Create a mask from an existing object

Using the Paste As Mask command, you can create masks by overlapping an object or group with another object. Paste As Mask creates either a vector mask or a bitmap mask.

1. Select the object you want to use as the mask. Shift-click to select multiple objects.

   Note: If you use multiple objects as the mask, Fireworks always creates a vector mask, even if both objects are bitmaps.

2. Position the selection so that it overlaps the object or group to be masked.

   The selection can be either in front of or behind the objects to be masked.

   

   
   

3. Select Edit > Cut to cut the objects you want to use as the mask.

4. Select the object or group you want to mask.

   If you are masking multiple objects, they must be grouped.

   

   
   

5. Do one of the following:

   • Select Edit > Paste As Mask.

   • Select Modify > Mask > Paste As Mask.

     

     A mask applied to an image with a black canvas

     
     

If you use FreeHand, you might be familiar with the Paste Inside method of creating masks. The created mask is either a vector mask or a bitmap mask, depending on the type of mask object you use. The Paste Inside command creates a mask by filling a closed path or bitmap object with other objects: vector graphics, text, or bitmap images. The path itself is sometimes referred to as a clipping path, and the items it contains are called contents or paste insides. Contents extending beyond the clipping path are hidden.

1. Select the object or objects to use as the paste inside contents.

2. Position the object or objects so that they overlap the object into which you want to paste the contents.

   Note: Stacking order is not important, as long as the objects you want to use as the paste inside contents remain selected. These objects can be above or below the mask object in the Layers panel.
   

   
   

3. Select Edit > Cut to move the objects to the Clipboard.

4. Select the object into which you want to paste the contents. This object will be used as the mask (the clipping path).

   

   
   

5. Select Edit > Paste Inside.

   The objects you pasted appear to be inside or clipped by the mask object.

   

   
   

Text masks are a type of vector mask that you apply just as you apply masks that use existing objects. The text is the mask object. The usual way to apply a text mask is to use its path outline, but you can apply a text mask by using its grayscale appearance as well.

A text mask applied using its path outline