Reference > Masking > 
Creating Masks
 
 
 

When you select a Creation tool, default values for future masks are made available for modification. These default values are initially set to the previously saved values. You can reset default values in each Garbage Mask tab by selecting the Factory Default button—see User Settings. You can change the following parameters once a Creation tool is selected:

To create a shape using the Freeform tool:

  1. Select the Freeform tool button or press D.
  2. Set initial mask parameters if necessary.
  3. Click and drag on the image in the Player to place the first control point and adjust the tangent (if not in Auto Tangent), or (if in Auto Tangent) to move the point.
  4. Move the cursor to the location where you want the next control point and click.
  5. Continue to click in the image to add more control points.
  6. To close the shape, click on the first control point you created, or press Enter. If you hold Ctrl + Alt, the shape will be closed in Auto Tangent mode.

Once the first control point has been created using the Freeform tool, the garbage mask is automatically set to edit mode.

NoteIf you are not in Auto Tangent mode and want to create several points in Auto Tangent, hold Ctrl + Alt when creating the points.

To create a rectangular mask:

  1. Select the Rectangle tool button or press S.
  2. Set initial mask parameters if necessary.
  3. Select Rectangle Options settings if necessary. These options include:

    Use: To:
    From Center Click and drag the cursor to draw the mask from the center of the first mouse/pen click.
    Unconstrained Create an unconstrained mask. Click and drag to draw and change the shape of the mask.
    Square Click and drag to draw a perfect square.
    Fixed Size Create a rectangular mask based on width and height values you set. Once the values are set, click the location in the image you want the shape to appear.
    Proportional Create a rectangular mask based on width and height proportions you set. Once the values are set, click and drag to create the shape.

To create an elliptical mask:

  1. Select the Elliptical tool button or press W.
  2. Set initial mask parameters if necessary.
  3. Select Ellipse Options settings if necessary. These options include:

    Use: To:
    From Center Click and drag the cursor to draw the mask from the center of the first mouse/pen click.
    Unconstrained Create an unconstrained mask. Click and drag to draw and change the shape of the mask.
    Square Click and drag to draw a perfect circle.
    Fixed Size Create an elliptical mask based on width and height values you set. Once the values are set, click the location in the image you want the shape to appear.
    Proportional Create an elliptical mask based on width and height proportions you set. Once the values are set, click and drag to create the shape.