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.

Pixel Persona Erase Brush Tool Paint Brush Tool Fill Tool To add a pixel mask to a vector layer:
  1. In the Layers Studio, 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 greyscale fills partially restore the mask by varying amounts.
    • To apply a gradient mask, select the Fill Tool and drag across the layer.
Mask Layer To create an empty mask layer:

Do one of the following:

To edit a pixel mask:
  1. In the Layers Studio, select the mask thumbnail representing the mask layer.
  2. Paint using the above tools.
To change pixel mask properties:
To hide/show a pixel mask:
Delete Layer To delete a mask:
  1. On the Layers Studio, select the layer mask.
  2. Choose Delete Layer.

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