Layer masking

A layer mask is used to reveal a portion of a layer while the rest of the layer remains hidden. This means that you can use a mask layer to 'delete' areas of a layer that you don't want.

In Affinity Designer, two types of masking are possible: pixel masking and vector masking.

pixel mask before
pixel mask after
Pixel masking: performs a similar task to the erase tools with one important difference; a pixel mask can be modified, or even discarded, at any point in time.
vector mask before
vector mask after
Vector masking: this involves using a line or shape as a mask over another object that crops to the line or shape's outline.

The non-destructive power of masking

Masks are applied to designs as a separate layer, allowing them to be freely edited and moved. Mask layers affect any object below them within the same parent layer. They can also be clipped to individual objects so that only that object is affected.

Adjustment layers also have mask layer properties. Areas of an adjustment layer can be revealed or hidden in the same way as with a mask layer.

Once a mask layer is created, you can apply different levels of grayscale or opacity to the mask layer—apply White (or 100% Opacity) to reveal; apply Black (or 0% Opacity) to conceal; apply intermediate grayscale levels for partial masking. Try drawing a gradient (with Gradient Tool) across a mask layer and assign different grayscale levels or opacity to end stops to experiment.

Mask layers can have a unique blend mode assigned.

Pixel Persona Erase Brush tool Paint Brush To add a pixel mask to a vector layer:
  1. On the Layers panel, select the chosen vector layer.
  2. Jump to Pixel Persona.
  3. Do one of the following:
    • To 'erase', paint on the page using the Erase Brush Tool. A mask layer is created on painting.
    • To 'restore' the mask, paint on the page using the Paint Brush Tool. A white fill completely restores, while grayscale fills partially restore the mask by varying amounts.
Mask Layer To create an empty mask layer:
  1. On the Layers panel, select the layer you wish to mask.
  2. Hold and, at the bottom of the panel, click Mask Layer.
  3. Hold and, at the bottom of the panel, click the mask icon.
Pixel Persona Erase Brush Tool Paint Brush Tool Gradient Tool To edit a pixel mask:
  1. In the Layers panel, select the mask thumbnail representing the mask layer.
  2. Paint using the above tools.
To change pixel mask properties:
To add a vector mask:
  1. Draw a filled vector object, e.g., a line or shape, which is to be your mask.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • On the Layers panel, drag the created object entry directly onto the thumbnail of a 'target' object.
    • -click the object and select Mask to Below, if the object to be masked is directly below the masking object.
    • On the Layer menu, select Mask to Below.

The thumbnail of the target object changes to indicate that a mask and crop have been applied.

The masking object is clipped to the target object using a "crop to top object" operation.

The masking object can be a group of objects which will remain as independent objects after masking; the group can be expanded/collapsed and its objects will remain editable.

To hide/show a collapsed child mask layer:

The hidden mask will show a red line through its thumbnail.

To delete a mask:
  1. In the Layers panel, select the mask's thumbnail.
  2. Press the .

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