Using Clipping Masks with ScrapSimple Templates

Audience: Beginners
Category: Layout Techniques
Operating System: Windows 7
Software: Adobe Photoshop CS5

In the Scrap Girls Boutique, there are Layout Templates and Embellishment Templates . Both sets have two different types of digital scrapbooking templates you can use to help you with the composition of your layout. The newer templates have layers all set up for you to clip your photos and papers onto. Some of the older templates (along with various frames and Brushes do not. I want to show you how to use both to make a layout.

If your template of choice already has layers, it will be a PSD file and your Layers palette will look something like this:

In this case, the designer named the layers “Photo Matte” and “Paper Matte.” Sometimes, they just call them “Photo” or “Paper,” and rarely you may run across some simply called “Layer” with a number. Whatever the designer calls the layer, you’ll want to place the item (either paper or photo) that you want to clip to that layer ABOVE the designer’s layer. In Photoshop, to clip the item, select it and use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+G. In Photoshop Elements (PSE), to clip the item select it and use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+G.

Do this with each layer that you wish to clip something onto. You should end up with a Layers palette that looks like this:

If you are using a frame, brush, or older template that doesn’t have layers to work with, you can create those layers yourself. For this example, I’m going to use one of the Collage Templates. It is a single layer with openings to place photos behind. If you just place the photos behind the openings, you end up with quite a bit of overlap.

To create layers to clip you photos onto, follow these steps:

1 . Select the Quick Collage layer. Then using the Magic Wand tool, click inside one of the openings. You should get “marching ants” around the opening.

2. Then go to Select > Modify > Expand, and for my layout, I chose to expand by 10 pixels. You’ll want to choose a number that makes the selection slightly larger than the opening but doesn’t cross over into a different opening.

3. Next, on a new layer (Layer > New > Layer) go to Edit > Fill and choose a color. I chose white since the template is black.

4. Last, move the new layer below the Collage layer. Repeat for each opening. When you are done, you should end up with something like this (I turned off the collage layer so you can see the individual rectangles):

Now, clip your items to the layers like in the first example.

Whether you try the first example or the second, be sure to share your collage layouts with us in the Scrap Girls Gallery!

Products used:(Click on the images below to be taken to their product page)
Buttercup Collection
Pocket Life: Butterfly Effect
ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Ordinary Peoples Boy Basic
ScrapSimple Tools – Styles: Inked Edges 1801 Mini
ScrapSimple Paper Templates: Edgers Biggie
ScrapSimple Tools – Styles: Basic Shadows 6501Tutorial written by Monica LebsackCreative Team Member Sue Maravelas shared her favorite template set with us:

I use and reuse layout templates all the time.  Marlene Peacock’s Value Pack: Week 52 SQ Templates 2 is a set of 24 templates that all have the same simple clean lines with many photo spots and journaling spaces so you can scrap a bunch of related photos quickly and easily.  Using this set of templates and a few related kits you can create a photo book that has a consistent look throughout.