00:00Hey everyone, in my last video where I showed you how to create candy cane text, I added a clipping mask to the candy cane pattern in order to place it inside my text layer, and a few of my viewers asked why I chose to use a clipping mask versus a layer mask. Let me show you the advantages to both methods.
00:17In this document we have a standard text layer and an image which I would like to be placed inside the text. Let's go over how this can be done with layer masks first.
00:27To place this image inside the text, we must first position our image over the text, approximately where we want it to end up.
00:34Once it's in place, holding down your command or control key, click on the text layer's thumbnail in the layers panel to turn it into a selection.
00:42Now that the selection is made, click on the add layer mask button at the bottom of your layers panel. This will hide everything outside the text layer.
00:50One slight disadvantage to using a layer mask in this situation is that if we decide we don't like the positioning of the image, the process is usually forgotten by most users.
00:59In your layers panel, you must unchain the layer mask from the image, click on the image, and then reposition the image to your liking.
01:06Once it's in place, it's usually a good idea to link the layer mask back on the image to avoid any misalignments.
01:13One of the advantages to using a layer mask is that it's not dependent on the original layer.
01:18For example, I'm able to hide or even delete my original text layer and my image layer remains intact.
01:24Another advantage to using a layer mask is that you have the ability to bring back or hide areas of your original image as you please.
01:31Grabbing a white brush, I can paint across the bottom of this document to bring back some of the original image to create a neat little transition effect.
01:39Now let's take a look at clipping masks.
01:41Starting off with a disadvantage, your image needs to be placed right above your text layer in the layers panel for clipping to work properly.
01:49Once it is, right click on the image in the layers panel and choose the create clipping mask option.
01:54Just like with layer masks, everything outside the image is hidden. So what's the big difference?
01:59Well, if you remember when dealing with a layer mask, if we weren't happy with the positioning of the image,
02:04we had to go through a bunch of small steps in order to reposition the image, which most people forget about.
02:09With clipping masks, none of that is necessary. I can simply drag the image around and even rotate it if I choose and it remains within the text layer.
02:17That alone I think is the biggest advantage.
02:20However, unlike using a layer mask, the original layer needs to remain visible at all times.
02:25If I were to hide my text layer, my image would go with it.
02:29While we're discussing clipping masks, let me touch on an issue that comes up a lot.
02:33Many users go to add a clipping mask to a layer and their image disappears.
02:37Nine times out of ten it's because the layer below it contains some sort of an overlay.
02:42If I turn on the pattern overlay for this layer, you'll notice that my pattern appears but the image disappears.
02:48Here's the solution. On the layer with the overlay, go into your layer styles and then into blending options.
02:54Now turn off blend clip layers as group and then turn on blend interior effects as group.
03:02That will allow you to see your clipped image once again.
03:05If you so choose, you can play around with the blending modes to achieve some pretty nice effects.
03:09So which method is better for you? Well, it really depends on your project you're working on.
03:14Look at the pros, look at the cons and see which benefits you the most.
03:17In many cases, both methods work great.
03:20I hope that helps those of you who are a little bit confused on the differences.
03:23If you're looking for more tutorials or free PSD files, make sure to check out iceflowstudios.com.
03:29Take care.
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