User Guide

CHAPTER 7
240
Working with Masks and Transparency
Bezier Use the pen tool to draw a freeform Bezier path as a mask. This is the most flexible
type of mask; you can create any shape with the pen tool.
After you first create a mask, you can resize it or rotate it as a whole (see “Scaling and
rotating selected masks or points” on page 245), or you can change parts of it (see
“Changing the shape of a mask” on page 247).
Drawing rectangular and oval masks
Use the rectangle and oval tools to create mask shapes, or specify a mask shape numerically.
To create a rectangular or oval mask by dragging:
1 Select a layer in the Composition window or display a layer in the Layer window.
2 Select the rectangle tool ( ) or the oval tool ( ) in the toolbox.
3 Position the cursor in the Composition or Layer window at one corner of the mask you
want to draw and drag to the opposite corner.
4 Use either of the following techniques to alter the mask as you draw:
• Press Shift as you drag to create a square with the rectangle tool or a circle with the
oval tool.
• Press Alt (Windows) or Command (Mac OS) while dragging to create a mask that
extends from its center.
For more information about moving, scaling, and rotating masks, see “Scaling and
rotating selected masks or points” on page 245.
To create a rectangular or oval mask the size of the layer:
1 Select a layer in the Composition window or display a layer in the Layer window.
2 In the toolbox, double-click either the rectangle tool or the oval tool.
To create a rectangular or oval mask by specifying a mask shape numerically:
1 Select a layer in the Composition window or display a layer in the Layer window.
2 Choose Layer > Mask > New Mask. A new mask appears in the Composition or Layer
window with its handles at the outer edges of the frame.
3 Choose Layer > Mask > Mask Shape.
UG.book Page 240 Wednesday, February 21, 2001 12:05 PM