Cut out specific shape from image in Publisher

[cleaser]

Hi all

Just posting on here as it's difficult to articulate my question without a screenshot! I'm wondering if it's possible, in Affinity Publisher, to cut out part of an image (inserted as picture frame) to a specific shape. In this case, cutting the corner off the image, with rounded corners, so a logo can fit in the negative space (as shown in screenshot).

If this is possible, please let me know. I understand I may have to do this in Photo or Designer, but it would be nice to be able to do it in Publisher, then I have more flexibility over the size of the logo as I continue to work on the document.

Thanks!

[markw]

One method would be to use a curve shape to clip the Picture Frame containing the image.
In my example the Vegan logo is under the Picture Frame in the Layer stack.

 

[AndyWh]

It is possible to acheive the cut out in publisher, and there are at least two mechanisms you can use - create your own picture frame, or use a mask layer.

To create your own picture frame you create the shape you want using the normal drawing tools, either by direct drawing of a closed curve shape or using geometric shapes that you combine with the layer geometry tools. Select the curve object, right click and select the Convert to picture frame.  The curve control points can still be edited using the arrow tool after the picture has been placed in the shape..

To create a mask draw the wanted picture shape as a layer, or use multiple layers that you then combine into a single layer. Place the shape in the layer list immediately above the layer that has your picture to be masked, then right click on the mask shape in the layer menu, seleting "Mask to below".

[cleaser]

@AndyWh, @markw, thanks so much for your help! This is really handy to know. Also great to know there are 2 ways of doing this... And the video is very helpful! Cheers

[cleaser]

Hi @markw - I've been following your handy video... I have subtracted one shape from another, I am now at the stage of rounding off the corners... However, the 'Curve' tool is not showing in the toolbar on the left hand side. I can see the Pen tool and Artistic text tool, but no Curve tool... Am I missing something?

[thomaso]

1 hour ago, cleaser said:

I have subtracted one shape from another, I am now at the stage of rounding off the corners... However, the 'Curve' tool is not showing in the toolbar on the left hand side.

Your thread is about Publisher while the Curve Tool exists in AD only. If you don't have AD installed you could alternatively re-create the objects in APub with the "Rounded Rectangle Tool" which enables you to define a corner radius. If you deactivate "Single radius" in the Context Toolbar you can define the 4 corners separately.

Once created, then Geometry options + further nesting / clipping in the Layers panel will be the same* as in AD and @markw's video.

* EDIT: sorry, not really "the same" – see post below …

Edited September 21, 2023 by thomaso

[Circulus]

36 minutes ago, cleaser said:

but no Curve tool... Am I missing something?

I think the cornertool is meant here and as @thomaso said,this is only in designer.
But if you have the 3 programs installed it is also to be found in the designer persona in publisher.
 

[cleaser]

@thomaso@Return thanks so much for the info, now I understand! I do indeed have all 3 programs insstalled, now I realise it's possible to have 'Persona' mode... Learning something new every day...

I managed to follow Mark's video easily once i knew that... Thanks again !!

[thomaso]

In APub / without AD:  With two rounded rectangle you may get this after Geometry -> Subtract:

To round also the unrounded corners you can either use the Node Tool to edit nodes …

… or create the entire setup differently, e.g. with some simple copies of a rounded rectangle, like so:

[markw]

Ah, the perils of having all three apps! Too easy to forget that not everyone may have all three!
But as thomaso shows it can still be done if you only have Publisher, it’s just a bit more work!

[thomaso]

36 minutes ago, markw said:

just a bit more work!

I am not sure, especially for a two-object & node-edit workflow (with modifier keys for node / handle). I'd rather say it's less flexible after subtracting, while starting with 2 rounded corner shapes may be faster ?