Masking a layer, but inverted?

[Joe S.]

I know that a layer mask can be used to show a child layer through the parent layer’s shape, like using a layer with a leaf shape to contain a texture layer. But is it possible to do the opposite non-destructively?

What I want to do is use one layer to cut a hole (ie a shape) out of another. This allows the objects in the background to be visible through the shape (see my example). I do this destructively via the following steps:

1. Rasterize the parent layer
2. Select the shapes in the layer
3. Invert the selection
4. Create a new layer, while the selection is intact
5. Flood fill the new layer, which fillls everything but the original shape
6. Drag the flood layer onto the thumbnail of the child layer

I did this in Designer, and maybe it would be easier in Photo. But I couldn’t figure out how to select all from layer and used the Smart Selection brush, which resulted in the pixelated edges. Being able to use vector shapes would be much better, which is why I tried this in Designer.

Or maybe there’s an easier way to do this with clipping? I’d prefer not to resort to a macro for this.

[NathanC]

Hey @Joe S.,

Why not try a Compound Subtract if you want a non-destructive approach with vector shapes? I've not got an iPad to hand currently so the below is on desktop, but by creating two vector objects (Art Text and a Rectangle Quickshape) and layering the text on top of the shape and placing it higher in the layer stack I used the 'Subtract' operation to create the compound which subtracts the text from the shape, this allows me to non-destructively transform and alter the properties of the cut-out text.

See the help guide below for instructions creating compounds for iPad.

https://affinity.help/designer2ipad/English.lproj/pages/ObjectControl/compound.html

[Joe S.]

On 1/4/2024 at 10:53 AM, NathanC said:

Why not try a Compound Subtract

🤯 🤯 🤯 The more I use the programs, the less I realize I know.

I just tried it, using two group layers (text on top, shapes below). It worked - but it also changed all the colors of the shapes and the brushes & colors of the lines. Can that be avoided? I see the color is due to what was selected in the Color panel, and the brush was the last selected vector brush.

Edited January 5, 2024 by Joe S.
tried & reported back

[Joe S.]

I stumbled on my solution last night: the Erase blend mode 🤯🤯🤯

[walt.farrell]

1 hour ago, Joe S. said:

the Erase blend mode

Depending on how you're using it, and what output format you're using for your exports, that can cause rasterization that you may not want.

[Joe S.]

Thanks Walt, I will be careful and see what happens with it.

[v_kyr]

Using plain vectors in ADe should be fine here therefor, aka no rasterization, sharp arbitrary scalable object contours. Either you can do it via a Compound as shown above by NathanC, or just by a simple geometric subtract of the text from a black rectangle, which will give you one resulting Curves object then. Here's how that looks in ADe (the steps to take in ADe for iPad should be similar).

 

 

 

[Joe S.]

Thanks. My ideal is something non-destructive since the goal is to create personalized graphics. I'm tentatively optimistic that the Erase blend mode will do the trick.

[v_kyr]

46 minutes ago, Joe S. said:

I'm tentatively optimistic that the Erase blend mode will do the trick.

You should know that Erase blend mode will yield to rasterization (aka pixel/bitmap image data) then, so you will not have any plain vectors afterwards anymore, in case that having vectors is essential for you.

[Joe S.]

When does it rasterize, besides opening the file in Photo? The text is fully editable in Designer from what I've seen so far.

[walt.farrell]

19 minutes ago, Joe S. said:

When does it rasterize, besides opening the file in Photo? The text is fully editable in Designer from what I've seen so far.

During Export to vector formats, as far as I know.

[Joe S.]

Thanks, that's good to know. I'm just exporting .pngs for now.