Clipping mask - FOLDER to a LAYER.

Report · Nov 19, 2024

Hello,
I have noticed a strange behaviour in Photoshop.

It is possible to create a clipping mask from a Layer to a FOLDER.

BUT (strangely), it is IMPOSSIBLE to create a clipping mask from a FOLDER to a Layer.
To make things as clear as possible, I have attached two example files.

Why is this?
Is this ‘Normal’ or is it a BUG?

Many thanks in advance!

PS:
I also posted the subject as a ‘bug’ here.
But I don't know if it's a bug...

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-bugs/clipping-mask-folder-to-a-layer/idi-p/149878...

Report · Nov 20, 2024

Hi @Cyan_282 ,

That is perfectly understandable behavior. How would Ps know which layer to use for the clipping mask right?

The way to get this to work whilst maintaining your layer group is to convert the layer group to a Smart Object and then apply your clipping

hth

mj

Author: Indesign Masterclass

Report · Nov 20, 2024

Hi @mj

Well... like all clipping masks: THE layer directly BELOW!

The FOLDER is located ABOVE a layer!
Like all clipping masks, it's THIS Layer that would make the clipping mask.

The SUM of the FOLDER content MUST BE clipped by the LAYER directly below.

I don't understand your comment, sorry.

Report · Nov 20, 2024

The layers are part of a group, so Ps is taking the group into account.

So you have two options.

1. Move the layer out of the group.

2. Make the group a Smart Object.

Hope it makes sense now?

mj

Author: Indesign Masterclass

Report · Nov 20, 2024

I get your frustration. I agree it doesn't make much sense when you can put the layers outside of the group, select all of them and create a clipping mask for all these layers, but not when they are inside a group 🙂

I can see this has been discussed before a few times, but still hasn't been implemented. Being able to clip layers to a group was added back in CS6 I believe. Too bad the other way around doesn't work. I think it's a valid request / expectation.

Report · Nov 20, 2024

@mj

Yes, there is a folder.
Photoshop is able to take the SUM of this folder as a reference.

The proof is that it can create a clipping mask with a layer above it.
So why shouldn't it be able to do the same thing in the other direction ?

No, I don't understand the logic ! Sorry…

PS:
OK, one of the suggested ways (to ‘get around’ this limitation) is to create a ‘Dynamic Object’ of the folder.
But that's complex and not logical.

It seems to me to be more a way of getting around a limitation...
Not a really proactive way of working.