Clipping path versus image mask?

I've been doing a lot of clipping paths lately and I'm considering purchasing PerfectMask 5 from onOne Software to make that process a little easier. It looks like PerfectMask creates image masks. What are the advantages and disadvantges of each?

If you've mastered the Pen tool, then stick with it. You will find it faster and more accurate ( in most cases ) than any "automated" masking tool / plugin. If you haven't mastered the pen tool, and you serious about being an expert in photoshop, then it's time to bit the bullet and master the pen tool.
With that said, I've used photoshops extract tool, Vertis Fluid Mask 3, OnOnes Mask Pro, and I still prefer the Pen tool for speed, accurate, and flexibility. I just moved to CS5 from CS3, I've heard the refine mask tool is excellent, tho I haven't had a chance to use it much yet. The other automated mask tools work good on things like smoke, hair, transparent, and objects where the pen tool can't be used because of the hard edge. Again, I've been told the new refine mask tool in photoshop CS5 really does a great job with these areas.
I found the automated programs had a learning curve. Not all that easy to learn. You don't just launch them, push a "mask my photo" button, and shazamm!! They do take time to learn, study tutorials, etc. OnOne Mask Pro I found easier for me to learn than Vertis Fluid Mask. Now if your going to use them, day-in, day-out, then I'd imagine you'd get very good at it. (just like the pen tool).
So don't be too quick to lay down your $$, both have free trials, so go there first and try them on you typical images to see what you think.
Maskerade and Primematte are two others.
Just my humble opinion
good luck.

Similar Messages

At open, illustrator puts clipping path on images and slices it up HELP!

I am still using CS2, but this same problem has happened when I open a legacy (older version) file in CS4..... When I open a file, it all of a sudden has a clipping path around the image. Also, it is slicing up some images randomly. It is very strang and I can't explain it. I just saved and closed the file yesterday and today I go to open it on the same computer and all the photos have these clipping masks around them and some are sliced into multiple pieces. Can anyone help with this???

It's easily explained: It is opening the data as if it were an EPS or PDF, so the fault is probably with the options you chose when you saved the files in
CS2. Check them. also of course keep in mind that some specific features have notably changed, so it may do thius simply to retain appearance, which you can influence by setting teh respective prefs....
Mylenium

Interior clipping paths in photoshop image dont show up in Quark

Iv'e added a clipping path to image that has interior paths (inside the main clipping path)
I save as clipping path and save image as an eps.
When I import the image into Quark XPress and place over colored background the interior paths are not clipping out (punching out) to see the background color.
The clipping path shows up in the Quark document but doesn't punch out when I export as a pdf.
This is also happening when I import the image into InDesign and make a pdf.
Any thoughts?

In your tools panel are these icons … . Select your paths with the Path Selection Tool (black arrow) and make sure you have used the correct "path area" option for each individual path.

Bring in another .psd file with the clipping path

Okay, this client has a very odd request. They want a collage of images put together in one file and they want the clipping paths to be attached. Then it's to be saved as an eps file. I'd like to do this in InDesign and am going to be posting this same question there as well. I like that in InDesign, the clipping path stays attached to the image when you move it. However, is there a way to do this in Photoshop? I don't know how to bring .psd files into Photoshop along with their clipping paths. If there is a way to do this, is there a way to link the clipping path to the layer so that when I move the individual layers, the clipping path moves with it?
Help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

In Photoshop "Clipping Path" is a special kind of Path and limited to one per image and not linked to one Layer.
A work-around to combine multiple images with individual Clipping Paths into one psd file with a combined Clipping Path could be
• applying the Clipping Paths as Vector Masks to the images (flattened to one Layer or converted to a Smart Object each),
• combining them and after positioning/transforming/…
• copy/pasting the individual Vector Masks into one new Clipping Path.

My Clipping Path isn't working? Please help...

I am working in Photoshop CS4 on Mac. I have followed the steps below to create a clipping path:
* Opened image that I want to add a clipping path to
* Selected the part of the image that I wanted to clip (with the eliptical marquee tool)
* On the Paths tab, selected "Make Work path"
* In the pop-up box tolerance is set to 0,5pixels
* I can now see an outline of a shape on the image
* In the Paths tab - double clicked on the work path and saved the path as "Path 1"
* Select the created path on the path tab and then chose "Clipping Path" from the tab dropdown
* Left "Flatness" blank in the pop-up provided
* The name "Path 1" now looks outlined in the paths tab
I have tried to save the image as a JPG, PNG, TIF... RGB and CMYK... nothing seems to work. The entire image still previews.
I turned off OpenGL and there are no layer styles applied to the image. There is only one layer in the file. I am very confused... this function used to work and now for some reason it doesn't. Are there any other settings linked to creating a clipping path that i may have changed by mistake without knowing it would affect this?

Tiff format definetly works - i have used it in the past. I just tried EPS and the clipping path works - so thank you!
It seems that I have been a bit stupid though... I just realised my error - to check if the clipping path was applying correctly, I have been opening the clipped image in Preview... It seems that Preview can't "see" the clipping path on a .tif and it "sees" the area outside the clipping path on an .eps as "flattened" (so i see a hard white background, when i am expecting it to be transparent). I just imported the .eps and .tif into Indesign and Illustrator and the clipping path applies fine in both cases. it seems that the real issue is between Mac and PC.... I am running Adobe on Mac and Corel Draw on PC... Corel Draw seems to have an issue with .eps and .tif files with clipping paths.
png works in Corel Draw but transparency causes distortion for elements behind the transparent section... will keep trying :-)
...this is the story of my life! I hate working on PC but every now and then a client gives me a file where the artwork has been created in Corel Draw and I'm faced with these anomolies...
Thanks for helping me to think this through logically!
FYI on tiff format clipping paths...
Source: http://www.espressographics.com/text/fileformats.html
Photoshop EPS (.eps): EPS stands for Encapsulated PostScript format, which is based on the PostScript printing language. Most .eps graphics are created and edited in a draw (vector) application like Illustrator, and when you open an Illustrator vector .eps image in Photoshop, Photoshop will still convert it to pixels. As such, an Illustrator .eps doesn't have the same editable properties as a Photoshop .eps graphic so don't confuse the two. Photoshop .eps format is primarily used for creating images with clipping paths and monotone/duotones. It used to be that an image with a clipping path could only be saved as in .eps format in Photoshop. This is no longer true with later versions of Photoshop where you can save graphics with clipping paths in .tif format as well. When you create a monotone or duotone image in Photoshop, it is still best to save it in this .eps graphic file format, although .psd and .pdf options are also available.

Distorting a Jpeg with a clipping path

Let me first say that I love using clipping path jpegs made in Photoshop. They can be used in InDesign of course, batched and converted to other formats which need transparency, and so on... The one irritating part is that there's no easy way to distort or scale the clipping path and image together after the file has been created, or at least not that I'm aware of.
For example, I'm working on a piece of furniture which already contains a clipping path, but the client wants the image straightened (or, the perspective from the camera removed, which I don't like actually). So, is there an easier/faster way to do this instead of having to first distort the image, then manually try to line up the clipping path, or worse, remake the clipping path?
Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks

Distort the image in Transform mode (Cmd+T) then target the Path only and use Edit > Transform Path > Again (Shift+Cmd+T) to instantly distort the Path in the same way.

Clipping paths to varnish layer

I'm trying to use an applescript that I found for CS2 to copy all images to a varnish layer, apply clipping path, convert to frame, delete image and then fill with color. I will also need to add a stroke and set the object to multiply. I'm thinking it will be better to do that with an object style. I'll put the original script below. I changed CS2 to CS5 but the only result I get is the new layer. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
tell application "Adobe InDesign CS2"
set myDoc to active document
tell myDoc
try
make layer with properties {name:"Varnish"}
end try
set theLinks to every link
repeat with i from 1 to count of theLinks
set parentID to id of parent of item i of theLinks
set oldPath to clipping path of image id parentID
if the clipping type of oldPath is photoshop path then
set oldGraphic to parent of item i of theLinks
set newGraphic to duplicate oldGraphic
set properties of newGraphic to {item layer:"Varnish"}
set newpath to clipping path of graphic 1 of newGraphic
tell newpath
set convertPath to convert to frame
end tell
set properties of convertPath to {fill color:"Magenta"}
delete graphic 1 of convertPath
end if
end repeat
end tell
end tell

I also found a javascript that works on selected images. It might be better to just loop that through all the images, but I'm not sure how.
Thanks!
if(app.selection.length == 1){
    mySel = app.selection[0];
    try{myClipping = mySel.graphics[0].clippingPath;
        if(myClipping.clippingType == ClippingPathType.ALPHA_CHANNEL ||
            myClipping.clippingType == ClippingPathType.PHOTOSHOP_PATH){
                alert("Clipping path name: " + mySel.graphics[0].clippingPath.appliedPathName);
        myFrame = mySel.duplicate(undefined,[0,0]);
        myFrame.graphics[0].clippingPath.convertToFrame();
        myFrame.graphics[0].remove();
        myFrame.fillColor = app.activeDocument.swatches.item("Registration");
        myFrame.select();
    catch(e){alert("There is no clipping path applied!");}

Clipping path edge

I'm doing some clipping paths on images where the client also wants the background removed. If I place an image with a path into ID with the background still there, the edge is fine. If I place the same image with the same path but with the background removed there are some areas where I can see a very slight white edge. Is there a way around this? The path has no feathering as it is a clipping path but when the background is removed obviously something is happening to have any white show.

Okay, thanks for the more information. I would say you have settings that are conflicting with your desires. A path, turned into a selection, select inverse and hit delete to delete the background - should yield a 'cut' at the path which will indiscriminately drop off the outside pixels and 'cut in' under the path approximately 1/2 pixel. Anti-aliasing is good and what you want, but is responsible for the undercutting effect. You need to examine that you have no feathering turned on when the selection is made, that would account for the white you are seeing if it is regular and consistent all around the image. If the undercutting (white show-through) is not consistent, but only occurs in some areas, then it is simply not having the path 'cutting into' the image area you want to keep enough. Be bold, cut into the image a full pixel. If you can't do that to your product (most times it is no problem) then you need to physically 'build' the product outward, again by using method number 2 above.
Remember, you are in control of what results you get from using a path as either a clipping or for a selection.
Ken

Rotating an image within a clipping path in Photoshop CS5

When you have taken a photo of an image, then open it up in Photoshop and realise its on a bit of an angle but you make a clipping path around it first and save it, then afterwards want to rotate it - Is there a way of linking the path with the image layer so they rotate together in one step?,
Or can you only rotate the image layer first then the path separately as thats what I ended up doing?
Hoping someone can help me and answer my question

If your clipping path is stored in the Paths panel, then no. But you can select the path then go to Layer > Vector Mask > Current Path. Not transform the layer and the path is transformed, too. You can then open the Paths panel and drag the vector path onto the New Path button to duplicate it and make it a clipping path for the entire image.

Embed clipping path without embedding image

I embed Photoshop images all the time in order to get a vectorized version of the clipping path. Afterwards, I relink the image I just embedded and the new vector becomes the mask. It would be nice if I didn't have to embed the image itself in order to embed the clipping path. Even better, it would be nice to see which images had clipping paths right inside of Illustrator without having to embed them or open Photoshop. Maybe this could be part of the "Link Info"?

Could you just export the path for the clipping path from Photoshop to Illustrator?
You know export paths to Illustrator under the file menu in Photoshop? Or just drag the path from Photoshop to the Illustrator document?
Oh I see what you want you want to link the file with the option to have the clipping mask be a live editable clipping mask in AI and in the same relative position.
Interesting option, like a check box link file embed clipping mask.

Reset clipping Path after replacing image?

Hello
I have some code that works in CS3 but not in CS4. I need to reset the clipping path used after replacing an image in CS4. I use the method below to do this.
If I go to "Object->Clipping path Options " after I have updated the image, the settings look ok, but the whole image is show and not the selected path. If I change something in the dialog, like Inset frame , the the correct path is applied. Do I need to redraw the image somehow after I have processed the kSetClipValuesCmdBoss command?
Best regards
/ Pontus
ErrorCode     PnlTrvUtils::ResetClipping(IPlaceBehavior *srcRoot, IClipSettings *iOldClipSettings, IDocument *doc, UID newItem) {
    ErrorCode err = -1;
    do {
        uint32 alphaCount = 0;
        uint32 clipCount = 0;
        bool8 bCopyOldClip = kTrue;
        bool8 bUpdateClip = kFalse;
        IClipSettings::ClipType clipType = IClipSettings::kClipNone;
        if (! iOldClipSettings) {
            // CAlert::ErrorAlert("no old clip");
            break;
        if (iOldClipSettings)
            clipType = iOldClipSettings->GetClipType();
        if ( clipType != IClipSettings::kClipNone )
            int16 pathOrAlphaIndex = IClipSettings::kDefaultClipIndex;
            InterfacePtr<ICommand> settingsCmd(CmdUtils::CreateCommand(kSetClipValuesCmdBoss));
            InterfacePtr<ISetClipValuesCmdData> clipSettingsData(settingsCmd, IID_ISETCLIPVALUESCMDDATA);
            if (clipSettingsData)
                // CAlert::ErrorAlert("clipSettingsData");
                // Decide which cliptype to use and make sure the old settings
                // for the cliptype are still valid for the new image.
                switch (clipType)
                    case IClipSettings::kClipEmbeddedPath:
                        // CAlert::ErrorAlert("embeddedpath");
                        pathOrAlphaIndex = iOldClipSettings->GetEmbeddedPathIndex();
                        PMString num("");
                        num.AppendNumber(pathOrAlphaIndex);
                        CAlert::ErrorAlert(num);
                        // Make sure new image has a clipping path
                        InterfacePtr<IImageIOPreferences> newImageIOPrefs( srcRoot, UseDefaultIID() );
                        if (! newImageIOPrefs || newImageIOPrefs->GetCreateClippingFrame())
                            clipCount = GetClipCount(srcRoot);
                        if (!Utils<IScriptUtils>()->IsINX())
                            bCopyOldClip = kFalse;
                            bUpdateClip = kTrue;
                        if ( ! clipCount ) {
                            pathOrAlphaIndex = IClipSettings::kDefaultClipIndex;
                            clipType = IClipSettings::kClipNone;
                            bUpdateClip = kFalse;
                        else if ( clipCount <= pathOrAlphaIndex ) {
                            pathOrAlphaIndex = IClipSettings::kDefaultClipIndex;
                            // Update the clipping
                        break;
                    case IClipSettings::kClipAlpha:
                        pathOrAlphaIndex = iOldClipSettings->GetAlphaIndex();
                        // If the old setting is Alpha, make sure the new graphic supports the alpha settings.
                        alphaCount = GetAlphaCount(srcRoot);
                        if ( ! alphaCount ) {
                            pathOrAlphaIndex = IClipSettings::kDefaultClipIndex;
                            clipType = IClipSettings::kClipUserPath;
                        else if ( alphaCount <= pathOrAlphaIndex ) {
                            pathOrAlphaIndex = 0;
                        break;
                PMString num("");
                num.AppendNumber(pathOrAlphaIndex);
                CAlert::ErrorAlert(num);
                // hkhalfal: (NACSR) No abortable command sequence is used
                // errors occurring in this scope will not revert the changes
                GlobalErrorStatePreserver errorStatePreserve;
                clipSettingsData->SetImageItem(::GetDataBase(doc), newItem);
                clipSettingsData->Set (clipType,
                    pathOrAlphaIndex,
                    iOldClipSettings->GetTolerance(),
                    iOldClipSettings->GetInset() + 1.0,
                    iOldClipSettings->GetThreshold(),
                    iOldClipSettings->GetInvert(),
                    iOldClipSettings->GetUseHighRes(),
                    iOldClipSettings->GetAllowHoles(),
                    iOldClipSettings->GetRestrictToFrame());
                if ( CmdUtils::ProcessCommand(settingsCmd) != kSuccess)
                    // Error Handling goes here.
                    // CAlert::ErrorAlert("err");
                // CAlert::ErrorAlert("cmd ok");
    } while(false);
    return err;

A clipping path is equivalent to a Mask or a Track Matte in After Effects.
To use your Illustrator logo as a track matte, place it's layer above the Fill layer, and then choose the Alpha Matte option from the Matte drop-down list on the Fill layer.
For more information:
http://livedocs.adobe.com/en_US/AfterEffects/8.0/WS3878526689cb91655866c1103906c6dea-7cf8. html

Create clipping path, mask

I love fireworks, but can't seem to figure this part out...
when I create a web button (for example), then want to place
another image over top of it so that it bleeds off the edge, but I
don't want anything past the edge of the button to be visible - how
would i do that in fireworks
correct me if I'm wrong, but that would be a clipping mask or
clipping path?
anyone know of a good online tutorial or how-to guide for
this sort of thing?
thanks
--bp

brandonjp wrote:
> I love fireworks, but can't seem to figure this part
out...
> when I create a web button (for example), then want to
place another image
> over top of it so that it bleeds off the edge, but I
don't want anything past
> the edge of the button to be visible - how would i do
that in fireworks
> correct me if I'm wrong, but that would be a clipping
mask or clipping path?
> anyone know of a good online tutorial or how-to guide
for this sort of thing?
> thanks
> --bp
>
Here is a series of tutorials for those kinds of operations.
http://www.projectseven.com/tutorials/images/photo_magic/index.htm
Linda Rathgeber [PVII] *Adobe Community Expert-Fireworks*
http://www.projectseven.com
Fireworks Newsgroup:
news://forums.projectseven.com/fireworks/
CSS Newsgroup: news://forums.projectseven.com/css/
http://www.adobe.com/communities/experts/

Exporting Images and Clipping Paths

I ran into a problem exporting images the was previously reported by Ruvan Fernando on Jan 25, 2006, but nobody had responded, so I'm trying again...
I'm using the SDK to open images and then save them back out with different colorspaces, resolution, etc. When I have an image that has a clipping path in it, when it's saved, the clipping path is missing.
I am copying all the source image attributes to the destination image attributes.
Any help would be appreciated.

I tried dragging it, and it gave the original version.
At Share there are; Print, Email, Desktop, HomePage, .Mac Slides, Order prints, Send to iDVD, Burn Disk, Export
I tried Desktop and it put the current image do my wallpaper.

How do I show a clipping path on an image in Illustrator?

Hi there
I am a beginner when it comes to Illustrator and only use it when I have to - like now!
I was wondering - Is it possible to place an image into an AI file and show its clipping path? (that was created in Photoshop)
I have tried saving the image as a TIFF, PSD but no luck.
I have also attached a screen shot - just to show the image that has a path.
Thanks in advance.

I have placed the image but the 'Embed' option isn't highlighted so I can't click on this!
I think I have worked out another way to do this - I have saved the image on a transparent background in photoshop as a psd file and then when I place this in AI, the Photoshop Import options box appears and with this set to 'Convert layers to objects' it somehow
works! like so............ (probably not the best way to do it?!!)

Cutting out images in indesign, clipping path problems

Hi,
I have been putting images of my drawings from photoshop onto indesign for my portfolio, after looking around the only way I can seem to find to cut them out is using clipping path/detect edges.
The problem I have is because they are scanned sketches this method produces really inacurate and shoddy results and no matter how much I play around with the threshold and tollerance this means I still have to mess around with the pen and arrow tool for ages on each image.
Is there a quicker solution to cutting them out like the magic wand or lasoo tool on indesign?
It has taken days now in in design , I have all the images already cut out from their original pages on photoshop but the white box always comes around again when I drag or place the images in indesign.
I have been shorcutting some pages and doing layout on photoshop and placing the image behind which works fine sometimes but is really inconviiant when I want to move the layout around text ot anything...... i have attatched some pictures to show you what I mean.
Thanks for your help in advance
Leo

Well Thats 2 days of my life Ill never get back!
Thankyou very much! cant belive I was that stupid

Clipping path versus image mask?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for