Trying to select a complex picture in Photoshop? But, always failing to do!
Photoshop clipping path can get on your nerves, especially if you are unfamiliar with it. However, if you know the exact steps to follow down the line, the entire task will become a piece of cake for you.
In the following article, we will break down each of the steps to follow to make a clipping path from a selection in Photoshop. So, you can do it all by yourself, whenever required.
But at First, What is Meant by a Clipping Path?
A clipping path is a powerful photoshop tool of Photoshop to remove, cut out and even clip an item or product from the background, especially when any other techniques can’t make it happen. A complicated or multicolored background is used to display an item, for example.
How Do I Make a Clipping Path from a Selection in Photoshop?
There is no doubt that clipping paths are extremely useful. However, creating a clipping path can be quite tedious and time-consuming, especially if you are totally new to it.
Luckily, there are 6 easy steps following which you will not feel frustrated anymore. Here’s to how:
Step 1: Set Up the Pen Tool
The first and foremost job of yours is to open the picture you want to clip in Photoshop. Use the pen tool to make your clipping path.
In case you are not familiar with the Pen tool, it helps to create paths and shapes that can be duplicated and manipulated to make complex selections, masks, objects, etc. Unlike drawing pixels into the picture, this tool creates a vector route when being used.
In the picture, choose the Pen tool. You will find it in the Toolbar, or you can simply type “p” to choose it.
At the top of the window’s options bar, you will find settings for the Pen Tool. Now, choose the path and then Combine Shapes.
Step 2: Drawing a Path Around the Item
With the help of the mouse and pen tool in the active state, select the edge of the picture you want to clip. You will see circles appearing right next to the pen tool.
Keep selecting the points unless all the required points are chosen. Don’t release the mouse button. Rather, pull it along the object’s edge to make a curved path. Once created, release the mouse button.
For any kind of modification or tweaking of the path, simply use the direct selection tool to adjust any points you want to.
Step 3: Save the Path
Go to the paths panel in the Photoshop. If you dont find it, choose Windows > Paths to bring it upfront. Click on the work path (if not selected). After then, click on the menu of the panel and select “Save Path.”
Step 4: Making a Clipping Path
For creating a clipping path, simply hit on the saved path as chosen in the paths panel. After then, click on the panel menu and then the clipping path.
You will not be able to distinguish any difference in the photoshop file, but if you save it in a PSD file at first, and then into InDesign or Illustrator, you can see the difference.
Step 5: Creating a Selection From the Clipping Path
Go to the layers panel. In case you can’t find the panel, choose Window > Layers from the dropdown menu, available at the windows top section.
Check whether the lawyer containing the item is in an unlocked state. If locked, double-click on the layer to make it Layer 0. After then, hit the ok button.
In the paths panel, make sure to choose the new path. And then, pick “make a selection” from the panel’s menu.
While doing this step, make sure that the feature radius is set to 0. If not, make it 0 and then simply click ok.
Now, pick select > modify > contract from the dropdown menu.
Now for the dialog box, set the contract radius to 1. This is necessary. Otherwise, background artifacts may show up in the masked picture.
Step 6: Make the Clipping Mask
Finally, ensure the product picture layer is chosen in the layers panel. At the bottom, you will find a small icon, looking like a black rectangle with a circle cutting out from the middle; it is the Add layer Mask icon. Hit the click on that mask icon.
You have now successfully made a layer mask to remove the product picture from the background.
Creating the mask is important because, with their help, you are able to remove the product’s picture in a non-destructive way. As a result, the original background remains intact in a masked state which you can use whenever needed.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you have no more queries regarding how do I make a clipping path from a selection in Photoshop. Just follow the steps as instructed, and you will be all good to go!
