new project or opening the file that you want to use.

Step 1 - Use the Shape Tool

In DesignScape, we opened the file we wanted to use. The design we chose is number six in the row but any design will work great.

Next, we are going to create a shape. Click and hold your mouse over the shape tool to open the menu options and select the Polygon or any other shape you want.

Click + drag out the shape. It will automatically fill with red. You can change this color at the top toolbar but it’s not necessary. We changed it to a grey to be a little less harsh on the eyes.

Now, before we move on to the next step, we need to move the Polygon layer beneath the Background layer. This will place the polygon behind the background.

Step 2 - Create a Clipping Mask

To create a clipping mask, all you need to do is right-click on the Background layer in the Layers panel, then select Clipping Mask.

The background will be masked to the shape of the polygon.

This non-destructive way of clipping a shape to the background means both can still be edited. To change the position or size of the shape, in this case, the polygon, click the layer to select it.

We need to click on the Move Tool and make sure that the Transform controls box is ticked.

Next, click + drag to reposition or click + drag a corner in or out to change the size as needed. To rotate, hover your mouse over a corner handle until it changes to a curved double-sided arrow. Then click + drag until you have rotated the design as you want.

The background can be adjusted in the same way. Click on the layer to select it then adjust by repositioning and/or resizing as needed.

Keep adjusting both layers until you are happy with them.

Step 3 - Add Text to the Clipping mask

You can add further design elements such as text, which is what we are going to do. We have already uploaded our font to DesignScape.

Now, click on the Text Tool (T) on the left side panel. To add text, click + drag out a text box. Before typing your text, go to the Font option top left toolbar. Click the drop-down menu to select your font and size, then start typing.

Edit your text as needed by changing the size, position and colour. We have a great tutorial on how to change leading to get you started. We adjusted our text and changed the colour with the colour picker on the top toolbar.

To complete our design, we also created an offset stroke for the text. We then selected both text layers, click on Layer > Rasterize.

Rasterizing the layers will allow us to manipulate them further like aligning more accurately with the background.

Select all of the layers by clicking the bottom layer then holding Shift + clicking the top most layer. Now you can click on the Center Horizontally and Center Vertically tools.

When you are completely done with your design, the final step is to export the file in DesignScape. Go to File > Export as > PNG.

Here is what our final design looks like.

There you go!  Designs can be created using different shapes to achieve personalized and professional results. Explore and learn so much more about the extensive editing capabilities that DesignScape has to offer.