To mask outside a selection in Clip Studio Paint, you use the Layer Mask submenu under the Layer menu after creating a selection and selecting the desired layer.
This function is a powerful way to hide areas of a layer based on a specific selection, effectively preserving only the content within that selection while keeping the hidden areas non-destructively available.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Mask Outside a Selection
Masking outside your active selection in Clip Studio Paint is a quick process, primarily involving two main steps after you've made your selection.
Here are the exact steps based on the functionality:
- Create a Selection: Begin by using any of Clip Studio Paint's selection tools (like the Marquee, Lasso, or Magic Wand tool) to define the area you want to keep visible. Everything outside this selected area will be hidden by the mask.
- Note: If you proceed without an active selection, the mask will be applied to the entire layer, effectively hiding everything on that layer.
- Select the Layer: On the [Layer] palette, click to select the specific layer you wish to apply the mask to.
- Apply the Mask: Go to the menu bar at the top of the screen. Select the [Layer] menu, then navigate to [Layer Mask], and finally click on [Mask Outside Selection].
| Action | Menu Path | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Mask outside a selection | Layer > Layer Mask > Mask Outside Selection |
Hides area outside the active selection |
| Mask without a selection | Layer > Layer Mask > Mask Outside Selection |
Hides the entire selected layer |
Once [Mask Outside Selection] is applied, a layer mask thumbnail will appear next to the layer thumbnail on the [Layer] palette. The hidden areas will be represented by black on the mask thumbnail, while the visible areas (inside your original selection) will be white. This allows you to easily paint on the mask with black to hide more, white to reveal, or grey to create transparency effects.
