School of Motion is reimagining art school with world-class training that is available on your schedule from anywhere on Earth. They offer a wide variety of courses that can take your creative goals to the next level. Check out their website to see all of their offerings.
The below video originally appeared on School of Motion’s YouTube Channel, and this explanatory article originally appeared on their website. It was written by Jake Bartlett.
Masking is a technique that every motion designer needs to master. In the video below, you’ll learn how masks work in Photoshop and Illustrator.
If you work in Photoshop or Illustrator and aren’t routinely using masks, you are likely employing lots of convoluted hacks and workarounds to get the result you’re after. It’s probably painful at times and keeps you up at night. Well, have no fear, Jake Bartlett is here to teach you exactly how image and vector masks work inside of both Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.
In this tutorial, Jake, who teaches Photoshop + Illustrator Unleashed in addition to Explainer Camp, walk you through a few examples of how you can use both vector and image-based masks in both apps. Bookmark this one, it’s useful AF.
How to Mask Objects in Photoshop and Illustrator
What are you going to learn in this tutorial?
You’re going to learn several ways of using masks in both Photoshop and Illustrator. More importantly, you’ll learn when to use each type of mask. Sometimes you want an image mask, sometimes you want a vector mask, and it’s important to know the benefits of each. You’ll also pick up a ton of handy workflow tips from Jake.
How clipping masks work in Illustrator
Admit it. Every time you need to use a clipping mask in Illustrator you have to look up how to do it. Hopefully, this lesson cures you of that ailment.
Illustrator has image masks?
Did you know Illustrator can use images as masks just like a Luma Matte in After Effects? Gadzooks!
Photoshop image mask techniques
Image masks are incredibly common in Photoshop, and also very powerful. Learn how they work, yada yada yada, then profit.
Using Vector Masks in Photoshop
Photoshop actually has very powerful vector tools as well as the raster tools you’re probably familiar with. Vector masks are a secret weapon that you can now wield.
Become Fluent in Photoshop and Illustrator in 8 weeks
For the full tutorial, make sure you watch School of Motion’s video! But there’s so much more to learning motion design skills.
Photoshop and Illustrator are the mama and papa of motion design. You’ll likely spend about half of your professional life using them, so you might as well know your way around both apps. You may think you know the programs, but if you’d like to really optimize your workflow and learn a ton of new techniques with the help of experienced industry pros, check out School of Motion’s course, Photoshop + Illustrator Unleashed.
Want to learn more?
While this was not a complete guide to mastering image masks, it will certainly get you started. Interested in learning more about all of the skills necessary for motion design and animation? For more tips, head to School of Motion’s Youtube Channel, or find complete courses on their website.
