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 after
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 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 as a separate layer, allowing them to be freely edited and moved. Mask layers affect any layer 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 greyscale or opacity to the mask layer—apply White (or 100% Opacity) to reveal; apply Black (or 0% Opacity) to conceal; apply intermediate greyscale levels for partial masking. Try drawing a gradient (with Fill Tool) across a mask layer and assign different greyscale levels or opacity to end stops to experiment.

Mask layers can have a unique blend mode assigned.

Pixel Persona Erase Brush Tool Paint Brush Tool Gradient Tool To add a pixel mask to a vector layer:
  1. On the Layers panel, select the chosen vector layer.
  2. Switch 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' masked content, paint on the page using the Paint Brush Tool. A white fill completely restores, while greyscale fills partially restore the mask by varying amounts.
    • To apply a gradient mask, switch back to Designer Persona and select the Gradient Tool, then drag across the layer.
Pixel Persona Erase Brush Tool Paint Brush Tool Gradient Tool To edit a pixel mask:
  1. On the Layers panel, tap the mask layer's thumbnail.
  2. In Pixel Persona (Erase Brush, Paint Brush) or Designer Persona (Fill), paint using the tools mentioned above.
Add To create a mask layer:

On the Layers panel, do one of the following:

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. On the Layers panel, drag the created object entry directly onto the thumbnail of a 'target' object.

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.

Toggle Visibility To hide/show a mask:
Delete Layer To delete a mask:

On the Layers panel:

  1. Tap the mask's thumbnail.
  2. Tap Delete.

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