Software: Ulead PhotoImpact 12
Author: MaryLou White
Home Page: Wishing Well Tutorials

Title: Creating and Using Masks
Skill Level: Beginner

Description: Learn how to make your own custom masks and how to apply them to your images for some very exciting edge effects. Masks turn an ordinary image into something extraordinary.

WORK MODE
PhotoImpact 12 has several preset work modes. For this tutorial, we will be using the Full Edit mode so all of the tools in PhotoImpact will be available to you.

As you work, use your mouse to drag this along with you to mark your place.

LET'S GET STARTED

Many people have trouble understanding the concept of using a mask and some are afraid to even try! Who can blame them... masks bring up images of Halloween and scarey things! This tutorial should disspell any fears about using a mask. A mask is simply a greyscale image that can be placed over another image to block out everything that is under the black area of the mask.

Look at this example:

The first image is a photograph of some flowers. The mask was applied to the photo and the third picture is the dramatic result. The areas covered by the black parts of the mask were masked out leaving the part of the image covered by the white area intact.

In this tutorial, you are going to make several masks and add them to the Easy Palette so they can be used many times over. You will also apply your newly created masks to some of your own images. You will start with a very easy mask and end with one that's a bit more complex. Before you start, make sure your background color is set to white and the foreground is set to black.

Very Easy Mask
  1. Open a new image, 400x400, BLACK background.

  2. Using the Path tool, select Custom Shape, Color White, Mode 2D. Select shape FR50 in the custom Path window. Draw the object in the center of your new image (refer to second image below). Leave some black space around the edges. Use centering tool to center the border.

  3. On the menu, select Adjust\Convert Data Type\Greyscale (8-bit). Remember, a mask must be in greyscale format.

  4. On the menu, select Selection\Import Selection. You will get the screen below. The selection to go with your image has already been highlighted so just click OK. You should see the aqua colored selection lines separting the black from the white areas.

  5. Now you need to put the selection in the Easy Palette. If you have your own Mask Library, skip to the next step. To use the Ulead Mask Library, right-click on the Mask Library and Uncheck the Read Only option.

  6. On the menu, select Selection\Copy Selection to Object Library. You will get the following screen. Make sure you are pointing to the correct Gallery/Library. Give your sample a meaningful name.

  7. Right-click on your mask in the Easy Palette to verify that the options below are checked. This will force the mask to fit whatever image you use and let you double-click the mask or simply drag and drop the mask on your image.

Using The Mask
Now comes the fun part. Let's see our mask in action!
  1. Open an image of your choice. An image must be RGB 24bit color to apply a mask.

  2. Double-click on your mask and the selection lines will appear on your image. The areas inside of the selection lines are what will remain when you're finished. If necessary, you can resize the mask using the Transform Tool.

  3. Right-click on the image, select Convert to Object. Use the Pick tool to drag the object into the workspace. You now have a lovely edge on your image. Pretty easy when you know how.

Another Mask Style
For this mask, we're going to use multiple path objects to create the mask. You can get really creative with this for creating other masks.
  1. Open a new image, 400x400, BLACK background.

  2. Using the Path tool, select Custom Shape, Color White, Mode 2D. Locate Clover 2 on the Custom Shape Menu. Change the number of "points" to 10. Make a small flower in one corner.

  3. Duplicate the clover and make enough to go around the entire edge, overlapping each one slightly. Use the alignment tools if necessary. Merge All.

  4. Use the Paint brush, soft edge = 0 and paint in the middle of the image so it's solid white.


  5. Go back to the Very Easy Mask section above and repeat the instructions starting with step #3 to convert your mask to grey scale and add the selection to the Mask Library.

  6. Using an image of your choice, apply the mask to your image.

A Fancy Mask Style
Now we're getting down to the really good stuff. This time we're going to be creative and make a mask from scratch, one that will be completely yours.
  1. Open a new image, 400x400, BLACK background.

  2. Using the paint brush, Soft Edge 50, Paint around the inside of the image as shown in the first image below. Make it the way you want it.

  3. Using the Retouch-Bristle Smear tool, push the pixels along the edges in an outward direction. You should have a scattering of grey and white pixels.

  4. Go back to the Very Easy Mask section above and repeat the instructions starting with step #3 to convert your mask to grey scale and add the selection to the Mask Library.
  5. Using an image of your choice, apply the mask to your image.

    For some interesting variations, after you add the mask selection to your image, before you convert it to an object, change the background color to something that will compliment your image. The background was changed to grey on the image below:

Now that you know how to create your own masks, you can create a whole library full. Try using other tools to make creative edges. This is a beginner level tutorial. For more advanced masks, study those in the PI gallery.

More Samples - Side borders for Stationary


You're invited to join the PIRC Fourm! This is an active PhotoImpact Forum where you'll find a wonderful group of warm, friendly, talented, and knowledgeable people who are ready and willing to share their expertise with you. There are creative activities for all levels of PhotoImpact users. This forum is 100% free and everyone is welcome.

Copyright© MaryLou White.
This document may not be translated, duplicated, redistributed or otherwise appropriated without permission.